I have TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, but my mom doesn't. My credit card can fix that.

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For someone who travels a lot, it took me a long time to get TSA PreCheck and Global Entry . (What can I say? I'm a procrastinator. It took me twice as long to switch dentists.)

But now, I can't imagine traveling without it. Breezing through customs is something I'd pay for every year if required — for me, the worst part of an international trip is getting stuck in a long line upon arrival, when I just want to leave the airport as fast as possible and go home.

When I signed up for Global Entry a few years ago, one of my travel rewards credit cards reimbursed the application fee. But you know who hasn't signed up yet? My mother. And guess who I often travel with.

Today's tip is less about how to save your own money and more about how to save someone else's, especially if that person is the reason you're in general security and customs. Consider it a gift for them — and for you.

Many travel rewards credit cards offer a statement credit of up to $120 for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, typically every four to five years. (The move, even if you only travel internationally once or twice a year, is to get Global Entry, since it includes PreCheck.)

You don't necessarily have to add someone as an authorized user to cover their application fee. Many eligible cards let you use your available statement credit to pay for someone else's application. But some cards give eligible authorized users their own application-fee credit. One of mine does, and that makes it worthwhile for me to add my mom as an authorized user.

Doing so also means we'll earn points toward the same rewards balance, and it also gets us both lounge access — certain cards give eligible authorized users their own Priority Pass Select membership; others include access to their own lounge networks. Now, we can both enjoy a glass of wine and as many individually wrapped apples as our hearts desire before we board, even if we're not traveling together.

Of course, make sure this approach works for you before adding someone else to your account. For some, an authorized-user fee could outweigh the savings. And as the primary cardholder, you're responsible for the charges made by the user you've added.

But for us, it makes sense. Plus, even though I'm turning 40 next year, I'm still on the family phone plan. Paying to add her to my card makes us even.