Among Southwest’s credit cards, only the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card covers TSA PreCheck. The three personal Southwest cards — Plus, Premier, and Priority — offer no reimbursement for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS fees at any tier.1Southwest Airlines. Cardmember Benefits If you carry one of the personal cards and hoped it would pick up the tab, it will not.
The Card That Includes the Credit
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card gives a statement credit of up to $120 every four years toward the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS. The card is issued by Chase and carries a $299 annual fee.2Southwest Airlines. Rapid Rewards Business Credit Cards The credit was raised to $120 effective October 1, 2024, to match the increased Global Entry application fee.3The Points Guy. Global Entry Fee Credit Card Raises
TSA PreCheck currently costs about $77 to $85 for a five-year membership depending on the enrollment provider, so the $120 credit more than covers it.4TSA Enrollment by Idemia. TSA PreCheck Application Program Global Entry costs $120 for five years and automatically includes TSA PreCheck, and the credit covers that in full as well.5U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry Application Fee
How the Reimbursement Works
Pay the application fee with your Performance Business card, and Chase issues the statement credit automatically. There is no form to file, no phone call, and no enrollment step beyond using the right card at checkout.6Chase. TSA PreCheck Credit Card Options With Chase The credit typically posts within one or two billing cycles after the charge appears on your statement.7NerdWallet. What Is TSA PreCheck and How Do I Get It
A few details are worth knowing. The credit is one per account, not one per cardholder: authorized users do not get their own separate reimbursement, so a single $120 credit covers one application every four years regardless of how many people are on the card.8CreditCards.com. Chase Sapphire Reserve Authorized User Benefits Renewals qualify too; Chase does not distinguish between an initial enrollment and a renewal.6Chase. TSA PreCheck Credit Card Options With Chase And the credit covers one trusted-traveler program per four-year period, so you cannot use it for TSA PreCheck and then immediately turn around and use it again for Global Entry.
Southwest Cards That Do Not Cover TSA PreCheck
Southwest’s three personal cards through Chase all leave this benefit off the sheet:
- Rapid Rewards Plus, at $99 a year, earns 3,000 anniversary points and a free checked bag but no trusted-traveler credit.1Southwest Airlines. Cardmember Benefits
- Rapid Rewards Premier, at $149 a year, adds a 15% promotional code and 6,000 anniversary points, still with no trusted-traveler credit.2Southwest Airlines. Rapid Rewards Business Credit Cards
- Rapid Rewards Priority, at $229 a year, is the top personal tier: 7,500 anniversary points, a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, Extra Legroom upgrades, and complimentary Preferred seat selection at booking. Even at that price, it does not include a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry benefit.9Chase. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
On the business side, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business card ($149 a year) also lacks the credit. The Performance Business card is the only card in the Southwest lineup that has it.1Southwest Airlines. Cardmember Benefits
Alternatives if You Have a Personal Southwest Card
If you carry a personal Rapid Rewards card and still want a card that reimburses TSA PreCheck, several other Chase products offer the same statement credit:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred, $95 a year, up to $120 every four years toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.10Chase. Does Chase Sapphire Preferred Cover TSA PreCheck
- Chase Sapphire Reserve, $795 a year, same $120 every four years plus a $300 annual travel credit and Priority Pass lounge access.11CNBC Select. Best Credit Cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck Credits
- United Explorer Card, $150 a year after the introductory period, up to $120 every four years.12Forbes Advisor. Credit Cards With Global Entry TSA PreCheck
- IHG One Rewards Premier, $99 a year, up to $120 every four years.12Forbes Advisor. Credit Cards With Global Entry TSA PreCheck
Outside Chase, the Capital One Venture Rewards ($95 a year) and Citi Strata Elite ($595 a year) offer similar reimbursements.13NerdWallet. Best Credit Cards for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry For a Southwest loyalist who wants to keep a personal Rapid Rewards card, pairing it with a Sapphire Preferred is the cheapest way to pick up the TSA PreCheck credit without moving to a business card.
PreCheck or Global Entry With the Credit
Since the $120 covers either program, the choice comes down to how you travel. TSA PreCheck speeds up domestic security screening: shoes and belt stay on, laptops stay in the bag. It runs about $77 to $85 for five years.4TSA Enrollment by Idemia. TSA PreCheck Application Program Global Entry costs $120 for five years, includes all of TSA PreCheck, and adds expedited U.S. customs screening when you return from international trips.14Chase. TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry There is no reason to apply for both.15NerdWallet. TSA PreCheck Global Entry Explained Global Entry does require a valid passport and an in-person interview at a more limited set of enrollment centers, and processing can take weeks to months.16Capital One. TSA PreCheck Global Entry Credit If you fly internationally even a few times a year, Global Entry is the better use of the credit; if you stick to domestic flights or do not have a passport, TSA PreCheck is the simpler pick and leaves a small amount of the $120 unused.