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In these days of heightened security one of the banes of any day of travel is getting through airport security. While most airports have a fast track system, the TSA has its TSA PreCheck system which allows you access to special lanes to get through airport security quicker. Another layer of expediting your progress through TSA security is CLEAR which is now available at JFK and LGA.
What is CLEAR?
CLEAR is a quick system to verify your identity. This is carried out with a simple fingerprint scan or eye print. As a CLEAR member, once your identity has been verified you will then be able to head to the front of the line and straight to the physical screening. If you are a member of the TSA PreCheck system, then after completing the CLEAR process you head to the front of the PreCheck line. On the other hand, if you are not a PreCheck member then you head to the front of the regular TSA screening line.
How Much Does CLEAR Cost?
Currently, a CLEAR membership costs $189 per year. Members can add family members for an additional $50 per year. Children under 18 can use the CLEAR system for free as long as they are accompanied by an adult member. CLEAR membership is provided as a perk or at a discounted rate by various programs including Delta Medallion Members, where Diamond members get CLEAR for free, while Platinum, Gold, and Silver receive their membership for $149 per year. CLEAR itself is offering a one-month free trial at the airport, which also enables you to use the system straight away.
Current CLEAR Lanes
CLEAR offers its services at dozens of airports across the United States (full list of which airports will benefit from CLEAR). The service is also available at various sporting events around the nation.
The service is now operational in Terminal D at LGA, with services to begin at terminals A and C in the next few weeks. Terminal 2 at JFK also has an operational CLEAR facility with more coming soon. Future planned expansion of CLEAR is planned at ATL and MSP at the Southern terminals, while plans for a CLEAR facility at LAX have yet to be announced.
Conclusion
This is great news for any frequent flyer who has to spend a significant amount of time being processed through TSA security. The annual fee may seem a little steep in the beginning, but when balanced against the time you save waiting at TSA it could be quite the bargain.
Source: The Points Guy/Emily McNutt
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Never heard of CLEAR. Now another fee that puts you in the front of the TSA Precheck line that you had to pay a fee for. This is too funny, almost silly. Guess it does make sense. But it’s a good way to further monetize travel.
It is complimentary for Delta Diamond level members.
more details here: https://awardwallet.com/blog/delta-skymiles-members-receive-discounted-clear-membership/
Nice, any new approach to faster/more convenient security checks at airports is always welcome.
Far too expensive for me… but I could see the benefits if you were travelling a whole lot at busy times.
Having TSA Pre is better than CLEAR.
Looks like the TSA line delays may be a thing of the past in five years.
Added costs for average travelers prob not worth it. Frequency of use and airport availability are the biggest factors that will determine if it is worth it for someone
Any additional security measures are welcome at the moment.
It is hard to justify the cost of Clear.
Sorry, $179 is far too expensive for a service you may or may not get to use. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen the CLEAR lines closed – and at peak hours, too.
Do any premium credit cards subsidize this service with a credit?
None that we have seen.
It seems very interesting. It all seems faster. I do not travel enough, I think, to use both right now. I am wondering though, if I got the Precheck using United miles and then bought the CLEAR, could I use both when flying American, Alaska, Delta, etc. or am I stuck using both only on United? I assume that once TSA approved me for Precheck then I could use both whenever I fly.
If you have Precheck (regardless of how you purchases it) and you have CLEAR, you can use both with any airline in the program.
This seems a bit pricey for the average Joe or Jane unless you fly quite often. I will wait and see if the price drops as time goes on.
clear is often faster than tsa precheck
I’d like to hear more on this from people who start using it. Seems like a pretty large cost.. but I only fly 4-6 times a year.
Not worth it, just to skip one line. Global entry is sufficient.
Sounds like just another way for the government to get money! We shouldn’t have to pay to get through security efficiently. This in the long run is going to force everyone to get CLEAR because even with TSA Pre-Check these CLEAR carriers will go in front. That will in turn clog up the process. It also makes it sound like PRE-CHECK is somewhat less valuable because if you have “CLEAR” you get to go to the front of the line anyway. Between CLEAR, Pre-Check and Global Entry – what will they think of next to charge passengers to get through TSA efficiently????
Keep in mind, CLEAR is not run by the government. It is a private entity.
Though the compatibility does work in some directions, hopefully we’ll eventually see a more streamlined and unified process. You’ve got pre-check, Global Entry, CLEAR, etc. Hopefully as the programs continue to expand and evolve, they’ll all work well with each other.