Clear introduces faster verification technology ahead of busy Thanksgiving travel period
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.
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.
"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:
- American Express® Green Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Centurion Card from American Express
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.
TPG Tip: If you want to try Clear and sign up using TPG's special offer, you can save $50 on the first year's membership.
Click here to read our full guide on how to save on a Clear membership.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® 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. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 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 Rewards® 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 Rewards® 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.