In 2019, United Airlines bought a stake in CLEAR, a company that promises expedited airport security using biometric data. To coincide with this, United and CLEAR launched a partnership, offering benefits for MileagePlus members. Over time, we’ve seen the value of this scaled back, and now we’re seeing the latest example of that.
In this post:
The current state of the United & CLEAR partnership
As the latest development to this partnership, as of May 1, 2025, United MileagePlus Premier 1K members will no longer receive a complimentary CLEAR membership. CLEAR ordinarily charges $199 for an annual membership, so with the latest updates, here’s what MileagePlus members can expect to pay:
- Global Services members continue to receive a free CLEAR membership
- Premier 1K members receive a discounted membership rate of $129 ($70 savings)
- Premier Platinum, Premier Gold, Premier Silver, and co-branded card members, receive a discounted membership rate of $159 ($40 savings)
- Other MileagePlus members receive a discounted membership rate of $189 ($10 savings)
Just as a point of comparison, here’s what the perks were back when the partnership first launched:
- Global Services and Premier 1K members received a complimentary CLEAR membership
- Premier Platinum, Premier Gold, Premier Silver, and co-branded card members, received a discounted membership rate of $109
- All other MileagePlus members received a discounted membership rate of $119
As you can see, the value of this partnership has decreased significantly over time. But that’s also not surprising, as the company has clearly shifted from growth mode, to actually trying to make money. Broadly speaking, Amex and CLEAR still have the most useful partnership, for those looking for a complimentary membership.
I don’t really care about CLEAR, but maybe that’s just me
Nobody likes losing perks, though I have to say that I find the whole concept of CLEAR to be kind of dumb, at least in terms of its current reality:
- When CLEAR first started, it was a huge time saver, since not many people had it, so you actually saved a lot of time
- Now we’re at the point where tens of millions of people have CLEAR, and when everyone can cut the ID check, no one can cut the ID check
- The TSA ID check is really simple nowadays — in many cases you just insert your ID into a reader, and you’re sent on your way, and don’t even have to show your boarding pass
- Meanwhile the CLEAR process just isn’t simple, and if anything, is more time consuming, and then often still requires an ID check with the TSA agents
- Airport security checkpoints are often so small, and I feel space could be better utilized by expanding other, more efficient screening methods
As someone who has CLEAR, I find myself skipping CLEAR and just using the standard TSA PreCheck line more often than not, and that usually ends up being fastest. That’s despite the fact that I’m cut by a countless number of CLEAR members in line. That means that on average, the existence of CLEAR slows me down rather than speeding me up, and that’s despite being a member.
TSA is working toward introducing a simplified biometric ID check process, and if you ask me, that can’t come soon enough. Hopefully it marks the end of CLEAR, at least in its current implementation at airports.
Bottom line
Since 2019, United Airlines and CLEAR have had a partnership, offering perks for MileagePlus members. Over time, the savings and benefits offered with this partnership have decreased. With the latest cut, MileagePlus Premier 1K members are losing their complimentary membership as of May 2025.
What do you make of this latest change to the United and CLEAR partnership?
Clear now basically worthless out of EWR. Good riddance.
Love Clear. A must out of FLL. I’m a 1K and didn’t even realize it was a perk. So many credit cards offer it for free I doubt it’s a concern for too many.
i just wish Clear would develop its own queue and stop jumping the TSA Pre line
At DEN clear has been a bit of a joke. Over the years I wouldn't say it's made the difference between making a flight or not making a flight. At best it gave me time for one more beer in an airport bar or lounge. Amex has covered my fee for the last few years, but since I'll probably be ditching the Platinum this year, I may finally say goodbye. At DEN they have a...
At DEN clear has been a bit of a joke. Over the years I wouldn't say it's made the difference between making a flight or not making a flight. At best it gave me time for one more beer in an airport bar or lounge. Amex has covered my fee for the last few years, but since I'll probably be ditching the Platinum this year, I may finally say goodbye. At DEN they have a lane at the end that seems to go slower than every other pre-check lane that is open. Between the additional ID verification and bio-metric whatever-the-heck it is they do, the value prop just isn't there for me personally. If there are more than a half dozen people waiting in the line, I usually just skip it.
