The Consolidated CLEAR Information Thread (Locations, Promotions, Value)
Oct 12, 2018, 7:02 am
#661
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
If your primary checkpoint is at MSP and you arrive at least 2 hours before a domestic flight, I can't see any value to you in CLEAR. Nothing at MSP would make me want to be at the airport early, especially because DL does not have a premium lounge at a fortress hub (or anywhere).
But, even if you cut that time down substantially, I don't see a value to CLEAR without Pre-Check.and frankly. I then see CLEAR as a very occasional value because even long Pre-Check lines move quite rapidly
But, even if you cut that time down substantially, I don't see a value to CLEAR without Pre-Check.and frankly. I then see CLEAR as a very occasional value because even long Pre-Check lines move quite rapidly
Oct 12, 2018, 8:49 am
#662
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 300
On the handful of times a year that I fly out of SFO, I have found that the PreCheck line can be quite long and moves somewhat slowly (the non-PreCheck premium line was shorter and probably would have gotten me through faster on at least one occasion).
Perhaps there, Clear would potentially give you 15 more minutes in the SkyClub?
But given that I only fly out of SFO a few times a year, it's probably not worth it. The PreCheck line at MSP moves plenty fast, and BOS doesn't have it.
Perhaps there, Clear would potentially give you 15 more minutes in the SkyClub?
But given that I only fly out of SFO a few times a year, it's probably not worth it. The PreCheck line at MSP moves plenty fast, and BOS doesn't have it.
Oct 12, 2018, 8:52 am
#663
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
I fly out of SFO a lot, and the last time I was there my wife (who was on a separate PNR and doesn't have pre-check) stood in the "regular" line that looked pretty bad and was through in just a hair over 10 minutes. Pre-check line looked bad but I suspect the wait there was significantly less than five minutes.
People massively overestimate how long the lines are.
People massively overestimate how long the lines are.
Oct 12, 2018, 8:55 am
#664
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL DM; Hyatt Globalist; etc
Posts: 540
My favorite part about Clear at this point is not needing to have my ID out at all - I can put my wallet in my bag and use only my BP to go through the whole process.
Every now and then, usually at SEA or SFO, there's been a "long" pre-check line (which means probably a 15 minute wait), but it's never enough to make it worth buying to get past security faster.
Every now and then, usually at SEA or SFO, there's been a "long" pre-check line (which means probably a 15 minute wait), but it's never enough to make it worth buying to get past security faster.
Oct 12, 2018, 8:59 am
#665
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,484
I've saved a ton of time with Clear, particularly at LAX, SFO, JFK, and DEN. At LAX particularly it's not uncommon to have 50 pax in the Pre line. You get to cut them all. Clear is absolutely worth $79/year to me.
Oct 12, 2018, 9:06 am
#666
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Somewhere
Programs: Delta Plat
Posts: 3,363
LGA the other day in and out of security in less than 5 minutes. I do have pre-check though.
JFK t2, in and out of security in less than 3 minutes. 6 in the morning Saturday
I time it. I only took longer at LGA because forgot to take my jacket off.
JFK t2, in and out of security in less than 3 minutes. 6 in the morning Saturday
I time it. I only took longer at LGA because forgot to take my jacket off.
Oct 12, 2018, 9:08 am
#667
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, Delta Reserve, Amex Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold ;)
Posts: 1,776
If you have PreCheck and regularly fly out of airports with greater numbers of PreCheck travelers than CLEAR is useful. I'm DCA based, DCA can have long PreCheck lines and CLEAR has saved me time.
With that said, when I'm at other airports flying back to DC I find CLEAR is only somewhat useful. If you don't have PreCheck, spend the money on GE or PreCheck instead. It's a better investment.
With that said, when I'm at other airports flying back to DC I find CLEAR is only somewhat useful. If you don't have PreCheck, spend the money on GE or PreCheck instead. It's a better investment.
Oct 12, 2018, 9:20 am
#669
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BNA/SAN
Programs: DL PM 1.5 MM , Hilton Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 754
I have Clear because it is free for Diamonds. It isn't offered at my home base airport so I don't see the value of it. My company pays for pre-check and even if they didn't, my credit card would cover it.
I only get to use Clear 2-3 times a year based on my travel so would not pay for it if I would lose the complementary coverage until such time as it were offered at SAN.
I only get to use Clear 2-3 times a year based on my travel so would not pay for it if I would lose the complementary coverage until such time as it were offered at SAN.
Oct 12, 2018, 10:45 am
#670
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SEA, or BOS, or MUC, or other places (probably connecting). "Detroit, Michigan is in the Eastern time zone."
Programs: DL PM/1MM, AS 100K, NEXUS/GE, CLEAR, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,202
Out of SEA, it saves me enough time that I'll probably pay for it after my DM freebie goes away (dropping to PM next year).
Oct 13, 2018, 9:32 am
#672
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,758
SFO is back to their old tricks of requiring ID 20% of the time. I frequently use the F1 checkpoint and not only does it take longer to get through using the sloowwwwwww Clear machines, now there is a 'MEMBER ESCORT REQUIRED' banner that appears on the screen which requires a full ID check at the TSA document checker.
I anticipate it's like this at other locations too if they took the time to program the machines.
I anticipate it's like this at other locations too if they took the time to program the machines.
Oct 13, 2018, 10:13 am
#673
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,947
SFO is back to their old tricks of requiring ID 20% of the time. I frequently use the F1 checkpoint and not only does it take longer to get through using the sloowwwwwww Clear machines, now there is a 'MEMBER ESCORT REQUIRED' banner that appears on the screen which requires a full ID check at the TSA document checker.
I anticipate it's like this at other locations too if they took the time to program the machines.
I anticipate it's like this at other locations too if they took the time to program the machines.
Oct 13, 2018, 11:07 am
#674
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NorCal - 1K 2MM
Posts: 2,089
SFO is back to their old tricks of requiring ID 20% of the time. I frequently use the F1 checkpoint and not only does it take longer to get through using the sloowwwwwww Clear machines, now there is a 'MEMBER ESCORT REQUIRED' banner that appears on the screen which requires a full ID check at the TSA document checker.
I anticipate it's like this at other locations too if they took the time to program the machines.
I anticipate it's like this at other locations too if they took the time to program the machines.
Oct 13, 2018, 11:43 am
#675
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,068
Should it make a difference? The problem with CLEAR now is I don't know if I'll need to produce my ID or not. At least through regular Precheck, I'll know exactly what's needed and pack accordingly. With CLEAR, I would have historically packed everything away in anticipation of not holding up the line after getting past the TDC. Now I find myself fishing out my ID half of the time or having the CLEAR rep run over with my phone, only to come back because the screen has timed out. I definitely won't be renewing my membership.