BigFlyer

I was debating joining Clear at the reduced Delta rate of $79 per year. I'm debating, because I don't fly as much as I used to and I'm not sure if the advantage vs. TSA Pre is worth it.

When looking at the fine print rules, I see it says:

Your Annual Unlimited CLEAR membership fee is refundable. Refunds will be pro-rated based on the time remaining on your membership.

Anyone have any experience with cancelling? Would there be any problem with joining and then cancelling for the few times a year that I fly out of a covered airport?

greglvnv

Just get TSA Pre. The advantage of Clear is that you bypass the ID check but you still need to join the line for security screening, so you save maybe 5 or 10 minutes each time. Even at $79 a year, I think $85 every 5 years is a better deal.

BigFlyer

I already have TSA Pre through Global Entry. However, TSA Pre does not work with most foreign carriers - including major players like KLM, British, Air France, etc.

And, the point of my post was not a question about paying $79 per year - but, whether for someone who flies out of eligible airports 2-3 time per year, if there is any impediment to activating and then cancelling each time.

BigFlyer

How far does Clear get you - do they reinsert you into the line right after the ID check, or further down?

I seem to recall a Clear person being escorted not only past the ID checker, but further down the line to the beginning of where you hoist your luggage for the x-ray machine. However, I'm not sure of that memory, and haven't noticed anyone clearing the Clear checkpoint recently.

1KChinito

I do not have Clear. At SFO, Clear CSR escorts you to ID checker. In essence you cut to the beginning of TSA Pre Check line. Which sometimes can be long like Monday morning.

SEA1K4EVR

I have used Clear exactly one time now... at SEA..since I just became a member. We made a quick stop at the PreCheck TSA ID station where the agent listened to the 3 beeps from my BP being scanned (but did not look at my ID), and i then joined the queue for the xray machines...I was told that was a random select process.

The CLEAR lane ends, at least at SEA and as I recall also seeing at DEN, pretty much even with where the ID checkers are. Having the physical separation is really what keeps things civilized.. but beyond the ID checkers there's no more dedicated CLEAR space so it would then just be line cutting.

Now, the day I flew happened to be a bad example because all of the lanes were near empty..so I haven't had the satisfaction of a massive time saver yet.. but it did not appear that there was any extra beyond the ID check.

BigFlyer

I would think that if they escorted you beyond the ID checker in front of anyone that had already cleared the ID checker there would be occasional fist fights.

wilp888

Last 2 times I used CLEAR at SFO in the domestic terminal, I was escorted to the queue at the baggage x-ray line. The CLEAR escort never handed my ID to the TSA checker. At the International terminal, however, the escort always handed my ID to the TSA checker.

chrisny2

Years ago, with the original Clear, they used to escort you right to the front of the xray.

chrisny2

I don't have an answer to your question. But keep in mind that you can't create multiple accounts, because your account is matched to your biometrics. I could see them allowing one or two cancels, but then blocking you from rejoining.

pseudoswede

You know have to re-scan your boarding pass at a TSA ID check desk (regardless if you are Pre-Check or regular screening), but you do not have to show ID. Basically, on the shuttle bus ride to the airport, I can put my wallet into my carryon since I no longer have to show my driver's license.

pseudoswede

I timed myself Monday night at DEN. Starting at the threshold of the CLEAR entrance to the train doors: 3m29s. I think I spent 90 seconds of it escorting my bags down the x-ray scanner rollers.

seawolf

So let me get this straight. CLEAR is just you pay to go ahead of the the line similar to FastPass at Disney? It's got nothing to do with being low-risk traveller/trusted traveller as no background check is involved?

televisor

Essentially yes: you're paying to skip the line. They do do some form of identity verification though, mostly using data sourced using your SSN. (They also claim to be restricted to US citizens, but it's not entirely clear how they verify that seeing as a DL/State ID is sufficient to apply, and the SSN doesn't imply citizenship.)

Boraxo

Umm, no, that's not the whole story.

The whole reason TSA permits CLEAR to operate is that its clients have been thoroughly vetted similar to Pre-Check so TSA does not need to waste extra time with laptop and shoe removal, etc. And the Iris/Fingerprint screen is far more reliable than the TSA document check.

Now from the customer side, the experience is as you describe - you skip past the precheck line (if any) and go straight to the WMD screening. But this is also true now for ballparks and any other places where Clear is available.