TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry costs $85-$100. My husband, son, and I all have done the pre approval process and paid net zero, after opening credit cards with the free TSA benefit! We were all reimbursed!In
In 2015 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 reaching that amount. That is when I became entitled to two free nights at a Ritz Carlton. That is worth over a thousand dollars! We had a wonderful family staycation in April, 2017, during the Passover holidays, which made commuting to my family’s home for the holidays much easier, and the few days of luxury = much needed! But Wait!
Additionally, with the card, you get a free room upgrade when you pay for a room. You can even 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 holidays: 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 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! We upgraded our room in April, so my son had the living room all to himself, he was very happy. In the meantime, I cancelled the card after the first year as I have used up all the benefits.
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, so for net zero, Peter and I both did our TSA pre-approval. We then became eligible for an additional $200 for airline expense credits. It is less of a credit than the Ritz card, and more restrictive, as you have to pick one airline to use the credit. The fine print does say however, you can change your choice if needed. I get free first class lounges admission with the card and have used my airline credit to bring my family in as well. I make sure we eat a meal there and bring snacks onto the plane so we get our money’s worth.
Note there are some caveats: you only get signing bonuses one time with an American Express card. So, guess what? After I cancelled one years ago, the blog signed up for one, and the bonus was 100,000 miles, which could translate into $1000 in gift cards if I want! Or airline miles, or Marriott points. That free entry into the Delta lounge came in handy when I was snowed in at the airport for 12 hours on the way to the Dad 2.0 conference last year!
Lastly, we got the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card! Again, before any large expense, like my son’s Bar Mitzvah down payment, or his annual camp payment, or anything else that is several thousand dollars, I try to apply for a credit card with an awesome bonus. Since we pay our credit cards off in full every month, we do not pay any interest, and we get some great deals. In this case, I received 100,000 miles which I can convert into a $1,000 deposited directly into my checking account! I also get a $300 travel bonus, which instead of using for an airline, I was able to use the credit for my monthly parking here in NYC! I was shocked and thrilled. After one year with this card, that costs $450, I will have received $1300. Can you beat that!
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