If you recently used Clear in an airport and felt like everything went much faster, you’re probably not imagining it. Starting this week, Clear has brought faster and more automated “electronic gates” to 37 airports throughout the country.
It’s a more streamlined setup compared to its legacy kiosks and is a notable improvement to a service intended to speed passengers’ journeys through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.
Improving Clear with new technology
In the past, members would enter the Clear area and then exit to verify their identity using biometrics at a kiosk to the side. Then, a Clear staff member would escort them to the front of the TSA line.
However, the service has not been without its weaknesses.
On many occasions in the past, for example, I have encountered delays in accessing kiosks, especially if Clear staff were busy assisting other passengers, usually at major hubs where many other Clear members fly from.
How Clear electronic doors work
The new e-gate configuration, which TPG’s Clint Henderson was the first to check it out last summer.seems to be an improvement. At these airports, Clear passengers can pass through seamlessly, stopping for only a few seconds while the technician verifies they are members through a facial scan. The company touts identity verification in five seconds or less with the new design.
More centers are set to receive this update soon; By the end of 2026, all airport security checkpoints offering Clear will have electronic gates, the company saying Wednesday in its latest quarterly earnings report.
These improvements should certainly make the service an even better shortcut in more places.
Reminder: What is clear?
Clear is a paid service that allows passengers to effectively skip the TSA line and go directly to carry-on baggage screening. is typically maximized in conjunction with TSA PreCheck access.
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How much does Delete cost?
Clear’s flagship airport security service (known as Clear+) costs $209 for an annual membership. But some travel cards will offset the cost. For example, I get a statement credit of up to $209 each year for my Clear+ membership fee by bringing the American Express Platinum® Cardwhich has an annual fee of $895 (see rates and fees). Registration required; subject to automatic renewal.
Additionally, three major US airlines are partnering with Clear to offer special pricing:
- Delta Air Lines Medallion Diamond members and United Airlines Premier 1K members get Clear+ for free.
- Lower-tier Delta and United elite members can access the service for $169 a year.
- Regular SkyMiles and MileagePlus members pay $199 per year, as do members of Atmos Rewards, the shared loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
In a nutshell
Clear barely accelerated the rollout of e-gates during the final months of 2025. So the expansion of this technology to more than three dozen airports across the country has certainly occurred at a rapid pace, with more to come.
We should also note that Clear has received some friendly competition from the TSA itself in recent months. The agency is rapidly rolling out its own ultra-fast upgrade to TSA PreCheck, known as TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, which is It is expected to be in more than 60 airports by spring.. That program is at no additional cost to PreCheck (and Global Entry) members, although you must enroll through your airline profile.
For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click here.
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