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Clear introduces faster verification technology ahead of busy Thanksgiving travel period

Nov. 25, 2024
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5 min read
CLEAR_EnVe-Verification
Clear introduces faster verification technology ahead of busy Thanksgiving travel period
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In recent years, Clear Plus has proven invaluable for saving time at the airport. The expedited security program can help you breeze through the Transportation Security Administration screening process at 58 U.S. airports, especially when paired with TSA PreCheck.

Clear members can utilize a separate, typically shorter, security lane and verify their identity using a fingerprint or iris scan. It definitely beats digging around in your luggage for your ID (though Clear users are subject to random TSA-mandated ID checks) and then waiting in a long line for a TSA agent to verify your identity.

Related: Clear launches new paid option for curb-to-gate service

But, as Clear's popularity has grown, the once super-short lines have as well. With more than 20 million members nationwide, the company consistently strives to enhance the efficiency of its identity verification procedures.

Clear EnVe Pod. CLEAR

Beginning Nov. 25, Clear is bringing its latest — and fastest — technology to 12 airports. The company's new EnVe Pods will enable Clear users to verify their identity using face-first biometric technology (rather than an eye or fingerprint scan) for up to five times faster verification.

Related: Clear launches new app-based lane

Dubbed Clear's "Lane of the Future," EnVe Pods (short for "enrollment and verification") pair high-resolution, wide-angle cameras with Clear's NextGen Identity+ to reduce the number of steps for Clear members and staffers. This will lead to faster verification and, thereby, less time waiting in line.

Clear released a video demonstrating how the technology works. In the video, a woman walks past the verification screen, barely missing a step as she makes her way through the checkpoint.

Clear has been paving the way for this technology since August 2023, when the company announced it would begin upgrading Clear users in preparation for NextGen Identity+, a TSA-mandated update to lessen security vulnerabilities.

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“At Clear, we’re passionate about helping members win the day of travel from home to gate and back again,” Clear CEO Caryn Seidman Becker said. “Clear’s Lane of the Future is here with our new EnVe Pods delivering a 5 times faster verification. Clear Plus Members will now enjoy a faster and more predictable experience nationwide," she added.

Clear lanes at these 12 airports are currently utilizing the new EnVe Pods:

  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
  • Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
  • Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
  • Denver International Airport (DEN)
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City
  • Oakland International Airport (OAK)
  • Orlando International Airport (MCO)
  • Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C.
  • Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)

Clear will continue to roll out EnVe Pods across its network through 2025. Once the rollout is complete, the original Clear Pods will be phased out, and members will no longer be able to verify their identity using their eyes or fingers.

Clear members need not do anything else to use the EnVe Pods as they roll out. If you have already upgraded to NextGen Identity+, you are ready to go.

The TSA is expecting to screen 18.3 million passengers between Tuesday, Nov. 26, and Monday, Dec. 2, making it the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record. On Sunday, Dec. 1, alone, the TSA expects more than 3 million passengers will pass through its checkpoints. If its predictions are correct, Dec. 1 will win the title for busiest air travel day ever in the U.S.

There's no better time to ensure you are using every tool at your disposal to speed up the airport security process. Luckily, if you pass through a participating airport, you can sign up for and start using Clear on the same day.

An annual Clear membership costs $209, but there are a handful of credit cards that will reimburse you for up to $209 as a statement credit. These include:

The information for the American Express Green and Centurion cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

There are a few other ways to save, including with cards that will partially reduce your membership cost, through discounts for members of select frequent flyer programs and with discounts for students and families. TPG readers can also apply for a free two-month Clear trial.

Click here to read our full guide on how to save on a Clear membership.

Related reading:

Featured image by CLEAR
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.

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership RewardsÂŽ Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership RewardsÂŽ point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.