Amex Increased CLEAR Credit
CLEAR is a program that allows you to get through security faster (most of the time) and has been around for a few years now. It has grown in popularity over the years, in terms of users and airports / events that have it, and I guess it was time for a price hike. CLEAR made a no notice price increase on August 1st, but you shouldn't be too upset about it. That is because Amex increased their CLEAR credit to match it!
What Was The Price Increase?
All things considered, the CLEAR Plus membership price increase wasn't bad at all. It went from $189 per year, for an individual, to $199. It would still be annoying to have to come out of pocket for that extra $10 every year, but luckily Amex increased the CLEAR credit to match. Amex would have a hard time marketing the perk if they didn't match the full cost. Would they say you get CLEAR almost free!? That would sound cheesy and cheap, but Amex did partner with Walmart+…
Which American Express Cards Offer A $199 CLEAR Plus Credit?
Every Amex card is not created equal, and only some Amex cards have the increased CLEAR credit. Here are a list of the credit cards that give you up to $199 in CLEAR Plus credit each and every calendar year:
There are also quite a few airline cards that will discount the CLEAR Plus membership cost down to $159 (was $149), but that is far from “free”.
Since the credit is not updated on the American Express applications or benefits page, I decided to reach out to confirm this myself.
Amex Increased CLEAR Credit: ToP Thoughts
This unannounced price hike from CLEAR is a nothing burger to me, mainly because Amex increased their CLEAR credit to match. That means anyone with one of the credit cards listed above should still be fully covered. I would probably never pay for CLEAR Plus myself, but I do enjoy it as a “free” perk. It has actually saved my butt on a couple occasions over the years. I look it as another tool to have in our traveler's tool belt. You may not need it often, but when you do, you really need it.
Let me know what you think of the CLEAR program and about American Express matching the price increase over in the ToP Facebook Group.
HT: DoC
