TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR: Which Gets You Through Faster (and Cheaper)

A few months ago, I was standing in the security line at JFK behind a traveler who looked like she’d just completed a triathlon—sprinting from check-in, dragging two roller bags, and sweatily waving her phone like a passport wand. Meanwhile, I glided past that line and straight into the TSA PreCheck lane, shoes on, laptop tucked in my backpack. She gave me a look that was part envy, part curiosity.

That’s the real value of expedited security: not just saving time, but removing a layer of stress from an already tiring experience. If you travel more than once or twice a year, it’s natural to ask—Is TSA PreCheck worth it? What about CLEAR? And is one better than the other?

You’ve probably seen signs for both at airports, maybe even watched people zip past while you’re stuck inching forward. Let’s get into how each program works, what they cost, and—most importantly—which one is faster, smarter, and more cost-effective for you.

Understanding the Basics: TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Aren’t the Same Thing

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR often get lumped together, but they’re fundamentally different programs with different purposes.

TSA PreCheck is a government-run program from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It allows approved travelers to use a designated security lane where they don’t have to remove shoes, laptops, belts, or light jackets. PreCheck is all about simplifying the actual security screening process.

CLEAR, on the other hand, is a private company that focuses on identity verification. CLEAR uses biometric data (fingerprints and iris scans) to confirm your ID, so you can skip the document check line altogether and head straight to physical screening—whether that’s in the regular or PreCheck lane.

They can work together, or separately. And depending on where—and how often—you travel, the combination may be overkill or pure genius.

As of early 2024, TSA PreCheck is available at over 200 U.S. airports, and CLEAR is available at around 50+ airports, primarily larger hubs.

TSA PreCheck: What It Is, What It Costs, and Who It’s For

If you’ve flown in the U.S. in the last decade, you’ve seen the green TSA PreCheck logo at security checkpoints. Here’s the breakdown.

What You Get

TSA PreCheck gives you access to a separate security lane where you can:

• Keep your shoes, belts, and light jackets on
• Leave your laptop and liquids in your bag
• Move through security much faster (and usually with less hassle)

The result? You get to the gate sooner and with less stress.

Cost and Application

TSA PreCheck costs $78 for a five-year membership (that’s $15.60 per year), and many credit cards offer full reimbursement as a perk. The renewal fee is slightly lower—$70 for another five years if you renew online.

You’ll need to fill out an application, schedule a 10-minute in-person appointment for fingerprinting and a background check, and wait a few weeks for approval.

Who It’s Best For

TSA PreCheck is ideal for:

• Anyone who flies more than once a year
• Families (kids under 12 can use it for free when traveling with a parent)
• Domestic travelers who mostly stick to U.S. airports

If you’re only taking one flight every few years, it might not be necessary. But if you’re booking even one or two roundtrips annually, it quickly pays for itself in time and comfort.

CLEAR: What It Does, What It Costs, and Who It Helps

CLEAR operates a little differently. It’s not about skipping the screening itself—it’s about skipping the ID check line that comes before it.

What You Get

With CLEAR, you go to a designated CLEAR lane where a representative walks you through a quick biometric scan (fingerprint or iris), and you’re escorted directly to the front of the screening line.

If you also have TSA PreCheck, CLEAR will walk you to the PreCheck screening line. If you don’t, you’ll go to the standard screening. Either way, you skip the ID check crowd entirely.

Cost and Application

CLEAR is pricier: $189 per year, though frequent flyer programs and credit cards often offer steep discounts. Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus members can get it for $179, and higher-tier elites may get it free or heavily reduced.

You can enroll online and finish at the airport in about 5 minutes—no background check required.

Who It’s Best For

CLEAR is ideal for:

• Frequent travelers flying through large, busy airports with long ID check lines
• Travelers who want to save time even before the screening process
• People who don’t mind paying for convenience or who have a discounted rate

It’s also useful if you frequently travel during peak hours—Monday mornings, holidays, or early evenings when lines can balloon unpredictably.

Can (and Should) You Use Both?

Here’s the sweet spot: TSA PreCheck and CLEAR actually complement each other.

If you have both, you can skip the line to get your ID checked and go through the faster, simplified screening process. It’s a solid combo for business travelers, digital nomads, or anyone who flies frequently through major hubs like LAX, JFK, ATL, or Denver.

But it’s not a must-have for everyone. If you already get through security quickly with TSA PreCheck and don’t encounter long ID check lines, CLEAR might not add much. If you only fly once or twice a year, paying $189 for CLEAR probably won’t feel worth it.

Which One Is Faster?

That depends on the airport and the time of day.

In general:

• TSA PreCheck gets you through screening faster
• CLEAR gets you to the front of the line faster

So if the lines are long and chaotic (think summer travel or Thanksgiving), CLEAR can shave minutes off your wait—sometimes significantly. But if the airport is quiet, CLEAR’s benefit shrinks.

According to TSA, 89% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than 5 minutes at security in 2023. CLEAR does not publish similar statistics, but anecdotal data suggests you typically wait less than 2–3 minutes in CLEAR lanes at major airports.

What About Global Entry?

Quick note here for international travelers: Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and speeds up re-entry into the U.S. via customs kiosks. It costs $100 for five years and includes everything PreCheck does, plus extra international perks.

If you fly abroad a few times a year, Global Entry is likely your best deal—and it makes adding CLEAR more justifiable if you want full domestic and international coverage.

How to Decide What’s Worth It for You

Here’s where the personal part comes in. Ask yourself:

• How often do you travel? Once a month? Once a year?
• What’s your home airport like? Small and fast-moving or large and chaotic?
• Do you usually travel solo or with family? TSA PreCheck allows kids to come through with you, but CLEAR requires separate memberships after age 18.
• Do you mind standing in lines, or does it spike your stress?
• Would you use both programs regularly enough to justify the cost?

The answers can help you decide what’s worth paying for—and what might be overkill.

Answer Hub!

• Fly a few times a year, mostly domestic? → TSA PreCheck.
• Hate lines and travel through big airports often? → CLEAR (especially with a discount).
• Fly internationally? → Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck).
• Want maximum speed and comfort? → Get both TSA PreCheck + CLEAR.
• Rare traveler or fly from small airports? → Save your money—stick to regular security.

Comfort, Cost, and Your Travel Style

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here, and that’s the point. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR both offer real benefits, but they serve different needs and budgets. What works for a business traveler flying twice a week might not make sense for someone taking one summer vacation a year.

Think about what makes air travel stressful for you. Is it standing in long, slow-moving lines? Or is it the whole shoe-removal, laptop-juggling process at security? Each program eases a different part of that experience.

And if you’re still on the fence? Start with TSA PreCheck. It’s affordable, widely accepted, and enough on its own to make most airport security lines tolerable—sometimes even pleasant.