What Is CLEAR at the Airport?

What CLEAR Does

CLEAR (officially called CLEAR+) is a paid membership program that lets you skip the TSA identity verification line at airport security. Instead of waiting in line to show your ID and boarding pass to a TSA agent, CLEAR verifies your identity using biometrics (your face or eyes) and sends you straight to the bag screening area.

Think of it this way: TSA security has two parts. First, you prove who you are (ID check). Then, your bags and body get screened. CLEAR skips the first part. You still go through the metal detector or body scanner and your bags still go through the X-ray machine.

How CLEAR Works at the Airport

With eGates (Newer Technology)

CLEAR has been rolling out automated eGates at airports nationwide. As of early this year, eGates are live at 37 airports with more coming. Here's the process:

• Walk up to the CLEAR eGate near the security checkpoint
• Scan your boarding pass
• Look at the camera for facial recognition (takes under 5 seconds)
• The gate opens and you proceed directly to bag screening

No interaction with a TSA podium, no showing your ID. The whole identity verification takes seconds.

With Traditional CLEAR Pods

At airports that haven't received eGates yet, CLEAR still uses staffed pods:

• Walk to the CLEAR lane (look for the CLEAR logo near the security checkpoint)
• A CLEAR ambassador scans your boarding pass
• Verify your identity at the pod using facial or iris recognition
• The ambassador walks you to the front of the TSA screening line

How Much CLEAR Costs

CLEAR+ membership costs $209 per year. That's the standard rate for a single member. Here are other pricing tiers:

• Additional family members - $125 each (up to 3 adults at 40% off)
• Kids 17 and under - Free when traveling with a member
• Military and government employees - $125 per year

Discounts Through Airlines

If you have airline status or the right credit card, you can get CLEAR for less:

• Delta Diamond Medallion and Delta 360 members - Free CLEAR membership
• Delta Platinum, Gold, or Silver Medallion members - $169 per year
• United MileagePlus members - $199 per year
• United Premier members or U.S. credit card holders - $169 per year

Several premium credit cards also offer CLEAR credits that partially or fully cover the membership fee. Check your card's benefits before paying full price.

Where CLEAR Is Available

CLEAR is available at over 60 airports and more than 150 CLEAR+ lanes across the U.S. Major airports like JFK, LAX, SFO, ORD, ATL, DFW, and MIA all have CLEAR. It's also available at some stadiums and entertainment venues for expedited entry.

The service isn't available at every airport, and smaller regional airports generally don't have it. Check CLEAR's website for a full list of locations before signing up.

CLEAR vs. TSA PreCheck

CLEAR and TSA PreCheck do different things, and many frequent travelers have both.

• CLEAR skips the identity verification line (the part where you show your ID). You still go through full screening unless you also have PreCheck
• TSA PreCheck gives you expedited screening (keep shoes, belt, and laptop in bag). You still wait in the ID verification line, just a shorter one

The ideal combo: CLEAR skips the ID line, then TSA PreCheck gives you the faster screening lane. Together, they make security take 5 minutes or less on most days.

If you can only afford one, TSA PreCheck at $85 for five years is a far better value than CLEAR at $209 per year. PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports (vs. 60 for CLEAR) and reduces the most annoying parts of screening.

CLEAR vs. Global Entry

Global Entry ($120 for five years) is a customs program for international travelers that includes TSA PreCheck. It lets you skip the customs line when returning to the U.S. from abroad. CLEAR doesn't help with customs at all.

If you travel internationally, Global Entry gives you more bang for the buck than CLEAR. If you only fly domestically and hate long security lines, CLEAR is the one that addresses that specific pain point.

Is CLEAR Worth It?

It depends on how often you fly and which airports you use.

CLEAR is worth it if:

• You fly frequently (10+ times per year) from airports that have CLEAR
• Your home airport consistently has long security lines
• You get a discount through airline status or a credit card
• You already have TSA PreCheck and want to eliminate any remaining wait

CLEAR is probably not worth it if:

• You fly fewer than 5 times per year
• Your airport doesn't have CLEAR
• You don't have TSA PreCheck (get that first, it's a better value)
• You're paying full price with no credit card reimbursement

How to Sign Up

You can sign up at CLEAR's website or at a CLEAR pod in the airport. The enrollment process takes about 5 minutes and involves creating an account, providing a photo ID, and completing biometric enrollment (facial and iris scans). You can start using CLEAR immediately after enrollment.

Unlike TSA PreCheck, there's no government background check or waiting period. You sign up, enroll biometrics, and you're ready to go the same day.

CLEAR Beyond the Airport

CLEAR membership isn't just for airports. The same biometric identity verification works at select stadiums, arenas, and entertainment venues. If you're a sports fan or concert-goer, you might use CLEAR at NFL games, MLB parks, or other events where CLEAR has partnered for expedited entry.

The experience is similar to the airport. Walk up to a CLEAR lane, verify with biometrics, and skip the general admission line. Whether this alone justifies the $209 annual fee is debatable, but it's a nice perk if you already have the membership for travel.

Privacy Considerations

CLEAR collects and stores biometric data, including facial images and iris scans. For some travelers, this is a dealbreaker. CLEAR states it doesn't sell biometric data to third parties and that members can request deletion of their data upon canceling. TSA retains operational control at airports and conducts the actual security vetting.

If you're uncomfortable with biometric data collection, TSA PreCheck is the alternative. PreCheck uses fingerprints collected during enrollment for background check purposes, but the airport experience itself just involves showing your ID and boarding pass like everyone else.

The Future of CLEAR

CLEAR is expanding rapidly. The eGate rollout is bringing automated, contact-free identity verification to more airports, with plans to have eGates at every CLEAR location. The company is also working on partnerships with more venues and expanding its use cases beyond travel and entertainment.

For travelers who fly frequently from major airports, CLEAR is becoming harder to ignore. The combination of CLEAR eGates and TSA PreCheck creates a security experience that's consistently fast and predictable, which for many road warriors is worth the premium price.

Traveling with Family

If you have CLEAR, kids 17 and under can use the CLEAR lane with you for free without their own membership. They go through biometric verification alongside you or are simply escorted through with you by the CLEAR ambassador.

For adult family members, adding up to three people to your plan costs $125 each per year (40% off the standard $209). Each person on a family plan can use CLEAR independently. They don't need to travel with you. Each gets their own biometric enrollment and can breeze through security on their own trips.

If you and your partner both fly frequently, a family plan ($209 + $125 = $334 total for two people) is more cost-effective than two individual memberships ($418 total). The math gets even better if you add a third adult family member.