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Is CLEAR Plus Worth It in 2026? Cost & Credit Cards That Pay for It
September 27, 2026
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CLEAR+ now costs $219 a year, and the company is swapping its old kiosks for e-gates. It says 53 airports have them, with most of its airports set to have them by the end of the year. If you're deciding whether to join or renew, the real question is how often you fly and whether a card can pay the fee for you.
What Is CLEAR+ and How Do E-Gates Work?
CLEAR+ is a paid membership that verifies your identity with your face or fingerprints, then walks you to the front of the security line. You still go through physical screening. CLEAR+ only replaces the ID check at the podium.
E-gates speed up that step. Instead of stopping at a kiosk and waiting for an ambassador, you look into the gate, it confirms who you are, and the doors open. CLEAR says identity verification takes five seconds or less.
CLEAR+ lanes are in 63 airports, and members 18 and older need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state ID, or passport to enroll.
How Much Does CLEAR+ Cost in 2026?
A standard CLEAR+ membership is $219 a year. You can add up to three adults for $125 each, and kids 17 and under join free when they travel with you. Military service members and government employees can join for $125 a year.
For a couple, that works out to $344 a year before any discounts or credits. If a card credit covers your own membership, the $125 add-on is the only part you pay out of pocket.
Calculation formulated by Kudos, based on one $219 membership plus one $125 adult add-on.
Three airline loyalty programs partner with CLEAR on discounted pricing: Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, and Atmos Rewards (Alaska and Hawaiian). The discount grows with your elite status, and the top tiers in Delta's and United's programs can get CLEAR+ at no cost. Link your loyalty number when you sign up to see your rate.
Already carry a card with a CLEAR+ credit? Kudos' Benefits Tracker shows whether the credit has posted this year, so you don't end up paying $219 out of pocket by mistake.
Which Credit Cards Cover CLEAR+?
Three American Express cards come with a CLEAR+ credit of up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year. Pay for an auto-renewing CLEAR+ membership with the card and the credit covers it, excluding taxes and fees.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: $895 annual fee (See Rates & Fees)
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: $895 annual fee (See Rates & Fees)
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: $550 annual fee (See Rates & Fees)
None of these cards is worth getting for the CLEAR+ credit alone, since each annual fee is well above $219. The credit makes the most sense if you already carry one of them or were planning to apply for its other travel perks. Kudos can compare all three side by side, so you can see which one's other credits and earn rates actually fit how you spend.
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Not sure which premium card fits how you spend? Kudos compares cards side by side based on your real spending. Compare cards on Kudos.
Is CLEAR+ Worth It for You?
CLEAR+ pays off when three things line up: you fly often, your home airport has CLEAR+ lanes, and security lines there are regularly long. Business travelers who fly the same hub every week get the most out of it.
It's harder to justify if you fly a few times a year or your usual airports don't have CLEAR+ lanes. Check the airport list on CLEAR's site before you pay.
CLEAR+ also pairs well with TSA PreCheck. CLEAR handles the ID check and gets you to the front, and PreCheck gives you the faster screening lane where you can usually keep your shoes on. Members who have both often move through security the fastest.
If you're weighing a premium card mostly for travel perks like this, Kudos' Dream Wallet matches your real spending to the cards that would earn you the most, so you can see whether the annual fee pays for itself.
How Do You Know Your CLEAR+ Credit Posted?
The CLEAR+ credit resets every calendar year and only posts after you pay for the membership with your eligible card. It's easy to forget when your renewal hits or to miss that the credit never posted.
Kudos' Benefits Tracker shows your card credits in one place, including whether a credit like CLEAR+ has been used this year. Connect your card and Kudos matches the charge to the credit for you, so you can spot a missing credit before the year ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many airports have CLEAR e-gates?
CLEAR says e-gates are in 53 airports, with most of its airports scheduled to have them by the end of the year. CLEAR+ lanes are in 63 airports overall.
Does CLEAR+ replace TSA PreCheck?
No. CLEAR+ verifies your identity and moves you to the front of the line, but you still go through screening. TSA PreCheck is a separate program that gives you a faster screening lane, and many travelers use both.
Can I add my family to CLEAR+?
Yes. You can add up to three adults for $125 each, and kids 17 and under can join free when they travel with a member.
Does the Amex CLEAR+ credit renew every year?
Yes. The Platinum Card®, The Business Platinum Card®, and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card each offer up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year when you pay for an auto-renewing CLEAR+ membership with the card. Terms apply.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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