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.
In this post:
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?
In places where CLEAR has the gates and you can go directly to the scanners, it is an improved experience. ORD T1 has this now. Not worth it outright if you don't get it reimbursed through a CC.
I've had CLEAR (viA AMEX) for five years now. My early experiences were generally positive - any way to help speed up the process can be a good thing. Now, and particularly at certain airports (e.g., IAD), it seems to take more time than it should. By comparison, the introduction of Touchless ID has really made positive improvements in the security inspection process. There is one thing, though, that I must say in favor of...
I've had CLEAR (viA AMEX) for five years now. My early experiences were generally positive - any way to help speed up the process can be a good thing. Now, and particularly at certain airports (e.g., IAD), it seems to take more time than it should. By comparison, the introduction of Touchless ID has really made positive improvements in the security inspection process. There is one thing, though, that I must say in favor of CLEAR - you also get expedited access at participating sports venues (e.g., Capital One Arena in downtown DC).
CLEAR charges sales tax in all states that have a sales tax. The Amex credit does not cover that. The past year or two I have used it so little, and usually regretted when I did, that if I didn't have a discounted rate via Delta status, I would not keep it for the amount of the sales tax.
I don't bother with using the Amex credit and unsubscribed. This company has no reason to exist anymore especially now that there is TSA Touchless ID. You now just walk up to an agent, a camera takes your picture, and you're done. What value is CLEAR+ adding other than line skipping? And more than half of the time the CLEAR line is slower than the TSA Touchless ID line / regular PreCheck line. Plus dealing...
I don't bother with using the Amex credit and unsubscribed. This company has no reason to exist anymore especially now that there is TSA Touchless ID. You now just walk up to an agent, a camera takes your picture, and you're done. What value is CLEAR+ adding other than line skipping? And more than half of the time the CLEAR line is slower than the TSA Touchless ID line / regular PreCheck line. Plus dealing with the CLEAR staff is anything but enjoyable - often just a frustrating touch point.
CLEAR SUCKS
The article gets it wrong . Price increased from $209 to $219, not $199 to $209.
The picture, not the text is correct.
I also skip the clear line 98% of the time. I got it for free as a DL diamond for awhile and now with my platinum. But the minute it doesn’t cover 100% of the cost I wouldn’t even be willing to pay $10 a year for it. When I did use it, I would watch people going thru pre check and they would always beat me. Especially with touchess now available at some locations,...
I also skip the clear line 98% of the time. I got it for free as a DL diamond for awhile and now with my platinum. But the minute it doesn’t cover 100% of the cost I wouldn’t even be willing to pay $10 a year for it. When I did use it, I would watch people going thru pre check and they would always beat me. Especially with touchess now available at some locations, it makes clear if longer and more steps. The concept doesn’t work anymore and they need to innovate or I can’t understand them lasting much longer. Charging more for no additional features when the government is becoming more efficient is really embarrassing!
I really wish AMEX would include the CLEAR credit - maybe at the additional family member rate - like they do for the preCheck/Global Entry credit for authorized users. It used to be easy to get via promos two clear subscriptions basically for the cost of membership but now it only covers one, so I canceled my partners (she flies a lot less than me).
So, is Amex basically subsidizing this entire company? I mean, without the credit reimbursement, there’s no way I’d pay for CLEAR outright.
I still think Clear+ is useful, as long as the eGates are present. This may be anecdotal, but the eGates were faster than Touchless ID both ways on my last trip (PHX-SEA). In PHX, I saw a group walk into the Touchless ID line and immediately swerved to Clear+, I basically walked right through while that group was told they walked into the wrong line. In SEA, I did end up taking the Touchless ID...
I still think Clear+ is useful, as long as the eGates are present. This may be anecdotal, but the eGates were faster than Touchless ID both ways on my last trip (PHX-SEA). In PHX, I saw a group walk into the Touchless ID line and immediately swerved to Clear+, I basically walked right through while that group was told they walked into the wrong line. In SEA, I did end up taking the Touchless ID line and waited behind 3 people while the eGates were empty.
Now did I really save a lot of time? No. But as long as AMEX covers the cost of Clear+, that'll be a valuable benefit for me that I'll continue to use.
I find that I sail through much quicker with Touchless compared to those with Clear. Unless Clear can somehow make an arrangement with DHS to exclude it's members from the screening process (through some form of initial extensive background check) it has no future.
Touchless is being rolled out like Pre-Check was, airline by airline. It's in the same position as Pre-Check was about five years ago and CLEAR was about three years ago. The lines will get more crowded as time goes by. In the meantime, I have Pre-Check, Touchless, and CLEAR, and pick and choose which one I want based on the size of the line. But then again, I'm just a smelly prole Executive Platinum compared to your majestic CK.
Not keen on having my biometrics and other data stored more than necessary. So this is a "no" for me.
I am able to travel at quiet times anyway, so not gonna pay to save 5 minutes.
I think the future of CLEAR is at stadiums, arenas, and such. They might also be able to expand in airports outside the U.S.
Many/most airports don't bother with identity verification at security, it's normally the responsibility of airlines to ensure the people travelling are the ones in the manifest.
I was shocked to learn that Clear (NYSE: YOU) has a market value of $7.5 billion. I need to dig into their financials a bit, but this strikes me as a good short sale.
Wow that surprises me too
My Clear membership lapsed. I might have some card or status that would pay for it but I haven't bothered to look. I haven't missed it at all.
So Murican to have to pay at all for what everywhere else on the planet would be a fucking government service
100% right. CLEAR shouldn’t even exist. But unfortunately US govt is both inept and corrupt when it comes to providing a service to the public.
CLEAR+ remains a timesaver for me flying internationally out of ORD Terminal 5. Still wouldn’t pay for it out of pocket, but it’s a nice little Amex perk.
Outside of the credit card reimbursement or elite freebies, anyone actually pay for this? No way I would ever
At Austin airport, Clear+ is 10X slower than regular pre check. Clear stopped paying Austin airport, and the airport no longer allows Clear to “cut the line”. There’s just a singular line for Clear+ now. At IAH Terminal E as well, there are “dedicated” Clear+ TSA agents, let’s say two. Compared to four or five PreCheck agents. So you’re not cutting the line. I will say Orlando though, you get to cut everyone in line which is fun.