CLEAR works at security checkpoints whether or not you have TSA PreCheck, but the two programs serve different purposes and work together differently depending on which one you hold.
CLEAR is a separate paid service that uses biometric scanning (your eyes and fingerprints) to verify your identity at the airport. It lets you skip the ID-check line entirely and go straight to the security screening area. You do not need TSA PreCheck to use CLEAR — the two programs are independent.
However, what happens after you use CLEAR depends on whether you also have PreCheck. If you have only CLEAR and no PreCheck, you will still go through standard security screening, which includes removing your shoes, belt, and jacket, and taking out your laptop and liquids. If you have both CLEAR and PreCheck, you move through the expedited screening lane after CLEAR verifies your identity, which means you can keep shoes and light jackets on and leave your laptop in your bag.
Key Takeaways
- CLEAR alone gets you past the ID-check line but does not exempt you from standard security screening rules.
- CLEAR combined with TSA PreCheck gives you the fastest path through security: biometric ID verification plus expedited screening.
- CLEAR costs around $189 per year for one person, while TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years.
- You can use CLEAR at most major U.S. airports, but availability varies by airport and time of day.
- CLEAR membership includes one free PreCheck process or renewal, which makes bundling the two programs more affordable.
How CLEAR works without PreCheck
When you arrive at the airport with only a CLEAR membership, you head to the CLEAR kiosk in the security area. A CLEAR representative scans your iris and fingerprints to confirm your identity. This process takes about 30 seconds. Once verified, you bypass the standard ID-check line and move directly to the security screening checkpoint.
At the screening checkpoint itself, you follow all standard rules: remove your shoes, belt, and jacket; take out your laptop, tablet, and liquids bag; and place everything in a bin. TSA officers screen you the same way they screen anyone without PreCheck. The only advantage CLEAR gave you was skipping the line where TSA agents check your boarding pass and ID.
This matters most during peak travel times — early morning, late afternoon, and holidays — when the ID-check line can be 20 to 30 minutes long. CLEAR eliminates that wait. During quiet hours, the ID-check line may be short enough that CLEAR saves you only a few minutes.
The difference when you add PreCheck to CLEAR
If you hold both CLEAR and TSA PreCheck, the two programs work in sequence. CLEAR gets you through identity verification, and then PreCheck gets you into the expedited screening lane. In the expedited lane, you can leave your shoes, socks, and light jacket on. Your laptop and liquids stay in your carry-on bag. You move through the metal detector (or advanced imaging technology scanner) faster because TSA officers screen fewer items and ask fewer questions.
The combination is the fastest legal way through airport security. Most travelers with both programs report total security times of 5 to 10 minutes, compared to 20 to 45 minutes for standard screening during busy periods.
CLEAR membership includes one free TSA PreCheck process or renewal, which reduces the total cost of having both. If you are considering both programs, buying CLEAR first and using the included PreCheck benefit is usually the most affordable route.
Which airports have CLEAR
CLEAR operates at most major U.S. airports, but not all. The program is available at airports in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Denver, San Francisco, Boston, Miami, and Las Vegas. Smaller regional airports may not have CLEAR kiosks.
Before buying CLEAR, check the CLEAR website or app to confirm it is available at the airports you use most often. If you travel primarily through one or two airports, CLEAR is more valuable. If you fly through many different smaller airports, you may use it less frequently.
CLEAR availability can also vary by time of day. Some airports staff CLEAR kiosks only during peak travel hours, so an early morning or late-night flight might not have CLEAR service available.
Cost comparison: CLEAR alone versus CLEAR plus PreCheck
| Program | Cost | Duration | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLEAR only | Around $189 per year | 12 months | Skip ID-check line; standard security screening |
| TSA PreCheck only | $78–$85 | 5 years | Expedited screening; standard ID-check line |
| CLEAR + PreCheck (using CLEAR's free benefit) | Around $189 per year for CLEAR | CLEAR: 12 months; PreCheck: 5 years | Skip ID-check line; expedited screening |
| CLEAR + PreCheck (buying both separately) | Around $267–$274 per year | CLEAR: 12 months; PreCheck: 5 years | Skip ID-check line; expedited screening |
CLEAR renews annually, so you pay the membership fee every year. TSA PreCheck is valid for five years, so you pay once and do not renew until the five years are up. If you use CLEAR's included PreCheck benefit, you get five years of PreCheck for the price of one year of CLEAR.
When CLEAR alone makes sense
CLEAR without PreCheck is worth buying if you travel frequently through airports where CLEAR is available and you want to skip the ID-check line, but you do not mind standard security screening. This is useful if you travel light (no laptop, no liquids) and do not mind removing your shoes and jacket.
CLEAR alone also makes sense if you already have PreCheck but want to renew only CLEAR. Some travelers renew PreCheck through CLEAR's membership, while others renew PreCheck directly through the TSA and keep CLEAR separate.
Business travelers who fly multiple times per month often find CLEAR worth the cost on its own, because the time saved on the ID-check line adds up across many trips. Occasional leisure travelers may find the annual cost harder to justify unless they also get PreCheck.
How to sign up for CLEAR
You can sign up for CLEAR online through the CLEAR website or through the CLEAR mobile app. You will need a valid government-issued ID, your date of birth, and your email address. During signup, you schedule an appointment at a CLEAR kiosk at your nearest airport to complete the biometric scan (iris and fingerprints).
The appointment usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. After the scan is complete, your CLEAR membership is active when ready, and you can use it at any CLEAR-equipped airport. You receive a CLEAR card and can also use the CLEAR app to access your membership at security checkpoints.
If you want to add the free TSA PreCheck benefit, you can do that during CLEAR signup or afterward through your CLEAR account. The PreCheck process is submitted to the TSA, and approval typically takes one to two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use CLEAR if I do not have a TSA PreCheck card?
Yes. CLEAR and PreCheck are separate programs. CLEAR verifies your identity through biometrics and lets you skip the ID-check line. You will still go through standard security screening unless you also have PreCheck. Many travelers use CLEAR alone and never get PreCheck.
Do I need a passport to use CLEAR?
No. CLEAR works with any valid government-issued ID, including a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You do not need a passport specifically. You will need whichever ID you plan to use at the airport when you sign up for CLEAR, because the biometric scan is linked to that ID.
What if the CLEAR line is longer than the regular ID-check line?
This happens occasionally during very busy travel periods when CLEAR has more members than kiosk capacity. If the CLEAR line is longer, you can choose to use the standard ID-check line instead. CLEAR membership does not force you to use CLEAR every time.
Can I use CLEAR at international airports?
CLEAR works at U.S. airports for domestic and international departures. It does not work at foreign airports. When you return to the U.S., you go through standard customs and immigration screening, and CLEAR does not explore to that process.
Does CLEAR work for family members on my account?
No. Each person needs their own CLEAR membership. CLEAR offers family plans at a discount, but each family member must have their own biometric enrollment and CLEAR card. Children as young as two can enroll in CLEAR.