TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry costs $85-$100. My husband, son, and I all have done the pre approval in the past year and paid nothing.
Security lines are far too long at the airport. There are articles almost daily about the TSA issues that almost every airport in America is having. Short staffed airport TSA staffs mean that TSA lines can be 1-2 hours long! I have no interest in adding extra travel time to my travel day when we are leaving town.
So I paid $400 for the Ritz Carlton credit card from Chase. And I received benefits that were worth thousands! The first benefit is a $300 credit to use towards airline fees, which includes the TSA pre approval! We used $100 of that for my son’s approval, because now that he is over 12, he cannot ride our coattails through the process. And he never could for the Global Entry, all ages require that, so now we can go to Europe without extra travel time upon our return through customs! This credit also covers food bought on the plane, luggage expenses, and seat upgrades.
I had to spend a certain amount of money for the other benefits to kick in from this credit card, but with my son’s sleep-away camp cost, I had no trouble hitting that amount. That is when I became entitled to two free nights at a Ritz Carlton. That is worth one thousand dollars!
Additionally, with the card, you get a free room upgrade when you pay for a room. You can get upgraded to the concierge level! My family told me about this card because they use it on their annual Puerto Rico trip over the Thanksgiving holiday: they upgrade to the concierge floor where there is a room with free food and drinks (including alcohol) all day long. They eat breakfast and lunch in there, get snacks all day, and bring free alcohol drinks to their dinner! This can be quite a savings overall!
For those who travel regularly, this is a great value, even after the first year when you no longer get two free nights. And if you do not think the value is there after the bonus offer, then cancel the card after your first year, you will have made your value on the deal!
The second credit card deal that we used was with the American Express Platinum Card. This card is pricier, but they offered us 50,000 miles for signing up, which is worth $500. The Amex TSA deal is for reimbursement, and with a second card that cost an additional sum, Peter and I both did our pre-approval. We then became eligible for an additional $200 of airline expense credit. It is less than the Ritz card, and more restrictive, as you have to pick an airline to use it towards. The fine print does say however, you can change your choice if needed.
You also get free entry into the Delta first class lounge with the Platinum card. If you are a frequent Delta traveler, that may have a large value for you. I have downgraded the Amex card to save money, after we took advantage of all they had to offer.
The Ritz Carlton card is by far the greater value. If you travel enough to need the $300 airline credit, the net cost is $100 after the first year. The Platinum card was not worth it to me after the first year, hence, we downgraded. The Platinum card only had value in the first year due to the sign up bonus. Both cards offer a secondary list of first class lounges for free admittance, but we have never been able to use those. Lastly, both cards give you points for the money that you spend, but that added very little value versus the cost of the card.
TSA for free, what do you think? Would you pay for a card to get these benefits, and if yes, which one?
Pam says
Sounds like you get some great perks with your card. I love the TSA pre-check option!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds like a great card. I absolutely LOVE the TST pre-check thing. Going through those security lines sucks.
Theresa says
I absolutely hate going the the TSA checkpoint. I’d be thrilled to use the pre-check option. I could definitely see getting this card for that benefit alone!
Lindsey Paris says
TSA Precheck is on my list of to-dos. Our kids are very young, so they could go with us if needed.
Marcie W. says
TSA and security lines are definitely a big hassle. I always appreciate a card with added benefits, especially when they are as awesome as the ones you described.
Val says
What a great card to have, I love the prices you listed here they seem pretty reasonable!
Jeanine says
This sounds like a great card to have. I never travel but if I think this would be a really decent card to have!
Liz Mays says
I travel pretty frequently and I am not a fan of those long lines. It’s nice that you can pay for the pre-check with that credit!
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
This sounds like a great deal for those who travel often. I know I have a friend who just did this and it saves him so much time and he gets the great perks.
Ryan Escat says
Wow, what a nice deal. I also want a card like that. Although, I don’t travel much.
Nicole Escat says
I haven’t travel via airports but I hear so many horror stories about the lines and services.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
That is a nice perk having the pre-TSA checkout option.
I agree these lines are getting too long.
Scott says
I wish I traveled enough to use this. : (
Scott says
Commented on another blog post. https://www.gaynycdad.com/2016/06/tsa-pre-check-global-entry-free.html#comments
Cinny says
That’s a pretty nice perk to have. I really hate TSA lines and having to go to the airport early to make sure I make my flights but don’t know if I qualify for TSA pre-check.
Louise Bishop says
It is always great when you receive perks worth way more than what you purchased. Saving money is no easy thing especially when you travel frequently.
Rosey says
That’s nice that you can get a free room upgrade too. I like the perks. I’m one of the few people who doesn’t mind TSA lines though. My (teen) daughter hates them!!
MELISASource says
Oh wow the perks of this card sound really great! I’ll definitely have to check it out!
Dawn McAlexander says
I didn’t realize that so many cards offered such great perks! I will have to look into maybe getting a few. My family and I are beginning to travel more and more, so we could really benefit from these.
Sarah Bailey says
This sounds like a card that has lots of benefits! So many of them don’t.
Jennifer Henry-Novich says
Looking into cards can always be such a pain. This one sounds like it has a lot of perks that are definitely beneficial.
Ann Bacciaglia says
This is a fantastic card to have. I love that you can use it on the TSA pre-check .
Karlaroundtheworld | Karla says
Those are some nice perks! I’d love to experience all those features, sounds worth signing up for!
Tracey says
Oh I so need this card! I travel a lot and the rules just keep getting more strict! I’ll be looking into this.