So I accepted a "free 12 month" membership to this card via CLEAR.

Wow, I got accepted and look forward to the benefits.
So I create my password and ... first thing they do before I see diddly squat is they try to "upgrade" me for $295. So much for "free" ... Of course a big huge button to upgrade, a tiny little "sorry, I am not ready yet" ... this presages the entire experience.

Benefits are blah, but even to access any of them, you need to upgrade and pay $295.
For hotels, this means a wimpy Gold tier in IHG, Hilton, Omni, etc., You get this and more with a basic credit card! E.g. Chase IHG card gives you Platinum. But for $295 you can unlock Gold LOL. Or for Marriott, a complimentary Platinum "status challenge" anyone can get.
For car rentals it means Avis or Hertz President status, which we all get comped.
Some "discounts" on hotels, cruises, "experiences" that fail to impress. I can't check most of them because they are locked ... only a handful of hotels are unlocked. So I spot checked the few that weren't locked, and the special rate is same or worse as my AAA, corporate, senior or FF member rate. Amex FHR gives a better deal with the added benefits. Completely unimpressed.

I've seen their incessant marketing and just wasted 30 minutes of my life being completely underwhelmed.



So basically this is all a con to get you to buy this dog's breakfast of benefits for $295 every 6 months .. $590 a year. LOL.

Useless unless you don't have status anywhere and don't have travel credit cards.

Very lukewarm.

I fail to see thw