Update on the Clear Security free pass – Marriott Rewards members now eligible

by Grant Martin on

This past Monday I posted an interesting article on how to get free Clear Security access, the new fangled super security screening that has popped up at numerous airports around the country.

Basically it involved applying to get free Hyatt special status, then turning around and using said status to get apply for a free one year Clear membership. I have yet to jump on the train, largely because Detroit doesn’t have Clear lanes (perhaps because their security is already pretty fluid).

It now looks like Marriott is going the same way with their rewards program. Platinum members of Marriott Rewards can now apply for their special passes, while Gold and Silver members will be given a marginal discount on the service. You can check out the full details at Marriott’s promo website.

I am suddenly curious as to why all of these Clear promotions keep coming up. I’m willing to bet that profits haven’t been super robust, largely because people haven’t been willing to cough up over a hundred bucks to pay for faster security when they could just arrive a half hour earlier and stand in line. Perhaps this is a way to appeal to some of the “higher dollar” business travelers who might find themselves important enough to become Clear members.

Here’s an idea Clear: offer the promo to Blackberry users.

An alternate route into Clear Security

by Grant Martin on

You may have heard about Clear, the new airport security lanes that have been popping up at airports all over the country. They offer an “enhanced” security screening, where they initially take your iris and finger prints then you can fly through their special security lanes without waiting in line for TSA and the other schlubs. Willy wrote about their rollout last year.

You may have also, like me, taken a quick look into the service, discovered the 128$ enrollment fee then abandoned your research right there. I don’t know you, but it’s worth 128$ for me to stand in line for the regular screening.

There may be an alternate route to Clear memberdom though. Apparently, members of Hyatt’s Platinum rewards program can enroll in a free year of Clear because of their exalted special status. But there’s also a promo going on right now where you can get Hyatt Platinum for free after one stay.

Just sign up on the special Hyatt page and next time you’re traveling for work, book a Hyatt room. After that, check out the special Clear page (which I also happen to have), and BANG. You’re all set.

You can weird out about all of the information that Clear collects from you later while you’re sending me a thank you card.

[Update, Marriott Rewards members are now eligible too!]

The X-Prize for reducing airport headaches

by Jerry Guo on

Clear Registered Traveler Program, which we wrote about in February and September, just announced a $500,000 prize for anyone who can help them reduce time spent waiting in their dedicated security lines by 15 percent. It’s also gotta be cheaper than 25 cents per passenger and win approval by the government.

This isn’t a contest to laugh about. We’ve seen how much of an impact these large-sum cash prizes (popularized by the X-Prize challenge to send a private plane into space) have had on innovation. Plus, it could give a boost to Clear’s reputation. So far, only 65,000 frequent fliers have signed up for their $100 per year program, which speeds up your visit through security checkpoint.

Top priorities for this contest seem to be finding a way to avoid making passengers take off their shoes and taking their laptops out of their bags. There’s also the whole 3 oz fluid thing. Come to think of it, I can rattle off … Well, never mind.

Clear’s Registered Traveler Program: $100 A Year Zooms You Thru Airport Security

by Willy Volk on

I suppose both frequent travelers and the chronically impatient will think Clear‘s $100 annual membership fee is worth every penny. Travelers who join the Clear Registered Traveler program are pre-screened for security and provided with a biometric card that allows them to pass through restricted Clear lanes, aided by dedicated Clear “concierges.”

Not all airports are Clear-cleared…yet. Those that are include: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky; Indianapolis; New York JFK Terminal 7; Orlando; and San José. Soon, Clear lanes will be coming to Newark Terminal B; New York JFK Terminal 1; New York JFK Terminal 4; and Toronto.

Personally, I don’t think it’s right that a privately-owned company should profit from what is essentially a regressive tax. But maybe that’s just me.

[Via Gridskipper]