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You can sign up for a Clear membership at select Rimowa stores

Dec. 15, 2021
6 min read
Clear Rimowa
You can sign up for a Clear membership at select Rimowa stores
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If there's one thing all travelers can agree on, it's that we'd all like to spend less time in airport security lines. There are a few hacks to help expedite your process through check-in and security, from priority check-in lanes thanks to elite status to expedited screening programs like TSA PreCheck and Clear. And for New York City and San Francisco residents, signing up for a Clear membership just got a bit easier.

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For those of you who are unfamiliar, Clear uses biometrics to verify your ID at the airport to help you get through security faster with dedicated lanes. While it isn't a replacement for TSA PreCheck (you'll still have to go through the TSA lines), it can reduce the amount of time you spend waiting in line at security checkpoints when you travel through one of the 39 U.S. airports that have Clear lanes. Clear has also been expanding to offer expedited security at large-scale events such as major sports competitions, so your membership could be useful beyond saving time at the airport.

While you can start the enrollment process online, you still have to head to a Clear kiosk to get your biometrics added into the system with the help of a Clear ambassador. Typically, that means spending some extra time (and potentially waiting in another line) at a busy airport terminal before your flight. But thanks to a new partnership between Clear and luxury luggage line Rimowa, you can now sign up in two select stores in New York City and San Francisco.

"This holiday season, we are excited to bring Clear's groundbreaking technology into our Rimowa stores as we provide our customers with an even more convenient way to access the Clear membership,” said Dezaray Romanelli, general manager of Rimowa North America, in a press release. “Following the success of the Rimowa Passport Studio in Soho, New York, we continue to find new and innovative ways to elevate the entire travel experience from start to finish."

(Photo by Madison Blancaflor/The Points Guy)

While this partnership is launching as a test in two specific stores — the Madison Avenue location in New York and the Grant Avenue location in San Francisco — a spokesperson from Rimowa did tell TPG that there's a potential for this to become a more permanent option for Rimowa shoppers at a broader selection of stores in the future.

At the Madison Avenue store in New York, Rimowa and Clear gifted me with a complimentary one-year Clear membership so that I could test out the process of signing up in the store. Overall, it was a great experience. The Rimowa store is much quieter and less hectic than any airport terminal I've ever been in, and the process for getting signed up was quick and painless.

When you enter the store, there's a Clear kiosk located on the left-hand side. During Clear's staffing hours, which are listed at the end of the article, a Clear ambassador will be present to walk you through the process.

(Photo by Madison Blancaflor/The Points Guy)

Signing up was easy. You'll need to bring an ID (I used my passport) and your preferred card for your membership dues.

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There are a few cards that give you either a credit for your Clear membership or a discounted rate, so make sure you're bringing the right card with you when you sign up. Our guide to Clear walks through the ways you can use elite status, loyalty programs and credit cards to save money on your Clear membership.

(Photo by Madison Blancaflor/The Points Guy)

You'll go through a retina scan, thumbprint scans and larger four-finger scans to get your biometrics recorded. The Clear ambassador helps you through the process to make sure your hands are situated correctly, you have your eyes open wide enough for the scan, etc.

(Photo by Madison Blancaflor/The Points Guy)

Then, you'll give your ID to scan. I used my U.S. passport since that's what I use at the airport, but you can also use the following forms of ID: driver's license, U.S. passport card, U.S.-issued permanent resident card, state-issued ID or Global Entry card.

From there, you verify your information (full name, current address, email address and phone number) and put a card on file for the cost of the membership.

Clear kiosk with the "Welcome to Clear" message
(Photo by Madison Blancaflor/The Points Guy)

After, you'll see a screen welcoming you to Clear with a QR code you can scan to download the app. I perused the store for a bit before heading out — I've been debating whether I should give in and buy the Rimowa Never Still black backpack I've been eyeing as a Christmas gift to myself — but the actual process to sign up for Clear took less than 15 minutes.

If you live in one of the outer boroughs of New York City or in a suburb of San Francisco, trekking into the city to sign up for Clear at a Rimowa store may be more trouble than it's worth. But for those who live near one of the stores or who are planning a shopping trip for some new luggage, it may be worth taking advantage of these added locations where you can sign up for Clear.

I've been considering signing up for months, but I'm always in a rush when I get to the airport. Taking a break from work on a Monday afternoon to sign up at a store in Manhattan was less of a hassle, plus I got to check out some of the newer Rimowa products in person (I do most of my shopping online these days, so in-person shopping is a welcome rarity).

Here are the Clear staffing hours for each location where you can sign up.

New York City — Madison Avenue store:

  • Monday: 2-6 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 2-6 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 2-6 p.m.
  • Thursday: 3-7 p.m.
  • Friday: 3-7 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Sunday: Noon-5 p.m.

San Francisco — Grant Avenue store:

  • Monday-Friday: 2-6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Sunday: Noon-6 p.m.
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.