Which Credit Cards Pay for a CLEAR Membership?

CLEAR is a secure identity program designed to expedite security screening at airports and other venues across the United States. By utilizing biometric data, such as fingerprints and iris scans, CLEAR allows members to bypass traditional identity verification lines, moving quickly to the physical screening stage. This service is valuable for saving time, especially in busy travel environments. Certain credit cards offer a benefit that can cover the annual CLEAR membership fee, making expedited access more accessible.

Identifying Eligible Credit Cards

Several prominent credit cards provide an annual statement credit specifically for CLEAR membership, effectively offsetting the cost for cardholders. American Express is a primary issuer that extends this benefit across several of its premium travel cards. The Platinum Card® from American Express offers up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year to cover a CLEAR Plus membership. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express provides the same annual credit.

The American Express® Green Card also features an annual statement credit of up to $209 for CLEAR Plus membership. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card includes up to $209 in statement credits each calendar year for CLEAR Plus. The American Express Corporate Platinum Card also offers up to $209 in statement credits for eligible CLEAR Plus charges.

While some co-branded airline credit cards, such as certain Delta SkyMiles American Express cards, may offer discounted rates for CLEAR membership but typically do not provide full reimbursement. Other major card issuers like Chase and Capital One currently do not offer direct statement credits for CLEAR membership on their travel cards, instead focusing on benefits for other trusted traveler programs like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

Understanding the Reimbursement Process

Utilizing the CLEAR membership reimbursement benefit from an eligible credit card involves a straightforward process. The cardholder enrolls in CLEAR Plus, either online or in person, and uses their eligible credit card to pay the annual membership fee. The annual fee for a CLEAR Plus membership is approximately $189 to $209, and the benefit covers this amount. CLEAR memberships are often set up for auto-renewal, meaning the card on file will be charged automatically each year unless canceled.

After the CLEAR membership fee is charged, the card issuer automatically processes a statement credit to offset the expense. This credit is applied to the cardholder’s account within a few days, though it can take up to six to eight weeks to post. The benefit is provided on a calendar year basis, meaning the credit resets at the beginning of each new year, allowing annual reimbursement.

The statement credit for CLEAR membership is applied per card account, not per individual authorized user. If a primary cardholder and an authorized user on the same account both pay for CLEAR memberships, the total reimbursement will not exceed the maximum annual credit allowed for that specific card account. The credit can cover the membership fee for the primary cardholder or for another individual, provided the eligible card is used for payment. If a CLEAR application is not approved, any charges made are refunded by CLEAR, and any corresponding statement credit from the card issuer may be reversed.