Expedited Airport Security Program CLEAR Reaches 12 Million Members

CLEAR, the secure identity company that lets users skip security lines in airports and other big venues, has officially reached 12 million enrollees.

The company, which was founded in 2010, uses biometrics to allow a person to be identified by their iris or fingerprint, along with their boarding pass or ticket. Members are able to go through security lanes at a separate entrance which significantly cuts their wait time. Members going through some airports, including Orlando International Airport, can also make a reservation to even further expedite their wait time. 

Membership costs $179 per year (or $15 per month) and includes children under 18, who do not need their own enrollment. CLEAR also offers discounts through partnerships with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines—Delta SkyMiles Platinum, Gold, and Silver Medallion members and United Premier members can get CLEAR for $109 (non-premier or platinum members can get it for $119).

CLEAR works differently than Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck—CLEAR gets members through the travel document checking process at airports while PreCheck gets its members through the physical screening process faster.

PreCheck, with an application fee of $85 for five years, is also significantly less expensive than CLEAR. That program reached its own 10 million member milestone in 2020.