Clear Now Offers TSA PreCheck Enrollment

Enrollees in TSA PreCheck through Clear at participating airports have the option to enroll without a pre-application.

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Updated · 2 min read
Profile photo of Erin Oppenheim
Written by Erin Oppenheim
Writer
Profile photo of Meghan Coyle
Edited by Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced a new partnership with Clear, making it the third TSA PreCheck enrollment provider.

TSA PreCheck is a program that gives members access to dedicated lines at airport security checkpoints. Members don’t have to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets when they go through the scanner. Plus, they can keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on luggage. More than 200 airports and 90 airlines provide TSA PreCheck.

Clear is a separate program that uses biometric data (like a fingerprint or eye scan) to speed travelers through airport security. Once Clear members use a kiosk to scan their biometrics, they skip the regular security and TSA PreCheck lines and proceed straight to the physical screening portion.

🤓Nerdy Tip

You can have both Clear and TSA PreCheck. The first will skip you to the front of the line, and the second will give you access to the lane where you don’t have to take off your shoes, belt or jacket.

The new partnership between TSA and Clear will make it even easier for people to enroll in or renew TSA PreCheck since no appointments are required. It will also save applicants time and money if they enroll in both expedited security programs.

TSA PreCheck and Clear costs

TSA PreCheck costs vary depending on the enrollment provider. Registering for TSA PreCheck through Clear will cost $77.95 for a five-year membership. Online TSA PreCheck renewals through Clear will cost $68.95 for five years.

That’s a few cents cheaper than enrolling with Idemia and a few dollars cheaper than enrolling with Telos. Generally, it’s best to enroll with whichever enrollment provider has locations that are convenient for you.

You can often get your TSA PreCheck application costs covered with a travel credit card as well. These credit cards usually provide a statement credit that’ll reimburse you for the cost of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Here are some popular cards that offer this benefit:

Cards that offer TSA PreCheck credit
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Chase United Airlines Mileage Plus Credit Card
United℠ Explorer Card
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on Chase's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
NerdWallet Rating
Annual fee

$95.

$0 intro for the first year, then $95.

$550.

$95.

Benefit

Statement credit of up to $100 as reimbursement when you charge the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry to the card. Available once every 4 years.

Statement credit of up to $100 as reimbursement when you charge the application fee for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS to the card. Available once every 4 years.

Statement credit of up to $100 as reimbursement when you charge the application fee for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS to the card. Available once every 4 years.

Statement credit of up to $120 as reimbursement when you charge the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry to the card. Available once every 4 years.

Horizontal scroll

Here is a more comprehensive list:

Clear, on the other hand, has one-year memberships that go for $199. There is a smaller batch of travel cards that include Clear fees as a benefit. You can also get a discount on Clear through its partnerships with United and Delta.

Cards that offer Clear credit
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees
American Express® Green Card
American Express® Green Card
NerdWallet Rating
Annual fee

$695.

$695.

$150.

Clear benefits

$199 credit each year when paying for a Clear membership. Terms apply.

$199 credit each year when paying for a Clear membership. Terms apply.

$199 credit each year when paying for a Clear membership. Terms apply.

Horizontal scroll

One new option for getting both of these for less is applying for both through Clear. If you bundle TSA PreCheck and Clear, it’ll cost $199.95, which saves you about $66 off the full price of both programs.

Where to find Clear TSA PreCheck enrollment

Currently, Clear only offers enrollment for TSA PreCheck at three airports:

  • Sacramento International Airport.

  • Newark Liberty International Airport.

  • Orlando International Airport.

Enrollment for TSA PreCheck at all three participating airports is available daily from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time. Except at Sacramento International Airport, where enrollment closes on Saturdays at 6 p.m.

Clear plans to expand to other airports in the future.

(Editor's note: Since initial publication of this piece, enrollment via Clear has been extended to 10 additional airports — New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, San Diego, Birmingham and Washington-National)

How to enroll at TSA PreCheck at the airport

You can’t exactly just show up to the airport to enroll in TSA PreCheck through Clear. If you want to enroll through one of the Clear airport locations, you’ll have to submit an application online first.

Then, the next time you’re at a participating airport, walk up to Clear’s enrollment pod (no appointment necessary). Clear will submit your TSA PreCheck application on your behalf, and you can expect to hear back within three to five days.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

Travel Cards from Our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000 Points + $300 Travel Credit

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1.5%-5%

Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Cashback

Intro offer

Up to $300

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
See more travel cards
MORE LIKE THISTravel
Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.