What American Express and Clear Do, and How They Connect
American Express is a credit card company that issues cards, processes payments, and runs a rewards program. Clear is a biometric identity verification service that lets you skip security lines at airports and some other venues by scanning your eyes or fingerprints. They are separate companies, but American Express offers discounts on Clear memberships to certain cardholders, and some American Express cards come with Clear benefits built in.
The connection matters because if you travel frequently and carry an American Express card, you may already have access to Clear without paying the full membership fee. Understanding which cards include this benefit, what it actually covers, and whether the discount saves you money compared to paying for Clear on its own helps you decide whether to use it.
Key Takeaways
- American Express Platinum and some business cards include Clear membership at no extra cost, while other American Express cards offer a discount on the annual fee.
- Clear works at major U.S. airports and some sports venues and concert halls, but only for TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes — it does not replace your passport or ID.
- The benefit is most valuable if you fly at least four to six times per year from airports where Clear operates.
- Clear membership through American Express is typically the same as paying for it directly, so the real savings comes from having it included with a card you already use.
Which American Express Cards Include or Discount Clear
The American Express Platinum Card includes a Clear membership at no additional cost. This is one of the card's marquee benefits, and the membership renews automatically each year as long as you hold the card. You do not pay the separate Clear annual fee.
The American Express Business Platinum Card also includes Clear membership. Business cardholders get the same benefit as personal Platinum cardholders.
Other American Express cards — including the Gold Card and the Green Card — do not include Clear membership but may offer a discount on the annual fee. The discount amount varies and changes periodically, so you should check your card's current benefits page or call the number on the back of your card to confirm what discount, if any, applies to you.
If you hold a card that does not mention Clear in its benefits, you can still purchase a Clear membership directly from Clear's website, but you will pay the full annual price without any American Express discount.
How Clear Works at Airports and Other Venues
Clear operates biometric kiosks at major U.S. airports. When you arrive at the airport, you go to a Clear lane, scan your eyes or fingerprints, and verify your identity. Once verified, you skip the standard TSA security line and move to a shorter dedicated lane. The entire process typically takes two to three minutes.
Clear is not a replacement for TSA PreCheck or a passport. You still need a valid ID to board a flight, and you still go through TSA screening — you just do it in a faster lane. If you have both Clear and TSA PreCheck, you move through security faster because you skip the standard line and then use the PreCheck lane, which has fewer restrictions on liquids and electronics.
Clear also operates at some sports venues, concert halls, and entertainment venues in major cities. At these locations, Clear members scan their biometrics to skip entry lines, but the service works the same way: faster verification, shorter wait.
Clear does not work at international airports for international flights, and it does not work at every U.S. airport. You can check Clear's website to see which airports and venues in your area offer the service before deciding whether membership makes sense for you.
The Real Cost: When the Benefit Pays for Itself
Clear's annual membership costs vary by region but typically range from $179 to $189 per year. The American Express Platinum Card costs $695 per year (as of the most recent update, though this changes periodically). If you already hold the Platinum Card for other reasons — the airline fee credit, the hotel credits, or the lounge access — then Clear is effectively free because it comes with the card.
If you are considering the Platinum Card primarily to get Clear, the math is less straightforward. You would need to use Clear frequently enough that the time savings justifies the $695 annual fee. For most people, that means flying at least four to six times per year from airports where Clear operates, and valuing the time savings at roughly $100 to $150 per trip.
If you fly less frequently or from airports where Clear is not available, a standalone Clear membership or a different American Express card with a Clear discount may be a better choice. The Business Platinum Card has the same annual fee as the personal Platinum, so the same logic applies.
Comparing Clear to TSA PreCheck and Other Security Programs
TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years (roughly $16 to $17 per year) and lets you keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on during security screening, and carry liquids and electronics in your carry-on bag without removing them. You still wait in the standard security line, but the screening process is faster because you remove fewer items.
Clear costs more but saves more time because it skips the line entirely. TSA PreCheck gets you through screening faster once you reach the front of the line; Clear gets you to the front of the line without waiting.
Many frequent travelers hold both: Clear to skip the line, and TSA PreCheck to speed up the screening process itself. If you have American Express Platinum and use Clear, adding TSA PreCheck for $85 every five years is a reasonable additional investment if you fly regularly.
Other programs like NEXUS (for U.S.-Canada travel) and Global Entry (for international travel) serve different routes and offer different benefits. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so if you travel internationally, Global Entry may be more useful than TSA PreCheck alone. Clear works alongside all of these programs.
How to set up Clear Through American Express
If you hold an American Express Platinum Card, your Clear membership is included automatically. You do not need to do anything to set up it — the benefit is already part of your card.
To use Clear for the first time, visit Clear's website or read the Clear app. You will need to create an account, verify your identity, and enroll your biometrics (eyes or fingerprints). The enrollment process takes about 10 minutes and can be done online or at a Clear kiosk at an airport.
Once enrolled, you can use Clear at any participating airport or venue. Your membership status is tied to your Clear account, not to your American Express card, so you do not need to show your card to use Clear — just your biometrics.
If you hold a different American Express card that offers a Clear discount, you will need to purchase the membership directly through Clear's website or app. The discount will be applied at checkout if you are may be able to access. Check your card's benefits page or contact American Express to confirm the current discount amount before you purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Clear work internationally?
Clear operates only at U.S. airports and venues. It does not work at international airports or for flights departing from outside the United States. If you travel internationally, Global Entry is a better choice because it speeds up re-entry to the U.S. and includes TSA PreCheck for domestic flights.
What happens to my Clear membership if I cancel my American Express Platinum Card?
Your Clear membership ends when your Platinum Card is closed or when the card's benefits are no longer active. You will receive notice from Clear before your membership expires. If you want to keep Clear, you can purchase a standalone membership directly from Clear at that time.
Can I use Clear at every airport?
Clear operates at major U.S. airports but not all of them. You can check which airports offer Clear on their website before you travel. If your home airport does not have Clear, the membership may not be worth the cost unless you frequently travel through airports that do.
Is Clear worth it if I only fly a few times a year?
Clear is most valuable for people who fly at least four to six times per year from airports where it operates. If you fly less frequently, TSA PreCheck alone is a better value. If you already hold American Express Platinum for other benefits, Clear is worth using even if you fly less often, since it costs you nothing extra.
Can I share my Clear membership with family members?
Clear memberships are individual — each person needs their own account and biometric enrollment. Family members cannot share a single membership. However, if multiple family members hold American Express Platinum Cards, each can have their own included Clear membership.