CLEAR+ bills itself as the ultimate airport time-saver, helping travelers skip long security lines at airports across the country. But if you're paying for it yourself, that convenience just got a little more expensive.

As of today, July 1, the annual cost of a CLEAR+ membership has officially increased from $209 to $219. It's the fourth price hike in the last four years.

Fortunately, there are still several ways to pay less than the full sticker price through airline partnerships. But those savings also won't go quite as far as they used to: 

  • Anyone with a (free) frequent flyer account or co-branded credit card with all four airlines can sign up for CLEAR+ for $209 a year – up from the old $199 rate
  • If you've got status on Delta or United (or even certain Delta SkyMiles credit cards), you'll pay $179 per year – up from $169
  • Travelers with top-tier status from Delta or United can knock that down to as low as $129 a year – a significant change from the free memberships they used to receive
  • Meanwhile, Alaska/Hawaiian's Atmos elites don't get a further discount … but they do earn bonus points for signing up or renewing
  • Flyers with invite-only Delta 360° and United Global Services status still get CLEAR+ for free
UnitedDeltaCost
United Global ServicesDelta 360°Complimentary (no change)
Premier 1kDiamond$129
Premier Silver/Platinum/Gold or United U.S. Credit CardmemberPlatinum, Gold, Silver Medallion Members & eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members$179
MileagePlusSkyMiles$209

If there's one silver lining, it's for the many travelers who get CLEAR+ through an American Express card. American Express has increased its annual CLEAR+ statement credits to match the new $219 membership fee, meaning eligible cardholders with cards like the *amex platinum* and the *Hilton Aspire* can still enroll or renew without paying anything out of pocket.

For everyone else, though, it's another price increase for a service that's become increasingly difficult to justify.

Once one of the hottest perks in travel, CLEAR has lost some of its shine as prices have climbed and enrollment has exploded. Whether you'll breeze through the CLEAR lane or end up waiting behind dozens of other members while travelers with TSA PreCheck alone pass you by often feels like a coin flip.

CLEAR's newer face-scanning pods and eGates have helped speed up the verification process, but they're still an extra step — and not always a faster one. Congestion can be especially noticeable at airports like Atlanta (ATL) and Denver (DEN), where thousands of travelers get discounted or complimentary memberships through Delta, United, or premium American Express cards.

On top of that, CLEAR has stepped up random ID checks over the last year. Now that Real ID requirements are fully in effect, those extra identity checks could create even bigger headaches for travelers who aren't carrying a compliant form of identification.

Read more: What Went Wrong with CLEAR (& When Will It Get Better)?

 

Bottom Line

CLEAR+ now costs $219 a year, marking the service's fourth price increase in four years. While airline discounts remain available, they're not nearly as generous as they once were, making the service an even tougher sell for travelers paying out of pocket.

The good news? If you get CLEAR+ through an eligible American Express card, there's effectively no change. Amex has increased its annual CLEAR+ statement credits to fully cover the new $219 membership fee, so many travelers won't have to pay a penny more.