It’s one of the best ways to reduce your wait at the airport. Instead of enduring a long wait, you walk up to a kiosk, get your photo taken and jump to the front of the line.
We’re talking about Clear, a private identity verification service whose paid airport membership, Clear Plus, uses biometrics to help travelers move through participating U.S. Transportation Security Administration checkpoints more quickly.
It’s available at 62 U.S. airports and has millions of members nationwide. Clear also offers expedited entry at select stadiums and other venues.
As a secure identity platform, Clear uses member data, including facial scans, to automate most users’ identity verification during TSA screening. Clear members use a separate lane with dedicated kiosks, rather than waiting in line for a TSA agent to review their license or passport.
Clear costs $219 annually, but some credit cards cover the cost entirely or at a discounted rate.
To help you decide whether Clear is worth it, here’s what you need to know about the expedited airport security program, including its benefits, potential drawbacks and ways to get a discounted (or free) membership.
And if you decide Clear Plus is for you, enjoy TPG’s special offer: $40 off your first year of membership and a free booking of Clear Concierge (valued at $99).
How Clear works
Clear requires passengers to first complete identity verification in a separate Clear lane by using biometric authentication (typically via a facial or iris scan) at a kiosk; this replaces the need to use a TSA agent to verify identity. Note that TSA may still randomly select Clear users to show an ID at any time, so you do still need to bring that Real ID or alternative, like a passport.
After verifying a passenger’s identity, a Clear representative will escort Clear users to the actual security screening area, bypassing the standard ID check line.
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If you’re also enrolled in TSA PreCheck, you’ll go directly to the front of the TSA PreCheck line.
Where Clear works
At this time, Clear is available at more than 60 U.S. airports:
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
- Boise Airport (BOI)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Connecticut
- Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Dallas Love Field (DAL)
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston
- Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui
- Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
- John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, California
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City
- Long Beach Airport (LGB)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Midway International Airport (MDW) in Chicago
- Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago
- Ontario International Airport (ONT)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
- Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
- Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
- Richmond International Airport (RIC)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)
- Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
- Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
- Westchester County Airport (HPN)
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston
- Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma City
Additionally, Clear Plus members can use Clear Sports & Events at select entrances to stadiums and venues during some events, including:
- Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas
- Ball Arena — Denver
- Barclays Center — New York City
- Capital One Arena — Washington, D.C.
- Chase Center — San Francisco
- Kaseya Center — Miami
- Lumen Field — Seattle
- Madison Square Garden — New York City
- State Farm Arena — Atlanta
- Yankee Stadium — New York City
Having a Clear Plus member can be a major time-saver when entering a stadium, arena or event venue that offers the service.
How does Clear compare to TSA PreCheck?
Clear reduces your airport security wait time by reducing the need for a TSA officer to check your identity; it happens automatically on a kiosk and then you’re whisked to the front of the line.
However, keep in mind: Having Clear does not automatically get you TSA PreCheck access, and it’s also available at fewer airports than TSA PreCheck.
The combination of Clear and TSA PreCheck is often viewed as the “gold standard” combination, since Clear speeds up the ID check and then the TSA PreCheck access allows you to keep light jackets, compliant liquids in your bag — and laptops, too.
Just keep in mind: Clear and TSA PreCheck are available only during certain hours and may not be available during your flight time.
Clear vs. TSA PreCheck Touchless ID
We should also point out, Clear has gotten some competition, of late, when it comes to TSA line “hacks.” That’s thanks to the TSA itself rolling out the new TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program, which also uses a biometric photo to speed PreCheck members through the security line.
You don’t get to jump to the front of the lane, but the service also doesn’t cost extra beyond the enrollment fee you pay every five years when signing up (or re-upping) TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
Clear launches e-gates
Clear has upped its own game in recent months, though, with the addition of new e-gates and a paid Clear Concierge service that can be a huge help to skirt long lines.
What’s the difference between Clear and Clear Sports & Events?
You can use Clear at select stadiums via Clear’s Sports & Events access, which is free and available to all Clear members for expedited entry to games at participating stadiums. However, this membership doesn’t provide access to the kiosks at the airport.
To use Clear Sports & Events, download the Clear app and tap on the black “Sports & Events” tile. Log in to enroll before heading to the Clear lane to show your QR code to a Clear ambassador.
Members can bring one adult guest through the Clear lane daily at stadiums and venues. Children under 18 don’t need a membership and can go through the Clear lane when accompanied by an adult.
Once you are a Clear member, you can add up to three family members for $125 each per year. Children under 18 can use the lane for free when accompanied by a Clear member.
How to enroll in Clear
You can either start the enrollment process online and finish at a Clear location, or you can complete the entire process at a Clear location.
Typically, the company has enrollment kiosks set up at the airport, so you can complete it right on sight if you prefer.
The enrollment process takes about five minutes (assuming there’s no line) and requires no appointment — you don’t have to schedule a separate interview like you do when enrolling for a program like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
You must complete the final enrollment steps at a Clear location. This includes answering a few simple questions to verify your identity, showing a valid photo ID, providing a payment method and attaching your biometrics (fingerprints and a picture of your irises) to your newly created account.
To enroll in Clear Plus, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Eligible forms of identification include a Real ID-compliant U.S. driver’s license or state-issued ID, or a passport from the U.S. or one of Clear’s approved countries.
How to save on Clear
Though the standard rate for Clear membership is $219 per year, there are many ways to avoid paying the full price. You can even access a two-month trial through this link.
Additionally, Clear has partnered with select airlines to offer the following special membership rates for their members:
Delta SkyMiles discounts
United MileagePlus discounts
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Atmos Rewards discounts
Members and status holders in Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines’ Atmos Rewards program can also save on Clear. The program also offers bonus points to members who add or renew a Clear membership.
Full details can be found here.
Which credit cards cover Clear fees as a benefit?
Certain credit cards afford users a free Clear membership. The following cards will reimburse you for up to $219 in credits per year in Clear Plus membership costs:
The information for the Amex Green card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Occasionally, there are targeted Amex offers covering the cost of Clear Plus membership for those with different American Express cards.
Bottom line
If Clear is available at your home airport or at one you visit frequently, the program could be a big time-saver for your future travels, regardless of whether you also have TSA PreCheck. There’s often just a single TSA staffer checking documents for both the TSA PreCheck line and the regular security line, so enrolling in Clear can save you valuable time.
Additionally, you can stack those expedited line benefits and enjoy more predictable access to security. This means those who check in online without checked bags can arrive at the airport closer to their flight departure time than they normally would — and sometimes avoid long security lines.
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