The airports right now in the US are going through some of the busiest times ever! Check-in and security lines have three-hour-plus waits, making many passengers miss flights.
Luckily, there’s an answer for getting through security without any waits or hassle! I present to you TSA PreCheck and CLEAR! Let me fill you in on how I discovered these two magical programs.
My wife and I are all about traveling comfortably and at ease. So when we can enhance our traveling experience, we’re always down to try.
I came across both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR because of my eagerness to learn more about travel credit cards.
TSA PreCheck is a little older, and I’ve heard about it before, but I never took the time to check it out. I always thought you had to be with the government or a top business executive to access it. I was very wrong.
After a couple of months into my travel card research, I figured out how easy PreCheck was to obtain and how beneficial it was to join. I signed my wife and me immediately via The Platinum Card.
CLEAR was another beneficial program I let get by without asking questions.
I was asked a few times at the airport security line by CLEAR agents to sign up, but I didn’t give them the time of day, thinking they were going to push something pointless to me.
After the new Amex Green relaunch, I looked at the refreshed benefits and came across CLEAR again. After a few days of research and YouTube videos, I decided that not only was it worth it, CLEAR was a must-have!
The Amex Green had a 45k SUB at the time with a yearly $100 CLEAR credit, so it was the perfect time to sign up for both the Amex Green and CLEAR. ***Amex Green Review coming soon***
After six months of having both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, here’s a summary of their benefits separately and together. And why they’re a “must-have” combo that can be a lifesaver in hectic airports!
TSA PreCheck $85 (every five years)
TSA PreCheck members get a few excellent benefits:
Expedited TSA PreCheck security line access
Expedites the physical screening process allowing laptops, TSA-approved liquids, and gels in your carry-on
CLEAR $189
CLEAR benefits include:
It expedites the document/identity process and moves you directly to the physical screening process.
Clear-PreCheck
Clear-PreCheck is the best way to get through security away from being escorted directly to the plane. With this “super” combination, if you’re not checking bags, you can show up 30 minutes before your flight and be at your gate within five minutes.
The benefits are combined but with a separate line from TSA PreCheck, so you even bypass the standard express line. This lane is called the Clear-PreCheck line. In our three-year experience, the line is empty every time. You walk up to drop your bags on the TSA belt without waiting.
Ways to Get TSA PreCheck & CLEAR Memberships
Check the Clearme.com site for all the information, and sign up for the free trial membership before your next flight. Just make sure it’s in your airport that you use frequently.
A TSA PreCheck credit comes with most travel credit cards with an annual fee. They’re both excellent services if you travel a few times a year, especially if there is a discount or complimentary!
Here are a few travel cards that have a free path to TSA PreCheck:
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Capital One® Spark® Miles Card
Capital One® Venture® Card
Capital One® Venture X® Card
Certain American Express® Credit Cards
Chase Sapphire ReserveSM
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World EliteTM MasterCard®
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
The Platinum Card from American Express
United ClubSM Infinite Card
UnitedSM Explorer Card
United MileagePlus® (By Redeeming Miles)
United QuestSM Card
US Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
*** There are at least ten more travel credit cards that you can find on the TSA website
Here are a few options that give complimentary or discounted CLEAR memberships:
The Platinum Card fr (all flavors)
CLEAR is complimentary
Amex Green Card
$100 CLEAR credit per year
Delta Credit Cards offer a discounted price of $109 per year:
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
United Credit Cards that offer a discounted price of $109 per year:
United Club℠ Business Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
United℠ Business Card
United℠ Explorer Card
Conclusion
When looking at the price, TSA PreCheck is the most affordable at $17 a year and is easily justified if paying for the cash membership. The cherry on top is when getting TSA PreCheck as a benefit through a travel credit card because you can select GlobalEntry, which comes with the TSA PreCheck credit.
***GlobalEntry is an expedited service when entering the US. I use this service once a year while using it at least three times, and every time, it’s very well worth it!***
Another strength of TSA PreCheck is its availability. Most US airports support TSA PreCheck, so you’ll likely have an opportunity to use the service.
TSA PreCheck being affordable and widely available can also be a curse. Over half of the time, the TSA PreCheck lines are overcrowded at major airports. The lines are still faster than standard security lines, but getting through security within five minutes is rare these days.
Conversely, CLEAR is more expensive and less available. If you don’t put a high value on expedited security lines, it’s hard to justify the asking price for CLEAR.
CLEAR has been the most beneficial airport service for us (when available) for two reasons. The main reason is that the airports and terminals we use the most have CLEAR availability, which allows us to get from the check-in to the gate within five minutes consistently.
***both Tash and I have CLEAR complimentary through our Amex Platinum CLEAR credits.***
The second reason is that we greatly value speeding through lines. We always get the Speed Pass in amusement parks because we both are impatient in long lines, so the CLEAR membership keeps down the stress and lets us enjoy our upcoming adventure.
As mentioned above, the Clear-PreCheck combo has been excellent. After three years of using these services together, I don’t know how we’ll ever return to waiting at security checkpoints.
Until next time, before you pack your bags, don’t forget to PACK YOUR POINTS!
I am not a financial advisor and highly recommend doing your own homework about the credit card you want to apply for! All of the content on my website, page and channel are for entertainment purposes only.
If you’d like my opinion or help in forming an idea of what works, I’m here to help.