Speed Up Security Lines: How the Amex Platinum Card Saves Me Hours at the Airport

I fly over 100,000 miles a year — so in addition to spending a lot of time in airports and on airplanes, I also spend a lot of time in airport security and customs. As much as travelers hate to admit it, this is an inevitable part of the travel experience.

While you might be unable to avoid airport security and customs completely (unless you fly private), you can speed up the process with CLEAR Plus and Global Entry. These 2 services save me hours at the airport every year.

I have these benefits all thanks to The Platinum Card^® from American Express. This premium travel card includes an annual $199 statement credit for CLEAR Plus, in addition to either a $120 credit for Global Entry or an $85 credit for TSA PreCheck.

These credits help offset the Amex Platinum card’s $695 annual fee (rates & fees) and are ultimately a huge time saver for frequent travelers. Let’s see how CLEAR Plus and Global Entry save me time at the airport and why they’re 2 of my favorite Amex Platinum perks.

What Is CLEAR Plus?

CLEAR Plus is an airport security membership that lets you use your biometrics — pictures of your eyes or fingerprint scans — instead of an ID to get through airport security. The time savings at ID check is nominal, but it lets you use the CLEAR security lanes, which can be a big time saver. These lines are often shorter than the standard security or TSA PreCheck lanes.

If you’re eligible for TSA PreCheck, you can still use it with CLEAR. Head to the CLEAR lane, and an agent will show you where to go after confirming your biometrics. CLEAR lanes are available at most major U.S. domestic airports, including select terminals at Washington, D.C., New York, Dallas, and Chicago airports.

I use CLEAR Plus whenever I can, and it typically saves me a few minutes over the standard TSA PreCheck lanes, especially at New York-LaGuardia (LGA)’s Terminal C. However, I’ve also seen times when CLEAR lines are the same length or longer than TSA PreCheck in Atlanta (ATL).

A 1-year CLEAR Plus membership costs $199 when purchased directly from the company. However, certain airline loyalty programs — namely, Alaska, Delta, and United — offer discounted or complimentary memberships to their members.

But I don’t pay for my membership out of pocket. The Amex Platinum card includes up to $199 per year in statement credits toward a CLEAR Plus membership. I get the credit by enrolling in the benefit on Amex’s website and charging my CLEAR Plus membership to my Amex Platinum card.

You can enroll in CLEAR Plus online, and your biometrics will be collected the first time you use CLEAR at the airport.

What Is Global Entry?

In addition to CLEAR Plus, the Amex Platinum card includes Global Entry every 4 years or a TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years. Cardholders receive a $120 statement credit toward Global Entry or an $85 statement credit towards TSA PreCheck. I always use this credit for Global Entry.

Global Entry is offered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection service to expedite entry at U.S. Customs. Nowadays, you take a photo at a kiosk when you land, show your passport to a border control agent, and are on your way.

The lines at Global Entry are often a fraction of the general customs lane. I’ve traveled abroad 6 times this year and haven’t waited more than 5 minutes to get through customs.

Those approved for Global Entry receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which you can add to reservations. This makes you eligible for Global Entry lanes at customs and gives you TSA PreCheck on domestic and international flights departing the U.S.

TSA PreCheck includes access to shorter security lines. Members can keep laptops and liquids in their bags and wear shoes, belts, and light outerwear when going through airport security.

I’ve taken almost 30 domestic flights this year and have saved at least 10 minutes per flight with Global Entry’s TSA PreCheck benefits. I save even more time during peak travel seasons such as spring break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

To apply for Global Entry, you’ll pay a $120 non-refundable application fee, and your membership is good for 5 years. You can apply online but must go to an enrollment center for an interview before being issued a KTN. U.S. citizens and citizens of select countries can apply.

I don’t pay out of pocket for Global Entry because the Amex Platinum card gives me a $120 statement credit toward Global Entry every 4.5 years.

Should You Get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?

The Amex Platinum card gives you the choice of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years. What’s the difference between the programs?

TSA PreCheck is cheaper at $78 to $85, depending on where you enroll. The Amex Platinum card will reimburse up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years.

However, it doesn’t have all the same benefits as Global Entry. Namely, it only includes access to TSA PreCheck security at U.S. airports. It does not let you use Global Entry lanes at customs.

Meanwhile, Global Entry gives you access to expedited customs and TSA PreCheck at the airport. For most international travelers, Global Entry is better if you use your Amex Platinum card’s statement credit to cover the fee.

That said, TSA PreCheck is often easier to obtain than Global Entry. The in-person application process can be completed at Staples, Office Depot, and airports.

Meanwhile, you must complete Global Entry interviews at airports or U.S. Customs and Border Protection offices. These interviews are often harder to find than TSA PreCheck interviews.

How To Use Amex Platinum Card’s CLEAR Plus and Global Entry Credits

Using the Amex Platinum card’s CLEAR Plus and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck benefits is simple: Charge the application fee to your card, and you’ll be reimbursed for the fee as a statement credit.

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Apply With Confidence and, if approved, find out your welcome offer before deciding to accept the Card. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount.

As High As 175,000 Points (Find out your offer)

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Apply With Confidence and, if approved, find out your welcome offer before deciding to accept the Card. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The CLEAR Plus fee is reimbursed once per year, up to $199 per year. If you get CLEAR Plus for free with your airline status, you can use the Amex Platinum card benefit to pay for a family member’s CLEAR Plus subscription.

The Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit is awarded once every 4.5 years. Your Global Entry fee is collected online, while TSA PreCheck fees are collected at your in-person enrollment appointment. Regardless of your pick, pay with your Amex Platinum card for reimbursement.

Final Thoughts

I use CLEAR Plus and Global Entry every time I travel. Between expedited airport security lanes, keeping my laptop and liquids in my backpack, and not having to wait in customs lanes, these Amex Platinum card benefits save me hours each year.