How the Delta and Clear Partnership Works
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Clear is a biometric identity verification platform that provides passengers with a quick and touchless experience at airports, stadiums and concert venues across the United States. The program allows the use of your unique physical characteristics, such as your eyes and face, to verify your identity instead of traditional forms of identification, such as a driver's license, a military ID or a passport.
Clear has partnered with Delta to offer loyalty program members preferred prices. If you're based in the U.S. and participate in the Delta SkyMiles program, you're eligible for a special Clear membership rate. Here's how the new Clear and Delta partnership can work for you, including how to get the Clear-Delta discount.
Understanding the Clear and Delta partnership
Delta Air Lines flyers looking to decrease the cost of their Clear membership are in luck because of the Clear and Delta partnership in place.
Delta SkyMiles members receive a discount on an annual Clear membership, which usually costs $199 per year. The size of the discount depends on your elite status level with the program. Let's take a look at how much money you can save.
SkyMiles status level | Clear membership cost |
---|---|
General member | $179. |
Silver / Gold / Platinum Medallion | $149. |
Diamond Medallion | Free. |
Delta SkyMiles American Express card members are also eligible for the same discount as Silver, Gold and Platinum members. Cards include:
Terms apply.
Program members of the lower elite levels and general members also receive a substantial discount. For example, by simply enrolling as a general member in the Delta SkyMiles program, you can get $60 off your Clear membership and $70 off if you hold Silver, Gold or Platinum Medallion elite status.
You can get free Clear membership through the Clear and Delta partnership if you're a Delta Diamond Medallion member.
What else you need to know
How to enroll in Clear
Clear is available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents 18 years old and older. To enroll in the program, first fill out an online application and then seek out a Clear airport location (no appointment necessary). A Clear ambassador will help you complete the process by asking you a few identifying questions and attaching your biometric data (eyes, face and fingerprints) to your account. Make sure to have a government-issued ID on you at the time of enrollment.
As soon as your enrollment is complete, which may only take a few minutes, you have immediate access to Clear. That means you can enroll the same day you plan to travel.
How Clear works at the airport
Clear can help travelers get through security faster by suspending the need to check photo IDs manually.
Instead, go to a designated Clear lane at the airport, where your identity will be verified through biometrics. Once your identity is confirmed, a Clear staff member will accompany you to the front of the security line to proceed with the TSA screening. If you're also a TSA PreCheck member, you'll end up at the expedited TSA PreCheck line.
» Learn more: TSA PreCheck versus Clear, which is better?
How much does Clear cost without the Delta discount?
Clear charges an annual membership fee of $199, and it includes unlimited access to the service for the duration of your membership. In addition, you can buy memberships for up to three adult family members at the cost of $60 per person.
Cards that offer Clear statement credits
If you hold the right travel cards, it's possible to lower the cost of your Clear membership even more — or possibly get the application fee waived completely. The following cards offer Clear membership credits to card members:
Terms apply.
With the American Express® Green Card, you receive a $199 statement credit posted to your account after purchasing a Clear membership.
As a The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express cardholder, you receive up to $199 in statement credits towards Clear. In this case, your Clear membership would be covered, regardless if you're a SkyMiles member. Terms apply.
» Learn more: How to skip lines at the airport
Final thoughts on the Delta-Clear partnership
If you decide that enrolling in Clear is the right move for you and you're a Delta flyer, use the Clear-Delta discount to your advantage to lower your out-of-pocket cost. And if you hold a credit card that issues Clear credits, consider adding a second adult to your subscription to save even more.
To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
United℠ Explorer Card
Travel
Get valuable perks like free checked bag, lounge passes and rental car insurance for a fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95. Limited time offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.