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Airports with CLEAR: Locations, information and more

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    Quick insights

    • CLEAR is a private company that provides a membership program designed to help expedite security screening in select public places.
    • A CLEAR Plus membership uses biometric screening and can allow travelers to access expedited airport security lanes.
    • CLEAR Lanes are available in participating airports in the U.S.

    CLEAR is a security company that can help expedite the airport security process for travelers. It offers a CLEAR Plus membership that travelers may find helpful when passing through airport security. But CLEAR Lanes aren’t available at every airport.

    Read on to learn more about CLEAR, its membership program and how and where you can use it.

    Introduction to CLEAR airport security

    CLEAR is a privately run company that helps its members expedite screening procedures at designated public places. CLEAR partners with specific businesses and facilities—like airports, stadiums and arenas—to offer this service to its members.

    Travelers need to enroll in CLEAR Plus to use this service. With a CLEAR Plus membership, travelers can use CLEAR kiosks with scanners at participating airports to verify their identity. The scanners—which use biometric data like fingerprints and retina scans—allow travelers to bypass security lines at the airport that check passengers' identification. Once your identity has been authenticated by the scan, a CLEAR ambassador may escort you to airport screening lanes to proceed as usual.

    Finding and using CLEAR Lanes at the airport

    Instead of waiting in the standard lines when you reach the airport, you go to a CLEAR kiosk. At the kiosk, your ID and boarding pass can be verified with biometrics through an iris and fingerprint scan. After verification, a CLEAR agent will typically escort you to the front of security.

    CLEAR Lane airport locations

    CLEAR Lanes are not available at every airport, but there are even some CLEAR locations in airports across the world. Many of the U.S.’s largest and busiest airports have CLEAR kiosks.

    Visit CLEAR’s website for a complete list of venues and airports where you can use CLEAR Plus.

    CLEAR vs. TSA PreCheck®

    CLEAR and TSA PreCheck are both airport security programs. One main difference between them is that CLEAR is a private company, while TSA PreCheck is a government-run Trusted Traveler Program (TTP). There may be reasons why you’d consider getting CLEAR, TSA PreCheck or both.

    Security screening

    TSA PreCheck can provide an expedited security screening process at the airport for low-risk travelers. Those with TSA PreCheck status can use designated security screening lanes at select airports. Travelers in those lanes typically do not need to remove shoes, belts and light jackets during physical airport screening.

    As mentioned above, a CLEAR Plus membership can help expedite the identification verification portion of airport screening. TSA PreCheck may provide an expedited physical security screening experience. Travelers who are part of both programs can have the identification confirmed at a CLEAR kiosk and then can head to the TSA PreCheck security screening lanes. For that reason, some travelers may consider getting both.

    Registration

    Both programs require registration, and registration for these programs looks a little different:

    • TSA PreCheck: Travelers need to apply and pay an application fee, submit the required documentation and have an in-person meeting with a TSA agent. Applicants also need to pass a background check.
    • CLEAR: CLEAR Plus has a yearly fee and is open to anyone 18 or older with a valid government-issued ID. There is no background check.

    Cost

    TSA PreCheck requires an application fee, and CLEAR Plus has an annual membership fee. Travelers may register for TSA PreCheck through CLEAR Plus. If you purchase a CLEAR Plus membership, you can choose to bundle it with TSA PreCheck for a potential discount.

    Some travel credit cards may reimburse the cost of your application fee for TSA PreCheck and other TTPs, but typically not CLEAR Plus.

    In summary

    A CLEAR Plus membership is one of the few security screening programs in the U.S. that is run by a private company. It also is one of the only security programs that can give you expedited entry into events as well as potentially save you time at the airport.

    CLEAR Plus memberships are valid for one year, whereas other traveler programs, like TSA PreCheck, are valid for several years. Those wanting to enroll in CLEAR Plus can do so at the airport or online.

    Looking for a credit card to help expedite the security screening process during your travels? The Chase Sapphire Reserve® credit card offers application fee reimbursement for TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry and NEXUS. Note that the card has an annual fee.

    Find a credit card

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