Delta Diamond Medallion Members Are Losing Their Free CLEAR+ Benefit Soon

Delta is taking away away one of the more popular perks tied to top-tier elite status. Starting June 1, 2026, SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members will no longer get a complimentary CLEAR+ membership as part of their benefits package.

The perk isn’t disappearing entirely, but it’s moving from “free” to “discounted” — and the change will hit some flyers sooner than others. That depends on when their membership comes up for renewal.

If you’re a Delta Diamond elite, here’s how this change affects you.

What’s Changing With Delta, CLEAR+, and When?

Under the updated policy, Diamond Medallion members will pay $129 per year for CLEAR+ instead of getting the membership at no charge. That’s still a solid discount off the $209 standard rate, but it’s a clear downgrade from the free access top elites have come to expect from Delta.

Whether you’ll feel this change right away depends on your renewal date. If your CLEAR+ membership is linked to your SkyMiles account and renews before June 1, 2026, you’ll keep the free benefit for that full term, with the discounted $129 rate kicking in at your next renewal after that. If your renewal lands on or after June 1, 2026, you’ll be automatically charged the $129 rate.

CLEAR will send a renewal notice in advance, so there shouldn’t be any surprise charges. That gives members time to decide whether they’ll keep their CLEAR+ subscription under the new policy.

The move pushes Delta closer to where United Airlines has been for a while. United’s Premier 1K members already pay $129 for CLEAR+, while invitation-only Global Services members retain complimentary access. Delta is following a similar template. Its invitation-only Delta 360° members will continue to receive CLEAR+ at no cost, while everyone else, even Diamond, now pays.

Other Ways To Get CLEAR+ Without Paying Out of Pocket

Here’s the good news: You don’t actually have to pay $129 out of pocket if you don’t want to. A handful of credit cards offer statement credits that fully cover a CLEAR+ membership, which means you can keep speeding through security without taking a hit to your wallet.

The right card can wipe out the $209 charge entirely. In some cases, you’re already carrying one of these cards in your wallet for other perks like lounge access or annual travel credits.

Final Thoughts

Losing a free benefit is never fun, especially when you’ve earned top-tier status by flying hundreds of thousands of miles a year. That said, $129 is still a fair rate, compared to the $209 CLEAR normally charges, and there are easy workarounds for Diamond Medallion members who want to keep CLEAR+ without paying anything extra.

Before your next renewal, take a look at the cards in your wallet. You might have another path to a complimentary membership.