Can I use CLEAR without TSA PreCheck?

Yes. CLEAR handles the identity verification step at the front of the security queue, so you skip the document-check line regardless of whether you have PreCheck. Without PreCheck, you will still go through standard screening afterward, meaning shoes off, laptop out and liquids in a separate bin. CLEAR alone saves time at the ID check; PreCheck saves time at the screening equipment itself.

Does TSA PreCheck work at every US airport?

TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 US airports and with more than 85 participating airlines as of 2024, according to the TSA. That covers all FAA large-hub and most medium-hub airports. However, PreCheck lanes are not always open at every hour or for every flight, so check the TSA website or your airport's information page before you travel.

Is CLEAR worth the annual fee if I already have TSA PreCheck?

It depends on how often you fly and at which airports. At busy large-hub airports during peak hours, the ID-check queue alone can be a meaningful delay even when PreCheck lanes are moving quickly. If you fly frequently through high-volume hubs, the combination can be worthwhile. If you fly a few times a year, PreCheck alone is usually sufficient. Check whether your airline status or a travel credit card you already hold covers part of the CLEAR fee before deciding.

How do I apply for TSA PreCheck?

Apply online at tsa.gov/precheck, complete an in-person enrollment appointment at one of more than 500 enrollment centers nationwide, and pay the $78 five-year fee. TSA conducts a background check and, if approved, issues a Known Traveler Number. Enter that number when booking flights so it appears on your boarding pass and activates the PreCheck lane indicator.

Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?

Yes. Approved Global Entry members receive TSA PreCheck as part of the program. Global Entry is administered by US Customs and Border Protection and also grants expedited processing at US international arrival points. The application fee is $100 for five years, making it a cost-effective option if you travel internationally and want PreCheck benefits on domestic flights as well.

TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR: Which Is Worth It?

TL;DR

TSA PreCheck speeds up the screening process itself by letting enrolled travelers use dedicated lanes with reduced requirements. CLEAR replaces the ID check at the front of the security line using biometrics. Most frequent flyers at large hub airports benefit most from PreCheck; CLEAR adds value on top of that.

Key takeaways

TSA PreCheck is a government Trusted Traveler Program that lets approved travelers keep shoes, laptops and liquids in their bags through dedicated screening lanes at more than 200 US airports.
CLEAR is a private biometric identity service that moves you past the ID-check queue at participating airports, but you still go through standard or PreCheck screening afterward.
Having both programs means you skip the ID queue with CLEAR and then move through the faster PreCheck lane, the combination most frequent flyers at large hubs prefer.
PreCheck costs $78 for five years ($15.60 per year); CLEAR costs $189 per year. Airline status, credit card benefits and family plans can significantly reduce the effective cost of CLEAR.
Neither program guarantees you will never wait; security volume, staffing and lane availability all affect actual queue length on any given day.

Summary

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR both promise a faster path through airport security, but they work in completely different ways and serve different traveler needs. Here is how to decide which one, or both, makes sense for your situation.

What Each Program Actually Does

Understanding the difference starts with a map of the security process. When you arrive at a US airport security checkpoint, there are two distinct steps: first, an officer checks your identity document against your boarding pass; second, you and your carry-on items go through screening equipment.

TSA PreCheck addresses the second step. It is a government-run Trusted Traveler Program administered by the Transportation Security Administration. According to TSA's official program page (tsa.gov/precheck), the program is available at more than 200 US airports with more than 85 participating airlines as of 2024. Approved members receive a Known Traveler Number that, when attached to a reservation, routes them to dedicated PreCheck lanes. In those lanes, travelers keep shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops and TSA-compliant liquids bags inside their carry-on bags.

CLEAR addresses the first step. It is a private biometric identity service that replaces the document-check queue with a biometric scan, typically a fingerprint or iris scan, at a CLEAR pod. According to CLEAR's FAQ (clearme.com/faq), the service operates at more than 50 airports across the US. A CLEAR ambassador then walks you directly to the front of the screening queue. You still go through whichever screening lane applies to you, standard or PreCheck, after that.

In plain terms: CLEAR gets you to the front of the line faster; PreCheck makes the screening itself faster. They are complementary, not competing.

The Cost Comparison and Where the Value Lies

Price is where many travelers get stuck, so here are the numbers as of 2024, sourced from each program's official site:

TSA PreCheck: $78 for a five-year membership, or $70 if you renew online. That works out to roughly $15.60 per year. Source: tsa.gov/precheck.
CLEAR: $189 per year for an individual membership. Family add-ons are available at a reduced rate per person. Source: clearme.com/faq.
Global Entry (includes PreCheck): $100 for five years, administered by US Customs and Border Protection. Best value if you travel internationally. Source: cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry.

