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The Consolidated CLEAR Information Thread (Locations, Promotions, Value)

The Consolidated CLEAR Information Thread (Locations, Promotions, Value)

Old Jun 6, 2012, 12:32 pm
  #16  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1K (2MM), Marriott Lifetime Titanium (UGH), Uber Diamond
Posts: 750
As a CLEAR member (signed up 3 years ago, weathered the lapse and now using my 500 days of remaining membership), I can assure CLEAR is much faster than the "elite" lines at SFO. Now that the 1K/GS line is gone and all elites are equal - the "elite" line is a joke. I regularly wait upwards of 20 minutes. With CLEAR, my average wait is under 3.

As for CLEAR locations at SFO, I prefer the international security CLEAR lane. It is located at the G terminal security area closest to BART. The domestic one is also fine. It is where the old elite security screening used to be (under the stairs area).

The new clear scans your BP and your biometrics. They then tell TSA you are CLEAR and they walk you to the front of the security line.

Do the TSA dance and you are done!
SFO_Chad is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2012, 12:34 pm
  #17  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
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Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_1_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9B206 Safari/7534.48.3)

CLEAR >>>> so-called "Premier" line
demkr is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2012, 12:37 pm
  #18  
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
Originally Posted by Critic
Alright, I'll be the one to ask it.

You're 1K. Which means you already get access to the elite lane and you can be cleared for PreCheck when it goes live at SFO (among other airports) in a few weeks. Why spend the money on CLEAR?

(BTW - CLEAR doesn't actually get you 'faster security'. You get to bypass the line to the TDC. You still have to take your shoes off, assume the position, get scanned, etc.)
I'll field this one:

(1) Pre-Check doesn't work on UA yet. (I have used it with AA and look forward to using it with UA.)
(2) The Elite line now contains all elites, not just 1K & GS as before, and the line can get quite long at some times of day.
(3) I already spent money on CLEAR years ago, and the new CLEAR is respecting the balance of time on my previous account.

That said, I'm not sure I'd pay to renew CLEAR unless they can get TSA to streamline the screening process itself (as Pre-Check does).
mikew99 is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2012, 2:11 pm
  #19  
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K 2.2MM
Posts: 2,352
What 1k line?

Thanks all - yes, i'm joining clear because the new United Premiere line includes everybody with a credit card, and is often 20 to 30 minutes in the mornings now. Never used to be. Another great thing for 1ks, IMHO, is that service we used to have, are now things I am going to pay for.....
1k-all-the-way is offline  
Old Jun 8, 2012, 3:59 pm
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SFO/SEA
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Posts: 3,378
To all those wondering why this would be useful when you have elite lane access:

The biggest benefit in CLEAR's previous existence was that they escorted me DIRECTLY to xray and WTMDs. Meaning they would "cut me" into the line at the start of the metal table with the bins and whatnot to unload my computer, etc. The only wait would be to push my bags through the xray and the people in front me me waiting to walk through/be scanned

Assuming it's still done the same way, this is FAR more useful than any elite line because there often ends up being a wait in an elite line just because there are often a lot of elites. And elite lines often merge with regular lines once you get past the ID checker.
brosnan6 is offline  
Old Jun 9, 2012, 9:17 am
  #21  
 
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,299
@SFO using my reactivated card first time this morning. @UA domestic F1

My card didn't work in the reader, so they took the info from the card, walked me to the TSO for ID check (using the card) and directly to the belt where the Clear guy asked me how many bins and got them for me.

No chance to self opt out of the NOS this morning.

Still no wait and less walking vs the UA domestic elite line

-David

Last edited by LIH Prem; Jun 9, 2012 at 9:24 am
LIH Prem is offline  
Old Jun 12, 2012, 3:02 pm
  #22  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: DL Diamond, Sky Club, United Club, Admirals Club, Hyatt Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 613
Originally Posted by brosnan6
To all those wondering why this would be useful when you have elite lane access:

The biggest benefit in CLEAR's previous existence was that they escorted me DIRECTLY to xray and WTMDs. Meaning they would "cut me" into the line at the start of the metal table with the bins and whatnot to unload my computer, etc. The only wait would be to push my bags through the xray and the people in front me me waiting to walk through/be scanned
So I finally got to MCO and when I landed I did the security check and iris scan and all that. Took 5 minutes as the poster above said. They asked if I would be using the service before I got the card in the mail and yes I would, I was returning from MCO in 3 days. So they gave me a paper slip and said present this upon my return.

