Is Clear worth the cost?

Airport security lines can be one of the most tedious parts of traveling. Luckily, a few frequent traveler programs offer a way around long security wait times — for a cost.

Clear is one such program, an identity verification program that uses biometrics such as eye scans and fingerprints to confirm your identity and allow you to move more quickly through security lines. You can find Clear lanes in many major U.S. airports and even some stadiums.

So how much is Clear, what are the membership options and what do you gain by adding it to your travel tools? Keep reading to find out.

How much does Clear cost?

Clear Plus costs $199 per year for an individual membership that includes children under 18. If you often fly with friends or family, you can add up to three adults to your membership for $119 per person.

If you aren’t interested in the expedited airport services, the Clear app is free to download and includes access to Clear Sports and other basic identity verification services.

But if you want to use Clear to expedite the airport security screening process, you’ll need to become a Clear Plus member — and there are ways you can lower the price.

What are the benefits of Clear Plus membership?

The biggest benefit of Clear Plus membership is the ability to skip long airport security lines, along with:

• Assistance locating items you lost at the airport
• Discounts off passport services
• Discounts with other travel-related service providers

There are benefits for Clear members outside of airports, too. Even without Clear Plus, standard Clear membership allows you to expedite security at eligible stadiums and arenas and reserve a spot in the airport security line in advance.

How Clear works

At the first step of the security screening process, you get to enter a separate security lane, where you’ll verify your identity using an eye or fingerprint scan and show an agent your boarding pass. From there, you’ll be escorted past the standard security line and straight to the physical screening process — potentially cutting down your wait significantly.

How much is Clear worth depends on how often you travel, and if the service at locations you visit along your travels have a meaningful impact on saving you time at security checkpoints.

Is Clear different from other security programs?

Yes, Clear is different from the government-issued trusted traveler programs.

TSA PreCheck allows you to save time during the physical airport screening of your physical person and luggage — you enter from a separate lane and can complete the screening without removing your shoes, laptops, liquids or gels.

Global Entry, on the other hand, is for international travelers. When you re-enter the United States from another country, you can use Global Entry to move more quickly through U.S. Customs and complete your required declaration forms. Your Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck membership, so members enjoy the benefits of both.

Clear, however, is an identity verification service that also includes an expedited trip through the physical security step.

Want to know more? Here’s our guide to Clear vs. TSA PreCheck, as well as our guide to Clear vs. Global Entry.

How to get Clear for free or almost free

There are a few ways to get a free or discounted Clear Plus membership.

• Carry the right travel rewards credit cards. Specifically, some American Express credit cards offer statement credits for Clear memberships, including the American Express® Green Card* and The Platinum Card® from American Express.
• Check your frequent flyer programs for discounts. United MileagePlus and Delta SkyMiles members receive preferred pricing on Clear memberships.
• Your employment status may offer a discount. Clear offers special pricing for students, government employees and active duty military and veterans.
• Take advantage of a referral. If you know someone who has Clear already, you can get a referral discount.

Here’s more about each of these methods:

American Express® Green Card

If you have the American Express® Green Card*, you can receive up to $199 in statement credit toward Clear Plus membership each year.

With this card you’ll also get 3X Membership Rewards points on transit, travel and worldwide restaurants (1X points on other purchases).

The $150 annual fee is a bit high for an entry-level travel credit card, but doesn’t offer the perks frequent travelers may want in an elite travel card. That said, taking advantage of the Clear Plus statement credit would more than offset your annual fee. If you’re thinking about applying for the Amex Green Card,

The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express offers both a $199 annual statement credit for Clear Plus membership and up to $120 in credit to cover the cost of your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application.

This premium credit card charges a $695 annual fee — but the numerous airline, hotel, transportation, dining, fitness and entertainment credits could more than cover the cost, as long as you travel enough to take advantage of the card’s benefits. The American Express Platinum Card may be worth it, but take time to understand all the benefits and rewards options before you apply.