TSA Touch-less has saved me more time than clear. I use it at EWR Terminal C. Terminal A is a cluster-f### no mater what line you use. I got a TSA pre-check laminated card at EWR Terminal A. Last time I got one of those was at Key West.
I said if clear wasn’t paying for my full membership, I would buy it. So, they made that choice for me.
Clear seems to have lots of staff and facilities available to enroll new members, and less available to service existing members. Often quicker using basic Pre.
The last trip I took from JFK to FLL, I was watching closely to see if my Clear membership made any damn difference...it did...it made clearing security longer. At both airports, the Clear line once you got checked, fed into the same Precheck line I had access to. The only difference is that you have to do the extra steps of Clear and both times, I was watching who got in Precheck line at the...
The last trip I took from JFK to FLL, I was watching closely to see if my Clear membership made any damn difference...it did...it made clearing security longer. At both airports, the Clear line once you got checked, fed into the same Precheck line I had access to. The only difference is that you have to do the extra steps of Clear and both times, I was watching who got in Precheck line at the same time as me, and both times I was actually put into the security lane several people later than I would have been. Clear has no real purpose now with Digital ID and Precheck.
Now it will only be Amex that is subsidizing this. If they scale that back, Clear will be finished.
I care more about my spouse losing 1K from my 1K MM status than clear, but in aggregate, this is a trend to devalue 1K
I have had TSA pre-check from the beginning and thought CLEAR was an annoyance and a fad. It was expensive and if you need someone to show you how to do it, too complex and obviously expensive. I predicted that CLEAR would eventually lose appeal and go the way of the Dodo. I think that is what we are going to start to see. My AA card gives me Pre-check renewal coverage and I generally...
I have had TSA pre-check from the beginning and thought CLEAR was an annoyance and a fad. It was expensive and if you need someone to show you how to do it, too complex and obviously expensive. I predicted that CLEAR would eventually lose appeal and go the way of the Dodo. I think that is what we are going to start to see. My AA card gives me Pre-check renewal coverage and I generally get through security faster than CLEAR passengers. I suspect that UA and DL will start to cut their loses and in another 2-3 years, CLEAR will be gone (thank goodness!).
I usually have the same experience with clear, but there are 4ish times per year where it saves my bacon and I couldn’t have made the flight without it. It’s also quite nice when I use a different carrier and they don’t process my pre check number properly (looking at you AA).
I've been using the TSA biometric program with United at O'Hare and LA and its sooo much faster than Clear. You walk up, stand on a dot, and get waived by in a second or two. That's it. The only time I use Clear is in airports like Dallas for United where lanes are limited and Clear actually makes a difference.
And for those clutching pearls about using biometrics to clear security, guess what? If...
I've been using the TSA biometric program with United at O'Hare and LA and its sooo much faster than Clear. You walk up, stand on a dot, and get waived by in a second or two. That's it. The only time I use Clear is in airports like Dallas for United where lanes are limited and Clear actually makes a difference.
And for those clutching pearls about using biometrics to clear security, guess what? If have a passport, then you've already given those biometrics to the government. Linking your passport to your United profile is how you enable the biometrics. If you travel internationally, that ship sailed long ago....
This, 100%. Same here in ATL with DL. The Digital ID PreCheck line is almost always faster than Clear in the domestic terminal. ATL F terminal is a different matter.
Clear has always been a solution looking for a problem. It's a skip-the-line program for a skip-the-line program.
Sigh...
I can't understand why people have to make sweeping judgments based solely on their own experience. YMMV, people! CLEAR is a lifesaver in certain airports, worthless in others, and everything in between everywhere else. Just because it's no good for you doesn't make it no good in general. At my home airport, SAN, it's **absolutely** necessary and I will definitely be paying for this even though I have gotten it for free up to...
Sigh...
I can't understand why people have to make sweeping judgments based solely on their own experience. YMMV, people! CLEAR is a lifesaver in certain airports, worthless in others, and everything in between everywhere else. Just because it's no good for you doesn't make it no good in general. At my home airport, SAN, it's **absolutely** necessary and I will definitely be paying for this even though I have gotten it for free up to this point as a 1K. It has saved me tens of hours since I first started using it, which translates into more sleep. That's worth it to me.
