Can Someone Else Use My Credit Card’s Global Entry Credit?

You might be wondering: “If I have a credit card that reimburses the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck can I use the benefit for someone else if I already have it?”

Perhaps you have a friend, family member, or spouse who would love to have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Or maybe you’re just tired of waiting for your travel buddy on the other side of security.

Can they use your credit card perk to cover the application cost for themselves? The answer is yes.

When using your travel rewards credit card to cover the cost of Global Entry, there is no requirement that the credit be used for the primary cardholder on the account.

I recently used my fiancé’s *delta skymiles platinum card* to cover the cost of my Global Entry application. He had already used his *chase sapphire reserve* to get the benefit for himself, so the credit on his Delta card was going unused. Here’s what you need to know, and how to do it.

Read next: The Cheapest Credit Cards That Get You Free TSA PreCheck & Global Entry

Should I get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?

The answer is simple: If your credit card covers it, and you plan to do even some international travel, get Global Entry. Global Entry is a two-for-one: a fast-pass through immigration when you re-enter the United States from an international trip, and it also includes membership in the TSA PreCheck program.

Yes: when you have Global Entry, TSA PreCheck is included as a part of the program. Applying is straightforward just like with TSA PreCheck, and the interview is a breeze as long as you don’t have a criminal record. But actually finding an available appointment to finalize your enrollment can be easier said than done. 

See our tips for getting your Global Entry interview scheduled faster!

Cover Yourself First

Before lending your credit card that offers free Global Entry, make sure you’ve got this service covered for yourself. This benefit can only be reaped once every four(ish) years, depending on the card, and Global Entry must be renewed every five years.

In this case, we recommend planning to cover your own cost of Global Entry using your credit card first. If you have more than one of the credit cards on this list, receive Global Entry from an employer or another source already, it is a great opportunity to share the wealth.

Read More: The Best Credit Cards Offering Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

How to Use the Global Entry Credit on Someone Else’s Card

I’ve had TSA PreCheck for a few years, but I recently decided I wanted Global Entry. One small hiccup: I’d already used up the credit on my own *venture x* and it wasn’t set to renew anytime soon. However, my fiancé holds both the *delta skymiles platinum card* card and the *chase sapphire reserve* cards and only needs to use one to use and renew his Global Entry. He offered to let me use the Global Entry credit benefit on his Delta Platinum card so I could get Global Entry for free.

The application process for Global Entry is simple but can take a bit of time to fill out. You’ll need to fill out personal information, such as where you have lived and worked in the past five years. Once you’ve completed the application and been conditionally approved, you’ll need to schedule an interview at one of the designated locations. Read the in-depth process of how to apply for Global Entry here.

There is only one difference in your application if you use someone else’s credit card that holds the Global Entry benefit: you will pay the $100 (soon $120) cost of Global Entry with their credit card.

Their credit card will then be credited for the amount of $100. The name on the credit card and the name on the Global Entry application don’t need to match for this reimbursement to go through. Just keep in mind that most credit cards with this benefit only allow for the Global Entry credit to be redeemed once every four years, so keep timing in mind when utilizing this perk.

Getting free Global Entry with a credit card is an even bigger win if you have children. As of Oct. 1, children under 18 will be able to sign up for Global Entry for free if their parent or guardian is enrolled in the trusted traveler program. Previously, you needed to enroll each child in the program individually and pay the membership fee, even for newborns – and it still cost $100 for a five-year membership.

While minors will still have to apply and be approved separately for Global Entry to use the benefit, the fee will be waived so long as a parent or guardian is already enrolled – or applies at the same time.

So when you use the Global Entry credit on a travel card, you’re not only getting a fast-track through security for yourself, but potentially for your kids, too. 

Bottom Line

Feeling generous and want to get your friend, family member, or spouse Global Entry with your credit card perk? Simply have them go through the application process as usual and pay with your credit card to be reimbursed in full. Remember to keep one card’s Global Entry reimbursement for yourself, to reapply every five years as required.

However, if you have more than one premium travel card and want to gift Global Entry to a fellow travel buddy, use that awesome travel perk and make their day.