Clear Reserve: How to utilize airport security reservation services
Long waits at airport security can be frustrating and stressful. This is why paid trusted traveler options like TSA PreCheck, Clear Plus, and Global Entry, which streamline the checkpoint process at numerous airports, have become so popular. Additionally, the lesser-known Clear-powered Reserve program, offering free security reservations at 20 airports across North America and Europe, is quickly gaining popularity.
What is Clear's Reserve program?
The Clear-powered Reserve program, commonly known as Clear Reserve, is a complimentary virtual queuing service available at select airports. It serves as a fast pass for travelers who do not have TSA PreCheck or Clear Plus memberships, providing reserved time slots and exclusive lanes for security during busy travel periods. Much like making a dinner reservation, this TSA line-saving program allows you to skip ahead of others waiting in line.
Initially launched at Orlando International Airport (MCO) in late 2021, Clear Reserve is currently offered at 20 airports across North America and Europe as of February 2024. More major airports are expected to join the program soon, as confirmed by a CLEAR representative.
How to utilize the Clear Reserve security checkpoint reservation system
Making a security checkpoint reservation through the Clear Reserve program is completely free, and no membership is required. Start by checking your departing airport’s website or app, or the Reserve powered by Clear platform to see if the program is offered.
Whether you register on your airport's site or through the Clear Reserve platform, the reservation system will require your flight details, contact information, the number of travelers in your group, and a preferred reservation time within the available time slots. Keep in mind that slots may be limited and typically only accessible during peak travel times at the airport.
Reservations can be made between 3 to 7 days ahead of time, depending on the airport, but you can also request a reservation upon your arrival at the airport for your flight. Don’t lose hope if no reservations are available. Check again before heading to the airport and even while waiting in a long TSA line. Similar to restaurant bookings, many people may not show up, giving you a chance to snag a last-minute spot.
After you input your flight and contact details, if a reservation slot is open, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing a QR code. Upon arriving at the airport, present your QR code at the designated TSA checkpoint lane with a Clear Reserve fast lane. Your Clear Reserve security reservation comes with a 20-minute grace period, so you don’t have to arrive exactly on time. However, if you made a group reservation, everyone in the group must arrive simultaneously.
Clear Reserve cannot be combined with TSA PreCheck or Clear Plus. If you hold a Clear Reserve reservation, you will need to join the general TSA line, where you must remove shoes, electronics, and your 3-1-1 liquids bag from your carry-on. However, during busy travel periods, TSA PreCheck lines can sometimes be quite long. Therefore, you might pass through airport security more quickly by using the app to secure an on-the-spot Clear Reserve slot if you're okay with removing your shoes and taking out your electronics and liquids from your bags.
Which airports provide the Clear Reserve security checkpoint reservation service?
As of February 2024, the Clear Reserve program allows for free scheduled security checkpoint reservations at 20 airports across North America and Europe. Clear intends to add more major airports soon, so be sure to check your departing airport’s website or app for updates on this increasingly popular complimentary program.
United States
Canada
- Calgary International Airport (YYC)
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
- Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Europe
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Hannover Airport (HAJ)
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
How to reserve a checkpoint at participating airports
Here are some important guidelines, advance booking periods, slot timings, and designated lane locations for airports in the United States that are currently part of the Clear Reserve program. You can find instructions for making security checkpoint reservations at airports in Canada and Europe on their respective websites and on the Clear Reserve site.
| Airport name | Airport code | Checkpoint reservation rules |
|---|---|---|
| Denver International Airport | DEN | Reservations for the DEN Reserve program can be made up to 3 days in advance and once you’re at the airport. Slots are available from 5:00 am to 5:00 pm for security screening at a dedicated lane at the West Security Checkpoint. |
| Los Angeles International Airport | LAX | The LAX Fast Lane program is operated at a dedicated TSA lane at the Terminal 7 checkpoint, which also serves Terminal 8. Reservations can be made up to 3 days in advance and when you are at the airport. Slots are available from 5:00 am to 1:00 pm. |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport | MSP | The MSP Reserve Program is available for passengers with flights leaving from Terminal 2. Reservations can be made up to seven days before your flight or when you arrive at the airport. Slots are available from 3:45 am to 8:00 am and from noon to 4:00 pm. |
| John F. Kennedy International Airport | JFK | JFK T4 Reserve is available in Terminal 4 for reservations up to 72 hours in advance. Appointments slots are available from 5:00 am to 10:00 am and from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm. |
| Newark Liberty International Airport | EWR | The reservations in the Newark Reserve program (formerly the EWR VirtuaLine) can be made up to 72 hours before a flight or when you are in the terminal for flight departing from Terminal B, Gates 40 to 47, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. (Certain Alaska and Spirit Airlines flights are not eligible). |
| Orlando International Airport’s (MCO) | MCO | MCO Reserve is available in Terminals A, B and C. Reservations can be made up to 72 hours in advance or when you are in the terminal. Available screening times stretch from 5:00 am to 5:00 pm. |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | PHX | PHX Reserve is offered at Terminals 3 and 4. Reservations can be made up to six days before a flight and when you are in the terminal. Available appointment times are from 4:00 am to 11:00 am in Terminal 3 and from 5:30 am to 11:00 am in Terminal 4 (Checkpoint D). |
| Seattle Tacoma International Airport | SEA | The reservations for the SEA Spot Saver program up to five days in advance and when you are in the terminal. Slots are available from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm. Appointments from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm can be used at designated lanes at checkpoints 2, 3, and 5. If you have an appointment between 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, you’ll enter the terminal via Checkpoint 3. |
Conclusion
For individuals without paid membership programs like TSA PreCheck or CLEAR Plus, the free Reserve Powered by Clear program (also referred to as Clear Reserve) is a fantastic resource for avoiding lengthy security lines at participating airports. While having a checkpoint reservation may not eliminate all the stress of airport security, it can certainly ease the process on busy travel days.
How this guide was crafted
As a seasoned travel journalist, I’m one of those unique individuals who genuinely enjoys spending time in airports, viewing them as contemporary crossroads where the drama, monotony, hope, and thrill of travel come together. This guide is based on insights and experiences gained from my own travels, extensive study of airport operations, and several enlightening TSA officer training sessions. I rely on Clear Reserve when TSA Precheck lines get too lengthy—it's my hidden advantage for smoother security.
Evaluation :
5/5