Before you pay that $120 Global Entry fee, stop for a second. If you have the right credit card, you may not have to pay it at all. That’s exactly how our family of four got Global Entry for $0.
In this post, I’ll share how it worked for us: why our two boys didn’t pay anything, the two United credit cards that refunded the fees for my husband and me, and the one step to do before you hit “pay.”
Global Entry has made coming home from international trips so much smoother for our family, and honestly, we only wish we had signed up sooner. The best part? It didn’t cost us a thing.
Quick Summary: How Much Does Global Entry Cost for a Family?
Global Entry is free for kids under 18 when a parent is already a member or has applied, and the right credit card refunds the $120 fee for each adult. That’s how our family of four paid $0 in total.
- 👪 Kids: $0 when a parent is a member or has already applied.
- 💳 Adults: $120 each, refunded by an eligible card.
- 💡 No pricey card needed: A card with a $0 first-year annual fee does the job.
- 🔄 How Often: One credit per card every 4 years.
Read on for the one step to take before you pay the fee, and the card with a $0 first-year fee that covers both parents.
Expert take by Tomo: Based on our family of four’s own Global Entry applications and the two United cards my husband and I use.
*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend products and services I genuinely use and love. For more, see my Disclaimer Policy.
📋 Table of Contents (tap to open)
Is Global Entry Free for Kids? What It Cost Our Family of Four
Yes! Kids under 18 can get Global Entry for free when a parent or legal guardian is already a member or has already applied.
My husband and I applied online first, and our boys applied a little later, so their fee was $0. That left just the two adult fees, and our credit cards took care of those:
| Family member | Global Entry fee | What we paid |
|---|---|---|
| Me | $120 | $0 (refunded by my card) |
| My husband | $120 | $0 (refunded by his card) |
| Our older son | Free (under 18) | $0 |
| Our younger son | Free (under 18) | $0 |
| Total | $0 |
That’s how all four of us got Global Entry for $0.
The 2 United Credit Cards That Paid Our Global Entry Fees
My husband has the United Club Card and I have the United Explorer Card. Both cards refund the Global Entry application fee, so neither of us paid anything out of pocket. Here’s a quick look at each one.
Good news: you don’t need a pricey card like my husband’s to do this. The Explorer Card alone does the job, and I’ll explain how below.
1. United Explorer Card (Mine)
- Annual fee: $0 the first year, then $150
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit: up to $120 every 4 years
- Free checked bag: your first bag, plus one for a companion on the same reservation, when you buy the ticket with the card
- Priority boarding: Group 2
- Lounge passes: two one-time United Club passes each year
- Welcome offer: up to 80,000 miles (70,000 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 for adding an authorized user)
THE UNITED EXPLORER CARD
The United Explorer Card is a great fit for family travelers, offering no annual fee for the first year and valuable perks like a free checked bag, two United Club passes, and up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. It’s a smart way to enjoy extra comfort and savings on your next trip.
2. United Club Card (My Husband’s)
- Annual fee: $695
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit: up to $120 every 4 years
- Free checked bags: first and second bags for you and one companion on the same reservation
- United Club membership: the cardholder can bring guests, which covers our whole family
- Premier Access: priority check-in and boarding
- Welcome offer: up to 100,000 miles (90,000 after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 for adding an authorized user)
Best for United Flyers
THE UNITED CLUB CARD
The United Club Card is a solid choice for frequent United flyers. It comes with United Club access, two free checked bags, and valuable travel credits, making it especially useful if you fly United often.
| United Explorer | United Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 first year, then $150 | $695 |
| Global Entry credit | Up to $120 every 4 years | Up to $120 every 4 years |
| Free checked bags | 1st bag (you + 1 companion) | 1st and 2nd bags (you + 1 companion) |
| Lounge | 2 one-time passes a year | United Club membership |
| Best for | Families who don’t fly often | Families who fly United a lot |
Card details are what I saw on Chase’s site in November 2026. Offers and benefits change, so please double check before you apply.
New to travel credit cards? My beginner’s guide to travel credit cards explains how points and miles work before you pick your first card.
How the Global Entry Fee Credit Works
It’s really simple. Pay the Global Entry application fee with your eligible card, and the charge is refunded as a statement credit. There’s nothing extra to fill out.
- How much: up to $120 per card
- How often: once every 4 years per card
- What it covers: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Global Entry lasts 5 years, and the card credit resets every 4 years, so you can use it again when it’s time to renew.
Get the Card Before You Pay the Fee
This is the part I really want you to see. The credit only works on a fee you charge to the card. If you already paid with a different card, you won’t get that $120 back.
So if you’re thinking about getting one of these cards, apply for the card first, then pay the Global Entry fee once it arrives.
📝 Before You Apply: Quick Checklist
- Pay with the card itself. The credit only applies to a fee charged to that card.
- Check the welcome offer rules. You may not get the bonus if you’ve received a bonus on the same card in the past 24 months.
- Double check the details. Card benefits change, so look at Chase’s site before you apply.
Which Card Is Right for Your Family?
The short answer: you don’t need an expensive card. If both parents get the United Explorer Card, both Global Entry fees are refunded, and with no annual fee the first year, your whole family can get Global Entry for $0.
Each Explorer Card refunds one $120 application, so with a card for each parent, both adult fees are covered. The kids are free anyway. If your family doesn’t fly very often, this is the setup I’d recommend.
The United Club Card has a much higher annual fee, and it really only makes sense if you fly United a lot and want lounge access. My husband’s card is the one we use whenever the whole family travels together, but you don’t need it to get Global Entry for free.
Other Perks We Use
Global Entry was the reason we got these cards, but a few other perks come in handy on our trips:
- Free checked bags: When our family flies together, my husband books all four tickets with his United Club Card, and we get four bags free. On solo trips, my Explorer Card covers my first bag.
- Premier Access: Priority check-in with the Club Card makes dropping off our bags as a family quick and easy.
- Priority boarding: We don’t worry about overhead bin space anymore. Before we had the card, I had to check a carry-on at the last minute a few times.
- Lounge passes: I use the Explorer Card’s two yearly United Club passes when I travel without my husband. Here’s how our family uses the United Club.
Global Entry Credit Card FAQ
Can I use my card’s credit for someone else’s Global Entry?
In general, the credit is based on the fee charged to your card, not whose name is on the application. My husband and I each used our own card, so if you plan to pay for a spouse, check your card’s benefits page or call Chase to confirm.
Is the United Explorer Card worth it after the first year?
I still use mine on my solo trips for the free checked bag and the lounge passes. Whether it’s worth $150 a year for you depends on how often you fly United.
Next Step: Apply for Global Entry
Once your card is in hand, you’re ready to apply. My step by step Global Entry application guide walks you through the online application, the interview, and how to apply for your kids.
Global Entry has made coming home so much easier for our family. I hope this helps your family get it for $0 too!
How Global Entry works: A complete Guide for Families
Skip airport lines with kids! Learn how Global Entry works for families, how to get the fee reimbursed, and if it’s worth it for your next trip.
Got Questions?
Have a question about Global Entry or these cards? Leave it in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to answer. For more family travel tips, follow along on Instagram @tomo.travel.camping, and save this post for when you’re ready to apply!
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