Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
Top picks for TSA PreCheck from our scoring engine.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
Ranked by earn rate and redemption value, statement credits minus annual fees (weighted against a typical $30,000/year in total card spend), shopping portal bonuses when we recognize the merchant, matched benefits and promotional earn boosts, co-brand fit for this brand. The ¢ per dollar column is the reward rate at TSA PreCheck. Order can differ from that column because ranking adds the adjustments above.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns the top spot for TSA PreCheck purchases at 3.7¢ per dollar on all other — a $395 annual fee. We ranked every card in our database against TSA PreCheck purchases using the same scoring engine that powers our search. See the note above the list for what drives order versus the ¢ per dollar column. Cards 4–10 are still solid picks; they just trade off some headline earn rate for fewer fees, broader networks, or simpler redemptions.
Capital One
Amex
Citi
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 3.7¢ per dollar on all other when you shop at TSA PreCheck, the highest marginal rate in our list for this brand. At 3.7¢ per dollar, rewards cover the $395 fee after about $10,680 a year in TSA PreCheck spending. To come out ahead of Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (1.5¢), you'd need about $17,950 a year here. It's the right pick if you want maximum earn rate on this category and don't mind paying for a premium card.
Side-by-side view of the ranked picks.
| Card | Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Fee Offset | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardCapital One | 2x Venture Miles | 3.7¢/$ | $395 | $300 | visa |
| The Platinum Card from American ExpressAmex | 1x Membership Rewards | 1.5¢/$ | $895 | $1,227.50 | amex |
| Citi Strata Elite℠ CardCiti | 1.5x ThankYou Points | 2.4¢/$ | $595 | $747.50 | mastercard |
| Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit CardAtmos Financial | 1x Atmos Rewards | 1.1¢/$ | $395 | — | visa |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature CardUsbank | 1x Usbank Altitude Rewards | 1.0¢/$ | $0 | — | visa |
| Chase Sapphire ReserveChase | 1x Ultimate Rewards | 1.8¢/$ | $795 | $945 | visa |
| PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature CardPenfed | 1.5x Penfed Honors Advantage | 1.3¢/$ | $95 | $50 | visa |
| Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit CardCapital One | 1.5% cash back | 1.5¢/$ | $0 | — | mastercard |
| MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard®Fnbo | 1x MGM Rewards | 1.0¢/$ | $249 | $150 | mastercard |
| Choice Privileges Select MastercardWells Fargo | 1x Choice Privileges | 0.8¢/$ | $95 | — | mastercard |
Statement credits or cash applied to your bill at TSA PreCheck, separate from earn rate.
Other brands in Travel where the top picks above also earn well.
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