CLEAR+ raised its annual fee from $209 to $219 on July 1. It's the second straight year the program has hiked its price by $10. If you're paying out of pocket, that's a 10% increase from just over a year ago.

What CLEAR actually gets you

CLEAR+ uses biometric technology (a fingerprint or iris scan) to verify your identity before you reach the TSA screening lane. Once verified, an agent escorts you directly to the front of the line. It skips the ID check queue, not the actual security screening.

That distinction matters. Without TSA PreCheck, you still remove shoes, electronics, and liquids after using the CLEAR kiosk.

Pairing both gives you the fastest possible path through security: no line and minimal screening friction. TSA PreCheck costs up to $85 for five years, compared to CLEAR+'s $219 per year.

According to CLEAR, members save an average of four hours per year. For frequent travelers flying from busy airports like Atlanta, Los Angeles, or New York, that math holds up. For occasional travelers, the annual fee is harder to justify.

How to cut down the cost

Several American Express cards offer an annual statement credit that can fully offset the CLEAR+ membership fee. The American Express Platinum Card and The Business Platinum Card from American Express each offer up to $219 in credits per calendar year toward the membership.

Both cards carry an $895 annual fee, so the CLEAR+ credit is one of several offsets you'd use to justify the cost.

Amex confirmed to The Points Guy that it matched the credit to the new price. You pay with the card, the statement credit posts, and your net cost is zero.

If you fly Delta or United, there are partial discounts tied to your frequent flyer status. Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus general members each pay $209, a $10 discount off the standard rate.

Mid-tier elite status with either airline drops the price to $179. Diamond Medallion and Premier 1K members pay $129. United Global Services members and Delta 360 members get the membership free.

Several co-branded Delta and United American Express cards also qualify for the $179 rate, including the Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cards, as well as the United Quest, Club, and Business cards.

Military and government employees can get the membership for $125 per year under special pricing.

What the move is worth before you sign up

CLEAR+ is available at more than 60 US airports and select arenas and stadiums.

If your home airport is on the list and you fly at least monthly, the per-trip cost of $219 per year is roughly $17. For a traveler saving an hour per trip in a busy ID check line, that's a reasonable trade.

If you already hold the Amex Platinum or Business Platinum, the math is simple: you're leaving money on the table by not using the credit. Enrolling takes minutes and requires no separate background check.

The discount is applied automatically once you link your SkyMiles or MileagePlus account during enrollment.