Personal Finance News
CLEAR Plus Pilots Paid Curb-to-Gate Assistance Service Option
CLEAR is introducing two VIP service options exclusively for CLEAR Plus members.
About CLEAR Ambassador Assist:
The biometric identity verification service CLEAR is now offering new services that will allow travelers to gain VIP assistance. Dubbed CLEAR Ambassador Assist, this platform allows customers to book Curb-to-CLEAR or Curb-to-Gate services. With each of these options, a dedicated ambassador will greet passengers upon arrival, help them with their bags, and guide them through security. As TPG notes, with the Curb-to-Gate option, Ambassadors can also assist guests find lounges, restaurants, and more.
With CLEAR still piloting this program, Ambassador Assist is currently being offered at two domestic airports: Denver International Airport (DEN) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). To book, travelers can visit the Ambassador Assist site, select their airport and airline, and book a specific time. Curb-to-Gate service reserves you one hour and costs $149, while the Curb-to-CLEAR option is $49 for 15 minutes. Of note, this service is exclusive to CLEAR Plus members.
About CLEAR Plus:
With CLEAR Plus, customers can access a dedicated CLEAR lane at numerous airports and some entertainment venues. The service will verify users’ identity, allowing them to skip the regular boarding pass and ID checks at TSA security checkpoints. As a result, CLEAR Plus can be used with or without the separate TSA Precheck service.
Currently, a CLEAR Plus membership costs $199 per year. However, members of certain airline loyalty programs — including Delta, Alaska, Hawaiian, and United — can enjoy a discount, which may vary depending on the airline and your status. Meanwhile, the American Express Platinum and Green cards both feature an annual credit for up to $199 on qualifying CLEAR Plus membership payments.
My thoughts:
For those who don’t have a credit card that will cover the cost, CLEAR Plus is already a pricey service. So, tacking on an additional $49 to $149 per use makes the Ambassador Assist program pretty hard to justify on its face. Then again, since the service seems to be based on time and not the number of people, I could imagine that families traveling with kids might happily pay the additional fee if it means having someone to assist with all of the luggage and see them off to their gate.
With CLEAR’s Ambassador Assist only currently available at two airports, I’ll be interested to see how the option is received and whether it makes its way to more locations down the road.
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