The value of CLEAR is CHOICE! Sometimes the CLEAR line is longer than TSA, but sometimes it's the other way around. At SAN, both pre-check and non-pre-check lines have CLEAR. That's *four* options. The last time I flew out of SAN, all of these lines were insanely long...except for non-pre-check CLEAR. I was through in 15 min vs the hour it was going to take everyone else.
If you all want to cancel, be my guest. Even shorter lines for the rest of us who get real value out of this service!
...because it's human nature. I can't make generalizations on YOUR experiences. As far as CLEAR is concerned, it's nothing more than a fad. I was offered a $99 membership as an airline employee and turned it down because it's a fad not worth paying for... at least for me. During a typical year, I see one or instances of a CLEAR member gaining no more than a 30-second time advantage over me. If that causes...
...because it's human nature. I can't make generalizations on YOUR experiences. As far as CLEAR is concerned, it's nothing more than a fad. I was offered a $99 membership as an airline employee and turned it down because it's a fad not worth paying for... at least for me. During a typical year, I see one or instances of a CLEAR member gaining no more than a 30-second time advantage over me. If that causes you to miss a flight, perhaps you might want to consider arriving at the airport a little earlier.
Biometric programs such as these should be made illegal. They're in the same category as AI as a huge scourge and threat to humanity's future.
If Clear continues to exist, they really should pay TSA to operate their own lanes vs constantly having their Clear agents walk in front of precheck lines to block them while sending 6 people to skip the precheck line (which they honestly should just go to after clear since they have to do the exact same checks now)
Clear is increasingly worthless. Now I have to undergo the Clear check and then still get my picture taken by TSA. What's the point? I'd rather just do it once.
Ben, Must have been a while since you used clear as the process is different than you describe.
At the start point of Clear, a person scans your boarding pass with a hand held. Then you go to kiosk, and they take your picture (no eyes or fingerprints) and scan boarding pass. Then you go to checkpoint and there is a CLEAR person to greet you and Id's you from a picture on their...
Ben, Must have been a while since you used clear as the process is different than you describe.
At the start point of Clear, a person scans your boarding pass with a hand held. Then you go to kiosk, and they take your picture (no eyes or fingerprints) and scan boarding pass. Then you go to checkpoint and there is a CLEAR person to greet you and Id's you from a picture on their hand held. They take to counter, skip line, and their hand held is scanned. You look at the camera and get green light to go. TSA flags you on. They are using facial pictures now (at least were I go). Although non-CLEAR TSA Pre have picture taken - then just have to add their ID. Tend to agree - as 1K - got free - unless AmEx gives I won't keep.
That's a ludicrous process! Two people standing in two different areas and using two different machines to confirm your ID? That's like 3rd world job-creation-for-creation's-sake, not a more streamlined way to get through security.
My favorite airport people are those who stand in the clear line (maybe to feel important?) when there are 3-4 nearly empty pre check ID check stations in SLC and the new digital id lane.
YMMV though - SEA on a cruise disembarkation morning and clear is a massive time saver.
Honestly the best ID check is the Delta Digital ID. As long as you have pre check you’re eligible. At LGA and JFK I’m through in under 3 minutes.
I recently learned United is partnering / rolling it out also. I thought it was just a delta offering but I suppose not. Could explain UA retreat from Clear
You have obviously never flown out of the abomination of my home airport - Hopkins in Cleveland. If I didn’t have clear and precheck I probably would have missed a number of flights by now even though I get to airport 2 hrs before departure.
At SFO, it's a joke. There are often more people waiting in the CLEAR queue than in regular TSA Pre. I have heard it can save a lot of time at SeaTac though.
Plus with clear, if you’re with kids, the agent will interrogate them every time by asking who the adult is and how they know them.
That's pretty normal. Crossing the border into Canada, the interrogations are very intense usually.
Wouldn’t pay otherwise, but the Amex Platinum rebate means I can choose which line is best as I walk up. Can’t beat that.