CLEAR, Priority Pass & Lounge Credits: Getting Through the Airport Faster
These credits are some of the easiest to capture on the entire portfolio — mostly because there's nothing to activate.
CLEAR Plus: Pay With the Right Card, Nothing Else to Do
Both Amex Green's $209 CLEAR Plus credit and Amex Platinum's $209 CLEAR Plus credit work the same way: pay your CLEAR membership with that card and the annual fee is offset automatically, with no separate activation step. The only real question is whether CLEAR is available at airports you actually fly through often enough to justify keeping the membership even without the credit — check CLEAR's airport list for your home airport and typical destinations before assuming it's worth it.
Priority Pass: Enroll Once, Then Just Show Up
Chase Marriott Brilliant's Priority Pass membership (roughly $429/year in standalone value) requires a one-time enrollment through the card's benefits portal, after which access is unlimited — just show your Priority Pass card or the app at any of 1,300+ participating lounges worldwide. Most locations don't require a reservation, though some high-traffic lounges have started requiring one during peak hours, so it's worth checking ahead on a busy route.
United Club Passes and Membership
United Explorer's 2 United Club passes per year post automatically to your MileagePlus account each cardmember year — add them to your digital wallet before heading to the airport rather than trying to redeem them at the lounge desk. United Club Infinite includes full unlimited United Club membership instead of a limited number of passes, which is the better fit if you fly United often enough to use a lounge on most trips rather than occasionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to activate my CLEAR Plus credit each month?
No. Simply pay your CLEAR membership with a card that includes the $209 credit (Amex Green or Amex Platinum) and the annual fee is offset automatically — no separate activation step.
How do I access Priority Pass lounges with a card like Marriott Brilliant?
Enroll once through the card's benefits portal, then just show your Priority Pass card or app at any of 1,300+ participating lounges — most don't require a reservation, though some busy lounges have started requiring one at peak hours.
What's the difference between United Club passes and United Club Infinite membership?
United Explorer provides 2 United Club passes per year that post automatically to your account. United Club Infinite instead includes full unlimited United Club membership, better suited to flying United often enough to use a lounge on most trips.