Clear, the service to help frequent flyers get through security at airports more quickly, has ceased operations. Several frequent flyer programs have offered free or discounted Clear memberships to their members including AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Hyatt.

The announcement was made on the Clear Web site. And the parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. said it cannot issue refunds because of its financial condition. On its Web site, Delta let SkyMiles members who signed up for Clear expecting to get bonus miles know that they will still be getting their miles: “While Clear’s business operations were not directly related to Delta’s, any miles offered to SkyMiles members in conjunction with a Clear membership purchase will be honored.” Delta is working to obtain a full list of Clear members who enrolled with SkyMiles mileage offers and will be contacting members.

At its peak, Clear had about 250,000 members and the lanes were available in 18 airports throughout the U.S. A concern for former members is what the company will now do with the personal information, including biometric data that was gathered for membership. Verified Identity Pass said that it will “continue to secure such information and will take appropriate steps to delete the information.”

Bottom line: We suggest you contact your credit card provider to see if you might be able to get a refund of your Clear membership because it’s clear you won’t get any refunds from Verified Identity Pass.