Registered-traveler program's shutdown catches fliers off guard

0 Comments | USA TODAY, June, 2009 | by Roger Yu

The more than 250,000 customers of Clear's registered-traveler program will not be getting refunds.

In a move that caught travelers and airports off guard, New York-based Verified Identity Pass said late Monday that it will cease running its Clear program at 18 airports throughout the country.

Attempts to reach the company and acting CEO Jim Moroney were unsuccessful. Voice mail on the company's main phone line was full. The no-refund notice was posted on its website.

Clear was one of three registered-traveler programs competing to win the business of frequent travelers willing to spend $150 to $200 a year to get front-of-the-line privileges at security checkpoints. Members of any of the three have been able to use all the airports that have a...