Clear Plus subscribers now have more add-on services to choose from at select airports.

Travelers can book two new Ambassador assistance services, Curb-to-Clear and Curb-to-Gate. With Curb-to-Clear, which starts at $49 per person, an ambassador escorts users through the clear lane and helps with baggage handling. Another service, curb-to-gate, takes curb-to-clear a step further and costs $149. It provides assistance to travelers with carry-on luggage and escorts them to Transportation Security Administration checkpoints and to their gate – including assistance at any stops en route to the gate, such as lounges, restaurants and stores.

According to Clear, “Ambassadors can also help you find concessions or restrooms and wait for you for quick stops.” “Our ambassadors cannot wait with you at the gate, escort you from the lounge to the gate, watch your children or pets, accompany minors or accept tips.”

Beginning October 31, Clear’s new Ambassador Assist services are available for Clear users to book at Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, DC, and Denver International Airport (DEN). They will be launched at Orlando International Airport (MCO) in November. Flyers of all airlines can participate at this airport.

TSA PreCheck members using these services should note that the Ambassador Assist Program will direct travelers to the Clear Plus lane only when the curb-to-clear option is used. They will not be brought past the TSA PreCheck line.

These services are available to CLEAR members only, however travelers under 17 years of age may accompany CLEAR members through the CLEAR lane.

Clean up

To book, travelers must reserve their spot Online At least 10 hours before flight departure. Reservations are refundable at least 12 hours before the appointment time.

On the day of travel, a Clear Ambassador will text the traveler to coordinate pickup and meeting details. If reservation holders arrive later or earlier than scheduled, they should contact their Ambassador by text to coordinate. For delayed or canceled flights, they should send an email to ambassadorleads@clearme.com to inform their ambassador of their travel plans.

Ambassador Assist is the latest opt-in service for Clear users and aims to streamline travelers’ airport experience from curbside to gate. A free service available at multiple airports is Clear Reserve, which allows subscribers to reserve a dedicated time slot in the security line for their party to go through TSA checkpoints at select airports. At select airports, there are also other one-off services, including expedited bag drop for Clear users at DEN and an app-based lane at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky.

Travelers can now also enroll in TSA PreCheck through Clear at 50 US airports and access both programs at a discounted rate of $200. On their own, Clear costs $199 a year and can be used 58 airports across the US., plus stadiums and other large venues. In comparison, a five-year TSA PreCheck membership starts at $78 and is available at more than 200 airports on 90 airlines.

Five credit cards currently offer annual statement credits that can help you offset the cost of clearing:

  • Platinum Card® from American Express
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Centurion Card from American Express
  • American Express® Green Card
  • Hilton American Express honors the Aspire Card

Information for Centurion, Green and Hilton Aspire cards is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Occasionally, targeted Amex offers that cover the cost of Clear Plus membership are available to various American Express cardholders.

First time users can try Clear for free for two months.

The bottom line

Curb-to-gate and curb-to-clear are only available at a few airports for now, but will likely expand based on interest. It’s the latest perk available to users and comes at a time when some are questioning whether the service is still worth the price.

For example, some subscribers have noted that they are still subject to random ID checks, negating one of the program’s key benefits. Other complaints include recent price hikes, long wait times and third-party biometric screening that competes with Clear.

Related Reading:

  • 8 Ways to Get Free or Discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear
  • How to sign up for Clear for expedited security at airports and stadiums
  • Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear — and how you can save on both
  • Why your family wants to get cleared before your next flight
  • Guide to using American Express Clear Plus benefits

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