CLEAR makes foray into hotels via Virdee partnership

Secure identity company CLEAR is entering the hotel segment through a partnership with Texas-based hospitality startup Virdee. 

With the partnership, CLEAR will integrate its secure identity platform into Virdee’s suite of solutions to enable self-service check-in for travelers.

When checking in, existing CLEAR members can verify their identity by presenting a photo of themselves at a hotel kiosk, while non-members can enroll for free with a few steps. Virdee's technology powers the kiosks as well as mobile apps (including the Virdee app and branded client apps), where guests can process payment, customize their stay and receive a mobile or physical key without stopping at the front desk.

“This integration and partnership with CLEAR brings us a fully seamless, self-service environment at all hotel touch points and a fully digitized experience across all touch points in travel,” says Virdee co-founder Nadav Cornberg. 

“Travelers can now use CLEAR to verify their identity across several key travel touch points: at the airport, to secure ground transportation and to check in to their hotel. Hotel owners gain yet another solution driven by Virdee to help them improve guest satisfaction, increase efficiencies and streamline tasks at check-in.”

CLEAR hinted at its arrival in the hospitality space in February of last year when it raised $100 million to expand beyond its core aviation business. Investors in the round included Danny Meyer’s Enlightened Hospitality Investments, NFL investment arm 32 Equity and the Partnership Fund for New York City.

In January, the company acquired Whyline to bring virtual queuing technology to airports as well as to industries such as banking, retail and government services.

Founded in 2010, CLEAR counts more than 13 million members and hundreds of partners around the world including airports and stadiums.

Virdee, founded in 2020, helps hospitality brands automate front-of-house workflows via its mobile app and in-lobby experiences. In March, the startup closed its seed funding round with an additional $5 million, bringing the total raised to $9 million.