How the Delta and Clear Partnership Works

Delta loyalists are eligible for discounted Clear membership rates based on status level.
Anya Kartashova
By Anya Kartashova 
Updated

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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 $189 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.

Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles with our favorite Delta cards
Check out our nerdy picks for the best Delta credit cards and find the right card for you.

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.

How much does Clear cost without the Delta discount?

Clear charges an annual membership fee of $189, 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 $189 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 $189 in statement credits towards Clear. In this case, your Clear membership would be covered, regardless if you're a SkyMiles member. Terms apply.

How to get Clear membership at no cost for you and a family member

Being a cardholder of either The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express provides a way to cover Clear membership fees for two people.

As discussed above, being enrolled as a member in the Delta SkyMiles program qualifies you for an annual membership rate of $119. Adding one family member to your Clear account costs another $60. So, by adding your spouse, parent or sibling to your existing account, your total comes to $189.

Make sure to cover the cost of your Clear memberships or annual renewals with either The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Since both cards come with a statement credit of up to $189, the fees for you and a family member will be covered. The credit should appear on your statement two to four weeks after making the payment to Clear. Terms apply.

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.

All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The American Express® Green Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Cards for Delta from our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Points
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
See more cards for delta
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