Bottom line: TSA PreCheck is the better value for most travelers. CLEAR is only worth it for very frequent flyers at busy airports who already have PreCheck.
What Each Program Does
TSA PreCheck: Expedited Screening
What Happens
Without PreCheck
With PreCheck
Join security line
Regular line
Dedicated PreCheck lane
Show ID
Yes
Yes
Remove shoes
Yes
No
Remove belt
Yes
No
Laptop out of bag
Yes
No
Liquids out of bag
Yes
No
Body scanner
Standard
Standard
Average total time
20-45 min
5-10 min
CLEAR: Skip the ID Check
What Happens
Without CLEAR
With CLEAR
Join ID check line
Wait in line
Skip to front
Show ID
Manual check
Biometric scan
Security screening
Normal process
Normal process
Time saved
—
5-15 min on ID line
Key Difference Visualized
Standard Security:
Wait in ID line (10-30 min) ← CLEAR skips this
Show ID to TSA agent
Wait for screening (5-20 min) ← PreCheck has faster lane
Remove shoes, belt, laptop
Go through scanner ← PreCheck keeps shoes/laptop
Collect belongings
With PreCheck only:
Wait in ID line (10-30 min)
Show ID to TSA agent
Wait in PreCheck lane (2-5 min)
Keep shoes, belt, laptop in bag
Go through scanner
Collect belongings quickly
With CLEAR only:
Skip to front of ID line
Biometric scan (eyes/fingerprint)
Wait in regular screening line (5-20 min)
Remove shoes, belt, laptop
Go through scanner
Collect belongings
With PreCheck + CLEAR:
Skip to front of PreCheck ID line
Biometric scan
PreCheck screening (2-5 min)
Keep shoes, belt, laptop
Go through scanner
Fastest possible experience
Cost Analysis
Annual Cost
Flights/Year
PreCheck Cost
CLEAR Cost
PreCheck + CLEAR
2
$7.80/flight
$94.50/flight
$102.30/flight
5
$3.12/flight
$37.80/flight
$40.92/flight
10
$1.56/flight
$18.90/flight
$20.46/flight
20
$0.78/flight
$9.45/flight
$10.23/flight
50
$0.31/flight
$3.78/flight
$4.09/flight
5-Year Total Cost
Program
5-Year Cost
Monthly
TSA PreCheck
$78
$1.30
CLEAR
$945
$15.75
Both
$1,023
$17.05
Break-Even Analysis
CLEAR at $189/year
Value per hour saved
Break-even flights
Saves 5 min/flight
$37.80/hour
Need to fly 50+/year
Saves 10 min/flight
$18.90/hour
Need to fly 25+/year
Saves 15 min/flight
$12.60/hour
Need to fly 15+/year
Where Programs Work
TSA PreCheck Availability
Coverage
Details
Airports
200+ US airports
Airlines
80+ airlines
International flights
Yes (departing US)
CLEAR Availability
Location Type
Number
Major airports
50+
Sports stadiums
40+
Not at most regional airports
—
Airports With Both
Major hubs like:
Atlanta (ATL)
Los Angeles (LAX)
New York (JFK, LGA, EWR)
San Francisco (SFO)
Denver (DEN)
Seattle (SEA)
Dallas (DFW)
Chicago (ORD)
Who Should Get What
Get TSA PreCheck Only If:
Criteria
Why PreCheck is enough
Fly 2-15 times/year
Best value at $15.60/year
Fly from various airports
PreCheck available everywhere
Hate removing shoes/laptop
PreCheck solves this
Budget-conscious
12x cheaper than CLEAR
Consider Adding CLEAR If:
Criteria
Why add CLEAR
Fly 25+ times/year
Cost per flight becomes reasonable
Home airport is always busy
Benefit from skipping ID line
Value time extremely highly
$189/year for convenience
Already have PreCheck
CLEAR alone isn’t worth it
Get CLEAR free (Delta, United)
Status members get it free
Skip CLEAR If:
Criteria
Why skip CLEAR
Fly less than 15 times/year
Too expensive per flight
Already have PreCheck
PreCheck line rarely has ID backup
Use smaller airports
CLEAR not available
Price-conscious
Save $189/year
Free CLEAR Membership Options
Airline Status
Airline
Free CLEAR
Requirement
Delta
Yes
Diamond Medallion
United
Yes
Premier 1K, Global Services
Discounted CLEAR
Source
Price
Details
Delta (lower tiers)
$149/year
SkyMiles members
United (lower tiers)
$149/year
MileagePlus members
Family plan
$60/adult
Add up to 3 adults
Student
$50/year
With .edu email
CLEAR Family Math
Scenario
Annual Cost
Individual
$189
Plus spouse
$189 + $60 = $249
Plus spouse + parent
$189 + $120 = $309
Four adults
$189 + $180 = $369
Real-World Speed Test
Typical Experience
Scenario
PreCheck Only
CLEAR + PreCheck
Difference
Off-peak (6AM)
5 min total
3 min total
2 min
Normal
8 min total
5 min total
3 min
Busy period
12 min total
6 min total
6 min
Holiday rush
15-20 min
8-10 min
7-10 min
When CLEAR Makes Biggest Difference
Situation
CLEAR Value
Peak morning rush at major hub
High
Busy holiday travel
High
Off-peak times
Low
Small/medium airports
Zero (not available)
When PreCheck line is empty
Zero
Common Misconceptions
Myth vs Reality
Myth
Reality
“CLEAR replaces PreCheck”
No, they do different things
“CLEAR = no security screening”
No, you still go through scanner
“CLEAR works everywhere”
Only 50+ airports vs 200+ for PreCheck
“CLEAR is for everyone”
Only makes sense for 20+ flights/year
“PreCheck is always instant”
Can still have 10-15 min waits at peak
Decision Matrix
Your Situation
Recommendation
Annual Cost
1-2 flights/year
PreCheck only
$15.60
3-10 flights/year
PreCheck only
$15.60
10-20 flights/year
PreCheck only
$15.60
20+ flights, busy airports
PreCheck + CLEAR
$204.60
Free CLEAR via status
PreCheck + CLEAR
$15.60
Pro tip: If you have Global Entry, you automatically have TSA PreCheck at no extra cost. Global Entry ($100) is the better value for frequent international travelers — it covers customs re-entry AND PreCheck. Apply at cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry.
