Ruth Haines
CLEAR is an airport membership that allows members to speed through security checks at select airports and stadiums. It is currently available at over 70 airports and stadiums across the United States. CLEAR uses biometrics, such as fingerprint or eye scans, to confirm the identity of members, allowing them to skip the often long ID check lines. Children under 18 who are accompanied by a CLEAR member can access the CLEAR lane for free and do not need to be enrolled. However, they will have their boarding passes checked instead of their biometrics being scanned. CLEAR can be used in conjunction with TSA PreCheck, which expedites the second part of the security process, allowing members to keep their shoes, laptops, and liquids while usually going through a metal detector.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of yearly membership | $199 |
| Cost for additional adult family members | $119 each |
| Age limit for children to use Clear for free | Under 18 |
| Children's biometric data scanned | No |
| Children's boarding passes checked | Yes |
| Availability at US airports | Limited |
| Availability at stadiums | 70+ |
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What You'll Learn
Children under 18 can join a Clear member for free
Clear is an airport membership that allows quick access through the documentation check by scanning your eyes or fingerprints instead of showing your ID. It is available at select airports and stadiums in the US, with plans to expand to more locations. The service is especially useful for frequent travellers or families who want to speed up the security process, which can take less than 5 minutes on average.
Clear is a paid service, with a yearly membership costing $199 per person. However, Clear offers a family plan where adult family members can be added for $119 each per year. Children under 18 can join a Clear member for free and do not need to enrol or provide identification. They will simply have their boarding passes checked. While kids can only piggyback with you in PreCheck until they turn 13, they can accompany you for free through Clear until they are 18.
Clear is often used in conjunction with TSA PreCheck, which speeds up the second part of the security process as you don't need to remove your shoes, laptops, or liquids, and you usually go through a metal detector instead of a body scanner. TSA PreCheck is available at over 200 airports across the US and its territories and costs $78 with a $70 yearly renewal fee. Children 12 and under may travel with a guardian who has PreCheck status without needing their own membership.
Clear and TSA PreCheck can be valuable tools for families who travel frequently and want to streamline the airport security process, especially when combined with credit cards and loyalty programs that offer credits or discounts for these services.
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Clear members' children don't need biometric scans
Clear is a paid service that allows members to skip tedious airport security and identification procedures and speed through security in under 5 minutes on average. The yearly membership costs $199, and children under 18 are free.
Children under 18 who are accompanied by a Clear member can access the Clear lane for free and do not need to be added to the account. They do not need to have their biometrics scanned or checked and do not need identification when travelling through the TSA checkpoint. Their boarding passes will be checked instead.
Children under 18 cannot enrol in Clear themselves. However, members can add up to three adult family members to their membership for an extra $119 each annually. According to Clear, family does not need to be biological family and can include chosen family or friends that feel like family.
Clear is currently available in 74 airports and 17 arenas and stadiums in the US.
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Clear is a paid service
Clear is a biometric identity verification platform that connects your biometrics (e.g., face, iris) to your personal identity. This allows members to speed through airport security using only their eyes for identification, without the need for a standard ID, ticket, or boarding pass. Clear is currently available at 70+ stadiums and airports across the United States, with plans to expand to more locations nationwide.
While Clear is a paid service, there are ways to make it more affordable. Clear has partnered with several airlines to offer special membership rates for frequent flyers. For example, Delta Diamond Medallion members receive complimentary Clear membership, while United Premier 1K members can get Clear at a discounted rate of $129 per year.
In addition to these partnerships, Clear also offers a family plan where members can add up to three adult family members to their membership for $119 each annually. It's important to note that children under 18 do not need to be added to the membership and can accompany a Clear member for free. This makes Clear a relatively family-friendly service, especially for families who travel frequently and want to expedite their airport security experience.
Clear is a valuable service for travellers who want to reduce their wait times at the airport. By enrolling in Clear, members can skip the long lines and save time during the identification check process. However, it's worth noting that Clear is not available at every airport, and the usefulness of the service depends on the length of the regular security lines.
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Clear works in conjunction with TSA PreCheck
Clear and TSA PreCheck are two different services that can be used together to speed up the airport security process. TSA PreCheck is a government program managed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that allows low-risk travellers to undergo a shorter security line and less strict screening requirements. For example, travellers with PreCheck do not need to remove their shoes, laptops, belts, or light jackets.
Clear, on the other hand, is a privately owned company that uses biometric technology to verify a user's identity and boarding pass. Clear members can skip the security line and go straight to a Clear kiosk, where a Clear agent will escort them to the front of the security line. Clear is available at 70+ airports and stadiums across the United States.
Both services can be used together to expedite the airport security process. Clear pods are usually located next to regular and TSA PreCheck queues, allowing users to access either after using Clear. Clear and TSA PreCheck can also be purchased as a bundle at certain airports, with the whole package costing $199 for five years of PreCheck and one year of Clear.
Children under 18 who are accompanied by a Clear member can access the Clear lane for free and do not need to be added to the member's account. They do not have their biometrics scanned or checked and will instead have their boarding passes checked. While children can only use PreCheck until they turn 13, they can use Clear until they are 18.
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Clear is available in select airports
CLEAR is a paid service that offers expedited airport security in 54 airports and counting. The yearly membership costs $199 per person, but children under 18 can join any CLEAR member in line for free. The service is currently only available to citizens and legal permanent residents of the US.
CLEAR's identity verification platform makes experiences safer and easier, both physically and digitally. The platform connects your biometrics (e.g. face, iris) to your personal identity, allowing you to speed through airport security using only your eyes. CLEAR is also available at 70+ stadiums and sports venues.
CLEAR is not free, which is a downside for some users. However, the lines to use it are generally shorter than those for free security options. CLEAR has partnered with Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines to offer special membership rates for their frequent flyers. For example, Delta Diamond Medallion members can get a complimentary membership. United MileagePlus members can also receive discounted rates for CLEAR membership.
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Frequently asked questions
CLEAR is a paid service that allows members to speed through airport security quickly. It is currently available in 54 airports and counting. Members can use CLEAR in conjunction with PreCheck.
Children under 18 can use the CLEAR lane for free when accompanied by a CLEAR member. Children do not need to enrol in CLEAR and do not need identification when travelling through the TSA checkpoint.
The yearly membership for CLEAR is $199. However, there are ways to make it more affordable. Delta Diamond Medallion members can get a complimentary membership, while Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus members can get discounted rates.
