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As I’ve written about many times, CLEAR has saved me tons of time through the years. Having CLEAR ensures that I will get through security quickly and I don’t even need to take out my ID (most of the time). The program recently added its 55th airport (more here), but it’s also getting more expensive if you want to add friends and family to your account.
Without notice, CLEAR increased the cost of adding adults to a CLEAR® Plus Family Plan from $70 to $99 a year. Current CLEAR® Plus members will pay the new price for their additional members when their own annual membership renews. This is the second recent increase as adding family members cost on $60 in early 2023. Children under 18 remain will remain free for members.
Adding family members to your account has been a great benefit of the CLEAR program as there was no verification of familial status and this was a good way to get the service for less money. Now, the cost is significantly more expensive (although much cheaper than paying for a single membership, which costs $189).
I’ve been lucky to have my membership comped by United Airlines and Delta Air Lines for holding elite status with those carriers. If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express or the American Express® Green Card you receive a credit of up to $189 annually to cover the cost.
Anthony’s Take: While this increase is pretty big and was done without notice, I can understand why. Going through CLEAR with PreCheck took over 15 minutes at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) this week. There are too many people with CLEAR Plus memberships and it’s slowing down the service. This might help cull the herd a bit.
Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: I love the lounges where The Platinum Card® from American Express grants me access. It has had a prominent place in my wallet for many years now. While it does have an annual fee of $695, it provides many travel benefits and will always be my go-to for lounge access (both Delta Sky Clubs® and Centurion Lounges) and booking airfare from the airlines to earn 5x points (up to $500,000 per calendar year). Learn more. Rates & Fees. Terms apply.
(Featured Image Credit: CLEAR.)
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2 comments
Price increase works, I cancelled family membership and will stick to TSA.
How about they add more kiosks and/or employees to work the kiosks or better utilize the workers working? The CLEAR line at the Nashville airport 2 weeks ago had a 30 minute wait. There were 7 or so kiosks and 2 employees working those machines. Another employee was directing traffic to the end of the line and another telling you which kiosk to go once you got to the front. It was very frustrating to say the least.