Delta, United Reduce CLEAR Membership Discount on February 1, 2023

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Update 2/1/2023: Effective today, both United and Delta reduced their CLEAR membership discounts. As anticipated, Delta elites and cardholders now get a $40 discount ($149 per year), and Delta SkyMiles members only get a $10 discount ($179 per year). And United matched this change. United elites and cardholders also now get just a $40 discount ($149 per year), and general members get a $10 discount ($179 per year).

Delta elite status members have received an email notifying them about a reduction to the discount they get on a CLEAR membership. In other words, Delta SkyMiles members will soon have to pay up to $60 more for a CLEAR membership.

Delta Changing CLEAR Prices for SkyMiles Elite Status Members

Delta has been offering discounted CLEAR memberships to elite-status members and Delta SkyMiles cardholders for several years. General SkyMiles members get CLEAR for $119 a year (a $70 discount). Delta SkyMiles cardholders, and Platinum, Gold, and Silver Medallion members get CLEAR for $109 a year (an $80 discount). Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.

Unfortunately, Delta SkyMiles members have received emails notifying them about an increase in CLEAR membership fees. Going forward, members won't get the same discount anymore. Instead of a $70 discount, general SkyMiles members will only get $10 off the usual $189 CLEAR membership fee. Delta SkyMiles cardholders and Platinum, Gold, and Silver Medallion members will get a $40 discount ($149 for a CLEAR membership) instead of the previous $80 discount.

Diamond Medallion members will still receive CLEAR for free (a $189 value).

Based on reports, this change is going into effect on February 1, 2023. That means travelers still have time to lock in the current discount.

Will United Ditch Its CLEAR Discount Too?

United also offers free or discounted CLEAR memberships. The discounts match Delta's current discounts — free for Premier 1K, $109 for lower elite status tiers and United cardholders, and $119 for general MileagePlus members. We'll have to see if United follows suit with a similar discount reduction this year.

Is CLEAR Still a Good Deal?

CLEAR allows you to get into a separate security line at airports and sports venues across the U.S. for an annual fee of $189. Note that it's a separate security line, not bypassing security, and the CLEAR line itself can occasionally be quite long.

Currently, there are over 50 locations for CLEAR kiosks; not all of them at airports:

Our Take

Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members aren't affected by this change. It's the rest of Delta members and cardholders that will have to pay $40-$60 more for a CLEAR membership. On the other hand, at least there's still a discount. The peace of mind CLEAR offers for getting through security lines is worth the $189 price for many travelers.

Remember that Amex cardholders can get a $189 statement credit for CLEAR. The The Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, and American Express^® Green Card all offer a CLEAR statement credit.

Even after this CLEAR discount reduction, Delta members with these Amex cards can still cover the price of the membership. Plus, you'll still have enough credit left to cover most of the additional family member fee of $60.

Whether the changes in prices are due to inflation or an attempt to reduce the number of CLEAR members at the kiosks (like airlines are doing in airport lounges) is hard to tell.

If you're a SkyMiles member, will you continue to pay for a CLEAR membership with a reduced discount?

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