Clear’s New Curb-to-gate Service Will Make Air Travel Easier Than Ever — What to Know

And the company plans to expand the service in the coming months.

By Alison Fox Alison Fox

Alison Fox is a Travel + Leisure contributor. She has also written for Parents.com, The Wall Street Journal, and amNewYork. When she’s not in New York City, she can be found at the beach or on the slopes. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 5, 2024

Close Passengers stand in Clear Plus line at Los Angeles International Airport . Photo:

Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Clear is upping the game with a VIP curb-to-gate escort service members can book to make their airport experience seamless.

The option, called Clear Ambassador Assist, first launched in Denver in September and then expanded to Washington-Dulles (IAD) on Oct. 31, the biometric company confirmed to Travel + Leisure. The program is currently available at Denver International Airport (DEN), Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Orlando International Airport (MCO).

With the Ambassador Assist program, travelers can book either a curb-to-gate escort, which will bring them directly to their departure gate or an airport lounge or restaurant, or a curb-to-Clear escort, which drops them off at airport security. With both programs, the Clear employee meets passengers when they arrive and helps with luggage.

“CLEAR’s Ambassador Assist service is the perfect personalized compliment to our CLEAR Plus lanes,” Kyle McLaughlin, CLEAR’s EVP of aviation, told T+L. “Our Ambassadors are already committed to providing the most seamless airport journey, and the curb-to-gate option adds yet another benefit our Members can rely on to ensure they win the day of travel.”

The curb-to-gate service starts at $149, while the curb-to-Clear service starts at $49. Travelers flying out of Orlando can currently try the programs for free, according to Clear’s website.

Both programs must be booked at least 10 hours in advance. While the program is only open to Clear Plus members, kids under 17 years old can join for free.

The service is available whether travelers have TSA PreCheck or not.

To book, travelers must first select the airport they are flying out of, select their airline, pick the service they wish to book, and then select a day and time slot.  

A Clear spokesperson said the company plans to expand the service to “many” other airports in the coming months.

Clear Plus allows travelers to use a separate security line at airport checkpoints by identifying them with biometric scans (either fingerprint or eye scans). The service costs $199 per year for an individual and an additional $119 per person to add a family member. Some credit cards, like American Express, offer free or discounted Clear Plus memberships.