The 13 Best Credit Cards for CLEAR+ Membership: Expedited Airport Security [2026]

By / Credit Card Guides

CLEAR+ costs $219 per year and is a time-saver for frequent travelers. A few cards cover the full fee as an annual statement credit, and others offer a discount on CLEAR+ membership. Choosing the right card depends on the annual fee you’re willing to pay and whether you can use a card’s benefits beyond the CLEAR+ statement credit or discount. Don’t apply until you’ve read the advice below.

Quick Overview of the Best Cards for CLEAR+ Membership

There are 3 cards available to apply for that offer a full $219 statement credit annually to cover the entire CLEAR+ membership fee, and an additional 10 cards offer a discounted rate of $179 per year. The 3 cards with a full CLEAR+ statement credit are all American Express: the Platinum Card® from American Express ($895 annual fee; rates & fees), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ($895 annual fee; rates & fees), and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card ($550 annual fee; rates & fees).

The Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card are the strongest overall, as they also include a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and offer lounge access. The $219 credit applies as a statement credit after you enroll in and pay for CLEAR+ with your eligible card. Good to excellent credit is typically required to be approved for all cards in this post.

Best Cards for CLEAR+ Membership Right Now

  1. The Amex Platinum card has an $895 annual fee but covers the full $219 CLEAR+ membership fee as an annual statement credit and is good for frequent travelers who will use its lounge access and multiple premium travel credits.
  2. Similarly, the Amex Business Platinum card has an $895 annual fee and provides a $219 annual statement credit for CLEAR+ membership, offering business travelers lounge access and travel benefits.
  3. Hilton loyalists can benefit from the Hilton Aspire card’s full $219 annual statement credit for CLEAR+ membership and hotel perks that outweigh its $550 annual fee.
  4. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (rates & fees) and offers Delta flyers a $40 discount on the CLEAR+ membership.
  5. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (rates & fees) and offers Delta business flyers a $40 discount on the CLEAR+ membership.

What Is CLEAR+?

CLEAR+ is a membership that uses biometric identity verification for airport security at more than 50 U.S. airports (Source: CLEAR). It doesn’t replace TSA screening, but it can be used with TSA PreCheck to verify identity before entering TSA PreCheck expedited screening. A CLEAR+ membership costs $219 per year, and members can add up to 3 adults for $125 each. Children under 18 can accompany members through CLEAR+ lanes at no additional charge. Availability varies by airport and checkpoint. See our complete guide to CLEAR+ for enrollment details and participating locations.

Bottom Line:

CLEAR+ does not come with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. For the best possible travel experience, check out the best cards that offer Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, then enroll in CLEAR+ separately.

Best Credit Cards for CLEAR+ Membership: Full Comparison

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Card 

Best For

Annual Fee

Welcome Offer

CLEAR+ Benefit

Other Key Travel Benefits

Platinum Card® from American Express

Travel and lounge benefits

 $895

As High as 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.Platinum Card® from American ExpressYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount — all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.

Up to $219 statement credit per year for CLEAR+
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
  • Airport lounge access
  • Up to a $200 annual airline incidental fee credit (enrollment required)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Premium business travel

 $895

NEW OFFERAs High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer. The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressAs High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Up to $219 statement credit per year for CLEAR+
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
  • Airport lounge access
  • Up to a $200 annual airline incidental fee credit (enrollment required)

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Hilton loyalists

 $550

150,000 pointsHilton Honors American Express Aspire CardEarn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Up to $219 statement credit per year for CLEAR+
  • Up to $400 in annual Hilton statement credits
  • Annual free night reward
  • Hilton Diamond status

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Occasional Delta flyers

 $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150

LIMITED TIME OFFERAs High As 80,000 Miles + $250. Find Out Your Offer.Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express CardApply and find out your welcome offer: As High As 80,000 Bonus Miles + Earn a $250 Statement Credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount. Offer ends 11/04/2026.

CLEAR+ discounted price of $179 per year
  • First checked bag free
  • Priority boarding

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Small-business Delta flyers

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (rates & fees)

LIMITED TIME OFFER90,000 milesDelta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express CardLimited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 11/4/26.

CLEAR+ discounted price of $179 per year
  • First checked bag free
  • Priority boarding

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Delta flyers pursuing status

$350 (rates & fees)

LIMITED TIME OFFERAs High As 90,000 Miles + $300. Find Out Your Offer.Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express CardApply and find out your welcome offer: As High As 90,000 Bonus Miles + Earn a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount. Offer ends 11/04/2026.

CLEAR+ discounted price of $179 per year
  • Annual companion certificate
  • Status-earning benefits

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Business travelers pursuing Delta status

$350 (rates & fees)

LIMITED TIME OFFER100,000 milesDelta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express CardLimited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $8,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 11/4/26.

CLEAR+ discounted price of $179 per year
  • Annual companion certificate
  • Status-earning benefits

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Premium Delta benefits and lounge access

$650 (rates & fees)

LIMITED TIME OFFER2 Round-Trip Delta Comfort Flights + 50,000 MilesDelta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardEarn two round‑trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. A 21+ day advance purchase is required. Taxes and fees up to $80 per person apply. Terms and other restrictions apply. Offer ends 11/4/2026.

