Clear membership costs $189 per year, or $19 per month if you pay monthly

Clear is a paid service that lets you skip the regular security line at U.S. airports. You pay an annual fee, go to a separate Clear lane, verify your identity with a fingerprint or iris scan, and move directly to the TSA checkpoint. It does not replace TSA screening — you still go through metal detectors and bag checks. It just removes the wait to get there.

The annual membership is $189. If you prefer to pay monthly, it costs $19 per month, which adds up to $228 per year. Some credit cards bundle Clear membership as a cardholder benefit — American Express Platinum cardholders, for example, get it included. If you have a military ID, Clear offers a discounted rate of $119 per year.

Clear operates at about 50 U.S. airports, mostly major hubs like Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Dallas. If you travel through smaller airports, Clear may not be available at your destination, so check the airport list before you buy.

Key Takeaways

  • Clear costs $189 per year or $19 per month, and it skips you past the regular security line but not past TSA screening itself.
  • Some premium credit cards include Clear membership at no extra cost, so check your card benefits before paying separately.
  • Clear only works at about 50 major U.S. airports, so it is not useful if you fly through smaller regional airports.
  • Military members pay $119 per year, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.

How Clear actually works at the airport

When you arrive at an airport where Clear operates, you look for the Clear lane near the TSA checkpoint. You scan your membership card or phone app, then step into a small booth where a Clear agent verifies your identity using a fingerprint or iris scan. This takes about 30 seconds. Once verified, the agent directs you to a dedicated lane that feeds directly into the TSA checkpoint.

You still remove your shoes, belt, and liquids. You still put your bag through the X-ray machine. You still walk through the metal detector or body scanner. The only difference is you skipped the line of people waiting to get to that point. On a busy travel day, that line can be 30 minutes or longer. On a slow day, the line might be 5 minutes, so Clear saves you less time.

Clear works with TSA PreCheck, which is a separate program that costs $78 to $85 for five years. If you have both, you can use TSA PreCheck lanes (where you keep shoes and belt on) and also skip the line to get there. Many frequent travelers use both programs together.

Who actually saves money with Clear

Clear makes financial sense if you fly at least four times per year through airports where Clear operates and you value your time at roughly $12 per hour or more. If you fly once or twice a year, or if you fly through small airports, you will not recoup the cost.

Business travelers who fly weekly often find Clear worth it because they pass through the same major airports repeatedly and the time savings add up. Families flying together should know that Clear charges per person — you cannot buy one membership and use it for your spouse or children. A family of four would pay $756 per year.

If your credit card already includes Clear, the math changes entirely. American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and a few other premium cards bundle it in, so you should check your card's benefits page before buying a separate membership.

Clear versus TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

These three programs overlap but serve different purposes. TSA PreCheck ($78–$85 for five years) lets you go through a faster security lane where you keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. You still wait in line, but the line moves faster because there is less to remove. It works at most U.S. airports.

Global Entry ($100 for five years) is for international travel. It gives you a dedicated lane when you return to the U.S. from abroad, so you skip the regular customs and immigration line. It includes TSA PreCheck as a bonus. If you travel internationally more than once a year, Global Entry usually pays for itself.

Clear skips the line entirely but does not change what happens at the checkpoint itself. It works only at about 50 airports. Many travelers use Clear and TSA PreCheck together: Clear gets you to the front, then TSA PreCheck makes the screening itself faster.

What Clear does not do

Clear does not get you through TSA screening faster. It only skips the line before screening. If the TSA checkpoint itself is slow — because they are running one metal detector instead of three, or because they are doing extra bag checks — Clear will not help you move through it quicker.

Clear does not work at international airports for flights leaving the U.S., and it does not help with customs or immigration when you land abroad. It also does not work at airport entrances or parking — it only applies to the security checkpoint itself.

Clear does not cover your travel companion unless they have their own membership. If you travel with a spouse or child, they will wait in the regular line while you use Clear, unless they also pay for membership.

How to cancel Clear if you change your mind

You can cancel your Clear membership anytime without penalty. If you cancel within 30 days of purchase, you get a full refund. After 30 days, you lose the membership but you are not charged for the next year. You cancel through the Clear app or website, or by calling their customer service number.

If your credit card includes Clear as a benefit and you cancel the card, your Clear membership ends when the card benefit ends. You do not get charged separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Clear work internationally?

Clear only works at U.S. airports for domestic flights. It does not help with international departures or arrivals. For international travel, Global Entry is the program that skips customs and immigration lines when you return to the U.S.

Can I use Clear if I do not have a Real ID?

Yes. Clear verifies your identity using a fingerprint or iris scan, not your ID document. You still need a valid ID to board your flight, but Clear does not require Real ID specifically.

What if I travel with my family?

Each person needs their own Clear membership. You cannot share one membership across multiple family members. A family of four would need four separate memberships at $189 each per year.

Does Clear work at all U.S. airports?

No. Clear operates at about 50 major U.S. airports, mostly large hubs. Check the Clear website for the full list before you buy. If you fly through smaller regional airports, Clear may not be available at your destination.

Is Clear worth it if I only fly once or twice a year?

Probably not. At $189 per year, you would need to save roughly $19 per trip to break even. On a slow travel day, the security line might only be 10 minutes, so the time savings would not justify the cost. Clear makes more sense for people who fly at least four times per year.