How To Skip the Airport Security Line Every Time You Fly

TSA PreCheck costs $78–$85 for five years and gets you shorter lines where liquids and laptops stay packed. It's a solid value, but millions of travelers have it now, so those expedited lines still back up during busy periods.

CLEAR takes a different approach. You scan your face or fingerprints at a kiosk, then a representative walks you to the front of security screening. If you have TSA PreCheck, you go to the front of that line where you can keep laptops and liquids in your bag. Without PreCheck, you skip to the front of the regular line where you'll need to remove electronics and liquids.

The key difference: CLEAR eliminates the ID check wait. You're not hoping the line moves fast, you're skipping it.

Basically, you don’t have to worry about how long the security line is going to be. You can leave home (or your accommodation) knowing that you just need to allow enough time to check-in, drop bags (if needed), and go straight to the front of the security line.

Given CLEAR is significantly more expensive than TSA PreCheck, this program is best suited to frequent travelers.

CLEAR operates at 58 airports across the U.S., covering nearly all major hubs—Atlanta, LAX, JFK, O'Hare, Denver. Charlotte is the notable exception among the top 20 busiest airports.

Check the CLEAR locations page to confirm it's at your home airport and verify operating hours. Some lanes close by early evening, which matters for late flights.

Beyond airports, CLEAR works at sports stadiums and entertainment venues.

Standard price: $209 per year. But you shouldn't pay that.

You can add up to three adults for $125 each. Children under 18 go through CLEAR lanes free when traveling with you.

TSA PreCheck costs $78 for five years by comparison, so CLEAR's annual fee adds up. Which is why getting it discounted or free matters.

Through Credit Cards

These cards cover the full $209 membership with an annual statement credit:

• American Express Platinum Card
• American Express Business Platinum Card
• American Express Green Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

If you already carry one, you're set. If not, weigh the card's annual fee against its total benefits.

Through Airline Status

Delta and United offer discounts based on frequent flyer status:

• Free: Delta Diamond Medallion, Delta 360°, United Global Services
• $169/year: Silver, Gold, or Platinum status with Delta or United
• $199/year: Basic Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus members (free to join)

The basic membership discount saves you just $10—better than nothing, but not game-changing.

Through Your Employer

Some companies offer CLEAR as a corporate benefit. Check with HR if you travel frequently for work.

1. Start your application at clearme.com
2. Stop at a CLEAR kiosk next time you're at the airport (no appointment needed)
3. Bring your driver's license or passport
4. A representative takes your photo and fingerprints
5. Pay the fee or provide your eligible credit card

Your membership activates immediately.

Depends on how often you fly and where.

CLEAR makes sense if you:

• Fly multiple times per month from busy airports
• Get it free through a credit card or top-tier airline status
• Already have TSA PreCheck (the combination is genuinely fastest)

Skip it if you:

• Fly just a few times per year
• Mainly use smaller airports with short security waits
• Don't have elite status or an eligible credit card

At major airports during peak times, CLEAR can save 20–30 minutes. At smaller airports or off-peak hours, maybe five minutes. Frequent travelers often value the predictability more than the time savings—knowing they can show up later without sweating security lines.

If you fly often enough that airport security stresses you out, CLEAR solves that problem. The $209 annual price makes it a tough sell, but the free options through premium credit cards make it worthwhile for frequent travelers. Add TSA PreCheck and you've got the fastest route through security available.

For occasional flyers, stick with TSA PreCheck. For everyone else, check if you already have CLEAR access through an existing credit card—you might be leaving time on the table.