Is Clear Worth It? Compare Clear Vs. TSA PreCheck

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Both consumer American Express Platinum Card and American Express Business Platinum Card offer annual $189 CLEAR credit, which is enough to cover CLEAR’s annual membership fees. 
Therefore, it’s worth looking at this program and comparing it to the TSA PreCheck program. 
Compare CLEAR Vs. TSA PreCheck
CLEAR

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    What is CLEAR? 

    Similar to TSA PreCheck and Global Entry (GE), CLEAR is another security program that allows you to go through airport security fast using touchless biometrics such as your eyes, face, and fingerprints technology. 
    In addition, CLEAR currently also supports expedited security screenings at select stadiums for sporting events. The program is privately owned and is SAFETY Act Certified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which owns the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry (GE) programs. 

    What’s the difference between CLEAR and TSA PreCheck? 

    When it comes to airport security nowadays, you go through two steps before going to your gate to board your flight: 
    • Step 1: Identification verification.
    • Step 2: Security screening.
    For the first step, if you do not have CLEAR, go through either PreCheck or non-PreCheck lane with a TSA agent to inspect your ID and/or boarding pass. However, if you have CLEAR, you have a separate lane where you use your biometric information, such as your eyes, face, and fingerprints, at a CLEAR kiosk without interacting with a TSA agent. 
    Once your biometrics are verified through CLEAR touchless technology at the kiosk, you will be directed by a CLEAR representative to proceed to the second step which is the typical airport security screening. At that time, if you also have TSA PreCheck, you will be taken directly to the PreCheck line where you put your carry-on suitcase through the security screening process without taking off your jackets, shoes, belts, liquids, or electronic devices such as your laptop out of your suitcase. If you do not have TSA PreCheck, you are escorted by the CLEAR agent to the non-TSA PreCheck screening by skipping the queues and getting to the front of the screening line. It’s time-saving!
    Therefore, CLEAR and TSA PreCheck are not the same. CLEAR is not an expedited airport security program to replace or substitute the TSA PreCheck program by any means. In fact, CLEAR goes together with PreCheck to expedite the ID verification process without interacting with or waiting for a TSA personnel to check your identification. In other words, CLEAR can get you to the front of otherwise long PreCheck ID verification lines at busy airports such as Atlanta ATL or New York JFK airports.
    Moreover, the PreCheck lane is not always guaranteed access every time and sometimes you may be flying with airlines that do not participate in PreCheck, but CLEAR is always accessible and works with any carrier for CLEAR members. 
    Another distinction between TSA PreCheck and CLEAR is that CLEAR currently supports venues other than just airport locations. CLEAR also provides fast security screening at select stadiums for sporting events with CLEAR lanes.

    Is CLEAR still partnered with Hertz?

    [Expired]
    Unfortunately, CLEAR and Hertz Rent-a-Car have discontinued their partnership in the summer of 2020 due to Hertz’s bankruptcy during the COVID pandemic. Therefore, the Hertz Fast Lane Powered by CLEAR is no longer available. 
    You can find CLEAR in 50+ airports and sports stadiums in the United States. 

    CLEAR Airport Locations

    • Atlanta
      • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
    • Austin
      • Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
    • Baltimore
      • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
    • Birmingham
      • Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
    • Boise
      • Boise Airport (BOI)
    • Boston
      • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
    • Chicago
      • O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
      • Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
    • Cincinnati
      • Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
    • Cleveland
      • Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
    • Dallas
      • Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
      • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
    • Denver
      • Denver International Airport (DEN)
    • Detroit
      • Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)
    • Fort Lauderdale
      • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
    • Houston
      • George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
      • William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
    • Las Vegas
      • McCarran International Airport (LAS)
    • Long Beach
      • Long Beach Airport (LGB)
    • Los Angeles
      • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
    • Miami
      • Miami International Airport (MIA)
    • Minneapolis
      • Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
    • Nashville
      • Nashville International Airport (BNA)
    • New Orleans
      • Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
    • New York
      • LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
      • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
      • Westchester County Airport (HPN)
    • Newark
      • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
    • Oakland
      • Oakland International Airport (OAK)
    • Oklahoma City
      • Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)
    • Orlando
      • Orlando International Airport (MCO)
    • Phoenix
      • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
    • Puerto Rico
      • Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
    • Raleigh
      • Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU)
    • Sacramento
      • Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
    • Salt Lake City
      • Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
    • San Antonio
      • San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
    • San Francisco
      • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
    • San Jose
      • Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
    • Seattle
      • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
    • St. Louis
      • St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
    • Washington DC.
      • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
      • Dulles International Airport (IAD)
    For the most up-to-date information on CLEAR airport locations, you can access it here

    CLEAR Sport Stadium Locations

    • Dallas
      • Globe Life Field
    • Denver
      • Coors Field
    • New York
      • Citi Field
      • Madison Square Garden
      • Yankee Stadium
    • San Antonio
      • AT&T Center
    • San Jose
      • Earthquake Stadium
    For the most up-to-date information on CLEAR sport stadium locations, you can access it here

    How to Get a Free or Discounted CLEAR Membership

    CLEAR annual membership costs $189 per year. However, you can receive a free or discounted CLEAR membership from the following:

    CLEAR Free or Discounted Membership Through Credit Cards

    • American Express Platinum Card offers annual $189 CLEAR membership statement credit.
    • American Express Business Platinum Card offers annual $189 CLEAR membership statement credit.
    • American Express Green Card offers annual $189 CLEAR membership discount statement credit
    • American Express Delta Air Lines Credit Cards members pay $149 annually for CLEAR membership.
    • United Airlines Credit Cards members pay $149 per year for CLEAR membership. 

