Guide to using the Amex Clear Plus benefit

29.05.2024 - 01:49 / thepointsguy.com / Delta Skymiles

Whether you're at the airport, a sporting event or a concert, going through security can be a pain. And if you've ever stood in a barely-moving line and longed to be one of the people zipping along beside you in the Clear lane, you're in luck.

If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or the American Express® Green Card in your wallet, you can get the entire cost of your Clear Plus membership covered — and possibly part of a family member's as well.

Here's everything you need to know about this valuable benefit.

The information for the Amex Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Clear is a third-party, expedited security program that uses iris and fingerprint scanners rather than a photo ID to identify you. If you have a membership with Clear, you can effectively skip to the front of the security line at certain airports and entertainment venues nationwide.

In practice, you enter a dedicated security checkpoint lane and input your biometric data into a kiosk. At the airport, you'll then move along to the gray carry-on bins. Even better: if you have TSA PreCheck, you can still utilize that option.

A one-year Clear Plus membership typically costs $189. Conveniently, the Amex Platinum, Amex Business Platinum and Amex Green each come with up to $189 in Clear Plus statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment is required.

This means you can receive a complimentary membership — and potentially extend this benefit to others in your family.

Related: Clear expedited airport security program — is it worth it?

You must enroll your card for this statement credit to activate, but the process is simple.

First, log in to your American Express account, and then select your Amex with the Clear Plus benefit (if it's not the default card). At the top, click on the "Rewards and Benefits" icon.

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On the next screen, click on "Benefits" at the top right. This will bring you to a page of tiles, each explaining a different perk of your card. Find the one labeled "$189 Clear credit" and note your status. If you're enrolled, you're ready to use the perk. Otherwise, click on the icon to activate the benefit.

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Once your Amex is enrolled, you can apply for Clear online. However, consider enrolling through the Delta link, United link or Alaska Airlines link. This is a critical step if you're a member of one (or more) of these airlines' loyalty programs and are hoping to extend the benefits of Clear to an adult family member — which normally costs $70 per year.

That's because Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus and Alaska