How to Get a Clear Membership Discount Through Airline Loyalty

Members of certain airline loyalty programs can save at least $60 on Clear memberships, which allows travelers to speed through airport security. United MileagePlus and Delta SkyMiles both offer discounts on Clear membership to their members, and the savings increase for higher levels of elite status.

Since it’s free to join airline loyalty programs, there’s almost no reason to pay full price for Clear.

The Clear membership allows passengers to skip the ID check and use dedicated lanes to verify their identity at Clear kiosks with facial recognition technology and fingerprint scanning.

This is separate from Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. While Clear allows members to skip the identity verification in favor of biometric screening, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry expedite the physical screening process. Travelers with TSA PreCheck don’t have to take laptops or liquids out of their bags and can keep their belts and shoes on. The services are complementary; they don't overlap.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to get a discount on Clear membership with a frequent flyer membership, elite status or travel credit cards.

Clear discount for United and Delta members

Both airline rewards programs offer similar discounts to members. Every member is eligible to receive a $70 discount. If you earn elite status or hold one of the airline’s credit cards, you can get a $80 discount. The members with the top tier of elite status can get a Clear membership for free. Typically, a Clear membership is $199 per year.

» Learn more: Is Clear worth it?

Cost of Clear membership for United and Delta members

Existing Clear members can get the discount on their next renewal by adding their MileagePlus or SkyMiles number to their Clear accounts. These discounts apply only to U.S.-based members.

» Learn more: Which is best for you, Delta or United?

Airports with Clear

More than 30 U.S. airports have Clear lanes, including several United and Delta hubs.

United is also supporting Clear’s efforts to start operating at Chicago-O’Hare, Newark and Houston-Intercontinental in the coming months.

How to get the offer

1. Enroll in Clear before your trip using this link for United or this link for Delta.

2. Finish your enrollment by visiting a Clear location, where a representative will help capture your eyes and fingerprints. It should only take about five minutes, and you don’t need an appointment.

3. Start using the Clear dedicated lanes at the airport. Your biometric data (eyes and fingerprints) will confirm your identity. Then keep moving to the luggage screening and body scan.

Use credit cards to save on Clear

If you want to skip both the identity verification and the physical screening, you’ll need Clear and either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. While Delta and United have similar discounts for Clear, United has a slight advantage credit card-wise. The United℠ Explorer Card already comes with a $120 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit, so cardholders could get both Clear and TSA PreCheck and save a total of $140.

» Learn more: Find the best airline credit card for you

People who have the following cards can enroll in Clear and get a statement credit towards the full cost of a membership:

This type of perk makes airport travel more convenient and faster, but it’s probably worth purchasing the Clear membership only if you’re a frequent traveler who consistently flies out of participating airports.