If you travel often, you I am sure think about ways to make your airport experience quicker, easier and less stressful. We all know when it comes to navigating airport security, many unanticipated problems can occur like long lines, misplaced IDs and boarding passes, and an additional security check that can slow you down.

That’s where expedited screening programs can be very helpful. 

But knowing which program meets your needs can be a little confusing. To help with the confusion I have decided to take a closer look at two programs that are available to make your airport experience more enjoyable. They are TSA PreCheck and CLEAR. We are going to talk about their benefits and costs, and how they work together.

Here’s what you need to know to make a decision.

What is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program that allows you to quickly move through airport security. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Once you’ve been approved as a low-risk traveler, you gain access to an expedited security line where you don’t have to remove or separately scan your laptop, liquids, shoes, or jackets.

As more passengers begin to travel, having TSA PreCheck can significantly cut the amount of time you will spend in the security line.

TSA PreCheck gives you fast-pass access to airport security, making the stressful trek from the airport curb to your gate quicker and easier.

It is also a no-brainer when you’re traveling with children, a group of people or anyone with special needs because of its speed and convenience. It also gives you a little more distance from fellow travelers. 

A five-year membership costs $85 for initial enrollment and is available to all U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. Becoming a member of TSA PreCheck involves a five-minute online application followed by a ten minute in-person interview at an enrollment center (such as your local airport), which includes a background check and fingerprinting.

More than 200 domestic airports participate in the program. You can go to the TSA website to check to see if your home airport participates in the program, as well as check eighty international and domestic airlines.

You need to fly on an airline and via airports that participate to access the TSA PreCheck lane. Once you’re approved, all you have to do is enter your Known Traveler Number (KTN) when booking a flight.

You should remember that you are not guaranteed TSA PreCheck for every flight. If you have TSA PreCheck and your boarding pass isn’t marked as such, it’s worth mentioning this at the airline check-in counter to see if the designation can be added to your travel documents. In the future, make sure all your frequent flyer accounts have your KTN listed and in the appropriate field. This will make booking easier and passing through security lines faster.

The TSA also runs an app called My TSA, which provides estimated wait times and answers travelers' questions about airport security, which items can be carried on to which airports and which airlines support TSA PreCheck.

Once you have this information, you can compare which lane is fastest and head straight to that line when you arrive at the airport. You can also use Interactive Airport Maps to locate amenities near each security checkpoint, like restrooms, restaurants, COVID-19 testing sites, and more.

Many travel credit cards offer complimentary TSA PreCheck membership as a statement credit. You can check with your credit card company to see if you have this perk. Likewise, if you’re interested in joining the program, that perk alone might help you decide which credit card to sign up for.

What is CLEAR?

CLEAR is a registered traveler program that allows members to quickly verify their identities at dedicated security kiosks. Unlike TSA PreCheck, CLEAR is a privately owned program certified by the Department of Homeland Security. Instead of using traditional photo identification documents (such as a driver’s license or passport), CLEAR uses biometrics. Specifically, the program scans your fingerprints and/or the irises of your eyes to verify your identity.

The program replaces the need for a TSA representative to check your boarding pass and photo ID. After your identity is confirmed, a CLEAR Ambassador escorts you directly to the next step of security—the physical and luggage scanning stage.

CLEAR membership runs $179 per year. You can sign up online and then complete your application at an airport kiosk in just a matter of minutes. If you’re flying out of one of CLEAR’s 35+ airports, you can also sign up for the service on-site.

Can I become a member of both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR?

Yes, you can. Since a CLEAR membership expedites the ID-checking part and TSA PreCheck expedites the security line part, you can use the two programs together to make navigating airport security as quick as possible.

Do you need both programs? Well, that’s entirely up to you, but here are a few things to consider:

Cost: As a reminder, TSA PreCheck costs $85 for five years (many travel credit cards offer this as statement credit) and CLEAR costs $179 for one year

Availability: TSA PreCheck is more widely available than CLEAR; 200 airports versus nearly 40 (at the time of publication). That said, CLEAR also helps expedite entry to other venues in the U.S., including sports stadiums and concert venues. Also bear in mind that while an airport has a TSA PreCheck line, it might not always be in service, or you might not be selected for expedited screening by your airline.

With CLEAR, you always have access to the CLEAR lane. CLEAR has also launched a Health Pass in their app to easily store and access your COVID-19 vaccination information, negative test results, and more.

Your home airport: Given the availability of each program, be sure to check if your home (or most frequented) airport(s) offers one or both. One program might be more valuable to you than the other simply based on the likelihood that you’ll get to use it.

While some travelers opt for TSA PreCheck and others for CLEAR, both programs help you more quickly navigate your way through the airport. As the travel landscape continues to evolve, you may find one program is a better fit than the other, or that their complementary benefits make your life on the road easier.

What matters is choosing the program that best suits your travel style and makes getting to your destination that much more enjoyable.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry helps speed up the travel process when headed to international destinations. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection program allows pre-cleared travelers to skip the customs line and head straight to automatic kiosks to get a customs declaration.

Global Entry members can use automatic kiosks available at participating airports to scan their passport or permanent resident card and place their fingerprint on the scanner to verify their identity and complete their customs declaration. Kiosks print a transaction receipt so they can head straight to baggage claim.

The program costs $100 for five years, though credit cards like the American Express Platinum Card will offer a rebate to customers who use the card for the application fee. The fee is non-refundable even if the application is denied. Once you are conditionally approved, you have 30 days to schedule your in-person interview. 

Do you know someone who would enjoy reading this blog? If so, please feel free to forward. 

Contact Cindy at Colesville Travel at 301-989-1654 or email us at cindy@colesvilletravel.com for more tips and inspiration on travel. 

Stay Inspired!

Cindy