When to Pay for a Clean TSA PreCheck
In airports crowded with travelers, you might consider subscribing to the TSA PreCheck Expedited Security Program . But what about Clear , a private line skip service? It is more expensive and works a little differently, but it also moves faster through the queues. In fact, subscribing to both of these additional services is the best way to avoid queues, especially if you travel frequently to spend money.
How TSA PreCheck works
TSA PreCheck offers a separate, shorter queue through airport security (usually five minutes or less) maintained by the US Department of Homeland Security. To use this line, you apply online or in person to register as a “trusted traveler,” which gives you pre-approval to go through security faster. In addition to shorter lines, with a PreCheck Membership, you don’t have to remove your shoes or belt, or TSA-approved laptops or liquids from your carry-on baggage. Available at 200 domestic airports, TSA PreCheck costs $ 85 and your TSA PreCheck registration status remains valid for five years.
How Clear works
Like TSA PreCheck, Clear offers a separate, shorter queue through airport security, although it also works for events in stadiums or other concert or sports venues, and has the ability to share your COVID-19 vaccination status. Although it is a private service, it operates with approval from the Department of Homeland Security. Like TSA’s PreCheck program, registration is a two-step process, online and in person, although Clear requires a scan of your eyes, face, and fingerprints.
The advantage of using this biometric is that you can verify your identity at the kiosk at the beginning of the line, which means that the TSA does not need to verify your boarding pass and photo ID. Clear is available at over 50 airports and other locations in the United States, and an annual subscription will set you back $ 179 per year or $ 15 per month, which is much more expensive than PreCheck.
What is the best skip-the-line service?
Since Clear and TSA PreCheck offer two separate lines to choose from, flexibility is not so much a question of “best”. PreCheck has 10 million members compared to Clear’s 1.5 million members, which means PreCheck is more likely to have longer queues (this happens especially during peak hours). This means that Clear can be a good fallback if TSA PreCheck is busy or unavailable, and vice versa.
However, at $ 15 a month, Clear is much more expensive than PreCheck, although it does have some additional benefits:
- It can be used for other sites.
- Unlike PreCheck, you won’t be randomly selected for additional security checks.
- Unlike PreCheck, Clear works for all airlines as long as it is available at a specific airport.
Bottom line
In this case, two services are better than one – whether the extra $ 15 / month for Clear pays off depending on your aversion to queues and how often you travel. If you are not part of the summer, but still want to avoid the queues, you must subscribe to the TSA PreCheck, as it is much cheaper and available in more airports.
Before signing up for Clear or PreCheck, make sure they are actually available at your local airport ( here and here , respectively), as this will affect whether or not the program is worth it. Also consider paying for these services using your existing travel reward credit card benefit as many offer free TSA PreCheck memberships and, to a lesser extent, Clear.