Airport security involves two main components: ID verification and luggage-and-body screening. Clear expedites the former, while TSA PreCheck speeds up the latter. Here’s how each program works.

TSA PreCheck, managed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), helps you move quickly through security at over 200 U.S. airports. More than 85 airlines participate in this program. When you’re registered, your boarding pass will indicate TSA PreCheck status, granting you access to a dedicated lane.

After a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) verifies your ID, you can keep your shoes, belt, and jacket on and leave your laptop and liquids in your carry-on. You’ll also pass through a metal detector rather than a full-body scanner.

While TSA PreCheck doesn’t always guarantee a faster security experience due to its growing popularity, it generally provides a smoother process compared to standard security lines.

Clear is a private membership program designed to speed up the identity verification process. Available at over 50 U.S. airports, Clear Plus allows you to use biometric security kiosks to verify your identity via fingerprints and eye scans. Once confirmed, a Clear representative will escort you directly to the luggage and body scanner line, bypassing the ID check.

Clear isn’t just for airports. It’s also available at select stadiums and arenas, such as Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden, allowing sports and music fans to bypass certain security checks. Additionally, Clear members can skip lines at certain rental car locations and reserve spots in security lines at select airports.

• •TSA PreCheck: Costs $78 to $85 every five years. It’s also included with Global Entry membership, which is a separate program.
• •Clear Plus: Costs $189 per year. Clear is free to use at participating stadiums and arenas once you sign up and download the app. Children under 18 can join you in the Clear Plus line for free, and you can add up to three adults for $99 each per year.

Discounts for Clear may be available for U.S. military members and government employees. TSA PreCheck is free for Military and Uniformed Service members. Some travel rewards credit cards also cover the membership fees for one or both programs, so check your perks.

Clear speeds up the ID verification process but doesn’t allow you to keep your shoes on during screening. TSA PreCheck, on the other hand, simplifies the luggage-and-body screening process but doesn’t expedite ID verification.

For frequent flyers, having both can be advantageous. With Clear, you can quickly verify your identity and then proceed to the TSA PreCheck line, where you can keep your shoes on, leave your laptop in your bag, and avoid the full-body scanner.

Both programs offer significant time savings in their respective areas. TSA PreCheck is more widely available, less expensive, and simplifies the screening process by allowing you to keep your shoes, belt, and laptop in your bag. Clear, however, offers the added convenience of bypassing ID checks and provides benefits at sports and entertainment venues.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your travel habits. If you fly frequently and visit places where Clear is available, combining both programs could provide the most seamless travel experience. Otherwise, TSA PreCheck alone may be sufficient for most travelers.