Delta will provide CLEAR for free to a lucky few elites (Image: CLEAR)
Today Delta and CLEAR announced a partnership to bring the expedited security lanes to “more airports across the country.” The company’s biometric service will be offered free of charge to SkyMiles Diamond members while Delta elites will get “preferential pricing.”
Given all the grave warnings about extra long security lines at airports this summer due to TSA staffing issues, the announcement is well-timed.
The announcement also states that Delta and CLEAR plan to expand security line access points to Delta’s U.S. hub airports. While neither company is commenting on specifics today, I assume that this means that those special fast lanes will soon be in New York airports (JFK and La Guardia). This would be a coup for the company which has had difficulty achieving the critical mass of airports necessary to make the service worth its $179 annual fee.
Currently, the service is available at only 13 airports, but few Delta hubs such as Atlanta, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Detroit or Minneapolis.
Related: CLEAR is now cardless
Airports that currently have CLEAR lanes
The AJC reports that Delta is also buying a 5% stake in the company.
“Our customers tell us their time is valuable, as is having a consistent, enjoyable airport experience with reduced hassle,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s incoming CEO. “We look forward to what this partnership will bring to our customers.”
CLEAR currently operates at San Francisco, San Jose, Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth,Houston Bush, Houston Hobby, San Antonio, Austin, Orlando, Miami, Las Vegas, Baltimore-Washington, and Westchester County Airport in New York. Additionally, its biometric service can be found at Yankee Stadium in New York, Coors Field in Denver, Marlins Park in Miami and AT&T Park in San Francisco.
Sooo whaddya think? Have you used CLEAR in the past? If Delta can get the service into its hubs, would you be willing to pay for it? Please leave your comments below.
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I dont’ like the fee, but since I plan to do some traveling this summer, and some of that will be flying out of DIA; and my first trip is tomorrow….I’d rather invest the money in a CLEAR membership (and get Pre-Check later on) than spend 2 hours in a line and possibly miss my flight. Two weeks ago, the line at DIA was so long, that by the time I got to my gate they were already boarding.
Clear is worth is if only for flying out of SFO, MCO and DEN and as such, I’ve been a member since its beginning (except when they shut down). Given the growing Pre-Check lines at ATL, this is a great move by DL and one that underscores that it is by far the best domestic airline if you’re a higher yield frequent business traveler.
Not worth it. TSA Pre Check is still quick and available everywhere including XNA ( Northwest Arkansas). It was also part of my Global Entry /Nexus membership. I think Delta made a mistake by investing in CLEAR. Time will tell
I use it on most trips from MCO. If there is no line at Pre it does not have an advantage, but Pre lines are getting longer. Expanding the Clear service will make it much more useful.
I had it before and it was good. I would only do it if it sends me to the front of the TSA PreCheck line
I signed up for clear in their first incarnation, mostly to avoid families at MCO. But with TSA Pre, I’m at a loss to understand the value proposition of Clear now, especially since TSA Pre is getting to be everywhere and Clear isn’t.
How does CLEAR compare with TSA pre-check? With CLEAR, do you still need to remove shoes, liquids and laptop? If so, why would anyone prefer that to pre-check? I don’t think I’ve ever had to wait more then 5 to 10 minutes with pre-check.
I’m a buyer if they come to dca
It was a godsend when I was traveling through San Fran a few years ago – I hope that they expand it to DCA or IAD soon
I got Clear for free as a credit card benefit, and I like it so much I’ll probably re-up now that the CC no longer offers it. I’m based in SFO, so I use it a lot. Even more airports would be a big bonus.
Clear is great, they just aren’t in enough airports to justify paying such a high fee, especially considering the availability and low 5yr fee of precheck. The Delta partnership helps both Delta elites and Clear customers. I’d still like to see a map and opening schedule before reactivating my Clear account.