topic Re: Free TSA Pre-check? in Credit Cards

Free TSA Pre-check?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:54:41 GMT

Several travel cards offer to pay for TSA Pre-check, but I'm not aware of any that do so without carrying an AF, unless you count the United card with first year waived. Are there any card that pay it without an AF?

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:34:27 GMT

there is no free lunch, it will cost you one way or another.

you can just get a no AF card with $100+ SUB to cover ths tsa cost.

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

issac2x — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 15:02:37 GMT

FNBOs travelite offers global entry reimbursement and has no annual fee but they haven't sent mailers out for those in a while though.

Edit: Forgot Penfed Pathfinder is a clone of the travelite if you're interested.

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 17:55:53 GMT

Penfed Pathfinder. Free TSA precheck or Global Entry and also a $100 annual airline credit. All for no annual fee.

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 21:04:12 GMT

I agree with the above. The Pathfinder card with Penfed is the best option for free. I have the Visa Signature Flagship with Navy Federal which offers it but the AF is $49, waived for the first year.

I'm also sure there are other cards that cover it with AF waived for the first year but that will take more research or others chiming in.

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

Time2letgo — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 21:20:52 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Penfed Pathfinder. Free TSA precheck or Global Entry and also a $100 annual airline credit. All for no annual fee.

I forgot that this card has the $100 airline credit. Missed out on it for last year.

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

SBR249 — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 21:34:26 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

I'm also sure there are other cards that cover it with AF waived for the first year but that will take more research or others chiming in.

Capital One Venture offers a TSA credit and waives first year AF.

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

imaximous — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 21:42:02 GMT

BofA Premium Rewards has a $95 AF but they also offer $100 a year in incidental charges. It shouldn't be too hard to get those credits if you're looking for a travel card. After the credits, you'll be $5 ahead every year.

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

kdm31091 — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 22:05:15 GMT

I think the Pathfinder is your only real option that I know of. It’s a perk offered with an AF generally. As stated above it’s going to cost you one way or the other in most cases.

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

wasCB14 — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 22:11:41 GMT

I wonder what it costs issuers to provide Pre-Check reimbursement these days. I'm sure there are a lot of people who don't have Pre-Check that want it. Obviously, there are renewals.

Some Pre-Check people upgrade to Nexus or GE, though. And so many cards offer Pre-Check that when another card adds it, a bunch of their customers will have already gotten it somewhere else. Perhaps most cards with a ~$100 AF will include it before long.

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 22:50:40 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
I wonder what it costs issuers to provide Pre-Check reimbursement these days. I'm sure there are a lot of people who don't have Pre-Check that want it. Obviously, there are renewals.

Some Pre-Check people upgrade to Nexus or GE, though. And so many cards offer Pre-Check that when another card adds it, a bunch of their customers will have already gotten it somewhere else. Perhaps most cards with a ~$100 AF will include it before long.

Right, and we are already seeing "too many" people with Precheck, lots of stories where the normal line was much shorter than the precheck line (so even with taking off shoes etc, normal was better). The more people have it, the slightly less value it is!

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

FinStar — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 22:58:18 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:
I wonder what it costs issuers to provide Pre-Check reimbursement these days. I'm sure there are a lot of people who don't have Pre-Check that want it. Obviously, there are renewals.

Some Pre-Check people upgrade to Nexus or GE, though. And so many cards offer Pre-Check that when another card adds it, a bunch of their customers will have already gotten it somewhere else. Perhaps most cards with a ~$100 AF will include it before long.
Right, and we are already seeing "too many" people with Precheck, lots of stories where the normal line was much shorter than the precheck line (so even with taking off shoes etc, normal was better). The more people have it, the slightly less value it is!

Yup, just like most lounge access perks.

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

wasCB14 — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 23:02:59 GMT

And then you have "Pre-Check Light" with all kinds of variations of belts, jackets, shoes, and devices coming out or staying on. So even somewhat experienced travelers will need a little bit to figure it out, slowing things down.

All this with the TSA failing ~90% of undercover screening audits even without a government shutdown.

Re: Free TSA Pre-check?

jdbkiang — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 00:39:05 GMT

I’m surprised more people don’t have the Pathfinder card. Doesn’t get better than free money. After I get back under 5/24 and finish other Chase cards, this will be a priority.