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CLEAR Airport Guide

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Tony Hanseder
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CLEAR Airport Security Guide

I know I'm not alone on this, but I HATE waiting in lines. One of the most frustrating aspects of air travel is waiting in airport security lines. When you leave for the airport, unless there’s an accident or some other delay, you know how long it will take you to get there. Unfortunately, this is not the case for getting through airport security. It can take just a few minutes in an empty airport or over an hour during busy times. Or you can be stuck behind a family of first‑time flyers who manage to break every golden rule possible.

So, how do you get through security faster? The answer is CLEAR®—specifically a CLEAR+ membership. Available in most major U.S. airports, CLEAR+ uses your face to verify your identity at airport security, helping you get to your gate faster across CLEAR’s nationwide network. This article provides more details about CLEAR+, how it works, how you can join, and why it might just be the travel hack you’ve been looking for.

Clear Ambassador assisting a traveler at airport security checkpoint

CLEAR Enrollment and Fees

To get a CLEAR+ membership, you must be:

  • A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident; and
  • Over 18 years of age.

The annual price of an individual CLEAR+ membership is $199. However, you can get 2 months of free membership via iFly.com. Simply enroll online in minutes, then finish at any CLEAR location—no appointment needed.

If you’re a frequent traveler, CLEAR+ also offers family plans. You can add up to three adult family members to your account for $119 each per year. Plus, children under 18 can use the CLEAR Lane for free when accompanied by a CLEAR+ member, making family travel smoother.

How CLEAR+ Works at the Airport

CLEAR+ subscribers can proceed to the security checkpoint and go straight to the CLEAR+ kiosks, where they will be met by a CLEAR Ambassador. The Ambassador will ask for a boarding pass and assist during the biometric scan. Afterward, the Ambassador will escort the traveler directly to the TSA line (either the standard line or the TSA PreCheck line), where the TSA Agent will only require a boarding pass. The rest of the process is the same, including a luggage scan and metal detector and/or body scan.

The beauty of CLEAR+ is that it bypasses the need for traditional ID verification at TSA checkpoints. I remember the first time I used CLEAR+ at LAX—I was in awe of how much time it saved me. Gone were the days of fumbling through my wallet for my driver’s license while juggling my luggage and shoes. With CLEAR, a quick scan of my eyes, and I was off to the TSA line in no time.

CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck: A Great Combo!

TSA PreCheck AND CLEAR+ make a great combination if you subscribe to both. You can think of it this way: CLEAR speeds up the process of identification, and TSA PreCheck (aka TSA Pre) speeds up the physical process of going through security.

According to the TSA, air travel volumes in airports are close to “normal” levels, and more and more people are discovering TSA PreCheck. That means even with this credential, you could still be waiting longer than expected. However, having both CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck will speed up the entire process in several ways. Aside from a dedicated line, you also get the benefit of not having to take your shoes off (which we think is kinda gross)!

From my experience, combining CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck is the ultimate hack for hassle-free travel. On one of my trips through JFK, I breezed through security in less than 5 minutes—an experience that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

Learn more about TSA PreCheck and how to enroll.

Clear line icon on a transparent background

CLEAR+ Airports

More U.S. airports are adopting the service over time as the CLEAR+ program becomes more popular. Here’s an up-to-date list of current CLEAR+ Airport locations (sorted by Airport FAA Code):

CLEAR+ At Major Venues

The same biometric technology that moves travelers through airport security now lets fans breeze into some of the busiest stadiums and arenas in the country. Just open the free CLEAR app, show the on‑screen QR code at the dedicated lane, and you’re inside—no paid membership required.

Current locations include:

  • New York City: Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center
  • Washington, D.C.: Nationals Park, Capital One Arena
  • San Francisco Bay Area: Oracle Park, Chase Center
  • Los Angeles: BMO Stadium
  • Las Vegas: Allegiant Stadium, T‑Mobile Arena
  • Seattle: Lumen Field
  • Denver: Ball Arena, Coors Field
  • Miami: Kaseya Center
  • Atlanta: State Farm Arena
  • San Jose: SAP Center

Entry through these lanes is free for anyone who has set up a basic CLEAR+ account, and each member can bring one adult guest; children under 18 simply walk through with you. The company continues to add new venues, so check the “Sports & Events” section of the CLEAR app before your next game or concert.

Whether you’re catching a flight or catching a foul ball, the service offers the same fast, touchless identity check—so you spend less time in line and more time enjoying the action.

FAQ: CLEAR+ Airport Security Guide

CLEAR+ is a biometric identity‑verification membership that uses your face, eyes, or fingerprints to confirm who you are, letting you bypass the manual ID check and move directly to TSA screening.
The standard rate is $199 per year, and iFly.com readers can still start with a two‑month free trial before the annual fee is charged.
U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents who are at least 18 years old and possess a valid government‑issued photo ID can enroll.
Start online or in the CLEAR app, then finish at any airport enrollment pod with your photo ID—no appointment needed and the process takes only a few minutes.
Yes, you can add up to three adults for $119 each per year, and kids 17 and under use the lane free when accompanied by you.
Scan your boarding pass, verify your identity at the CLEAR Pod, and a CLEAR Ambassador escorts you to the front of the TSA line, eliminating the ID check and saving minutes every trip.
CLEAR+ speeds up identity verification while PreCheck accelerates physical screening; bundling them gives you the quickest, most convenient route to the gate and a discounted first‑year price when you enroll together.
CLEAR+ operates more than 150 lanes at 59 U.S. airports, including ATL, LAX, JFK, ORD, DEN, SEA, MIA, and SFO, with new locations added regularly.
Yes—free entry lanes are offered at major stadiums and arenas such as Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, Lumen Field, Chase Center, and Allegiant Stadium, among others.
By replacing the manual ID check with a quick, touch‑free biometric scan, CLEAR+ reduces wait times and streamlines the checkpoint so you spend less time in line and more time on your way.  

Find more help here for your journey through the airport