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Update: The changes mentioned in this post below have taken effect. To learn more about each Trusted Traveler program and apply, click here.
If you missed the news, the cost of Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS will increase on October 1, 2024. Since October 1 is just a few short days away, now's a great time to apply for one of these trusted traveler programs before they become more expensive.
Or, if you have a credit card offering an application fee waiver as a perk, you may not need to act so swiftly. Several issuers are bumping the credit amount on the first of the month; we'll run through the list of the ones that are.
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What’s Changing With the Application Fees for Trusted Traveler Programs?
Earlier this year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that after 15 years, the application fees for Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI are due for a price hike.
If you apply for these programs today, you'll pay $100 for Global Entry, $50 for NEXUS, or $122.25 for SENTRI. The application prices will harmonize at $120 starting on October 1, 2024. So, if you don't have an application fee waiver, now's the time to act.
Related: Why Having Expedited Security Is More Important Than Ever
Will Your Credit Card Cover the Cost of Applying for Global Entry After the Fee Increase?
One of the best aspects of these programs (outside of skipping long lines) is that several options exist for getting expedited security for free. If you travel with any frequency, Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck) is the way to go. It's one of the best travel tools to keep in your back pocket.
Several credit cards offer “up to $X value” for trusted traveler programs every few years — depending on the program you apply for. In response to the news about the fee hikes, several issuers adjusted the credit amount to $120. Thus, starting October 1, 2024, each of the following issuers will offer cardholders up to $120 in fee reimbursements:
Citi
Citi will increase the expedited security fee credit on two cards from $100 to $120. This will apply to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and the Citi Prestige® Card (no longer open to new applicants).
Chase
Chase will also adjust the benefits on a handful of its own cards. Starting October 1, 2024, cardholders can receive a statement credit of up to $120 every four years, matching the new cost for Trusted Traveler program applications.
There's a long list of Chase cards offering this perk, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, Aeroplan® Credit Card, and The New United℠ Explorer Card, among others.
Barclays
Barclays issues multiple cards that offer a Trusted Traveler application fee credit, but only one has updated terms covering the fee changes on October 1, 2024. You'll find the “up to $120” terms now listed on the AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®.
American Express
American Express has confirmed that it will be raising the statement credits on affected cards to $120 every 4.5 years. These changes impact the large number of personal and business cards that American Express offers. A couple of examples include The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
The application fee credit increase will also apply to co-branded cards that offer the benefit, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
Capital One
Capital One will increase its Trusted Traveler application fee credit to $120 when the price increases. This will cover the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card personal cards, as well as the Capital One Venture X Business and Capital One Spark Miles for Business.
PenFed
The PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® is a card you might not know much about. That said, the $95 annual fee card offers a fee reimbursement for Trusted Traveler program applications, which will increase to $120 on October 1, 2024.
Bottom Line
In a few days, the cost to apply for programs such as Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS will go up. So, if you don't have an application fee waiver, now is a great time to apply the out-of-pocket burden increases. However, there's good news if you have an application fee waiver. Several issuers are boosting the amount you'll get reimbursed for applying every few years, so you'll likely be covered when you go to apply or choose to renew.
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