Reasons to Consider TSA PreCheck and Clear — Plus How to Save on Both

With spring break and summer vacations approaching, travel is making a strong comeback.

Given this, it makes sense to look for ways to speed up airport security checks. Nobody wants to waste time in long lines, whether during busy travel seasons or throughout the year.

In the U.S., your two choices for quicker airport security are TSA PreCheck and Clear. Let’s explore these two programs.

Comparing TSA PreCheck and Clear

In general, Clear's biometric identity check allows you to reach the front of the security line quicker than TSA PreCheck. However, TSA PreCheck provides a faster, more seamless screening experience once your identity is confirmed by an agent.

You might think that having Clear allows you to use the TSA PreCheck lane for carry-on and personal screening, but that’s not true. This leads to the question: Why not explore getting both?

While neither program offers a free membership (details below), using the right credit card or having elite status with select airlines can greatly reduce, if not completely cover, the fees.

For instance, both the American Express® Green Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express provide an annual Clear Plus statement credit of up to $199 each calendar year to cover your membership fees. Keep in mind that enrollment is necessary for certain benefits.

To avoid confusion, it’s worth mentioning that Global Entry is another option for expedited security processing.

Global Entry enables preapproved, low-risk travelers to streamline their entry through U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival in the U.S. It assigns a "trusted traveler" number that also allows access to TSA PreCheck lines.

For the moment, let’s concentrate on TSA PreCheck and Clear, as they will expedite your passage through U.S. security lines.

The information regarding the American Express Green Card has been gathered independently by Dinogo. The card specifics on this page have not been verified or supplied by the card issuer.

TSA PreCheck

Introduced in 2013, TSA PreCheck allows travelers classified as low risk by the Transportation Security Administration to access dedicated security lines at airports. These travelers are not required to take off their shoes or belts, nor do they need to remove laptops or liquids from their bags. Typically, they are screened using traditional walk-through machines instead of full-body scanners.

Availability: The program has over 10 million members and collaborates with more than 80 airlines across over 200 airports. This means that travelers using participating airlines at these airports can utilize the exclusive PreCheck lanes.

In 2021, 97.6% of passengers without TSA PreCheck experienced wait times of less than 20 minutes at security checkpoints, while 96.2% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited, on average, less than five minutes in those dedicated lanes, according to TSA data.

Eligibility: To apply for TSA PreCheck, you need to be a U.S. citizen or a foreign national who meets specific citizenship and residency criteria. There are no age limits for applications, but children aged 12 and under can access PreCheck lanes when traveling with a parent or guardian who is a member. Teens aged 13-17 can also use TSA PreCheck on their own or with parents if their boarding pass shows the TSA PreCheck indicator.

Applying: To enroll in TSA PreCheck, you must complete an online application and pay a fee of $78. After your application receives conditional approval, you can set up an in-person appointment at one of the many enrollment centers across the country. This process involves a background check.

Upon approval, you will obtain a Known Traveler Number that you should include in your frequent flyer profiles to automatically link it to your flight reservations. Alternatively, you can manually add it during flight check-in.

Expiration and renewal: TSA PreCheck membership lasts for five years. You can renew your membership online up to six months before your current status expires. To renew, you only need to provide your name, date of birth, and KTN, though some individuals may need to renew in person at an enrollment center.

How to get PreCheck discounted or free: As mentioned earlier, many credit cards now offer a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck (or Global Entry) application fee as a benefit (up to $100), allowing you to apply and effectively receive reimbursement for the cost.

Some of the popular cards that offer this benefit include:

• The Platinum Card from American Express.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card.

Pros: There are numerous advantages to applying for TSA PreCheck, such as the extensive availability of TSA PreCheck lanes at hundreds of airports nationwide, the straightforward application process, and the fact that many credit cards provide a statement credit to cover the application fee.

Cons: Due to the program's popularity, TSA PreCheck lines can occasionally be longer than standard security lines. However, a few extra minutes of waiting might be worthwhile to avoid the hassle of removing clothing and using the scanner each time you fly. It's important to note that TSA PreCheck members are not guaranteed expedited security access on every flight and may be randomly selected for standard screening.

