It’s crazy to think I’ve had the Chase Sapphire Reserve card for a full year. Oh and what a year it’s been. Thanks to the crazy 100,000 points sign-up bonus I flew Lufthansa First Class from Frankfurt to Newark for just $180. That was a truly incredible experience and one that I’d love to have again. In the past year I’ve earned countless Ultimate Rewards points from the card on dining and travel as well as everyday spend. There are so many benefits it’s hard not to recommend the card to friends. In fact, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is often on the top of a short list of cards I’d actually recommend to people.
Whenever someone asks about opening a credit card the Chase Sapphire Reserve is almost always the first card I mention. When running through the list of reasons why I’d open the card, I first mention the current 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points sign-up bonus, which is still great. I then mention earning 3X points on all travel and dining expenses. If they’re still interested, I’ll also mention the Priority Pass benefit and the $300 annual travel credit. For one reason or another I almost always forget to mention the benefit I actually get a lot of value from. I, for one reason or another, always fail to mention the Global Entry / TSA PreCheck benefit.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Statement Credit
Chase Sapphire Reserve card holders receive a $100 or $85, respectively, statement credit every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. $100 or $85 every four years may not seem like a lot of money considering the $450 annual fee, but trust me it’s worth it. The statement credit isn’t simply a monetary reward for carrying the card. It serves as an incentive to actually go an apply for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Without that incentive I’m not sure a lot of people would pay the $85 or $100 on their own. That’s a mistake because having TSA PreCheck is one of the travel benefits I value the most these days.
What Makes TSA PreCheck So Great?
For starters, having TSA PreCheck allows you to use special TSA PreCheck security lanes. During slow travel times there are rarely any other passengers in these lanes. During the peak travel periods these special lines might be long, but they move incredibly fast.
TSA PreCheck lines move quickly for a few reasons. First, TSA PreCheck passengers don’t have to take off their shoes, belts, or even light jackets (depending on the TSA agents working the security lane). Additionally, passengers don’t have to take liquids, laptops, or other items out of their bags to pass through security. This means that all you have to do is place all of your items on the x-ray belt and wait for them to come out of the other side. Since people aren’t fumbling around their bags to pull out laptops or other “dangerous” items, TSA PreCheck lines move quickly.
I’ve had TSA PreCheck for about two years now and can’t imagine traveling without it. Every now and then I use a ‘regular’ security line because the wait appears shorter. Sadly, I’m disappointed every time I don’t use the TSA PreCheck lane. Even though the line seems shorter, in the end, taking out my laptop and placing it in a separate bin is a pain. I also hate having to take my shoes and belt off. Lastly, I really don’t like using the Nude-O-Scope. TSA PreCheck passengers usually only have to pass through a standard metal detector. All of these perks combine make TSA PreCheck a travel tool I can’t imagine traveling without.
How Do I Sign Up For TSA PreCheck?
This is another reason TSA PreCheck is so great, it’s easy to sign up. In larger cities there are several biometric screening centers where you can register and get fingerprinted. In smaller markets the only available location may be the airport. Either way the process of signing up couldn’t be easier.
To sign up for TSA PreCheck simply visit the TSA PreCheck website, click “Apply Now,” enter your personal information, and select a time and location for your screening. Once you receive confirmation of your appointment you must go to the registration center, get fingerprinted, and pay with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
The entire visit takes just a few minutes and you should either receive your known traveler number (KTN) immediately or within a few weeks. When I applied I received my KTN in the mail a few weeks later. Now, I’ve heard people receive a KTN immediately, but have to wait for an “approved” status via email or standard mail. Either way, the process is extremely easy.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to get wrapped up in some of the over the top benefits offered by credit cards these days. Benefits like lounge access or 3X points may seem great, but often the simplest benefits are the most useful. The $100 (or $85) Global Entry / TSA PreCheck benefit may not sound like a lot, but over the course of 5 years it’ll save you a ton of time at the airport. I couldn’t tell you the last time I worried about a security line at the airport. TSA PreCheck makes clearing security at the airport so easy and painless. TSA PreCheck is especially beneficial for anyone who frequently travels with a laptop because you no longer need to put your laptop in a separate bin.
Overall, the benefit I like most from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the TSA PreCheck credit. I’m not sure why it’s not one of the first things I mention when people ask about the card. I wonder if I don’t mention it because I selfishly don’t want people applying for TSA PreCheck. Over the years, as more people apply, the TSA PreCheck lines have become longer. Maybe I don’t mention the benefit because I don’t want the lines to grow even more than they already have…
Who knows, but either way the Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit is one of the most underrated benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card today.
PS. Should I Apply For Global Entry?
I originally wrote this above, but quickly realized it didn’t flow with the rest of the post. I’ve moved the following down here because I think it’s worth discussing. At this point in time, I’d avoid applying for Global Entry unless you’re traveling internationally a lot. The reason I say this is that the Global Entry application process is brutal. You have to apply, then you schedule an interview, then you go to the interview, then you wait for a decision. If you’ve had any troubles with the law, you might be denied. If you’re denied you get nothing and more importantly you don’t get your $100 back.
Sure Global Entry give you speedy entry back into the United States, but so do new, free services, like Mobile Passport. I’ve used Mobile Passport a few times now (Chicago) and (Newark) and find the service exceptional. Personally, I’d recommend just doing TSA PreCheck and using Mobile Passport when re-entering the United States.
Featured Image, My Heavily Used Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
