Credit Card Companies Need to Innovate – This Benefit Is Really Boring

Next to bonuses and annual fees, there is one thing that is common to more credit cards than anything else. That is the Global Entry/TSA Precheck reimbursement benefit. With almost 20 credit cards offering this, it really isn’t anything special and it is time for the credit card issuers to truly innovate away from this benefit.

Credit Card Companies Need to Innovate – This Benefit Is Really Boring

Why the Global Entry Benefit is Boring

By Arina P Habich, Courtest of Shutterstock

With almost 20 credit cards from several issuers offering the Global Entry perk, it really is nothing special at all.  If it was just a simple benefit that was just present, that would be one thing. But, the issuers always highlight this benefit as some great feature. Guess what? IT’S NOT GREAT!

Look at it this way – while they vary in how often it resets, the best case scenario translates to this being a $25 perk per year (when spread out). That is nothing really to get exciting about, especially when so many people (at some airports, it seems like most people) have Global Entry/TSA Precheck already!

Ideas for Credit Card Innovation

So, what are some things that could set a credit card apart while still maintaining that $25 per year amount?

Passports are one thing that come to mind. While you cannot use your credit card at Passport Accetptance Facilitiies (like the Post Office, except for the processing fee), you can use your credit card at the Passport Agency offices. This is where you actually have to pay an expedite fee so having a credit card credit for that would be great.

International Driving Permits are something that every global traveler should have (especially if you are from outside the US and visiting Greece). At $20, it isn’t a big fee but it is something that is only good for a year. You get these at the AAA so maybe the credit card issuers could either have a $20 refund on a AAA charge or give a coupon each year for this permit?

Inflight WiFi is getting better and better. I have actually never paid for a monthly subscription because most of my travel is international but I know that I have paid for it on long-haul flights where I need to get work done. Offering a $20-25 reimbursement per year for Inflight WiFi would be a nice thing to help those people out.

HMSHost is the management company for restaurants and shops in airports all over the place. Think of that Starbucks at your airport, chances are good it is run by HMS. Having a $20 credit per year for HMS Host shops would be a cool perk and encourage use by the cardholders during their travels.

Come on, Credit Card Companies!

Getting the credit card on top of the wallet is a big goal of all issuers | Courtesy of Shutterstock

Let’s face it – issuers want their card on the top of your wallet. The best way to do that is to offer perks and benefits that will cause you to reach for it regularly. The second best way is to offer some perk for travel.

That is because we don’t carry all our cards when we travel but people do tend to spend a lot when traveling! If you have your card for something like a drink in the airport, chances are you may use that at the hotel, for metro tickets, etc., when you arrive.

Those are just a few ideas that I thought of in 5 minutes. Why are credit card issuers so lazy with the Global Entry/TSA Precheck benefit instead of giving us something that may actually be exciting?

What are some of your ideas?