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Did you ever use RESERVE by CLEAR? This service was launched back in 2021 and expanded a few times over the years it was live. However, when we set out to update this guide, we found that CLEAR had sunset the program. A CLEAR representative confirmed to AwardWallet that RESERVE no longer exists.
In its place, CLEAR has launched a new program called CLEAR Mobile — but this program has no real connection to RESERVE. Here's a record of what RESERVE was, and what other options are currently available.
Page Contents
What was Reserve by CLEAR?
In 2021, CLEAR introduced CLEAR RESERVE to get through airport security faster, and you didn't need a CLEAR+ membership to use it. CLEAR RESERVE was available at select airports in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. RESERVE was free for CLEAR+ members to skip lines without a reservation, and non-members could pay for a reservation.
Using CLEAR RESERVE
CLEAR RESERVE was a free service allowing travelers to book a reservation time with a TSA officer, skipping a potentially long security line. This was excellent in airports where there's usually a long wait at security — and these were precisely the airports where RESERVE was available. Just like CLEAR+, RESERVE didn't let you skip security. Rather, it gave you a reserved spot in the line, significantly shortening the wait.
The best news was that you didn't have to be a CLEAR+ member to use CLEAR RESERVE. Anyone could make a reservation.
However, CLEAR+ members didn't need to make a reservation. Of course, if you were in the U.S., you could just use the CLEAR lane. In fact, RESERVE was not accessible to TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+ members in the U.S. However, it was available in some international locations outside the U.S., where CLEAR lanes don't exist.
In other words, CLEAR+ members were able to go to the head of the security line in a dozen airports across Europe and Canada without even making a reservation or using a CLEAR kiosk.
CLEAR RESERVE locations
RESERVE was available in 20 airports across North America and Europe:
U.S.
- Denver (DEN)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Minneapolis (MSP)
- New York-Kennedy (JFK)
- Newark (EWR)
- Orlando (MCO)
- Phoenix (PHX)
- Seattle (SEA)
Canada
- Calgary (YYC)
- Edmonton (YEG)
- Halifax (YHZ)
- Montreal (YUL)
- Toronto (YYZ)
- Vancouver (YVR)
Europe
- Amsterdam (AMS)
- Berlin (BER)
- Frankfurt (FRA)
- Hannover (HAJ)
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- Rome (FCO)
What Replaced RESERVE by CLEAR
Recently, CLEAR rolled out a new product called CLEAR Mobile. While not the same as CLEAR RESERVE, there are some similarities. CLEAR Mobile allows travelers to use a QR code in the CLEAR app to speed through security lines.
Unlike CLEAR+ and RESERVE, CLEAR Mobile doesn't verify your identity, so you will still need to present your passport and boarding pass. CLEAR+ members can use CLEAR Mobile for free, while all travelers can purchase the QR code for a fee.
At the time of this writing, CLEAR Mobile is only available in the following airports:
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
- Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
- Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)
- Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
Unfortunately, unlike RESERVE, CLEAR Mobile is not available outside the US. In fact, European airports don't have anything like what CLEAR RESERVE provided. On the other hand, European airports tend to have shorter security lines except for some notable exceptions (looking at you, Heathrow). My average time through security at Edinburgh Airport is about 5 minutes.
Using CLEAR+
CLEAR+ requires a membership for all adults; children can access dedicated CLEAR lanes with an adult member.
The ability for CLEAR+ members to access CLEAR Mobile — getting into a shorter line away from the general wait for airport security — without an appointment and using only a QR code is a quality addition to your annual CLEAR+ membership.
Related: Expedited Security Screening Programs: How To Get Them for Free
Our Take
RESERVE was an amazing service for traveling through one of the airports that offered it in Canada or Europe. It also benefited non-CLEAR+ members at the eight U.S. airports where it was available.
Now that RESERVE by CLEAR is gone, we can wait to see if CLEAR Mobile rolls out to more airports and how much it will help save time in security lines. Unfortunately, nothing will likely replace RESERVE at the Canadian and European airports where it was available.
Did you ever use RESERVE? What were your experiences with it?
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