Alaska Airlines is providing frequent flyers with discounts on the CLEAR Plus program, which enables them to breeze through airport security by scanning their fingerprints or eyes.
CLEAR Plus, which usually costs $189 annually, allows travellers to bypass lines to show their physical I.D.s at airport security. Instead, CLEAR creates a biometric, digital profile for each member, accessed and verified by scanning their fingerprints or eyes at CLEAR kiosks, already installed at more than 52 airports across the U.S.
From there, they’re escorted directly to TSA physical security, avoiding lengthy waits. For an additional $70 a year, they can share the privilege with up to three adult family members or friends, whether travelling alone or together.
It’s a convenience that Alaska Airlines believes its loyal passengers will appreciate, especially because CLEAR Plus accelerated lanes are already available at its hub airports of Seattle (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), and Los Angeles (LAX). So, the two companies are joining forces, and as part of the new partnership, members of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan can sign up for a year’s subscription to CLEAR Plus for a discounted price of $179 until July 16.
While the discount isn’t enormous, travellers will also receive Mileage Plan bonus miles when they sign up. Elite Mileage Plan members, including those with MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K status, will receive a boost of 1,500 miles, while non-elites will receive an uplift of 1,000 miles. In the future, Elite Mileage Plan members already signed up for CLEAR Plus can earn 1,250 bonus points each year when they renew their subscriptions.
Shane Jones, vice president of real estate and business development at Alaska Airlines, said: “We understand from our guests how important it is for them to have the best possible experience when travelling with us, and part of that is saving time when they’re at the airport.”
“Our frequent flyers are already big fans of CLEAR Plus. With a discounted CLEAR Plus membership available to all of our Mileage Plan members, we believe more of our guests will appreciate this valuable travel benefit.”
Kasra Moshkani, executive vice president of operations at CLEAR, said: “CLEAR is obsessed with delivering the best customer experience, so we’re excited to provide Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan members with the confidence and predictability of CLEAR Plus.”
“We look forward to expanding our partnership with Alaska to continue unlocking seamless experiences for their frequent flyers from home to gate and beyond.”
Alaska Airlines is one of many carriers to partner with CLEAR. United Airlines signed a deal with CLEAR last November, allowing its passengers to sign up for the security program through the United App and use CLEAR’s biometric logins to manage entry to two United Club airport lounges. The airline also offers discounts on CLEAR subscriptions to MileagePlus members, with Premier 1K members offering free service. Delta Air Lines has also teamed up with CLEAR and offers preferred rates for SkyMiles frequent flyers, including complimentary membership for Diamond Medallion and 360º and $40 off for Platinum, Gold, and Silver Medallion members.
