TRAVELYour Credit Card Is Already Paying for TSA PreCheck and Clear4 min read
Credit Cards That Erase the Application Fee
Dozens of travel credit cards offer statement credits up to $120 specifically to reimburse Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. The credit typically resets every four to five years, which lines up almost exactly with how long each membership lasts. In practice, this makes either program free for cardholders who pay attention.
Cards from American Express, Chase, Capital One, and others carry this benefit. The move is simple: before you pay anything out of pocket, check every card in your wallet. Chances are at least one covers it. Check the terms for your specific card — the reimbursement covers one program per cycle, not both.
Airline Status and the Clear Discount Stack
Alaska, Delta, and United all offer their frequent flyers discounted or free Clear+ memberships based on elite tier. Delta’s Diamond Medallion and Delta 360 members get Clear+ entirely free. Platinum, Gold, and Silver Medallion members pay $169. Regular SkyMiles members get a $10 discount at $199.
United Global Services members get Clear+ free. Premier 1K members pay $129. Silver, Gold, and Platinum members pay $169. General MileagePlus members pay $199. Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards members pay $199, with elite-tier members earning bonus points on signup and each renewal. The discount stacks with credit card credits where terms allow, so check both before enrolling.
Bundles, Families, and the Amex Wild Card
Clear offers a bundled enrollment for both TSA PreCheck and Clear+ together at $288.95. After approval, Clear refunds $79.95 of the PreCheck portion — effectively lowering the combined cost below buying each separately. For someone who wants both, it’s the cleanest path in.
For families, Clear’s plan adds up to three additional adults to a primary membership for $125 per person per year. Children under 18 travel through Clear free alongside an adult. The college student discount is gone, but the family plan math holds up for households that move through airports together. American Express also pushes periodic Amex Offers to select cardholders covering Clear+ membership costs — check your account regularly, because those credits appear quietly and expire fast.