Whether you're at the airport, a sporting event or a concert, going through security can be a pain. And if you've ever stood in a barely-moving line and longed to be one of the people zipping along beside you in the Clear Plus lane, you're in luck. checking
If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire, or the American Express® Green Card in your wallet, you can get the entire cost of your Clear Plus membership covered — and possibly part of a family member's as well. Enrollment required. Terms apply.
Here's everything you need to know about this valuable benefit.
Related: 9 valuable travel perks that you can get with a credit card
The information for the Amex Green Card and the Hilton Honors Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
What is the Amex Clear Plus credit?
Clear Plus is a third-party, expedited security program that uses iris and fingerprint scanners rather than a photo ID to identify you. If you have a Clear Plus membership, you can effectively skip to the front of the security line at certain airports and entertainment venues nationwide.
In practice, you enter a dedicated security checkpoint lane and input your biometric data into a kiosk. You'll then move to the gray carry-on bins at the airport. Even better: if you have TSA PreCheck, you can still utilize that option.
A one-year Clear Plus membership typically costs $189. Conveniently, the Amex Platinum, Amex Business Platinum, Hilton Honors Aspire and Amex Green each come with up to $189 in Clear Plus statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
You can use the Clear Plus credit for yourself, or, if you already have a membership, you can extend this benefit to a friend or family member.
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Related: Clear Plus expedited airport security program — is it worth it?
How to use the Amex Clear Plus credit
You must enroll your card for this statement credit to activate, but the process is simple.
First, log in to your American Express account, and then select your Amex with the Clear Plus benefit (if it's not the default card). At the top, click on the "Rewards and Benefits" icon.
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On the next screen, click on "Benefits" at the top right. This will bring you to a page of tiles, each explaining a different perk of your card. Find the one labeled "$189 Clear credit" and note your status. If you're enrolled, you're ready to use the perk. Otherwise, click on the icon to activate the benefit.
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Once your Amex card is enrolled, you can apply for a Clear Plus membership online. Consider enrolling through the Delta, United or Alaska Airlines link. This is a critical step if you're a member of one (or more) of these airlines' loyalty programs and want to save on your membership.
That's because Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can enroll for a discounted Clear Plus membership — from $10 off to a fully complimentary membership, depending on your status level and which credit cards you have:
- General members of these programs: $179 per year ($10 discount)
- Delta Air Lines and United Airlines credit card holders: $149 per year ($40 discount)
- Delta Silver, Gold and Platinum Medallion® members: $149 per year ($40 discount)
- United Premier Silver, Gold and Platinum members: $149 per year ($40 discount)
- Delta Diamond Medallion and 360º members: Complimentary membership
- United Premier 1K and Global Services members: Complimentary membership
Even though Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members only receive a $10 discount, they can earn additional miles when they sign up for Clear Plus. MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K receive 1,500 miles when they sign up and an additional 1,250 miles each year they renew.
Children under 18 can accompany registered adults for free, meaning your family could use the program for free or close to it when combining Amex perks and Clear Plus discounts. Adding family members who are 18 and older will cost $99 per person.
Regardless of how you apply for Clear Plus, you must use your enrolled Amex card to pay for your membership (and that of your family members, if applicable). Amex states that the statement credit should appear within two to four weeks, but TPG staff members have found that it typically triggers within one or two days. Your results may vary, of course.
Related: How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum Card
FAQs on the Amex Clear Plus credit
Where does Clear Plus operate?
Clear Plus is far from ubiquitous, but it continues to expand to new spots. Currently, you can find dedicated lanes at around 55 U.S. airports and nearly 20 entertainment venues — including Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden in New York City (see all locations).
Still, if you don't think you'll travel through these airports or visit these venues regularly, this benefit may not be super valuable for you.
Can I have both TSA PreCheck/Global Entry and Clear Plus?
You can — and you should. These trusted traveler programs fulfill entirely different needs:
- Clear Plus allows you to effectively cut the line at the airport security checkpoint.
- TSA PreCheck allows you to keep your shoes, belt and jacket on when going through the TSA metal detector. You also can keep your laptop and TSA-compliant toiletries in your carry-on bag.
- Global Entry expedites your immigration process when entering the U.S.
Read our post on the best credit cards for Global Entry to learn how to get TSA PreCheck and Global Entry for free. If you choose to sign up for a Clear Plus membership, you can elect to sign up for TSA PreCheck at the same time. Normally, signing up for these two programs would cost $267. That's $189 for Clear Plus and $78 for TSA PreCheck. If you sign up for both programs simultaneously, however, you'll enjoy a discounted price of $200.
Related: Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear Plus — and how you can save on both
Can I use the Clear Plus credit for friends and family?
Yes. You don't have to use it for your own membership; it can be for anyone. As long as you enroll your eligible Amex card and then use it to pay for Clear Plus, you'll receive up to $189 in rebates each calendar year.
Here's a screenshot from a TPG staff member who added three family members to their account. (If you add someone to your account, Clear Plus will prorate the year to match your current membership — hence the odd dollar amounts.)
In addition, when you add family members to your account, they will get a full Clear Plus membership in their own right. They don't need to be traveling with you to use its benefits.
Can I use the credit to purchase Clear Plus gift cards?
Unfortunately, no. Clear Plus gift cards are processed by a third party called eGifter. In other words, your Amex won't see this as a Clear Plus purchase, so the credit will not trigger.
However, this is a great way to gift a Clear Plus membership to someone while saving the Clear Plus credit from a card for yourself.
Is this the only way to get a discounted Clear Plus membership?
As mentioned previously, saving on Clear Plus through two major airline loyalty programs is possible.
One important clarification: If you have an Amex with the Clear Plus benefit, do not charge the Clear Plus membership fee to your Delta or United card. While being a cardholder will unlock the discounted pricing, you must use your eligible Amex to trigger the Clear Plus credit.
Do I have to use the Clear Plus credit all at once?
You don't have to redeem this up to $189 credit in one lump sum. It will activate any time you pay Clear Plus — up to $189 each calendar year. This is handy if you're eligible for discounts from any of the above methods. That way, you can pay for your membership and then add a family member (or multiple, if you have top-tier status with Delta or United).
How do I complete my enrollment?
Unfortunately, paying your Clear Plus membership fee with your Amex to trigger the statement credits is only the first step in enrollment. Once you submit your information online, you must finish the process at any airport Clear Plus location. Bring your government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
The representative will scan your eyes and fingerprints. Then, you'll be all set to use enhanced security on your flights.
Related: How to get and use Clear Plus to avoid lines
Bottom line
Clear Plus doesn't get as much attention as other traveler programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, but it can be a lifesaver for reducing wait times at airport security. It's easy to unlock a free membership with a popular travel credit card.
The Amex Platinum, Amex Business Platinum, Hilton Honors Aspire and Amex Green each offer up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits that can be used for a Clear Plus membership. By stacking this benefit with other discount options, you could access these biometric security lanes on your next trip and might be able to add family members at no out-of-pocket cost.
Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express
Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Related: How to pick the right travel credit card
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