The value calculation for PreCheck is straightforward for most travelers who fly more than two or three times a year through large or medium hub airports. The math is simple and the approval rate for applicants without disqualifying background factors is high.

CLEAR's value depends more on your specific airports and travel frequency. Critically, several major airlines offer discounted or complimentary CLEAR memberships as a benefit of elite status, and a number of travel-focused credit cards offer annual statement credits that cover part or all of the fee. Check your existing benefits before paying full price.

One honest caveat: neither program is a guarantee. Security volume, staffing levels and the number of open lanes on any given day affect how much time you actually save. The programs reduce friction; they do not eliminate it.

Which Program, or Both, Is Right for You?

Here is a practical framework rather than a blanket recommendation:

Occasional traveler (fewer than 4 flights per year): Neither program may justify the cost. TSA PreCheck is the better first investment if you do decide to enroll, at $15.60 per year.
Regular traveler (4 to 12 flights per year) at large hub airports: TSA PreCheck is a clear yes. CLEAR is worth evaluating, especially if your airline or credit card subsidizes it.
Frequent traveler or road warrior: Both programs together make the most sense. The combination means you bypass the ID queue with CLEAR and then move through the faster PreCheck lane, the fastest path available to a non-law-enforcement traveler at most US hub airports.
International traveler: Consider Global Entry ($100 for five years, CBP) before CLEAR. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and adds expedited US Customs processing on international arrivals, per cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry.

The bottom line: start with TSA PreCheck, then layer in CLEAR if your travel volume and existing benefits make the math work. If you travel internationally, look at Global Entry first, since it bundles PreCheck at a competitive price point.

What This Comparison Does Not Cover

Scope of this article: This piece compares TSA PreCheck and CLEAR on the factors most relevant to travelers at US large and medium hub airports. It is not a complete guide to all Trusted Traveler Programs and does not constitute legal or eligibility advice.

It does not cover NEXUS or SENTRI, which also include TSA PreCheck benefits and may be relevant if you cross the Canadian or Mexican border regularly.
It does not address how specific airports implement these programs. Lane availability, CLEAR pod locations and staffing vary by airport and by time of day. Always check your departure airport's information page or the TSA and CLEAR websites before travel.
Enrollment eligibility is determined by TSA and CLEAR respectively under their own vetting standards. This article does not constitute advice on whether you will qualify.
Fees and program terms can change. The figures cited here reflect publicly available information as of mid-2024; verify current pricing at tsa.gov/precheck and clearme.com/faq before enrolling.

Commercial interest disclosure: Airport Online publishes airport information microsites monetized through display advertising, affiliate links and partner placements. This article is editorially independent and does not represent a paid endorsement of TSA PreCheck, CLEAR or any other program.

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FAQ

Can I use CLEAR without TSA PreCheck?: Yes. CLEAR handles the identity verification step at the front of the security queue, so you skip the document-check line regardless of whether you have PreCheck. Without PreCheck, you will still go through standard screening afterward, meaning shoes off, laptop out and liquids in a separate bin. CLEAR alone saves time at the ID check; PreCheck saves time at the screening equipment itself.
Does TSA PreCheck work at every US airport?: TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 US airports and with more than 85 participating airlines as of 2024, according to the TSA. That covers all FAA large-hub and most medium-hub airports. However, PreCheck lanes are not always open at every hour or for every flight, so check the TSA website or your airport's information page before you travel.
Is CLEAR worth the annual fee if I already have TSA PreCheck?: It depends on how often you fly and at which airports. At busy large-hub airports during peak hours, the ID-check queue alone can be a meaningful delay even when PreCheck lanes are moving quickly. If you fly frequently through high-volume hubs, the combination can be worthwhile. If you fly a few times a year, PreCheck alone is usually sufficient. Check whether your airline status or a travel credit card you already hold covers part of the CLEAR fee before deciding.
How do I apply for TSA PreCheck?: Apply online at tsa.gov/precheck, complete an in-person enrollment appointment at one of more than 500 enrollment centers nationwide, and pay the $78 five-year fee. TSA conducts a background check and, if approved, issues a Known Traveler Number. Enter that number when booking flights so it appears on your boarding pass and activates the PreCheck lane indicator.
Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?: Yes. Approved Global Entry members receive TSA PreCheck as part of the program. Global Entry is administered by US Customs and Border Protection and also grants expedited processing at US international arrival points. The application fee is $100 for five years, making it a cost-effective option if you travel internationally and want PreCheck benefits on domestic flights as well.

Sources

Last reviewed Oct 12, 2026