TSA PreCheck vs. Clear: Which Should You Choose?

Everything you need to know before applying for TSA PreCheck and Clear.

Before boarding an airplane, airport security takes you on a journey: First, you'll have to find the right line, then show your ID, take out your laptop, and remove your shoes. It’s poetic in a perverse way that these often-confusing airport security rules are simplified and sped up by two similarly bewildering programs, TSA PreCheck and Clear, which each have dedicated queues and reasons for existence. But what are those reasons, and which one is best?

Here's what it all boils down to. There are two primary components of airport security: ID verification and luggage-and-body screening. Clear speeds up the former, and TSA PreCheck speeds up the latter. As for how they both work, let’s dig in.

What is TSA PreCheck?

Run by the government’s Transportation Security Administration, TSA PreCheck aims to quickly get you and your belongings through security at over 200 U.S. airports. More than 85 airlines participate, and they will indicate TSA PreCheck on your boarding pass, which grants you access to the dedicated lane. Once a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) verifies your ID, you can leave your shoes, belt, and jacket on, and keep your laptop and liquids in your carry-on luggage. You can also walk through a metal detector rather than the full-body scanner.

The program doesn’t guarantee you’ll get through security faster, and, indeed, so many people are now clued into TSA PreCheck that the line can sometimes be as long as (or even longer) than the general public queue. But generally, you’ll have a smoother experience than if you had nothing.

What is Clear?

Clear is a private membership program that expedites document and identity screening. Currently available at more than 50 U.S. airports, Clear Plus allows you to quickly verify your identity at biometric security kiosks using fingerprints and eye scans. When your ID is confirmed, a Clear representative escorts you directly to the luggage and body scanner line, allowing you to skip past everyone waiting for an agent to check their physical IDs.

The service isn't limited to airports either. You can also bypass parts of security at select U.S. stadiums and arenas such as Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden by using Clear kiosks, so sports and music fans might find this perk compelling. Additional features let you skip the line and go straight to your rental car at certain Avis locations, and reserve a spot in a security line in select domestic and international airports.

How much do TSA PreCheck and Clear cost?

TSA PreCheck costs $78 every five years, and is automatically included with Global Entry membership, though that's another program entirely. Clear Plus, which you'll need to enroll in to use at the airport, costs $189 per year, while the general Clear service is free to use at stadiums and arenas around the U.S. once you sign up for a free membership and download the app. Children ages 17 and under are allowed to join you in the Clear Plus line; for an extra $70 per person, you can add access for up to three more adults, whether they're family members or friends.

If you're a member of the U.S. military or a U.S. government employee, Clear discounts may be available. Some travel rewards credit cards offer access to one or both programs for free (they'll usually provide you with a credit to cover the membership fees), so look into your perks to see if they tip the scale one way or the other.

Do you need TSA PreCheck if you have Clear?

If you want to keep your shoes on, Clear won’t help you since it's only used to speed up the identity verification process. There’s no one stopping you from applying for both, though.

Can you use Clear and TSA PreCheck together?

Yes. If you’re a frequent flier, it might make sense to get Clear so you can zip through identity verification and then get placed on the TSA PreCheck luggage screening line, where you can keep your shoes on, leave your laptop in your bag, and skip the scanner.

How do you apply for TSA PreCheck and Clear?

For TSA PreCheck, you’ll need to fill out an online form, pay the application fee, and go for an in-person interview — which includes a background check — at one of the hundreds of enrollment centers. Once you're approved, you'll receive a Known Traveler Number, which you can then add to your airline reservations whenever you purchase your tickets. Anyone over the age of 12 can join; children under 12 can use the lanes with a parent or guardian who is a member.

Clear Plus (for use at the airport) similarly requires online enrollment and an in-person element. You can finish the application at a Clear airport location, where an ambassador will help you answer a few identifying questions; scan your fingerprints, eyes, and identification documents; and take a profile picture. Children under 18 can use the Clear lane if they’re traveling with a member. If you're planning to only use Clear at stadiums and arenas, simply download the app, create a free account, and follow the instructions. A selfie and some personal information are all that's needed to secure a QR code to flash when you get there.

Is TSA PreCheck better than Clear?

While TSA PreCheck and Clear each have separate queues that can help you cut down on the time you'd normally be standing in line (and Clear has some added benefits for sports and music fans), TSA PreCheck exists at more locations, is less expensive, and allows you to skip the rigamarole of removing your shoes, belt, and laptop in front of a TSO who is seemingly tired of telling people to put their belongings in a bin.

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