Clear

Next, let's take a look at Clear. You may have seen a line for Clear members at over 40 airports across the U.S. You can check out our comprehensive guide to Clear here, but let’s summarize its benefits and the application process.

Clear is a secure identity platform that gathers biometric information from its members, including fingerprint and iris scans. This data is then utilized to streamline the identity verification stage in the security screening process. Travelers enrolled in Clear can access a dedicated lane with special kiosks for this portion of the airport experience, avoiding the wait for a TSA agent to check their ID.

After your identity is verified, a Clear representative will guide you to the front of the line for security screening machines. If you are a TSA PreCheck member, you can proceed to the PreCheck lines without needing to remove your shoes, belt, or items from your carry-on. However, if you don’t have TSA PreCheck, you will need to use the standard screening lines, which is why you might want to consider signing up for both.

Availability: Clear is currently offered at 50 airports throughout the country, as well as many stadiums and arenas.

Eligibility: To sign up for Clear, you need to be a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident who is at least 18 years old. A valid form of unexpired ID is required, which can include a U.S. driver's license, a U.S. passport or passport card, a U.S.-issued Permanent Resident Card, a state-issued ID, a U.S. military ID, or a Global Entry card.

Applying: The enrollment process for Clear can take as little as five minutes. You can begin by registering online or complete the entire process in person with a Clear representative at designated kiosks in participating airports. This involves answering a few identifying questions, scanning your fingerprints and irises at one of the machines, taking a profile photo, and presenting your ID for another scan.

Once you’re a Clear member, you can add up to three family members for $60 each per year. Children under 18 can use Clear lanes for free when accompanied by a Clear member.

Expiration and renewal: Clear memberships are valid for one calendar year. You have the option to set up automatic renewal or cancel it before your renewal date by logging into your account online and adjusting your settings.

How to get it discounted or free: Clear membership costs $199 annually, but there are options available to lower this cost.

• Experience Clear for free for two months.
• Utilize your American Express Green Card or The Platinum Card from American Express to receive an annual statement credit of up to $199 when purchasing a Clear Plus membership.
• If you’re a member of Delta Air Lines or United Airlines, you can combine your card's statement credit with an additional discount. However, these discounts decreased on Feb. 1. Delta SkyMiles members can benefit from a reduced annual membership fee of $179. Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion members, as well as those with a Delta credit card such as the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, can access Clear for $149 per year. Delta Diamond Medallion elite members can enjoy Clear at no cost.

United has a comparable partnership with Clear.

• General MileagePlus members only need to pay $179 annually.
• Premier Silver, Gold, and Platinum elite members, as well as those with a United co-branded credit card like the United Explorer Card or United Club Infinite Card, can access Clear for $149 per year.
• Top-tier United Premier 1K elite members receive it for free.

Pros: Unlike TSA PreCheck, you won't be randomly denied access to the kiosks as an active Clear member. Additionally, you can use Clear kiosks even if you're not flying with an airline that participates in TSA PreCheck.

Cons: To use TSA PreCheck security screening, you need to enroll in that program separately. Joining Clear involves providing your biometric information.

Bottom line

TSA PreCheck has significantly reduced security wait times for millions of travelers, whether they signed up for the program or were occasionally allowed into the expedited security lanes. It remains an excellent option for frequent flyers looking to streamline their airport experience.

Clear takes this a step further by automating the identity verification process and allowing travelers to bypass regular lines to get to the front of security. However, unlike Global Entry, having Clear does not automatically grant you TSA PreCheck status, and it is offered at far fewer airports than TSA PreCheck.

While some travelers may not see the necessity of enrolling in both programs, those who frequently use airports with Clear will benefit from skipping the ID check line and potentially using PreCheck lanes, which allow them to keep their shoes and belongings on.

You can lower the costs associated with these programs by using credit cards that offer reimbursements for TSA PreCheck (or Global Entry) applications and Clear membership (a notable example is the Amex Platinum Card). Additionally, simply joining a frequent flyer program can significantly reduce Clear membership fees.