TSA PreCheck Is a Benefit, It’s NOT Part of the Welcome Bonus – No Minimum Spending Required!

Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.

There are several cards that give you a credit for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry (up to $100):

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• United℠ Explorer Card
• Capital One Venture Credit Card
• IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card

These cards come with FANTASTIC welcome bonuses after meeting minimum spend requirements.  But it’s important to know the difference between a welcome bonus and a credit card benefit.  You don’t need to spend anything to unlock a card perk!

Don’t Let a Minimum Spending Requirement Scare You Away From TSA PreCheck

Even if you open one of the above cards and don’t meet the minimum spending requirement to earn the welcome bonus, you’ll still get all the other benefits that come with the credit card.

For example, the Chase United Explorer comes with a limited time bonus of up to 65,000 United Airlines miles; 40,000 miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases in the first three months. Plus, an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 total on purchases in the first six months your account is open. It also comes with perks like:

• 2 one-time United Club passes per cardmember year
• Priority boarding
• Access to more available award seats
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit (up to $100)

These are entirely separate from the welcome bonus.  Whether you use your card for $2,000 in purchases in the first 3 months or $2 in purchases in the first 12 months, you have access to all these benefits.

If you’re anxious you won’t meet the minimum spend on a card that offers TSA PreCheck (or any other benefit you’re interested in), there’s nothing to worry about!  As soon as you get your card, you’re eligible to use the TSA PreCheck credit.  When I used my Chase United Explorer to purchase TSA PreCheck, I was reimbursed the same day.

I’ve had Global Entry (which comes with TSA PreCheck) for years now, and it’s an absolute boon if you fly even a couple times per year.  Using the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit will give you a free 5-year membership, so you’ll be scooting past airport security lines well into 2024!

Note:   If you don’t think you can meet minimum spending requirements, read this post.  You’ll be astonished at how many creative (and super easy) ways you can meet that requirement without actually spending more of your money!  But before you apply for a card it’s always important to be sure the minimum spending requirement is realistic for you because spending more than you normally would on stuff you don’t need isn’t beneficial.

Let me know your thoughts on TSA PreCheck!