When I got to MCO to leave for home I showed the woman my slip, she escorted me to the airline employee lane. TSA did check the BC and ID, and then she walked me to the X-ray belt. 1 person was in front of me there, and he was already unpacking when I got there.

Way Faster than the Pre which I could have used. IMHO, Pre needs a Pre check, in other words you should have to prove you are PRE before you can get into the PRE line. At LAX they have made a mess of things, with lots of Pax who are not Pre in the Pre lane AND WORSE people who use the regular lane are getting 3 beeps and getting sent for re-checking at the Pre line. This causes a lot of cutting and moving and delays. Though the lane is still faster since it is just X-ray and nobody has to unpack or undress.
monkeshine is offline  
Old Jun 27, 2012, 9:03 pm
  #23  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 639
4 month CLEAR membership $18

On Living Social there is a 4 month CLEAR trial (for individual + family) for $18
http://www.livingsocial.com/deals/377926

Though I'm not totally sure how much value there is in it yet.
oshelef is offline  
Old Jul 1, 2012, 9:16 pm
  #24  
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: River Forest, IL
Posts: 328
If ORD were included, I would consider it.
marion10 is offline  
Old Jul 1, 2012, 10:04 pm
  #25  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: In thin air
Programs: UA
Posts: 293
I picked one up for when I go through DIA.. Thanks.
Thor3 is offline  
Old Jul 2, 2012, 1:13 pm
  #26  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM, Bonvoy Titanium Elite Lifer, Hertz Prez
Posts: 232
Was an Clear member from the old program and SFO is my home airport so Pre or not, I'm extremely happy Clear is back. I'm a UA 1K and the Elite security lines are a joke. Many times it's slower than the normal line with everybody and their brother having elite status via credit card, etc.

I used Clear for the first time at SFO Int'l G gates a couple of weeks ago and it was the same as before, through Clear check and security in less than 5 minutes even with the full body scan.

I believe with Pre you have to wait in line to get your boarding pass scanned, so Clear is definitely faster in that respect since you immediately bypass any/all lines and the TSA agent/scanner and go directly to the detector. (I have enrolled with Pre as well since I already have Global Entry so will be ready for that once UA implements it later this year.)

As a frequent biz traveler anything that cuts my wait time at the airport is worth the cost...
magendim is offline  
Old Jul 2, 2012, 6:19 pm
  #27  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BUR/LAX
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, HHonors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 2,504
Here is a promotion code for a free three month trial: CMNDFWLAUNCH at www.clearme.com or use this link: https://enroll.clearme.com/p/CMNDFWLAUNCH
It is good through July and is a promotion in conjunction with the launch of service at DFW.
wilp888 is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2012, 3:09 pm
  #28  
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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Similar Google offer today that expires Thursday.

https://www.google.com/offers/home#!...r=IWFsbA%3D%3D
Boraxo is online now  
Old Aug 20, 2012, 3:40 pm
  #29  
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,662
Here's why I finally decided to break down and join Clear:

(1) From what I can see, Clear lines at SFO International Terminal (both A & G sides) completely bypass the initial (useless) ID screeners, the longer lines for the TSA ID checkers (which can be 15m even for C/F class) and the lengthy MMW lines. So Clear is guaranteed to save me 5-30 minutes at the beginnning of every international flight, depending on TOD.

(2) Precheck is hit-or-miss. Clear is guaranteed every time I visit my home airport (SFO) assuming my flight departs within the rather long window of operations.

(3) In one case (not sure if it was T3 or International) I saw the Clear line go straight to a separate WTMD line which completely bypassed the horrid MMWs - which is fantastic as Boraxo doesn't do MMW.

(4) Family add-on membership only $50 - that's probably a better deal than lounge membership in terms of convenience when traveling with small children.

Now if only we can get Clear at IAD and maybe ORD ...
Boraxo is online now  
Old Aug 20, 2012, 5:10 pm
  #30  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
Originally Posted by Boraxo
I saw the Clear line go straight to a separate WTMD line which completely bypassed the horrid MMWs
If this were applied at all Clear airports, it would certainly increase the value of Clear.
14940674 is offline  

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