TSA lines at many airports have become brutally slow, and Delta Airlines announced last week that they’ve partnered with CLEAR to help speed things along for frequent travelers.
You might remember CLEAR as the security company that collected biometric data from over 200,000 members, ceased operations, then was sold and reorganized. The company still uses fingerprints and iris identification techniques at sporting events as well as airports. Now that Delta has purchased a 5% stake in CLEAR, they are promoting the benefits of using the expedited CLEAR security service in airports.
Sometime later this year, Delta will start offering Diamond Medallion members CLEAR memberships for free. All other Delta SkyMiles members will get a discount. CLEAR is currently offered at 13 airports throughout the US – Austin, Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, Orlando, San Antonio, San Francisco, and San Jose. Delta and CLEAR plan to add more access points at Delta hubs,
Interestingly, TSA PreCheck is $85 for 5 years, and Condé Nast Traveler quoted Delta CEO Ed Bastian as saying that Clear customers would get priority over PreCheck customers, essentially by cutting in front of them in the security line at the airport. This year, Delta and CLEAR plan to expand airport security line access points to Delta’s U.S. hub airports allowing registered customers to expedite the document check process at security screening checkpoints.
CLEAR membership is regularly $179 per year, with children under 18 free and additional family members added for $50-
No word yet on the preferential pricing or when it will be available but their press release says that Delta will be in touch with their members –
If you had a CLEAR account years ago when they shut down and didn’t get a refund, there’s good news for you. They’ll reactivate your account and honor any time left on your previous CLEAR account. All you need to do is update your information by calling (855) 253-2763 or fill out a form on their website.
How do you feel about the new CLEAR partnership with Delta? If you have TSA PreCheck, does it bother you that those with CLEAR will reportedly get priority in lines?
The quote that the Delta CEO made that Clear will outrank TSA precheck is completely without merit. I have seen the clear system in the Denver Airport for years. In all the time I have been in that airport I have about 4 people use the clear system. I was not aware that Clear halted operations, as I have seen the clear station continuously open for the last 4 years.
The Paid TSA Precheck system uses a background check to sort out people that are deemed security risks. With Clear, you just pay money like a Costco Membership and you sort of have your own line. It is like an airport renting space to coffee stands and other merchants. In this case the “Coffee Stand” is Clear and it is located in the middle of the line area. Those people go to the front and then get funneled to wait for TSA to check their IDS. If they have a Precheck authorization, then they go in the precheck line, if not they go in the regular screening area. I have Global Entry which is a TSA Precheck. the only time I have seen someone with clear and TSA Pre, they had to wait for others in the precheck line to go first. Pretty much a “NO BRAINER” is if someone has a background problem and cant get TSA Pre, then they pay 10.5 times the amount for Clear (TSA Pre = $85 for 5 years; Clear = $179/yr or $895 for 5 years). This is not to mention that CLEAR is only in about 6 airports. With the TSA Pre program gaining popularity, only dangerous criminals will be in the CLEAR line. In that case, we know who TSA should search with a fine tooth comb and a complimentary Colonoscopy.