Is Clear Worth the Cost?

Are you thinking about getting a Clear membership? The private biometric screen company lets paying members bypass part of the security line at some stadiums and the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint for identification at airports, which can often be the longest part of the line. If you’re a frequent traveler, using Clear can save a lot of time at the airport.

But is Clear worth the price? Or better yet, is it worth enrolling if you can get it for free? We break it down so you can decide for yourself.

If you travel a lot and want the convenience of skipping the line to reach the suitcase and body scanner, then Clear could be worth it. Although standard membership costs $199 per year, you can reduce the price or even get it for free if you have certain credit cards.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards

The standard price for an annual Clear membership is $199. Unlike government programs such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry that offer several years of membership with a single fee, Clear’s fee is annual.

On the surface, $199 is a huge price to pay for a little convenience. Thankfully, there are several ways to knock that price down to more reasonable territory (see below).

Note: Clear is available only to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents age 18 and older with valid government ID.

Clear uses biometric data (fingerprints and eye scans) instead of traditional ID documents, like driver’s licenses or passports, to verify traveler identification. This lets you skip the TSA PreCheck line, which can sometimes be even longer than the regular line at the airport.

There are two parts of an airport security line:

1. Getting your ID and boarding pass verified.

2. Passing through the scanners.

Clear lets you bypass this first part, which is often the longest. Since Clear is completely separate from TSA PreCheck, it doesn't provide access to the PreCheck line. Once you’ve gone through the Clear line, a Clear employee will escort you straight to the scanner portion of security.

You can however, stack your Clear membership with a TSA PreCheck membership if you have both. The Clear employee will escort you to the TSA PreCheck security screening where you can proceed without removing your shoes, liquids, laptops, etc.

And keep in mind that Clear is available at over 67 locations, including airports and stadiums. So the service will provide far less benefit for those who live near smaller airports that lack Clear kiosks.

Avis Preferred Plus membership

In addition to breezing through lines at airports and stadiums, Clear members get complimentary Avis Preferred Plus status with the rental car company Avis. Avis Preferred Plus is the middle tier of Avis’ rental car loyalty program. Its perks include:

• A free, single-car class upgrade upon availability.

• The ability to earn additional bonus points on each rental.

• Access to exclusive offers and promotional discounts.

You would typically need to spend $4,000 on qualifying Avis purchases or complete 10 rentals in a calendar year to qualify for Avis Preferred Plus.

» Learn more: TSA PreCheck vs. Clear: — which Is better?

Holding elite status in certain airline loyalty programs or specific credit cards can get you a free or discounted Clear membership, which normally costs $199 a year.

Save $67 on your first year of membership: Bundle with TSA PreCheck

You can now get Clear for a discounted rate of $122 for your first year of membership, but you'll have to bundle it with TSA PreCheck to do so for a total cost of $199.95.

If you're looking to get both TSA PreCheck and Clear anyway, this is a great deal, with the PreCheck portion of the bundle costing $77.95 (a few cents less than the next cheapest option) and saving you $67 on your first year of Clear membership.

In order to take advantage of this deal, you'll need to begin your application online and complete it at an airport that currently offers TSA PreCheck enrollment through Clear.

Save $10-$40: Become a United or Delta frequent flyer member

Clear partners with Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus to offer discounted annual rates for members. Entry-level members in each loyalty program paying $189 — just $10 off the actual price of Clear — and members at the second discount tier pay $159, a $40 discount.

Clear partners with Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus to offer discounted annual rates for members. If you are an entry level elite in either loyalty program, you can sign up for a membership for $189, reflecting a $10 discount.

Delta Silver, Gold or Platinum elites, as well as cardholders of Delta’s AmEx cards, get a $40 discount. If you are a Delta Diamond or 360 elite, Clear is free.

Similarly, United Premier Silver, Gold Platinum elite members and United credit card holders get a $40 discount off the price. Premier 1K and Global Services members get a free Clear membership.

Both programs are free to join. Here are the sign-up pages:

• Delta.

• United.

» Learn more: How to get a Clear membership discount through airline loyalty

Free Clear membership: Add an AmEx Platinum card or AmEx Green card to your wallet for free Clear membership

If you hold The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees ), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ( see rates and fees ) or American Express® Green Card( see rates and fees ), you’re in luck because you are eligible for an annual statement credit up to $199, which completely covers the cost of the Clear membership. Terms apply.

You do not need to enroll in this benefit. All you need to do is pay for your Clear membership using your card and the statement credit should appear on your bill within 2-4 weeks.

» Learn more: 40+ benefits of the Platinum Card from American Express

Look for a promotion

Clear often runs sales and other discount codes, some of which can be stacked with the options described above. Look on the Clear site itself and search for “Clear promotions” to see if anything pops up.

Unlike the regular Clear membership, Clear Sports is free and offered at some sports stadiums. Clear Sports allows you to enter stadiums faster by leveraging Clear’s biometric technology.

Current Clear members automatically receive access to Clear Sports, and non-Clear members aren’t charged to enroll in the program.

You can enroll in Clear Sports by downloading the app, tapping “Sports and Events” on the main screen and logging in or creating a free account. You’ll then need to take a selfie to confirm your identity and select the stadium where you’ll use Clear.

When you arrive, visit the Clear lane, take your photo at the Clear pod and you’ll be granted entry.

Unlike TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, which can be a slog to sign up for, getting started with Clear is a relative snap. Just sign up and pay online, then complete registration at a Clear location the next time you travel.

Also, no appointment is necessary to complete this sign-up in person, which is a huge plus. That said, give yourself some extra time at the airport before your flight to make sure everything goes smoothly with registration.

Clear is currently available at the following airports.

At first glance, $199 per year is a big price tag for cut-in-line privileges at some airports. You can knock a bit off the price if you’re a Delta or United member, and even more so if you have elite status with either airline

If you hold The Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Green Card or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the cost of Clear will be covered for you. Terms apply.

In the end, whether Clear is worth it to you depends on a number of factors:

• Do you fly a lot? Even someone who takes 10 round-trip flights per year is still spending just a little over $7 per use at the lower $149/year price.

• Does Clear support your home airport (and preferred terminal)? If not, it’s almost certainly not worth it.

• Do you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Green Card or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express? Enrolling in Clear is a smart move since you’ll get an annual statement credit for the full cost of membership. Terms apply.

• Are you planning to apply for TSA PreCheck anyway? Bundling the two by applying for PreCheck through Clear can save you money on both.