Airlines + Airports A Full Guide to Clear Airport Security: How It Works and Where You Can Use it Millions are using this service that lets you speed through airport check-in. Here's how it works. By Talia Avakian Talia Avakian Website Talia Avakian is a lifestyle reporter with nearly a decade of experience writing digital and print content for noted national and international travel publications. She began her career in travel reporting at BBC Travel, where she covered news and features of global destinations, later working as a travel reporter at Business Insider and as a digital news reporter for Travel + Leisure. During her time at Travel + Leisure, she has covered airlines, hotels, new product launches for travelers, natural phenomena travelers can witness, new experience launches, and more. Her work has also appeared in The Independent, Time, Food & Wine, Fortune, Essence, and Departures, among others. Talia is currently a freelance lifestyle reporter in Los Angeles, where she covers content ranging from outdoor getaways, hotels, and transportation to food and experiential offerings at destinations across the globe. She has gone behind the scenes with airlines to learn about flight attendant training, scaled remote mountainsides at far-flung hotels, gone inside the inner workers of Air Force jets, shared the history of Frank Sinatra's favorite New York restaurant hideaway, documented what life is like inside the world's largest residential airpark, and more. She loves discovering unknown perks travelers can access and adventures they can take part in no matter where they go, sharing inside looks at offerings from around the world to help every traveler get the best out of each journey. * 9+ years of experience working as a travel reporter * Stories published and syndicated across over 50 national and international publications * Appeared as a travel expert on Cheddar to discuss emerging travel trends * Received a master's degree in multimedia reporting from the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on November 20, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 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. What Travelers Need to Know About New TSA Security Measures 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. James Leynse/Getty Images 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: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International AirportAustin-Bergstrom International AirportBaltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall AirportBirmingham-Shuttlesworth International AirportBoston Logan International AirportChicago O'Hare International AirportChicago Midway International AirportCincinnati/Northern Kentucky International AirportCleveland Hopkins International AirportJohn Glenn Columbus International AirportDallas/Fort Worth International AirportDallas Love Field AirportDenver International AirportDetroit Metro AirportFort Lauderdale-Hollywood International AirportHouston William P. Hobby AirportGeorge Bush Intercontinental AirportLas Vegas Harry Reid International AirportLos Angeles International AirportMiami International AirportMinneapolis—Saint Paul International AirportNashville International AirportNew OrleansLouis Armstrong New Orleans International AirportLaGuardia AirportJohn F. Kennedy International AirportWestchester County AirportNewark Liberty International AirportOakland International AirportOrlando International AirportPalm Beach International AirportPalm Springs International AirportPhoenix Sky Harbor International AirportSacramento International AirportSalt Lake City International AirportSan Antonio International AirportSan Diego International AirportSan Francisco International AirportNorman Y. Mineta San Jose International AirportSeattle-Tacoma International AirportSt. Louis Lambert International AirportRonald Reagan Washington National AirportDulles International Airport Clear Arena and Stadium Locations SunTrust Park (Atlanta)University of Texas (Austin)Globe Life Field (Dallas)Coors Field (Denver)Comerica Park (Detroit)Banc of California Stadium (Los Angeles)Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)FTX Arena (Miami)Target Field (Minneapolis)Yankee Stadium (New York)Madison Square Garden (New York)AT&T Park (Sacramento)Oracle Park (San Francisco)PayPal Park (San Jose)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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit