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The wait is over: Clear will open at United terminals in Houston next week

Oct. 25, 2019
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3 min read
The wait is over: Clear will open at United terminals in Houston next week
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Having both TSA PreCheck and Clear can help you dramatically reduce the amount of time spent waiting around at an airport before your flight. Used either independently or together, both speed up the security process. You don't need to take out your ID, take off your shoes, or remove your toiletries or electronics.

But a limiting factor has been that Clear (an expedited security program that helps you breeze through airport and stadium security with biometrics) isn't at all airport terminals — it's not even at all major U.S. airports.

At United's media event in Chicago on Friday, Luc Bondar, head of United MileagePlus, announced that Clear would finally be opening on Oct. 30 at 10:30 a.m. in United terminals at Houston (IAH).

Here, Terminal A has had Clear for some time, but the United terminals — Terminals B, C and E — haven't yet offered Clear services to travelers.

Clear security line (Photo by Summer Hull / The Points Guy)

When United announced over the summer it was partnering (and investing) with Clear, the airline also confirmed that the program would be coming to all its hub airports in the U.S.

Clear is already available to passengers traveling through United’s hubs in Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and Washington Dulles (IAD), but now we have an opening date for Clear in the United terminals in Houston (IAH).

Clear's website now has Terminal B listed with operating hours of 5:00 a.m. to 9:05 p.m., while Clear at Terminal E will be available from 4:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

TPG has reached out to Clear about whether Terminal C, a workhorse for United mainline flights, would also get Clear in the near future.

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Bondar didn't have a specific opening date for Clear at the United hubs of Newark (EWR) and Chicago (ORD), other than to say they are coming "very soon" — and neither of those airports are listed on the Clear website at this time.

CLEAR coming soon to United hubs (Zach Griff / The Points Guy)

If you're tempted by the prospect of even faster airport security, check out our full guide to Clear. Know that United and Delta frequent flyer program members get access to discounted Clear memberships (from $119 per year), while elites enjoy even deeper discounts (from $109 per year). Free memberships may be available to top tier members.

Get a 2-month free trial of Clear using code TPG2M

Families should also know that children under 18 can use Clear for free with an approved adult. Additional adults can also be added to the primary Clear plan for just $50 per year.

And now, for the first time, travelers with the American Express® Green Card can enjoy an up to $100 statement credit when they use the recently-refreshed card to purchase a Clear membership.

The information for the Amex Green 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.

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 Rewards® 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 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.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® 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 Rewards® 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 Express® 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 Express® 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 Express® 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.