Before boarding an airplane, airport security takes you on a journey: First, you'll have to find the right line, then show your ID, take out your laptop, and remove your shoes. It’s poetic in a perverse way that these often-confusing airport security rules are simplified and sped up by two similarly bewildering programs, TSA PreCheck and Clear, which each have dedicated queues and reasons for existence. But what are those reasons, and which one is best?
Here's what it all boils down to. There are two primary components of airport security: ID verification and luggage-and-body screening. Clear speeds up the former, and TSA PreCheck speeds up the latter. As for how they both work, let’s dig in.
What is TSA PreCheck?
Run by the government’s Transportation Security Administration, TSA PreCheck aims to quickly get you and your belongings through security at over 200 U.S. airports. More than 85 airlines participate, and they will indicate TSA PreCheck on your boarding pass, which grants you access to the dedicated lane. Once a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) verifies your ID, you can leave your shoes, belt, and jacket on, and keep your laptop and liquids in your carry-on luggage. You can also walk through a metal detector rather than the full-body scanner.
The program doesn’t guarantee you’ll get through security faster, and, indeed, so many people are now clued into TSA PreCheck that the line can sometimes be as long as (or even longer) than the general public queue. But generally, you’ll have a smoother experience than if you had nothing.
What is Clear?
Clear is a private membership program that expedites document and identity screening. Currently available at more than 50 U.S. airports, Clear Plus allows you to quickly verify your identity at biometric security kiosks using fingerprints and eye scans. When your ID is confirmed, a Clear representative escort you directly to the luggage and body scanner line, allowing you to skip past everyone waiting for an agent to check their physical IDs.
The service isn't limited to airports either. You can also bypass parts of security at select U.S. stadiums and arenas such as Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden by using Clear kiosks, so sports and music fans might find this perk compelling. Additional features let you skip the line and go straight to your rental car at certain Avis locations and reserve a spot in a security line in select domestic and international airports.
How Much do TSA PreCheck and Clear Cost?
TSA PreCheck costs $78 every five years, and is automatically included with Global Entry membership, though that's another program entirely. Clear Plus, which you'll need to enroll in to use at the airport, costs $189 per year, while the general Clear service is free to use at stadiums and arenas around the U.S. once you sign up for a free membership and download the app. Children ages 17 and under are allowed to join you in the Clear Plus line; for an extra $70 per person, you can add access for up to three more adults, whether they're family members or friends.
If you're a member of the U.S. military or a U.S. government employee, Clear discounts may be available. Some travel rewards credit cards offer access to one or both programs for free (they'll usually provide you with a credit to cover the membership fees), so look into your perks to see if they tip the scale one way or the other.
Where can I find more information?
The source of this article was written by Carrie Dennis and can be found in Travel+ Leisure.
Please feel free to leave a comment and share your experience if you have TSA PreCheck or Clear.
Comentarios