CLEAR+ discounted price of $179 per year
  • Delta Sky Club access
  • Companion certificate

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Premium Delta business travel

$650 (rates & fees)

LIMITED TIME OFFER200,000 milesDelta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express CardLimited Time Offer: Earn 200,000 Bonus Miles after spending $20,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 11/4/26.

CLEAR+ discounted price of $179 per year
  • Delta Sky Club access
  • Companion certificate

United Club℠ Card

United lounge access

 $695

Up to 90,000 milesUnited Club℠ CardEarn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

CLEAR+ discounted price of $179 per year
  • United Club membership
  • Free checked bags

United Club℠ Business Card

United lounge access for business

 $695

LIMITED TIME OFFERUp to 110,000 miles + 2,000 PQPUnited Club℠ Business CardEarn up to 110,000 bonus miles and 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

CLEAR+ discounted price of $179 per year
  • United Club membership
  • Free checked bags

United℠ Business Card

Small-business United flyers

 $150

OFFER EXTENDEDUp to 110,000 miles + 2,000 PQPUnited℠ Business CardEarn 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

CLEAR+ discounted price of $179 per year
  • Free checked bag
  • 2 United Club one-time passes annually

United℠ Explorer Card

Occasional United flyers

 $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150

Up to 60,000 milesUnited℠ Explorer CardEarn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

CLEAR+ discounted price of $179 per year
  • Free checked bag
  • 2 United Club one-time passes annually

How the CLEAR+ Credit Works

When you enroll in CLEAR+, pay your membership fee (new or renewal) with an eligible card. Typically, American Express applies the statement credit automatically within a few days, but it could take 6 to 8 weeks. The benefit resets each calendar year and covers 1 membership. It doesn’t provide separate credits for family add-ons (Source: American Express).

TSA PreCheck Through CLEAR enrollment at CMH airport
There are CLEAR+ kiosks in many airports. Image Credit: Katie Corrigan Seemann

Best Cards With Full CLEAR+ Membership Credit

These cards offer an annual statement credit for the full CLEAR+ membership fee: Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, and Hilton Aspire card.

Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of as high as 175,000 points with the Amex Platinum. Welcome offers may vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

The American Express® Classic Green Card*, which is only available as a downgrade from the Amex Platinum card or American Express® Gold Card, and is not accepting new applicants, also has a CLEAR+ credit.

*The information regarding the American Express® Classic Green Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and neither provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Delta and United co-branded cardholders can access a discounted CLEAR+ membership for $179 per year (Source: Delta, United).

How We Selected the Best Credit Cards for CLEAR+ Membership

We chose these cards based on the value of their CLEAR+ benefit, annual fee, and other travel benefits. Read our credit card rating methodology to learn more about how Upgraded Points evaluates credit cards.

Final Thoughts

You can get a full annual statement credit for the $219 CLEAR+ membership fee from several American Express cards. Choosing the best card for a CLEAR+ membership depends on the annual fee and how much value you’d get from the card’s other features, including travel benefits. Review our comparison table and top picks to see what each card offers.

Featured Image Credit: Chris Hassan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CLEAR+ and how does it work?

CLEAR+ is an expedited security program that lets you bypass ID check lines at airports, sporting venues, and other participating facilities where security screening is required. CLEAR stores your personal biometrics for screening using only your eyes or fingerprints, instead of an ID card. To use CLEAR+, you must be a member.

How much does CLEAR+ cost?

CLEAR+ membership costs $219 per year, but there are several ways to receive a discounted, even fully discounted, membership. Members can add up to 3 adults for $125 each per year, and children under 18 can accompany CLEAR+ members through the lane at no additional charge.

Which cards cover the full CLEAR+ membership fee?

The Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, and Hilton Aspire card each offer a statement credit of up to $219 for CLEAR+ membership.

Does the Amex Platinum card come with CLEAR+?

Yes. The Amex Platinum card comes with a statement credit of up to $219 for CLEAR+ membership fee reimbursement. The card also offers a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement.

How does the CLEAR+ card benefit work?

When you enroll in CLEAR+, pay the membership or renewal fee with an eligible card. The issuer will apply a statement credit, typically within a few days but up to 6 to 8 weeks. The statement credit resets each calendar year.

What is the difference between CLEAR+, TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry?

CLEAR+ offers expedited identity verification before airport security. TSA PreCheck is for expedited physical screening, and Global Entry is for expedited customs and immigration processing for eligible travelers returning to the U.S. from abroad. Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck eligibility.

Does CLEAR+ include TSA PreCheck?

CLEAR+ does not include TSA PreCheck, as they are separate programs. Travelers enrolled in both CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck can use CLEAR+ before entering TSA PreCheck screening.

Is CLEAR+ worth it?

CLEAR+ membership can be worth it for frequent travelers who often visit airports with CLEAR+ lanes, especially if security lines are long. The membership isn’t worth it for infrequent travelers or if your usual airports don’t offer convenient CLEAR+ access.