Why My CLEAR+ 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+ membership significantly improves my airport experience, especially during peak travel times. Here’s why I love my CLEAR+ membership and happily pay for it annually.

What Is CLEAR+?

CLEAR+ 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+, a privately operated service, charges an annual fee.

The annual cost for a CLEAR+ membership is $219, while children under 18 are free. Members can add up to 3 adult family members to their membership for an additional $125 each, which I do for my wife.

Since my 3 daughters are all under 18, our family can get a CLEAR+ membership for approximately $344 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+ 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+ Memberships

Aside from speeding up the airport security process, the best thing about having a CLEAR+ 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, and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, that offer a statement credit every year that may cover the entire cost of CLEAR+ membership.

My Amex Business Platinum card gives me an annual credit of up to $219, which I use to pay for a CLEAR+ membership (subject to auto-renewal). Since my 3 children are included with my membership, I merely pay the extra $125 for my wife, which, thanks to having the right card, is my only out-of-pocket expense for a CLEAR+ membership.

NEW CHATGPT BENEFIT

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 ins and outs 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!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

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

Your Offer Could Be As High As 300,000 points. Apply And Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible to earn as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Your Offer Could Be As High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $6,600

Annual Fee

$895

APR

17.99% - 28.74% 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 card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Amex Business Platinum Card is a premium travel rewards card tailored for business owners who are frequent travelers with high annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers, like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges and numerous annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
• Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

• High annual fee of $895 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Learn more.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 01/2026.
• See how you can unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. Effective January 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts^® bookings will require a minimum two-night stay to be eligible for the $600 Hotel Credit.
• No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $219 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
• Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required. Effective February 17, 2027, select merchants only. See terms.
• 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers¹, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per Card account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus. ¹Effective February 17, 2027, select merchants only. See terms.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• NEW: With the Business Platinum Card^® , you receive a complimentary American Express^® ZO Membership from Tishman Speyer. Enjoy access to premium ZO Clubhouses and Lounges in select U.S. cities. Plus, get 4 complimentary day passes per month at U.S. Studio spaces and up to $500 in statement credits each calendar year when you use the Business Platinum Card^® for event space bookings and/or a Dining Club membership.
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Apply to know if you’re approved with no personal or business credit score impact. If you are approved and choose to accept the Card, your personal and business credit scores may be impacted
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.99% - 28.74% 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+ membership.

For instance, if you are a member of the Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, or Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards programs, you are eligible for a discounted CLEAR+ membership.

Additionally, those with United Global Services status, as well as Delta 360º elite status holders, enjoy a complimentary CLEAR+ membership.

Final Thoughts

If your local airport has short security lines or TSA PreCheck is enough for you, then a CLEAR+ membership might not be necessary. For those who frequently fly out of busy airports, having a CLEAR+ 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+ annual membership each year for this reason.