What Clear Plus Is and How It Works

Clear Plus is a membership program that speeds up airport security screening

Clear Plus is a paid membership service that lets you skip the regular security line at U.S. airports. Instead of waiting in the standard queue, you use a separate lane where a Clear employee verifies your identity using biometric data — usually your fingerprints or iris scan — and then you move directly to the TSA checkpoint. The service costs money each year, and you need to enroll in advance before you can use it at an airport.

Clear Plus is different from TSA PreCheck, which is a separate government program that also speeds up security but works differently. With Clear Plus, you're paying a private company to verify who you are and move you to the front. With TSA PreCheck, you've been vetted by the government and can use a faster screening lane, but you still wait in line with other PreCheck members. Many people use both at the same time.

The service operates at major U.S. airports and some smaller ones. You enroll online, visit an airport kiosk to scan your fingerprints and eyes, and then you can use the service at any participating airport. The membership renews each year, and you can cancel anytime.

Key Takeaways

• Clear Plus uses your fingerprints or iris scan to verify your identity and move you past the regular security line at participating U.S. airports.
• You pay an annual membership fee and must enroll online and visit an airport kiosk to register your biometric data before your first use.
• Clear Plus works alongside TSA PreCheck — they are separate services, and many travelers use both to move through security as quickly as possible.
• The service is available at most major U.S. airports but not all, so you should check whether your home airport participates before purchasing a membership.

How to enroll in Clear Plus

Start by visiting the Clear website and selecting the membership option. You'll enter your name, email, and payment information. Clear will charge your card immediately and send you a confirmation email with instructions for the next step.

Within a few days, you need to visit a Clear kiosk at a participating airport to complete biometric enrollment. This is the step many people miss — buying the membership online is not enough. You must scan your fingerprints and iris in person at the airport kiosk. Bring a valid government ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID). The scan takes about five minutes, and you're done. After that, you can use Clear Plus at any participating airport.

If you travel from multiple airports, you only need to enroll once. Your biometric data is stored in Clear's system, so any Clear kiosk at any airport can verify you. You don't need to re-enroll or re-scan at different airports.

What Clear Plus costs and what's included

Clear Plus membership costs money per year, and the exact price varies depending on how you purchase it. If you buy directly from Clear's website, the cost is higher than if you purchase through certain credit card companies or travel programs. Some premium credit cards offer Clear Plus as a cardholder benefit, which can reduce or eliminate the cost.

Your membership includes unlimited use of the Clear lane at all participating airports for one year. You can use it as many times as you want — there's no limit on the number of trips. The membership covers only you; if you travel with family members, each person needs their own membership.

Clear Plus also includes a feature called "companion passes" on some membership tiers, which lets one other person use the Clear lane with you on the same trip. Check the current membership options on Clear's website to see which tier includes this feature, as offerings change.

Where Clear Plus works and where it doesn't

Clear Plus operates at most major U.S. airports, including those in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and San Francisco. However, not every airport in the country has Clear service. Smaller regional airports often don't have Clear kiosks or lanes.

Before you purchase a membership, check the Clear website's airport list to confirm that your home airport and any airports you travel to regularly have Clear service. If you only fly from a small airport that doesn't participate, Clear Plus won't be useful to you. The list is updated regularly as Clear expands to new airports.

Clear Plus versus TSA PreCheck: what's the difference

TSA PreCheck is a government program run by the Transportation Security Administration. You pay a fee to the government, get vetted, and then you can use a faster security lane at participating airports. You still wait in line, but the line moves faster because PreCheck passengers don't have to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets, and can leave laptops and liquids in bags.

Clear Plus is a private service that skips the line entirely. You don't wait at all — a Clear employee verifies you at a separate kiosk, and you go straight to the TSA checkpoint. At the checkpoint itself, you still follow the same rules as everyone else unless you also have TSA PreCheck.

Many frequent travelers use both. You use Clear Plus to skip the line, and then you use TSA PreCheck benefits at the actual TSA checkpoint to move through screening faster. They work together, not against each other.

What happens if you lose your membership or need to cancel

You can cancel your Clear Plus membership anytime through your account on the Clear website. If you cancel mid-year, you won't receive a refund for the unused portion of your membership — most annual memberships don't offer prorated refunds.

If you lose access to your biometric data (for example, if you have a serious hand injury and can't scan your fingerprints), contact Clear's customer support. They can help you explore options, which may include using iris scans instead or temporarily suspending your membership.

If your membership expires and you don't renew, you can't use Clear Plus until you purchase a new membership and re-enroll at an airport kiosk. Your old biometric data may still be in the system, but you'll need to verify it again during re-enrollment.

Common reasons Clear Plus doesn't work when you expect it to

The most common problem is that people buy the membership online but never visit an airport kiosk to scan their biometrics. Without that enrollment step, your membership is active but you can't actually use the service. If you show up at the airport expecting to use Clear and nothing happens, this is almost always why.

Another issue is traveling through an airport that doesn't have Clear service. Check the airport list before your trip. If your airport isn't on it, Clear won't have a lane or kiosk there, and your membership won't help you on that particular flight.

Occasionally, the Clear kiosk at an airport is temporarily down or out of service. This is rare, but if it happens, you can still use TSA PreCheck if you have it, or you'll go through the regular security line. Clear's website shows real-time status for kiosks at major airports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Clear Plus if I don't have TSA PreCheck?

Yes. Clear Plus and TSA PreCheck are separate services. You can use Clear Plus alone to skip the line, and then go through standard TSA screening at the checkpoint. You don't need TSA PreCheck to use Clear Plus, though many people have both.

Do I have to use Clear Plus every time I fly, or can I skip it sometimes?

You don't have to use it every time. If you're traveling during a quiet time and the regular line is short, you can choose to skip Clear and go through the standard line instead. Your membership stays active whether you use it or not.

What if I'm traveling with kids — do they need their own Clear Plus membership?

Children under 18 traveling with a Clear Plus member can use the Clear lane with you without their own membership, though policies vary slightly by airport. Check with Clear or your airport before your trip to confirm current rules for your specific situation.

Can I use Clear Plus at international airports or for international flights?

Clear Plus works only for domestic U.S. flights and only at U.S. airports. It does not work at international airports or for flights leaving the United States. For international travel, TSA PreCheck may help you move through security faster at the U.S. airport before departure.

What if the Clear kiosk can't scan my fingerprints — do I have other options?

Yes. If fingerprint scanning doesn't work for you, Clear can use iris scanning instead. Both methods are available at enrollment kiosks. If neither biometric method works, contact Clear's support team to discuss other options.