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TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are programs that allow for expedited airport security for eligible travelers.
TSA PreCheck allows members to enter a shorter, express security line, while CLEAR membership lets you bypass the ID verification component of security altogether
TSA PreCheck is offered through the government at more than 200 airports, whereas CLEAR is a private company that operates at more than 50 airports, stadiums, and other venues nationwide.
TSA PreCheck membership costs $78 and lasts for five years, while CLEAR requires an annual membership fee of $189.
If you’ve been wondering whether you could benefit from expedited airport security and you’ve heard all about trusted traveler programs, you are probably considering programs like TSA Precheck and CLEAR. These two programs have different processes that help you speed through security when you arrive at participating airports, and they have different costs, too.
Because there are so many differences between TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, it’s possible one program will benefit you considerably more than the other. There may even be situations where you could benefit from having both memberships, particularly if you’re a frequent flyer.
Before you sign up for either program, it helps to know how they work, how much they cost, and where the benefits actually apply. Read on to learn everything there is to know about TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, plus all the different ways you can save money on membership fees.
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Comparing CLEAR vs TSA PreCheck
Here are some fast facts about CLEAR and TSA PreCheck:
About TSA PreCheck:
Allows for faster security screening at eligible U.S. airports
Works for departures from 200+ airports on more than 80 participating airlines
Members do not have to remove their laptops, belts, or shoes before going through security
Minors age 12 and under can accompany parents or guardians in the TSA PreCheck line
TSA PreCheck costs $78 and lasts 5 years
TSA PreCheck is a government program
About CLEAR:
Allows for faster security screening at eligible U.S. airports
Works for departures from 50+ airports, stadiums, and other venues nationwide
Uses biometrics at special kiosks so members don’t need to wait in line to show identification, then members are escorted to the front of security
Children can use the CLEAR Lane for free when accompanied by a CLEAR member
CLEAR costs $189 per year
CLEAR is owned by a private company
What is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is a government-based trusted traveler program that helps you save time and stress at the airport.
This program is for travelers who are deemed low risk by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and it comes with a shorter security line. Members can pass through expedited security screening without having to remove their shoes or take laptops from their bags. They can also keep belts and light jackets on, and they do not need to remove 3-1-1 liquids from their carry-on baggage.
This membership lasts for a full five years after you’re approved, which makes the $78 membership fee an excellent value.
TSA PreCheck benefits & eligibility
Nearly anyone can apply for TSA PreCheck, although you do have to be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. lawful permanent resident.
Benefits of the program are as follows:
Enjoy faster security screening at eligible U.S. airports
This membership works for departures from 200+ airports on more than 80 participating airlines
Members do not have to remove their laptop computer, belt or shoes before moving through security
Minors ages 12 and under can accompany parents or guardians in the TSA PreCheck line
Where is TSA PreCheck available?
TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports nationwide, including popular options like Charlotte-Douglas, Chicago O’Hare, Hartsfield-Jackson, Indianapolis, Orlando-Sanford, Raleigh-Durham, Seattle-Tacoma, and more.
TSA PreCheck application process and costs
TSA PreCheck membership costs $78 upfront, but this one-time membership fee is good for five full years. The online application is easy to complete within a matter of minutes, although getting approved requires a background check and in-person interview at one of the 400+ enrollment centers available nationwide.
During the in-person interview, a security officer asks applicants to supply a fingerprint, proof of citizenship, and identity documents. Upon approval, new members will receive a Known Traveler Number that can be added to all flight reservations from that point forward.
TSA PreCheck expiration & renewal
Once the five-year membership is over, individuals who want to renew will have to pay the fee and go through a background check and in-person interview again.
Credit cards that offer free TSA PreCheck or CLEAR memberships
Many travel credit cards offer statement credits for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR. These are our favorites:
Up to $100 every 4 years to use towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership and an annual $189 CLEAR® Plus credit. Although The Platinum Card® from American Express has a high $695 annual fee, it also has extremely generous rewards and statement credits to make up for it. Read more in our Amex Platinum card review.
Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership. Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can also take advantage of hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits, a high rewards rate, and more. This card has a $550 annual fee. Read more in our Chase Sapphire Reserve review.
Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership. This card offers generous flat-rate rewards on travel with flexible redemption options, and it only has a $95 annual fee. Read more in our Capital One Venture Card review.
Up to $100 every 4 years to use towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership and a yearly $189 CLEAR® Plus credit. Although The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has a high $695 annual fee, it also has extremely generous rewards and statement credits to make up for it. Terms apply. (see rates and fees) Read more in our Amex Business Platinum Card review.
Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership. This card is great for United Airlines loyalists, providing generous airline-specific benefits and statement credits, all for a low $95 annual fee. Read more in our United Explorer Card review.
Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership. This premium travel credit card has a generous rewards rate and comes with exclusive airport lounge access, among other perks. Read more in our Venture X Rewards Card review.
What is CLEAR?
CLEAR is an airport security program that is offered by a private company in select airports nationwide.
With CLEAR, members who arrive at the airport can step up to a special kiosk and verify their identity with biometrics instead of government-issued identification. The CLEAR kiosk scans each member’s eyes or fingerprint to verify who they are, which speeds up the process dramatically.
From there, CLEAR members are moved to the front of the security line, where they place their baggage through screening as they normally would.
CLEAR benefits & eligibility
Nearly anyone can apply for CLEAR, although you do have to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident over the age of 18.
Benefits of the program include:
Faster security screening at eligible U.S. airports
This membership works for departures from 50+ airports, stadiums, and other venues nationwide
Members get cleared for security using biometrics without having to wait in line to show identification
CLEAR members are moved to the front of the security line after verifying their identity, which helps save time and stress at the airport
Children under 18 can use the CLEAR Lane for free with no enrollment required when accompanied by a CLEAR member.
Where is CLEAR available?
CLEAR is available in 50+ different airports, stadiums, and other venues nationwide, including popular options like Austin-Bergstrom, Birmingham, Detroit, Greenville-Spartanburg, Seattle, and more.
CLEAR application process and costs
CLEAR membership requires a non-refundable annual fee of $189, although members can add up to three family members or friends to their account for just $60 each. Students can also qualify for CLEAR membership for just $60 per year, and there are special rates for government employees, active duty military, and veterans.
The application process begins online when applicants head to the CLEAR website to supply their basic personal information. From there, individuals can go to an airport with a CLEAR location with no appointment necessary and begin their membership by showing a valid U.S.-issued ID.
CLEAR expiration & renewal
CLEAR members can reactivate their membership after the first year by paying the $189 annual membership fee.
Is CLEAR worth it?
If you travel frequently, CLEAR could potentially save you a ton of time. If that convenience is important to you, it may be worth it. Additionally, some credit cards and airline reward programs can give you a nice discount on the $189/year membership fee.
If you’re a member of the Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus frequent flyer programs, you can qualify for application discounts toward your CLEAR membership.
Delta SkyMiles:
Delta Diamond Medallion members get a free CLEAR membership each year.
Members with other elite status tiers and members with a co-branded Delta credit card get $40 off their membership fees. Some Delta cards include:
Regular SkyMiles members who have not achieved elite status also get $10 off their CLEAR membership when they add their frequent flyer number to their program application.
United MileagePlus:
United Premier 1K & Global Services members get a free CLEAR membership.
Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, and United U.S. credit card members get $40 off. Some United cards include:
Members of the United MileagePlus program get $10 off application fees for CLEAR membership.
Differences between TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR:
The main differences between TSA PreCheck and CLEAR boil down to where you can use each program and what you actually get for your membership fees. For example, TSA PreCheck lets you enter a separate security line that is normally shorter, and you don’t have to take off your jacket or shoes or remove your laptop as you move through TSA. Meanwhile, CLEAR lets you bypass having to show identification at the airport altogether since it relies on biometric technology to prove your identity.
Here is a look at the pros and cons of both.
TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR: pros & cons
TSA Precheck Pros
Membership is only $78 and lasts for five years
Broad availability at more than 200 airports nationwide
Kids 12 and under can move through TSA PreCheck for free with a parent or guardian who is a member
Speed through security lines without removing your jacket, belt, or laptop
TSA Precheck Cons
In-person interview is required to join (appointment required)
You get in a shorter line vs. skipping lines altogether
CLEAR Membership Pros
Available at many different types of locations: 50+ airports, stadiums, venues, etc.
Online application & no appointment needed to verify your identity
No need to show identification at the airport
Contactless ID verification via digital CLEAR kiosks
CLEAR Membership Cons
Membership is expensive at $189/year
CLEAR is available at fewer airports than TSA PreCheck
Is TSA PreCheck better than CLEAR?
It’s hard to say whether TSA PreCheck is better than CLEAR as many factors can influence this answer, such as the way you travel and where you travel from. That said, TSA PreCheck is less expensive ($78 vs. $189 for CLEAR) and membership lasts considerably longer (five years vs. one year with CLEAR), so most people would agree it’s a better deal.
Is CLEAR faster than TSA PreCheck?
Generally, CLEAR can help you move through airport security faster since you don’t have to stand in line to show US-issued photo identification. Instead, you step up to a CLEAR kiosk that verifies your identity using biometrics and fingerprint data. Both programs have gotten more popular in recent years, though, so some users report long lines during peak travel hours at busy airports.
How are TSA PreCheck & CLEAR different from Global Entry?
Where TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are meant to help you save time and hassle when you depart from eligible airports, the Global Entry program lets you move through customs and immigration faster when you arrive in the United States after international travel.
Only you can decide which program of these three is best for you, or whether you should apply for more than one. That said, it’s important to note that Global Entry membership costs $100 and lasts for five years, and its members get PreCheck automatically. With that in mind, frequent international travelers can pay for Global Entry and get TSA PreCheck for free, then enjoy expedited airport security for arrivals and departures in eligible airports.
Should you get TSA PreCheck and CLEAR?
Getting both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR actually makes a lot of sense, especially if you’re a frequent traveler who flies out of participating airports often. After all, having both memberships means you can skip the line to check identification and complete this step with a CLEAR kiosk instead, then skip to the front of the TSA PreCheck line and avoid having to remove your shoes, laptop, light jacket, and more as your bags move through screening.
Do I need TSA PreCheck membership if I have CLEAR?
While you don’t need either membership and especially not both, it’s possible to benefit from both PreCheck and CLEAR. After all, having both memberships helps you skip the ID verification process and move through security lines faster.
Which is the best credit card for TSA PreCheck and CLEAR?
Very few credit cards cover both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, which is why we love The Platinum Card® from American Express. With this card, you can get up to a $189 credit toward CLEAR Plus each year and an $85 credit toward TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years.
Which is better — TSA PreCheck or Global Entry or CLEAR?
Since PreCheck is more affordable and available at more airports nationwide, it’s typically considered a better deal.
Is CLEAR at the airport worth it?
CLEAR can be worth it if you frequently depart from participating airports and you want to move through security and get to your gate as quickly as possible. Of course, having this membership is an even better deal if you get it for free with a travel credit card or your elite status with a frequent flyer program.
What is the main difference between CLEAR and TSA PreCheck?
Where TSA PreCheck lets you enter a shorter security line that’s only available to members, CLEAR membership lets you bypass the ID check component of security altogether.
Is CLEAR faster than TSA PreCheck?
CLEAR is often faster than TSA PreCheck since it lets members verify their identity with biometrics instead of having them stand in line to show identification.
What is the cost of CLEAR at the airport?
CLEAR membership costs $189 per year.
Can you go through TSA PreCheck with CLEAR?
You can go through TSA PreCheck airport screening after you use CLEAR to prove your identity. However, the airport you’re departing from will need to participate in both programs.
Does CLEAR automatically include TSA PreCheck?
Unlike Global Entry memberships, CLEAR does not include TSA PreCheck.
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