What Clear Does and Who Can Use It

Clear is a paid membership that lets you skip the regular security line at U.S. airports. Instead of waiting in the standard queue, you walk to a Clear booth where an agent scans your eyes and checks your ID in seconds, then you go straight to the TSA checkpoint. It does not replace TSA screening — you still go through metal detectors and bag checks — but it removes the wait before that point.

Clear operates at over 50 U.S. airports, including major hubs like Los Angeles, New York (JFK and Newark), Chicago, Atlanta, and San Francisco. You can use it at any airport where Clear has a booth, not just your home airport. The service works for domestic flights only.

Anyone 18 or older with a valid U.S. passport, Real ID driver's license, or state ID can sign up. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen. Children under 18 can use Clear if a paying adult member is traveling with them.

Key Takeaways

  • Clear membership costs around $180 per year or $15 per month, with a higher tier adding TSA PreCheck benefits for about $70 more annually.
  • You enroll online at the Clear website, provide your name and ID information, and visit an airport booth to scan your eyes and verify your identity before your first use.
  • Clear works only at U.S. airports with Clear booths and only for domestic flights, and it skips the security line but not the actual TSA screening.
  • The service is most useful if you fly frequently from a major airport, because occasional flyers may not recoup the annual cost in time saved.

How to Sign Up Online

Start at the Clear website and click the membership option. You will enter your full name, email address, date of birth, and phone number. Clear will ask for your state of residence and whether you want the standard membership or the membership that includes TSA PreCheck.

Next, you provide your ID information — either your driver's license number and state, or your passport number. Clear uses this to verify your identity later. You will also choose your payment method: monthly subscription or annual payment. At checkout, you enter your billing address and payment card details.

After you complete the online signup, Clear sends a confirmation email with your membership number and a link to read the Clear app. Do not skip the app — you will need it to check in at the airport booth before your flight.

Verifying Your Identity at the Airport

Before you use Clear for the first time, you must visit a Clear booth at any airport where Clear operates. Bring your ID — the same document you listed during signup (driver's license, passport, or state ID). The process takes about two minutes.

At the booth, a Clear agent will scan your eyes using an iris scanner and check your ID against the information you provided online. This is how Clear verifies you are who you say you are. Once the scan is complete, your account is activated and you can use Clear at any airport booth going forward.

If you travel soon after signing up, plan to arrive at the airport early enough to complete this verification before you use Clear for your flight. You only have to do this once.

Using Clear on the Day of Your Flight

Open the Clear app on your phone and check in for your flight. The app will show you which Clear booth to visit at your airport — they are usually near the main security entrance. Walk to the booth, and the agent will scan your iris again to confirm your identity, then direct you to the TSA checkpoint.

The whole process at the Clear booth takes about 30 seconds. You do not need to show your boarding pass or ID again at the booth — the iris scan is your verification. After the agent clears you, you proceed directly to the TSA line, which is usually much shorter than the standard security line.

You still go through all normal TSA screening: removing shoes, placing bags on the conveyor, walking through the metal detector, and answering TSA questions. Clear only skips the wait before that point.

Cost and Membership Options

Standard Clear membership costs approximately $180 per year when paid annually, or $15 per month if you choose the monthly plan. The annual option saves you money if you plan to keep the membership for the full year.

Clear also offers a combined membership that adds TSA PreCheck benefits for about $70 more per year. TSA PreCheck lets you keep shoes and light jackets on during screening and use a faster TSA line, so the combination covers both the wait before security and a faster screening process. If you do not already have TSA PreCheck, this bundle is worth comparing to the cost of buying them separately.

Clear sometimes runs promotions for new members, such as discounted first-year rates or waived enrollment fees. Check the Clear website for current offers before you sign up.

When Clear Is Worth the Cost

Clear makes the most financial sense if you fly at least four to six times per year from an airport where Clear operates. At that frequency, the time you save adds up to real value. If you fly once or twice a year, you may not save enough time to justify the annual cost.

Clear is also more valuable at busy airports during peak travel times. If you fly from a smaller airport with short security lines, or if you always travel during off-peak hours, the benefit is smaller. Check whether your home airport has a Clear booth before you sign up.

Business travelers and frequent leisure travelers almost always find Clear worth the cost. If you travel with family, remember that only the paying member gets the skip-the-line benefit — children and other adults traveling with you still go through the regular line unless they have their own membership.

What Happens If You Cancel or Your Membership Expires

If you cancel your membership, you lose access to Clear booths when ready. Your iris scan remains in Clear's system, so if you rejoin later, you do not have to verify your identity again — you can use Clear right away.

If your annual membership expires and you do not renew, you cannot use Clear until you pay for a new membership. Clear sends email reminders before your membership expires, so you have time to decide whether to renew.

If you paid monthly and want to cancel, you can do so through the Clear app or website. The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Clear if I do not have a Real ID driver's license?

Yes. You can use a passport, passport card, or any state-issued ID. You do not need Real ID specifically, though Real ID is one acceptable form of identification for Clear enrollment and use.

What if the Clear booth is closed or not working when I arrive at the airport?

Go through the standard TSA security line. Clear does not may provide booth availability, and technical issues or staffing can cause temporary closures. You are not charged extra or penalized if you cannot use Clear on a particular day.

Does Clear work for international flights?

No. Clear only works for domestic U.S. flights. For international flights, you go through the standard security line even if you have an active Clear membership.

Can I add family members to my Clear membership?

No. Each person needs their own membership and their own iris scan. Children under 18 can use a parent's or guardian's membership if the adult is traveling with them, but they cannot use it alone.

What if my iris scan does not work at the booth?

The agent will ask for your ID and manually verify your identity, then let you through. Iris scans occasionally fail due to lighting, glasses, or contact lenses, but the backup process is quick and you still skip most of the wait.