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CLEAR review: Fingerprint or eye scan your way to the front of the security line

  • Meghan Hunter

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    Speeding through airport security can make your travel journey less stressful. I know lots of folks use TSA PreCheck (free when you sign-up and pay with certain cards) to get expedited security screenings and avoid having to take off shoes or remove laptops from bags.

    But at certain airports or during peak travel times, even going through the TSA PreCheck line could require you to wait. So if you’re a frequent traveler, you might consider enrolling in CLEAR.

    Here’s our review of CLEAR.

    (Photo by BCFC/Shutterstock)

    What Is CLEAR?

    CLEAR is a privately operated expedited security program that allows you to scan your eyes or fingerprints as a means of identification. After passing through the designated CLEAR line, you’ll be escorted to the front of the security line where the screening phase begins.

    The benefit of having CLEAR is you skip any of the TSA lines and don’t have to present your ID to the TSA agent or scan your boarding pass. It can also be a completely touchless process, which is something some may value right now during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Is CLEAR better than TSA PreCheck?

    TSA PreCheck is another way to get through airport security faster. With TSA PreCheck, you don’t have to take off your shoes, belt, or jacket. But you will have to have your ID and boarding pass checked by a TSA official. 

    Check out this post to help you decide if you should sign up for CLEAR instead of TSA Precheck.

    If you live near one of the airports served by CLEAR, it might be worth a try, especially if you aren’t eligible for trusted traveler programs because of a criminal record.

    How CLEAR works

    A CLEAR membership lets you use biometric authentication (fingerprint or eye scan) at a kiosk instead of waiting for a TSA agent to inspect your ID and boarding pass.

    Anyone enrolled in CLEAR will first go through the dedicated CLEAR lane at TSA airport checkpoints, where you can then visit the kiosks to scan your eyes or fingerprints and boarding pass. Next, a CLEAR concierge will escort you to the front of the TSA or TSA PreCheck security line (depending on if your boarding pass has a TSA PreCheck designation). And finally, you’ll go through the standard security screening process (“hands up, feet on the yellow stickers body scan”).

    Where does CLEAR work?

    CLEAR is available at select airports these U.S. cities:

    And at select entrances at sports stadiums  during some events in these cities:

    Expedited security at sports stadiums can be a big time-saver. Team member Scott said when he went to Citi Field, there was no one on the CLEAR line, but the regular line to enter the stadium had a 20-minute wait.

    With CLEAR, you can get expedited security beyond airports at venues like Citi Field. (Photo by Alan Tan Photography/Shutterstock)

    How much does CLEAR cost?

    CLEAR has an annual membership fee of $179, or ~$15 per month.  You can add an adult family member for $50 per year, and your children can come through with you free.

    How to avoid CLEAR application fees

    American Express® Green Card cardholders will receive up to a $100 annual credit when they use their American Express Green Card to purchase a CLEAR membership. The information for the Amex Green Card has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.          

    Also, CLEAR has partnered with both Delta and United to offer special discounts to loyalty program members:

    United MileagePlus discounts

    Delta SkyMiles discounts

    To take advantage of these rates, simply apply your SkyMiles or MileagePlus number during enrollment or link your SkyMiles or MileagePlus account after enrolling.

    How to sign-up for CLEAR

    Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident age 18 and over can sign-up for CLEAR as long as they have:

    CLEAR does not do background checks. They just verify your right to travel and your residency.

    Because CLEAR doesn’t do the security screening, folks with criminal records (who might otherwise be ineligible for trusted traveler programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck) can apply for CLEAR.

    Registration is a two-step process.

    Step 1.  Complete the Online Registration Form 

    First, complete the CLEAR enrollment application online. Unlike the Global Entry application, which can take a lot of time to complete, the CLEAR application is straightforward and takes ~2 minutes.

    Completing the CLEAR enrollment form takes less than two minutes.

    Step 2.  Provide biometrics at CLEAR kiosk 

    After completing the online application, you can visit a CLEAR enrollment kiosk (usually at a TSA airport checkpoint) to finish the sign-up process.

    This step takes less than 5 minutes, and a CLEAR employee will walk you through:

    There’s no processing time after completing your enrollment, so you can use CLEAR right away. For example, I completed the process when we were at the airport for a flight and were able to use CLEAR right away.

    Once you’re registered, you just have to scan your boarding pass and fingerprints at the CLEAR airport kiosk. Then, the concierge will walk you to the front of the TSA security line.

    Is CLEAR worth it?

    It’s usually possible to get some sort of free trial of CLEAR, so you can decide for yourself whether it’s worth it.

    It most likely depends on how frequently you travel and whether your home airport and the airports you regularly travel through are served by CLEAR. Many of us on the MMS team have tested CLEAR, and while it saved us time, having TSA PreCheck seems to be enough.

    Bottom line

    Members of the CLEAR expedited security program can skip to the front of lines at airports and stadiums in several U.S. cities.

    It’s easy to sign-up. Just complete an online application (takes less than 2 minutes). Then visit a CLEAR kiosk at the airport to scan your fingerprints, irises and ID. The in-person portion only takes a few minutes, so you can do it on a day you’re flying.

    CLEAR is a time-saver, but it costs $179 per year, or ~$15 per month, to sign-up. For folks with TSA PreCheck, you might not need both unless you’re a frequent flyer at an airport that typically has a long TSA PreCheck line.

    If you use CLEAR, we’d love to hear your experience!

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)