CLEAR is a technology company that helps with expediting clearing of security at select US airports. The company stores the biometric data of members, allowing them to (typically) skip the ID check, and get straight into the security line. Combined with TSA PreCheck, this is the best setup you can have for clearing security in the US.
CLEAR has just increased the price of its CLEAR+ membership, and it’s the fourth price increase we’ve seen in under four years. Fortunately for those who get a membership through an Amex card, that credit amount is being updated as well, to still cover the full amount.
CLEAR+ annual cost increases by $10 as of July 1, 2026
As of July 1, 2026, the cost of a CLEAR+ membership has been increased by $10, from $199 to $209. This time around, the cost of adding someone to a CLEAR+ family account remains the same, as it continues to be $125 (you can add up to three people to your account, and they don’t have to be related to you).
The cost of a CLEAR+ membership has increased drastically over time, both for the primary member, and for members of a family account. Just to give an example of how family plan pricing has changed, up until early 2023, adding someone to a family plan cost $60, then it was increased to $70, then it was increased to $99, then it was increased to $119, and then it was increased to $125.
Keep in mind that several Amex cards offer CLEAR+ credits, and those credits have been updated to reflect the price hike. This means an eligible card would still cover the full $219 membership cost.
These CLEAR price increases aren’t a huge deal, but…
Nobody likes price increases, though based on my own experience, CLEAR+ just isn’t worth paying cash for. So if you’re getting a CLEAR+ membership through an Amex card, then there’s no price change, since the membership cost will continue to be covered.
My bigger issue isn’t with the price of a CLEAR+ membership, but rather that I find the whole CLEAR concept to be kind of dumb, at least in terms of its current reality, and how the airport experience is evolving overall:
- When CLEAR first started, it was a huge time saver, since not many people had it, so it actually gave travelers with it an advantage
- Now we’re at the point where it feels like basically everyone has CLEAR (tens of millions of frequent travelers), 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 isn’t actually much easier, given the verification required
- 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.
I can’t help but think that eventually the CLEAR concept will just be fully unnecessary. I know CLEAR is rolling out eGates at some airports for identity verification, but at the same time, we’re seeing the rollout of TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. Furthermore, the TSA is also working toward introducing eGates for identity verification. So if/when that’s rolled out, is there actually any argument to be made in favor of CLEAR anymore? What’s the value proposition at that point?
Bottom line
As of July 2026, the cost of a CLEAR+ membership has increased. The price has been upped by $10 for the primary member. Fortunately Amex cards with an eligible credit continue to cover the entire amount, so this is a non-issue for those who get their membership that way.
What do you make of this CLEAR+ price increase?
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