Clear has expanded its network of automated security gates to 53 airports across the United States, a move designed to reduce wait times as the busy holiday travel season approaches. The company stated that the new e-gates will be installed at nearly all locations where it offers its flagship Clear Plus service by the end of the year.
Automated gates replace manual kiosks
The new infrastructure replaces the traditional blue kiosks and staff escorts that have defined the Clear experience for years. Previously, passengers would verify their identity at a kiosk and then wait for a Clear employee to guide them to the front of the Transportation Security Administration line. This process often created bottlenecks when kiosks were occupied or staff were unavailable.
The automated gates allow travelers to walk through without stopping for manual assistance. The system captures a photo for identity verification in five seconds or less before the gate opens. According to the company, 96% of passengers using the new gates at participating hubs clear the checkpoint in five minutes or less.
Clear has now installed these gates at nearly 80% of the airports it serves. The expansion comes as the company seeks to improve reliability and flow during peak travel periods.
Membership costs and airline partnerships
Clear Plus remains a paid service with an annual membership fee of $219. The cost is often offset by travel credit cards, such as the American Express Platinum Card, which provides a statement credit for the membership fee. Several major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, also offer special pricing for their frequent flyers.
The expansion of Clear e-gates occurs alongside the introduction of TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. This new program allows members to pass through security without presenting a physical ID or boarding pass. The Touchless ID option is available at dozens of airports and requires no additional fee for existing PreCheck or Global Entry members, though users must opt in through their airline profiles.
Source: The Points Guy