United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus members can enroll in discounted Clear Plus membership, with pricing based on your status in the airline program:

• Premier 1K members: free Clear Plus membership
• Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum and eligible United Airlines credit card members: $159 annual membership
• MileagePlus members: $189 annual membership

Delta SkyMiles

Delta SkyMiles members can also receive a discounted Clear Plus membership, depending on frequent flyer status:

• Diamond Medallion members: free Clear Plus membership
• Silver, Gold, Platinum Medallion members and eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express credit card members: $159 annual membership
• Delta SkyMiles general members: $189 annual membership

Government employees

Federal, state and local government employees can qualify for a discounted rate by contacting Clear directly.

Active duty military and veterans

If you are a member of the United States military or have veteran status, you can receive a discounted Clear Plus membership for only $99 per year. Make sure you provide your military or veteran ID card when you apply.

How to enroll in Clear

You can complete the first part of the enrollment process online, providing basic identifying information such as your name, address and date of birth as well as your payment information.

For the second part of enrollment, you’ll need to visit a Clear kiosk at a participating airport. A representative will verify your passport, driver’s license or other form of photo identification, and scan your eyes and/or fingerprints to complete your enrollment.

If you prefer, you can complete the entire enrollment process at a Clear kiosk the next time you visit the airport.

Where is Clear available?

Today, Clear is available at 50+ airports in 46 cities across the United States. You won’t find access everywhere yet, especially if you typically travel to or from smaller airports.

That’s why it’s important to make sure that Clear is available at the airports you visit regularly before you apply. Clear isn’t worth the cost if you can’t use it, after all.

What is Clear Sports?

Clear Sports and Events is a free service offered through the Clear app — you don’t need Clear Plus membership to access the service, but you can use Clear Sports if you already have Clear Plus.

This service allows you to enter participating stadiums and arenas using the app. At an eligible stadium or arena, you can simply log in to unlock a QR code. Use the code at a Clear lane to confirm your identity and pass through security.

Right now, only a limited number of stadiums and arenas offer Clear Sports access, so you should make sure your home venue offers the service before enrolling for your next game or concert experience.

Is Clear worth it?

If you regularly travel to or from airports that offer Clear lanes, paying $199 per year for a Clear Plus membership could be worth it.

The time you’ll save moving through long security lines could reduce your risk of missing a flight and cut down your time spent in the airport overall. Plus, if you already have an eligible American Express card or qualify for a discount through a frequent flyer program, you can reduce the cost even further. Sarah Gage, Bankrate credit cards senior editor, has a Clear Plus membership thanks to a statement credit from The Business Platinum Card® from American Express in her wallet.

“I use the Clear lane regularly at my home airport, and I like having different security line check-in options available to me if any of the others are delayed,” says Sarah Gage, credit cards senior editor at Bankrate. “But I’ve never seen the PreCheck line be so long that Clear saved me more than a few minutes of waiting, and I don’t travel enough to justify $199 a year.”

Another thing to consider is applying for both Clear and TSA PreCheck. With this combination, you can expedite both the identity verification and the physical security screening process.

However, this is more costly. And while you can use TSA PreCheck at many domestic airports, you’re limited to about 50 airports for Clear.

Ultimately, Clear can be a time-saver. It’s most worth it for people who don’t mind paying for more convenient airport screenings and frequently travel in and out of cities that offer Clear lanes at the airport.

The bottom line

Clear offers a convenient and time-saving solution for frequent travelers who want to avoid long security lines. With Clear, you can skip the standard security line and be on your way to your destination more quickly.

While there’s a higher cost associated with membership than with similar programs, there are various ways to receive discounts or even a free membership with the right credit card. Plus, Clear’s services extend beyond airports, making it a convenient tool for stadium and event access.

Overall, Clear can be a worthwhile investment for those who value convenience and efficient travel.

The information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.