What Is CLEAR, And Is It Worth It?

CLEAR is a program that helps you get through security faster and can work hand in hand with the popular TSA PreCheck. With a CLEAR Plus membership, you can access dedicated CLEAR lanes and use biometric information to verify your identity. If you frequently travel through an airport known for long TSA checkpoints, this can provide a great alternative and allow you to reach your gate or lounge faster. However, it comes with a hefty price tag and might not make sense for infrequent travelers.

Key takeaways

• CLEAR verifies your identity using biometrics and moves you to the front of the security line
• CLEAR Plus memberships cost $199 annually
• Credit cards and airline elite status offer discounted CLEAR Plus membership fees
• You must be over 18 and have a specific photo ID to enroll in CLEAR

What is CLEAR?

CLEAR is a secure platform that offers touchless ID verification in dozens of airports and sports and entertainment venues nationwide. The blue and white CLEAR kiosks and friendly ambassadors standing nearby are easily recognizable.

With CLEAR, you can verify your identity using biometric information, which may require an eye, face, or fingerprint scan and a scan of your boarding pass. Once your identity is verified, a CLEAR ambassador brings you to the physical inspection portion of security, allowing you to skip the line of people waiting to show a TSA officer their documents. If you have TSA PreCheck, you’ll be brought to the dedicated PreCheck physical inspection area. If not, you’ll go through the general security screening before going to your gate.

More than 100 CLEAR lanes are available at 58 airports nationwide, as well as at select stadiums and other venues. To see whether CLEAR is available near you, check the CLEAR app or search for locations on the CLEAR website.

CLEAR Plus enrollment

Signing up for CLEAR Plus is straightforward. You start by registering an account online and then finish your registration in person at a CLEAR kiosk. You don’t have to make an appointment to complete your in-person registration. Simply walk up to a CLEAR kiosk at a participating airport, and an ambassador will help you complete your enrollment.

The in-person part of your enrollment process typically involves answering a few questions and verifying your identity with a valid photo ID. You’ll also have to scan your fingerprints and eyes to attach biometric data to your account. You can pay for a CLEAR Plus membership during the online portion of your registration before you visit an in-person kiosk. It costs $199 per year for a membership.

Individuals 18 years of age and older can enroll in CLEAR Plus. Children under 18 cannot enroll in CLEAR but can use the CLEAR Lane when accompanied by a CLEAR Plus Member.

To enroll, you must have one of the following forms of valid, unexpired photo identification:

• U.S. Passport Book
• U.S. Driver's License
• State Issued ID

Other CLEAR benefits

There are several lesser-known benefits to CLEAR. CLEAR Perks is a set of benefits exclusive to CLEAR Plus members and includes the following:

• CLEAR Scout: If you forgot something at the airport, CLEAR Ambassadors will help you recover your item.
• RushMyPassport: Get up to $90 off expedited passport and travel document services.
• Ship&Play: Get 50% off your first shipment of golf clubs, skis, or luggage and skip bag check.
• Royal Airport Concierge: Receive 20% off each itinerary of exclusive meet-and-greet services at select airports.
• Medjet: 15% off a premium global air medical transport and travel security program.

If you don’t have a CLEAR Plus membership, you can utilize RESERVE, which allows you to book a spot in line at airport security. It’s a free service, and each reservation is held for a 20-minute window, but try to arrive on time. You can’t use the CLEAR lane if you reserve your spot in the security line, so you will still show your documents to a TSA officer to verify your identity. It’s similar to making a reservation at a restaurant, allowing you to be seated before walk-ins.

In addition to breezing through security, CLEAR offers benefits with several partners. You can use CLEAR to verify your identity on LinkedIn and with Avis, allowing you to get to your rental car faster. Plus, CLEAR Members who open a Public brokerage account get up to $100 in credit to invest in stock after making a $20 deposit.

CLEAR Plus vs. TSA PreCheck®

CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck® are often confused because they’re both programs that advertise a faster security process when traveling. However, they're separate programs, and neither replaces the other. CLEAR Plus speeds up the document verification process, whereas TSA PreCheck expedites the physical screening process. In many cases, it could be beneficial to have both if you want to maximize your chances of getting through long lines as quickly as possible.

When you first get to a TSA checkpoint at the airport, you typically have to get in line until you get to a TSA agent who checks your photo ID and boarding pass. You then proceed to the physical screening portion of the checkpoint.

With CLEAR Plus, you visit a kiosk to verify your identity, and then you’ll be brought directly to a TSA agent and let into the area for physical screenings. A CLEAR Plus membership effectively lets you skip the general line where you’d be waiting to see the first TSA agent. TSA PreCheck also has dedicated lanes but is focused on the physical inspection. You won’t remove your shoes, belt, light jacket, laptop, or approved liquids, which makes it faster. I love having TSA PreCheck and can attest that it typically saves a ton of time and hassle when going through security.

If you have both CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck, you would verify your identity through the CLEAR lane and then be brought to the dedicated TSA PreCheck physical screening area. When combined, you’ll barely spend any time in security.

TSA PreCheck is available at more airports than CLEAR and costs substantially less. You can bundle enrollment in TSA PreCheck with CLEAR and pay $199 to enroll in both, eliminating the cost of your first five years of TSA PreCheck.

How to save on CLEAR Plus

The standard rate of $199 per year for a CLEAR Plus membership is fairly steep, especially if you don’t travel much. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to save on CLEAR Plus.

CLEAR Plus family plan

The CLEAR Plus family plan costs $199 for the main account holder and then $119 per additional family member, up to three adults. You can travel together or separately, and although it’s called a family plan, it’s valid for family or friends. You’ll save $80 per additional adult with the family plan, or a total savings of up to $240 per year.

Preferred pricing for partner airlines

Delta Air Lines

United Airlines

Alaska Airlines

MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75k, and MVP Gold 100k members receive a special rate of $189. Although this is a minor discount compared to the other airline partners, these members will receive 1,500 miles for enrolling in CLEAR Plus for the first time.

Hawaiian Airlines

Credit cards

There are only a couple of credit cards, outside of the Delta and United co-branded cards listed above, that will cover the cost of a CLEAR membership. All three of these cards are issued by American Express, and one has an annual fee low enough to be completely covered by the CLEAR credit.

FAQs

Bottom line

A CLEAR Plus membership is expensive and isn’t especially worth it if you spend a good chunk of time abroad. For instance, I spend about 11 months out of the year outside the U.S., so I’ve never been able to justify the fee. I am interested in applying for the Amex Green card and will enroll in CLEAR if my membership is covered. If not, I don’t want to pay for it.

If you fly on a domestic route frequently, a CLEAR membership can save you time, even if you have TSA PreCheck. If you have a credit card that covers the membership fee, enrolling is a no-brainer. If not, it’s a high price to pay to move to the front of the security line.

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