    CLEAR Free or Discounted Membership Through Airlines 

    • Delta
      • Diamond Medallion Members receive complimentary annual CLEAR membership.
      • Platinum/Gold/Silver Medallion Members pay $149 annually for CLEAR membership. 
      • General Members pay $179 per year for CLEAR membership. 
      • Direct Link to the Offer
    • United
      • Premier 1K Members receive complimentary annual CLEAR membership. 
      • Premier Platinum/Gold/Silver members pay $149 yearly for CLEAR membership. 
      • MileagePlus members pay $179 per year for CLEAR membership. 
      • Direct Link to the Offer

    CLEAR Discounted Membership For Students

    • Students can receive CLEAR membership for only $60 per year for up to 4 years. 
    • You must have a valid school email address and a student ID.
    • Direct Link to the Offer

    CLEAR Discounted Membership For Military

    • America’s veterans and active duty military can receive CLEAR membership for only $90 annually.
    • Direct Link to the Offer

    CLEAR Discounted Membership For Government

    • Federal, State, and Local Government employees can receive CLEAR membership at a discounted rate. 
    • You must contact CLEAR member services for more information and how to get the discount. 
    • Direct Link to the Offer

    CLEAR Free Trial in 2023

    Does CLEAR Do A Background Check?

    Unlike TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (GE), CLEAR performs no background check other than your identity. CLEAR uses your biometric information such as your eyes and your face to verify who you say you are. There will be no questions that are related to your background or criminal history during your CLEAR enrollment process. CLEAR only asks you a few simple questions to verify your identity with your valid ID. 
    Simply put, CLEAR is just an identity verification system that verifies who you say you are and not someone pretending to be you. 

    Does CLEAR Work For International Flights?

    The CLEAR program is not open to International residents, and only U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are eligible for enrollment in CLEAR. 
    CLEAR is a security system that verifies identifications using biometric information before airport security screening (a.k.a TSA Security). Therefore, if you are a CLEAR member, you can use CLEAR to verify your ID, whether for domestic or International flights. It does not matter the airlines you are flying with or if you are flying internationally as long as there’s a CLEAR kiosk at the airport. 

    How to Enroll in CLEAR

    Unlike enrolling in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (GE), you do not need to schedule an appointment or go for an interview at an enrollment center. 
    Joining CLEAR is easy! 
    You must be a US citizen or a legal permanent resident 18 years of age and older. Children who are under 18 are not required to enroll in CLEAR and can use the CLEAR lane for free when traveling with a paid CLEAR family member. 
    You can start a CLEAR’s enrollment online to save time and then finish in-person ANYTIME at a CLEAR location to complete your enrollment by answering a few simple questions to verify your identity with your valid photo ID, payment methods, and your biometrics such as your fingerprints, eyes, and face, no appointment needed
    If you prefer, you can also do the entire enrollment process at any CLEAR location. But I recommend that you enroll in CLEAR online here to save you more time at the CLEAR kiosk to finalize your in-person enrollment. Once your enrollment is successful, you can start using the CLEAR security lane instantly. 
    CLEAR accepts the following photo identification documents:
    • US Driver’s License
    • US Passport
    • US Passport Card
    • US-issued Permanent Resident Card
    • State Issued ID
    • US Military ID
    • Global Entry Card
    Here’s how you’d enroll in CLEAR online:
    • Go to join CLEAR online
    • Provide details, such as your First Name, Last Name, Email Address, Zip Code, and Date of Birth. 
    • Click the Continue button. 
    • On the next screen, if you want to add a family, click the Add Family button. 
      • FYI, family members do not have to be related to you or reside with you. It can be a friend, a boyfriend/girlfriend, a colleague, etc. 
      • Children under 18 can simply tag along for free. No enrollment is needed.
    • If you have a promo code, enter it there. 
    • Provide your payment card and check the box I agree to CLEAR’s Terms & Conditions.
    • Finally, click on the Get CLEAR button. 
    • You should receive an email from CLEAR with the subject Your CLEAR Login Information. 
    • Click on the Create Your Account button in the email to create a password. Your CLEAR username is the email address that you enrolled in CLEAR with. 
    Once you are successfully logged into CLEAR with the credentials you just created, you should be able to manage your CLEAR account, such as auto-renewal setting, cancel your CLEAR membership, see when your CLEAR membership starts and ends, etc. 
    Keep in mind the following:
    • Your online CLEAR enrollment is not completed until you finalize your enrollment in person at a participating CLEAR location kiosk. 
    • Your CLEAR membership date starts when you enroll in CLEAR online, even though you have not completed your in-person enrollment yet. 
      • For example, if you enroll in CLEAR online on July 7, 2022, your CLEAR membership starts on July 7, 2022, and ends on July 7, 2023. 

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