A Full Guide to Clear Airport Security: How It Works and Where You Can Use it

Navigating through airports can already be stressful without the added pressure that comes in with accounting for lengthy security screening lanes.

For travelers looking for a speedy and simple way to breeze through security and lighten their loads when traveling, Clear is a company that utilizes biometrics to allow individuals to identify themselves in just a few seconds with the scan of a finger or eye.

The service is currently used by over five million people and is available across 50 locations in the U.S. so far.

Below, we've broken down what the service is about, how it works, where it is currently located, and how it is different from other programs already out there.

What is Clear?

Clear taps into biometric scanning technology to let travelers skip through the airport security and identification procedures — and the lines leading up to them. Clear uses a traveler's fingerprints and iris image scans to confirm identity. Then, Clear users are able to head straight to the security metal detectors and bag scanners, no waiting required.

It is the only service to allow travelers to enter speedier security lanes themselves and also to instantly move through the lengthy ID check lines that travelers hit once they get to the top of the line.

How Clear Airport Check-in Works

Once at the airport, Clear members will find dedicated Clear Lanes they can head into where a Clear Ambassador will help the traveler scan either their fingerprint or eye and their boarding pass.

From there, travelers are taken to the front of the security screening line where they are ushered through by a TSA agent; no need to show a boarding pass or ID.

How Clear Stadium Check-in Works

Some stadiums also have a dedicated Clear lane where members can enjoy expedited entry, though they will still be required to undergo physical security for bag checks. Thanks to a partnership between Clear and Major League Baseball, members can also take advantage of biometric ticketing without needing a physical or mobile ticket on-hand.

Besides biometric ticketing, some stadiums like Safeco Fields and CenturyLink have previously used Clear to replace ID age validation and credit card usage to get alcohol and concessions. Clear plans to bring this feature to additional venues down the line.

Clear Airport Locations

Wondering what airports have Clear? Clear is currently available across 43 different airports in the U.S. See below for the full Clear airport list:

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
2. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
3. Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport
4. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
5. Boston Logan International Airport
6. Chicago O'Hare International Airport
7. Chicago Midway International Airport
8. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
9. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
10. John Glenn Columbus International Airport
11. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
12. Dallas Love Field Airport
13. Denver International Airport
14. Detroit Metro Airport
15. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
16. Houston William P. Hobby Airport
17. George Bush Intercontinental Airport
18. Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport
19. Los Angeles International Airport
20. Miami International Airport
21. Minneapolis—Saint Paul International Airport
22. Nashville International Airport
23. New Orleans
24. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
25. LaGuardia Airport
26. John F. Kennedy International Airport
27. Westchester County Airport
28. Newark Liberty International Airport
29. Oakland International Airport
30. Orlando International Airport
31. Palm Beach International Airport
32. Palm Springs International Airport
33. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
34. Sacramento International Airport
35. Salt Lake City International Airport
36. San Antonio International Airport
37. San Diego International Airport
38. San Francisco International Airport
39. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport
40. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
41. St. Louis Lambert International Airport
42. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
43. Dulles International Airport

Clear Arena and Stadium Locations

1. SunTrust Park (Atlanta)
2. University of Texas (Austin)
3. Globe Life Field (Dallas)
4. Coors Field (Denver)
5. Comerica Park (Detroit)
6. Banc of California Stadium (Los Angeles)
7. Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)
8. FTX Arena (Miami)
9. Target Field (Minneapolis)
10. Yankee Stadium (New York)
11. Madison Square Garden (New York)
12. AT&T Park (Sacramento)
13. Oracle Park (San Francisco)
14. PayPal Park (San Jose)
15. Capital One Arena (Washington, D.C.)

Clear Airport Cost

The cost of using Clear at airports is $179 a year ($15 a month). Travelers who get a Clear membership can also add up to three family members to their membership for $50 per year, while those under the age of 18 can enter the Clear lane with a member free of charge.

Delta SkyMiles members can also get discounted rates with Clear. Diamond Medallion members receive complimentary membership while Platinum, Gold, and Silver Medallion members can purchase a year's membership for $109. General SkyMiles members can also get a membership for $119 a year.

Clear Stadium Cost

Membership specifically for Clear Sports (at participating stadiums) is free and includes access for one guest.

How to Enroll in Clear

Travelers can become new members of Clear in just five minutes and start using its lanes immediately once their enrollment is complete.

If enrolling at the airport, a Clear Ambassador will validate the traveler's ID (U.S. driver's license, U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, U.S. issued permanent resident card, state issued ID or U.S. military ID) before taking biometrics (a fingerprint, an eye scan, and a photo of the traveler's face) to create a profile.

Travelers will also need to answer a few questions to verify identity and provide a method of payment to wrap up the enrollment process. The process can also be started online, though members will need to be present at a physical Clear location to complete enrollment.

Who Can Get Clear?

Travelers will need to be 18 years or older to apply for Clear and must have one of the following forms of valid and unamended photo identification: U.S. driver's license, U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, U.S.-issued permanent resident card, state issued ID, or U.S. military ID.

The Difference Between Clear and TSA PreCheck

While both of these services provide quicker navigation through the airport, Clear and PreCheck can be used hand in hand. Clear members can still use the Clear lane to avoid long security lines, and they can then be taken to the PreCheck screening lane to avoid having to remove their shoes, belt, and liquids from their carry-on baggage if they are signed up for PreCheck as well.

Where Else Could Clear Be in the Future?

Clear is currently looking into the various spaces where it can replace the need for cash, credit cards, and physical ID forms. Some of the areas the company is looking into include for hotel check-in, for car reservations, and in retail.