Traveling could be quite a hassle especially when you think about all the things that you have to go through once you arrive at the airport. One of the most tedious process is going through security. These are the common lines that we, as travelers, go through at the airport:
a. Regular TSA line – for those who are not TSA Precheck approved, they have to go through a regular line where most of the travelers line up. This line tends to be very long and is a hassle when you are trying to catch a flight. A TSA agent is waiting for you at the end of that line. The agent will check your boarding pass and ID. Once your ID and boarding pass are checked, you go through the line to scan your personal items, remove your shoes, laptop, jackets, liquids, cell phones, etc.
- Cost to you: FREE
b. TSA Precheck Line – this line is for those who went through the TSA Precheck approval process, or for those who applied for Global Entry and once approved, they also become TSA Precheck approved. In general, these travelers can speed through security without removing shoes, laptops, and jackets. The TSA Precheck lines are usually much shorter than the non-TSA Precheck lines.
- Cost to you: $85 for a 5-year membership, or if you apply for Global Entry, the cost is $100, which also includes free TSA Precheck approval.
As of recently, CLEAR came into play. I’ve never really looked into getting CLEAR since my family (there are six travelers in my party) are all Global Entry/TSA Precheck approved. But I saw this deal. CLEAR is offering a 3 Month Free Trial Subscription. Use the promo code, SHARETHELOVE, upon sign-up. That perked my interest and this is what I found out.
Image courtesy of CLEARME.com
What is CLEAR?
CLEAR‘s selling factor is to automate the identity process, a frictionless process. Without CLEAR, before you go through security screening, you still have to wait in line to get yourself identified/verified. For domestic travelers, you have to present your boarding pass (paper or from an app), and show proof of ID, wait for the TSA agent to check all the info, and then you move to the next phase – physical screening.
Clear kiosks. Ic
How does CLEAR work?
With CLEAR, you bypass the physical ID check with the TSA agent. There is a separate CLEAR lane where you go to a CLEAR kiosk, you tap your finger to verify yourself, or scan with your eyes and facial features. The system checks that you are who you are.
Image courtesy of ClearMeVideo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csPOimz5FZ4
Once verified, you’re cleared. It is then at that point that you go through the physical screening process. As we all know, everyone goes through the physical screening process – regular passengers with no TSA Precheck approval, passengers with TSA Precheck approval, and CLEAR members – all have to go through physical screening. If you are TSA Precheck approved and are a CLEAR member, when you’re at the physical screening, you skip removing your laptop, shoes, and jacket.
Image courtesy of CLEARME.com
NOTE: CLEAR technology is also available in quite a few sports stadiums in the US giving fans easy, secure access when attending a sporting event.
Where is CLEAR available? How do I apply?
- Start the application online via CLEARME.com. Go through your basic information and payment information
- Complete the application by going to the following locations where CLEAR is available for you to use (airports and sports stadiums in the US):
- Atlanta – ATL
- Austin – AUS
- Baltimore – BWI
- Dallas – DFW and DAL
- Denver – DEN and Coors Field
- Detroit – DTW and Comerica Park
- Houston – IAH and HOU
- Las Vegas – LAS
- Los Angeles – LAX
- Miami – MIA, Marlins Park, and American Airlines Arena
- Minneapolis – MSP
- New York – HPN, LGA, JFK, Yankee Stadium, and Citi Field
- Orlando – MCO
- Salt Lake – SLC
- San Antonio – SAT
- San Francisco – SFO
- San Jose – SJC
- Seattle – SEA
- Washington DC – IAD and DCA
- An agent from CLEAR will assist you with getting you set-up
- Once you have your fingerprints and iris image scanned, and approved, you’re good to go. You can use your CLEAR membership right away.
How much is a CLEAR membership?
- $15 per month; or
- Annual Standard Membership – $179, kids under 18 are free
How to get CLEAR for free for 3 months
- Go to Clearme.com, and click “Get Clear”
- Enter your personal information
- Go tp Plan & Payment page and search for the Promo Code box
- Enter SHARETHELOVE into the Promo Field, click Appkly
- During the 3 month trial membership, your total is zero
Just to be CLEAR
- When traveling – no need for ID check with CLEAR members
- Go to a CLEAR kiosk, scan your boarding pass, tap of finger
- You are ushered to standard or TSA precheck screening
- Speed thru security
- You can apply online or the listed sites above, with no appointmentt needed
- You can use your CLEAR membership immediately after approval
I have a couple of big trips coming up with my family in March and April, and I am really interested in just seeing how this works. With the free 3-month trial membership, why not give it a try? Free is free. It might be worth a try if you have an upcoming trip. As far as monthly or annual membership, for the occasional traveler, getting CLEAR may not be that worth it, but for those who travel quite often, those who are always on the go, those who jump from meetings then rush to the airport, this might be an effective solution to help you bypass the typical long wait at security.
What about you? Have you tried using CLEAR? What has been your experience? What do you like or not like about it?
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
I fly through DCA a lot and I see the CLEAR kiosks, but I have precheck already and from what I’ve seen, CLEAR is about 2 minutes faster than the prececk line. I just can’t see laying $15/month to save 2 minutes (at most I travel 4x a month)
I think it will all vary on a case by case basis. For me, I don’t travel on business anymore. I did so a few years ago. All of my trips these past 2 years have been personal trips. I’m probably not the best candidate which is why seeing the free 3-months trial might be worth it for me just to give it a try. I also read somewhere that as of Jan 2017, they had 700,000 members, so it’s gotta be a special niche, the ones who really don’t have the time, and/or the ones who could probably use this perk as a business expense.
Tell me more …. about your …. KICKBACKS?
Huh?
Interesting item about Clear. I was traveling back from Orlando this past Monday. As I was about to get to TSA pre check agent a Clear agent walked a passenger up along side and by passed the pre check line. I didn’t say anything as the line was very quick but I wondered why they got preferential treatment
I noticed that too. It wasn’t until this week when I learned more about CLEAR. I’ll keep my eyes open to see how far this goes. Knowing that they’ve also ventured to including sports stadiums, they must’ve found a niche that values their time of bypassing the long security checks.
Careful though — generally those 3-month free trials automatically bill your card when the 3 months is over. And the 3 months start at day of online enrollment, not when you first use it.
If you like CLEAR note it is heavily discounted if you are a Delta Skymiles member ($99, $79 or free, depending upon status.)
Thank you and good point. When trying these free trials without the intention of actually keeping it beyond the trial period, better make sure to cancel, or know how to cancel BEFORE taking the plunge.
Washington DC – IAH and DCA
should probably be IAD and DCA
Thank you…edited to reflect IAD…..thanks again!
Question – when I sign up for Clear using a promotional free trial period, am I able to benefit from this immediately, or do I have to complete the registration at an airport and then wait for a physical card to be mailed to me before I can use the clear lane? Also, is clear for anyone or does someone also need TSA Precheck? I just remember how we had to go through an interview process when we got PreCheck (which expires in January) but Clear seems so simple, which is honestly a little unsettling.