I originally wasn't thrilled with the registered traveler program Clear, but as they worked out the kinks (and my free-month Clear referrals grew) I began to enjoy the convenience of having someone else carry all my crap to the x-ray machines for me.
And then on Monday night at 8PM PST I received an email from Clear Customer Service.
Subject: Clear to Cease Operations
At 11:00 p.m. PST today, Clear will cease operations. Clear's parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. has been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations.
After today, Clear lanes will be unavailable.
3 hours notice that a company is closing? Forget the fact that I had free service through October, 2011 (which Nick suggested may be part of the problem), 4 days earlier Clear was pushing the card as a gift for Father's Day, with a $30 Brooks Brothers gift certificate in return.
On their website Clear claims they aren't currently issuing refunds.
Will I receive a refund for membership in Clear?
At the present time, because of its financial condition, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. cannot issue refunds.
I wonder if those Brooks Brothers gift certificates will ever arrive? Based on their email marketing you would never have suspected anything was awry.
Over at GigaOM, Om agrees that things are a bit shady.
At least my shaky eyes ensured I didn't contribute any iris data to be sold off.
Tags: Clear, Security, Travel, TSA
