Have you noticed those “CLEAR” check-in stations near security at the airports? They are a way to make your airport check-in times go even faster and I’m all about that. Get me to my airport lounge! I have both CLEAR and Global Entry (which includes TSA Precheck). This gets me through an airport security line about as fast as you possibly can. Did you know that there are ways you can pay for the cost of a CLEAR membership? Let’s go over all the ways that will help reduce or completely cover the cost of CLEAR for you.

CLEAR isn’t offered at every airport but it is available in most major airports. There are 50+ sites where you can use your membership including some major stadiums/venues. You apply online or at the airport (they often offer a 3-month free trial). I love that I don’t have to show my ID – it uses your facial biometrics or finger recognition. The cost for one person is $179 a year and $50 for additional family members. Children ages 18 and younger can automatically go free with you.

Ways to Reduce the Cost

This cost can be reduced to $119 in the simplest, fastest way. Simply become a member of United Mileage Plus or Delta Sky Miles. You don’t even have to have a credit card from them. Just become a loyalty member with those airlines.  If you have elite status with either airline, it goes to $109/yr. You can also get that $109/yr reduced price if you have the following credit cards:

• United Explorer Card
• United Quest Card
• United Club Infinite Card
• United Business Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card

Sign up for the discounted United membership here and for the discounted Delta membership here.

The American Express® Green Card comes with a benefit of $100 CLEAR statement credit so, as long as you charge your CLEAR membership with that card, you will get that credit, making your membership much less. It is easy to pay only $19/yr for your CLEAR membership with these two cost reductions.

How to Get a Free Membership

There are two credit cards that will completely cover the cost of your CLEAR membership. Both the Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® will give you a statement credit for your CLEAR membership when you pay with one of those cards. These two cards have high annual fees so it is nice that you can recoup some of your fees for something that is so useful!

Student Memberships

Students 18 years and older can get special pricing for $50/year for 4 years. Read more here

Bottom Line

Standing in an airport security line is a necessary pain to get to where we want to go. We can make it quicker and less painful and a CLEAR membership is one of the ways to do that. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. Use one of these ways to help pay for your CLEAR membership.