Credit Card News
CLEAR and Amex Renew Partnership for Credit Card Perks
A popular credit perk will apparently be sticking around as CLEAR and American Express have renewed their partnership.
About the deal:
This week, CLEAR announced that its relationship with American Express had been extended. However, the terms and length of the deal were not disclosed in a press release.
As a result of this established partnership, cardholders with select Amex cards can enjoy a complimentary membership to CLEAR. Specifically, eligible cards feature a statement credit for up to $189 when users purchase a CLEAR Plus membership. This credit currently covers the entire cost for a one-year membership at retail price.
Cards with CLEAR credits:
The following consumer Amex cards include a statement credit of up to $189 per year for CLEAR:
- Platinum Card by American Express ($695 annual fee)
- American Express Green Card ($150 annual fee)
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card ($550 annual fee)
About CLEAR:
CLEAR is a “secure identity platform” that utilizes biometrics. With CLEAR Plus, members can expedite the security screening process at select airports and venues. In the case of airports, CLEAR Plus is utilized to verify a traveler’s identity, allowing them to proceed to the actual screening checkpoint rather than wait through the boarding pass check line. As a result, the service can be used in conjunction with TSA Precheck to further save travelers time in line.
While CLEAR Plus currently requires users to visit a kiosk and scan either their eyes or fingers for verification, the service has been moving toward its “NextGen Identity+” standard. This will allow the company to roll out its “Lane of the Future” throughout 2024, with the goal of allowing travelers to verify their identity without breaking their stride.
What they’re saying:
“CLEAR makes the customer experience safer and easier, bringing predictability to the friction-filled airport experience. We are excited to continue our partnership with American Express. Together, we are committed to delivering the best experiences to our customers and members,” said Kenneth Cornick, CLEAR’s President and Chief Financial Officer.
My thoughts:
In my opinion as an Amex cardmember and CLEAR user myself, this is undoubtedly good news. Although I’ve seen some complaints that CLEAR Plus lines are getting longer than the regular TSA Precheck lanes, that hasn’t been my experience. In fact, by using the two programs together, I’ve managed to sail through TSA checkpoints in less than five minutes during my travels. Plus, if this “Lane of the Future” comes to fruition, hopefully that will fix some of the issues others have noted.
With that said, at a cost of $189 per year, I really don’t think CLEAR Plus is a service I would pay for on my own. Thus, I’m very glad this Amex perk will be sticking around for the time being.
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