Is CLEAR® Really Worth $189 Per Year? Breaking Down The Airport Fast-Track Cost

Airport security lines are everyone’s nightmare. CLEAR® promises to solve this with biometric scanning—but at a steep price. So how much is CLEAR per year, and more importantly, does it actually pencil out for your travel style?

The Real Cost of CLEAR Per Year: $189 Base Price

Let’s cut to the chase: CLEAR® Plus runs $189 annually. But here’s what most people don’t realize—that’s just the starting point. Your actual yearly outlay depends on which membership tier you qualify for and whether you leverage any discount programs available through credit cards or airline loyalty.

Breaking down that $189 into monthly chunks, you’re looking at roughly $16 per month. Sounds manageable, right? The problem is in the math: fly just twice a year, and each trip costs you nearly $50 in CLEAR® fees alone. Fly 12 times a year, and it drops to $15 per trip. The value proposition is entirely dependent on your travel frequency.

How To Cut CLEAR® Costs—Or Get It Free

The good news is that full sticker price isn’t inevitable. Major airlines and premium credit cards offer significant discounts:

Airline Loyalty Programs Cut CLEAR® Fees

Delta SkyMiles members pay $119 yearly—that’s $70 off. Hit Medallion Status (Silver, Gold, or Platinum tiers), and CLEAR® becomes $109. Diamond Medallion flyers and Delta 360° members get it completely free. Similarly, United MileagePlus members access the $119 rate, with “Premier” status holders paying $109. The highest-tier United members—Premier 1K and United Global—enroll at zero cost.

Premium Credit Cards Offer Statement Credits

American Express cardholders have multiple pathways. The Green Card grants a $100 statement credit when you purchase CLEAR® at full price. The Platinum Card from American Express goes further—it covers the entire $189 cost via a statement credit (terms apply). The Business Platinum Card offers the same benefit.

Military, Students, and Government Workers Get Discounts

Active military and veterans qualify for $99 annually. Students pay just $60. Federal, state, and local government employees can request an unspecified discount upon application.

Adding Family Members: The Budget-Friendly Approach

You can add up to three additional people to your CLEAR® account for $60 each per year—roughly one-third the standard membership fee. Children under 18 who travel with an enrolled adult join completely free. Once they turn 18, they either upgrade to the friends-and-family rate or establish their own membership.

What CLEAR® Actually Does—And Why It Matters

CLEAR® uses biometric verification—fingerprint or iris scan—to fast-track your identity confirmation at airport security. Instead of waiting in the standard line to present your driver’s license or passport, you get escorted directly to the physical screening process. You can enroll on-site at the airport with just an online form and a preliminary scan; no background check required. Membership becomes active immediately.

This is fundamentally different from TSA PreCheck, which offers a faster security line but still requires you to queue and present credentials. CLEAR® bypasses the line entirely, focusing on the identity verification bottleneck specifically.

The Availability Question: Not Everywhere Yet

Before you commit, check this: CLEAR® operates at approximately 45 U.S. airports currently and is expanding into stadiums and entertainment venues. If your most-used airport isn’t on that list, the premium you pay per year becomes even harder to justify.

Is CLEAR® Worth It? The Real Calculation

The honest answer: it depends entirely on two variables—how often you fly and where you fly.

This makes sense for you if: You travel more than six times per year from a CLEAR®-equipped airport. At that volume, the cost per trip becomes negligible compared to the time and stress you save.

This doesn’t make sense for you if: You fly fewer than four times annually or predominantly use airports without CLEAR® availability. Your cost per trip climbs too high to justify the membership.

The sweet spot: Combine CLEAR® with an eligible credit card or airline loyalty status. If you can secure it through a premium card’s statement credit or a loyalty program’s deep discount, the risk-reward calculation shifts dramatically in your favor.

Final Verdict

CLEAR® solves a specific, real problem—the airport security line. Whether the annual cost makes sense depends on your personal travel patterns and access to discounts. Run the numbers using your own flight frequency before deciding. If you travel regularly and can access reduced pricing through a loyalty program or credit card benefit, CLEAR® becomes substantially more attractive. If you’re paying full price and flying infrequently, pass.