Credit Cards That Cover TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
Many premium travel credit cards reimburse the $78 PreCheck fee or the $100 Global Entry fee (which includes PreCheck) every 4-5 years. If you have any of these cards, you can effectively get PreCheck for free.
Top Cards That Reimburse PreCheck/Global Entry
Credit Card
Annual Fee
Covers
Frequency
Net Cost
Chase Sapphire Reserve
$550
Global Entry ($100)
Every 4 years
$0
Amex Platinum
$695
Global Entry ($100)
Every 4 years
$0
Capital One Venture X
$395
Global Entry ($100)
Every 4 years
$0
Citi Strata Premier
$95
PreCheck ($78)
Every 4.5 years
$0
Chase United Explorer
$95
Global Entry/PreCheck
Every 4 years
$0
Bank of America Premium Rewards
$95
PreCheck ($78)
Every 4.5 years
$0
How reimbursement works: Pay the application fee on your credit card. The card automatically credits your account (or you submit a receipt) within a few billing cycles. The statement credit covers up to $100 for Global Entry or $78 for PreCheck.
Key insight: If you’re on the fence about a travel credit card, PreCheck/Global Entry reimbursement is often one of the easiest-to-quantify perks. A card with a $95 annual fee that covers your $100 Global Entry fee is essentially paying for itself in year one.
How to Apply
TSA PreCheck
Step
Details
Website
tsa.gov/precheck
Cost
$78
Process
Online app + 10 min appointment
Approval
3-5 days
CLEAR
Step
Details
Website
clearme.com
Cost
$189/year
Process
Enroll at airport kiosk
Approval
Immediate
No background check
Just biometric enrollment
Alternatives to CLEAR
Global Entry ($100/5 years)
Includes TSA PreCheck
Expedited customs when returning to US
Better value than CLEAR for international travelers
NEXUS ($50/5 years)
Includes TSA PreCheck + Global Entry
Expedited Canada entry
Best value if you travel to Canada
NEXUS: Best Value for Canadian Travelers
NEXUS ($50 for 5 years) is the most overlooked trusted-traveler program. It includes TSA PreCheck at US airports AND expedited entry into Canada at land crossings and airports — all at roughly half the cost of PreCheck alone. If you live near the Canadian border or travel to Canada even once or twice a year, NEXUS is the clear best-value option in the trusted-traveler ecosystem.
To qualify, you must be a US or Canadian citizen, pass a background check, and complete an in-person interview at a NEXUS enrollment center (located at major Canada border crossings and some airports). The interview can take 2-6 months to schedule, so apply well in advance of planned travel.
Mobile Passport (Free)
Faster customs on return to US
Free app
Not as fast as Global Entry but free
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use CLEAR if I don’t have PreCheck?
Yes, but you’ll skip the ID line then wait in regular security and remove shoes/laptop. It’s less valuable without PreCheck.
Does CLEAR work for TSA PreCheck lines?
Yes. CLEAR escorts you to the front of either the regular or PreCheck ID line (whichever you qualify for).
What happens if CLEAR biometrics fail?
You’ll need to show regular ID and wait in the normal line. This is rare but can happen.
Is there a family plan for PreCheck?
No. Each person over 12 needs their own $78 membership. Children 12 and under can use PreCheck with an enrolled parent for free.
Bottom Line
Program
Value Score
Best For
TSA PreCheck
★★★★★
Everyone who flies 2+/year
CLEAR alone
★★☆☆☆
Almost no one
CLEAR + PreCheck
★★★☆☆
25+ flights/year at major airports
For most travelers: TSA PreCheck at $15.60/year provides 90% of the benefit. CLEAR’s $189/year is only worth it for very frequent flyers who already have PreCheck and home-base at busy airports.
WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy
