Why My CLEAR Plus Membership Is Worth It, Despite What Others Think

I consider myself a savvy traveler. Whether I travel solo or with my family, I make sure we’re all equipped with the tools necessary to make our travel plans go smoothly, particularly when navigating airport security.

My wife, 3 children, and I all have a Global Entry membership, which also include the convenience of TSA PreCheck. This allows us to bypass lengthy customs lines when returning to the U.S. from international trips and breeze through TSA PreCheck lanes.

Alongside these expedited services, my CLEAR Plus membership significantly improves my airport experience, especially during peak travel times. Here’s why I love my CLEAR Plus membership and happily pay for it annually.

What Is CLEAR Plus?

CLEAR Plus is an annual membership program that uses biometric data to streamline security checks at airports and stadiums. In many instances, it leads members directly to the front of the TSA PreCheck line, significantly minimizing airport wait times.

Compared to government programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, which provide multiple years of membership for a single payment, CLEAR Plus, a privately operated service, charges an annual fee.

The annual cost for a CLEAR Plus membership is $199, while children under 18 are free. Members can add up to 3 adult family members to their membership for an additional $119 each, which I do for my wife.

Since my 3 daughters are all under 18, our family can get a CLEAR Plus membership for approximately $320 per year, and there’s a chance to reduce the cost of membership even further — more on this later.

Consistently Cuts Down Airport Screening Wait Time

I travel with my family about a dozen times a year from my hometown airports, Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

These 2 airports in South Florida are notoriously busy with travelers flying in and out of the area. Thus, security lines can get extremely long, and they could disrupt your travel plans or even cause you to miss your flight if you don’t arrive on time.

For many travelers, the airport security screening process can feel like the most challenging part of traveling. For example, my wife, who travels for work quite often, strongly dislikes the whole airport process and wishes she could be teleported to her destination, skipping the airport and airplane altogether. I’m guessing many others can relate to her sentiment.

Security screening lines at Fort Lauderdale can get pretty long sometimes, but flying out of Miami can be a real hassle when it’s busy (which is often). If you don’t have TSA PreCheck, you might miss your flight from MIA unless you arrive way ahead of time. Given how frequently my family and I fly out of these 2 airports, a CLEAR Plus membership is a must-have.

For instance, I regularly fly American Airlines out of MIA. American operates all its flights from concourses D and E in the North Terminal, but most of my flights end up departing from the D gates — which means I have to walk to get to the Concourse E checkpoints, where CLEAR is.

Even though I wish CLEAR were at Concourse D, I happily make the 7-minute walk to the Concourse E checkpoint, where the CLEAR lanes are set up, so I can zip to the front of the TSA PreCheck line.

Before having CLEAR, I often waited in the regular TSA PreCheck line while other passengers with CLEAR effortlessly moved to the front. Parents with young children know that standing in long security lines at the airport is the last thing they want to do. I ensured we were all enrolled to avoid those long queues at the security checkpoint.

Credit Cards With Free CLEAR Plus Memberships

Aside from speeding up the airport security process, the best thing about having a CLEAR Plus membership is that it’s free — or comes at a substantial discount — with the right card.

There are several popular American Express cards, including The Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, American Express^® Green Card*, and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card*, that offer a statement credit of up to $199 for complimentary CLEAR Plus membership.

^{*The information regarding the American Express® Green Card and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.}

My Amex Business Platinum card gives me an annual credit of up to $199, which I use to pay for a CLEAR Plus membership. Since my 3 children are included with my membership, I merely pay the extra $119 for my wife, which, thanks to having the right card, is my only out-of-pocket expense for a CLEAR membership.

ELEVATED OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.49% - 27.49% Variable

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

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)

Cons

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

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Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card^®, here.
• $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 the Card.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card^®.
• 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.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Even if you don’t have one of the previously mentioned Amex cards, there are still alternative methods to obtain a discounted CLEAR Plus membership.

For instance, if you are a member of the Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, or HawaiianMiles programs, you are eligible for a discounted CLEAR Plus membership. Likewise, eligible students can receive a substantial student discount on an annual CLEAR membership — paying only $60 with proof of student eligibility.

Additionally, those with United Global Services and Premier 1K elite status, as well as Delta Diamond Medallion and 360º elite status holders, enjoy a complimentary CLEAR Plus membership.

Final Thoughts

If your local airport has short security lines or TSA PreCheck is enough for you, then a CLEAR Plus membership might not be necessary. For those who frequently fly out of busy airports, having a CLEAR Plus membership makes a huge difference.

It streamlines the airport security screening process, especially when traveling with family, so I will continue to renew my CLEAR Plus annual membership each year for this reason.