United MileagePlus members can now enjoy discounted CLEAR membership

United announced a partnership with CLEAR on July 29, 2019, opening up a new benefit to its loyalty program members. Thanks to the partnership, all United MileagePlus members can now purchase CLEAR membership at a discount – or even receive it for free.

With a CLEAR membership, airport travelers can get through security lines faster. Rather than waiting in the standard lane, CLEAR allows passengers to access kiosks that use biometric identifiers – like your fingerprints – to verify your identity. Often compared to programs like TSA Precheck and Global Entry, CLEAR is designed to accelerate your passage through security while ensuring safety.

See Related: The ultimate guide to airport security options

Typically, CLEAR membership costs users $179 per year. However, the new United partnership offers a discounted rate for all United credit card holders and MileagePlus members, with larger discounts as you advance through elite status tiers. Discounted rates are detailed below:

If you are a United MileagePlus member, you can enroll in CLEAR at this link to unlock the special pricing. Make sure you have your MileagePlus number handy.

CLEAR locations expanding with partnership

In a press release about the new partnership, United stated that they are working closely with CLEAR to expand the program’s coverage. According to the statement, United is “working with CLEAR and airport authorities to expand to other key locations including Chicago O’Hare International Airport in the coming months.”

Right now, CLEAR locations are fairly limited – especially when you compare the program to other airport security options. There are CLEAR checkpoints in just over 50 airports, stadiums and venues across the U.S.

A rewarding card for frequent United flyers

United℠ Explorer Card
Why should you get this card? With a generous sign-up bonus, the United Explorer Card makes it easy to earn a free flight quickly. Read full review	Other things to know: 2 miles per dollar on hotels, restaurants and United purchases and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases Earn 40,000 miles after you spend $2,000 in first 3 months Free checked bag Up to $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck 2 one-time passes to the United Club per year

Not the best option for United cardholders

While CLEAR membership can be valuable for some kinds of travelers, United cardholders might be better off skipping the membership cost – even at the new discounted rate. As a United℠ Explorer Card holder, you can already receive a statement credit up to $100 to cover the cost of your Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee.

See Related: How to use your card’s Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit

Though the application process for both Precheck and Global Entry is a bit more strenuous than CLEAR, you’ll still enjoy quicker access through airport security and your card covers the whole cost.

Final thoughts

If you are a frequent United flyer looking for a streamlined airport security experience, the new CLEAR partnership can make membership much more affordable. The new perk is particularly valuable to those pursuing elite status with the airline, as you can unlock complimentary CLEAR membership when you reach Platinum 1K status.

However, keep in mind that United Explorer Card holders already enjoy a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, so you’ll want to weigh if the extra cost is worth CLEAR’s benefits.