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Why I Broke Down and Got CLEAR to Get Through Security Faster

July 10, 2018
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5 min read
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Why I Broke Down and Got CLEAR to Get Through Security Faster
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One of the best things to happen to air travel in the last decade was TSA PreCheck. With PreCheck, I know that 95% of the time my family can get through security in ten minutes or less and without all the extra drama of taking off shoes, pulling out electronics and snacks, etc. There is no question in my mind that Global Entry and PreCheck are worth the $100 fee every five years. In reality, many of us don’t even pay that fee directly since we have a rewards earning credit card or two that can cover that fee for us.

For years, PreCheck and Global Entry were more than enough for me to get through the airport without an issue. However, increasingly, I have been in some situations where I’ve thought about whether we may need to add CLEAR to our travel back of tricks. I was not excited about the idea of paying for yet another travel-related membership, but I have booked more and more tickets on airlines that operate out of my home airport in Houston in a part of Terminal A where there is not a regular PreCheck line. As a result, I’ve pondered CLEAR more than once.

Why I bought CLEAR today in the airport

Today, I was again waiting in the regular security line in Terminal A at IAH when a CLEAR employee walked up to me and said she could get me through the line in four minutes or less with a one month free trial of CLEAR. The line I was in was going to certainly take longer than four minutes, so that was the tipping point to give CLEAR a try.

She helped me scan my fingerprints and eyes, take a profile photo, scan my driver’s license, and within the promised four minutes, I was passed the TSA agent. Not only did I save time in security on this trip, but my CLEAR profile has now been set-up and is ready for even quicker use the next time around. CLEAR is currently available in 30 airports and sports stadiums around the country.

Who should get CLEAR

For a family who travels once or twice a year, CLEAR is not even worth a consideration, so just ignore it completely. I’d argue that TSA PreCheck is worth it even if you only fly twice a year, but CLEAR most certainly is not if you are not a frequent flyer. However, if you find yourself in the air every month or so, especially at airports or terminals where there is not PreCheck line or where the PreCheck line can get long, CLEAR might be worth the investment.

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How to save money on CLEAR

CLEAR can cost you $179 per year, but you do not have to pay that much. In fact, please don’t pay that much. Delta SkyMiles members pay just $99 per year for CLEAR, so that is an easy way to shave $80 off the cost of a year of CLEAR. If you happen to have Delta elite status or even just an eligible Delta credit card, then you can get CLEAR for just $79 per year.

Eligible Delta cards for the $79 CLEAR annual membership include:

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express, Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express, Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card, or Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express.

You can also add up to three family members onto your Clear membership for an $50 extra per person per year. However, you may only need to add your spouse or partner as children under 18 can follow you through Clear for free. My plan will be to pay $79 for my Clear membership thanks to having an eligible Delta Amex and then add Josh for $50 annually. My girls don’t need their own Clear membership since they are under 18. I was able to chat with a CLEAR rep online to change to the $79 per year plan from the full priced plan that was entered at the airport.

If you are considering CLEAR for yourself in the future, stay on the lookout for Amex Offers to help you save some money. Earlier this year, there was an Amex Offer for a $50 statement credit with $179 spent on CLEAR. There are also often free trials available for the first month or two so you can see if it is worth it before making an annual investment in getting some of your time back, so Google around for those codes or I believe my CLEAR Refer-A-Friend link will get you two free months.

Have you used CLEAR? If so I would love to hear your thoughts and tips!

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • 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.