New travel trick: Clear launches free mobile app to simplify entry into the US
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
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Most of us here at TPG love Clear, the subscription service that can get you put in the front of the line for security screening at many U.S. airports. We wrote the definitive guide to Clear access here so be sure to check that out.
Get Clear for a discounted rate of $149 for 12 months using code TPG149 or get a two-month free trial of Clear using code TPG2M
Clear reached out to let us know they are launching a mobile app that could simplify members' entry into the U.S. It can also save you some money on Mobile Passport even if you're not a member of Clear.
Related: With Global Entry crackdown, it's now more important than ever to have Mobile Passport
Leah Hollander is the general manager of travel at Clear. She said, "CLEAR Pass is providing free access to Mobile Passport Control as part of our commitment to continually innovate and improve the travel experience. Whether you are a Clear member or not, you can use this service at no cost to make returning home from an international trip safer and easier."
How it works
- Download the Clear Pass app from Apple's App Store.
- Create a profile, including your passport information and a selfie
- Just like Mobile Passport, after landing you create a new trip by choosing your arrival airport, airline and answering customs questions
- Go to the Mobile Passport Control line and show the QR code and passport.
- Clear Pass stores the profile and passport for free so you don't need to repeat the initial steps
One of my favorite tips for travelers is to download the Mobile Passport Control app (MPC) which can literally save you hours at U.S. Customs stations at many U.S. airports. The Points Guy himself, Brian Kelly, wrote about it as far back as 2016. As we've reported, the Mobile Passport app requires an annual subscription to store your info, so this would be a good workaround if you don't want to pay the $14.99 for Mobile Passport.
Related: Why Mobile Passport can be a better option than Global Entry
Here's Brian Kelly's conversation with CEO of Clear, Caryn Seidman-Becker. Seidman-Becker shares Clear's expansion plans, and breaks down membership pricing:
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- 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.
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- 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.
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