If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, then you probably know about the long list of perks that come with these cards. These include lounge access to the AmEx Global Lounge Collection as well as hotel elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

Another of those perks is the American Express Clear membership benefit, which canget cardholders expedited security service at the airport. Terms apply.

Clear offers fast identification screening at airports and venues but is not cheap. If you want to maximize the American Express/Clear partnership, here's everything you need to know.

What is Clear?

Clear offers a faster route to the front of the security line in select domestic airports (currently 45 cities), a few sports arenas and entertainment venues.

The annual fee is $189, although some frequent flyers are eligible for free or discounted membership, including top flyers with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

Instead of relying on conventional forms of identification, members scan their boarding passes and then their iris or fingerprints. Once approved, they are escorted to the front of the appropriate line (if members have TSA PreCheck, they go to the front of that line). This can be a tremendous time saver when lines are long.

Is Clear different from TSA PreCheck?

Yes, Clear is different from TSA PreCheck. The former provides expedited access to the front of any security line after verifying biometric data. TSA PreCheck offers expedited screening by allowing approved passengers to leave on light jackets, belts and shoes while keeping electronics and toiletries in their bags.

They are two different products, but they can work together. Clear lets you quickly pass through the first part of the line (where the agent verifies identity) and TSA PreCheck speeds up the security screening process.

What's exciting is that the American Express Platinum cards also provide a statement credit for enrolling in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (used for re-entry to the United States at eligible airports following international travel).