Most experts would advise you to travel with little cash and instead, use your credit card for security and ease of use. Many credit card companies will waive the exchange fees when transactions are done in foreign currencies. But which cards will make life easier at airports with security and immigration processing?
Quite a few credit cards offer reimbursement for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. See my previous blog post on this topic to learn about the difference between these two services. All of them come with an annual fee and various other benefits. Note that the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck benefit is only available every four years, as it expires every five years.
On the high end of the spectrum, these cards will give you a statement credit for a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck benefit:
1) Chase Sapphire Reserve Card – $450 per year – $100 credit
2) American Express Platinum Card – $550 per year – $100 credit
3) City Prestige Card – $495 per year – $100 credit
4) Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card (Amex) – $450 per year – $100 credit
5) Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard – $450 – $100 credit
On an budget-friendly level, these cards will also provide a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck:
1) Capital One Venture Rewards: $95 per year – $100 credit
2) United Explorer Card: $95 per year – 4100 credit
3) IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card: $89 per year – $100 credit
4) Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card: $95 per year – $100 credit
5) SunTrust Travel Rewards Credit Card: $89 per year – $100 credit
The aggravation of long lines through security is probably worth the annual fee, and other benefits, with these cards.
Tip: Make sure to compare apples with apples when it comes to the various credit card options.
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