Does CLEAR make sense at IAH for UA traveler
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston/DC
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 562
Does CLEAR make sense at IAH for UA traveler
I fly frequently IAH-WAS (all 3 airports) and am entertaining augmenting my TSA Pre with CLEAR. I realize CLEAR is currently only @ terminal A in IAH & would only work if I am not checking a bag (which is most of the time).
FWIW, I frequently check in at a different UA terminal than I am flying and ride the sky train to the one I am departing from due to Priority Pass Lounge Access. Just wondering if there are any UA flyers out that have went down this road and what their thoughts/experiences are.
From my observations at BWI/IAD/DCA CLEAR will definitely speed me past the longer TSA Pre lines on that end. That may be enough to spend the $79 per year.
FWIW, I frequently check in at a different UA terminal than I am flying and ride the sky train to the one I am departing from due to Priority Pass Lounge Access. Just wondering if there are any UA flyers out that have went down this road and what their thoughts/experiences are.
From my observations at BWI/IAD/DCA CLEAR will definitely speed me past the longer TSA Pre lines on that end. That may be enough to spend the $79 per year.
#4
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Entirely situational, and you should be able to easily judge by how much time you spend stuck in Pre lines. I don't think it's ever been more than 5 minutes for me, so I haven't bothered with Clear. Others have a different experience due to travel patterns.
#5
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston/DC
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 562
Just trying to figure out if it is worth it to go out of my way @ IAH and enter at the A terminal to go back to the United side of the airport. I just signed up for the free 2 months to try it out. Only way to see if it fits my travel pattern.
#6
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If we assume that you sometimes fly back to IAH from elsewhere, CLEAR could be worthwhile if it prevents you from missing just one flight, but you need too assess your own attitudes toward risk and your tolerance for suddenly finding yourself unnecessarily in a very long line. However, I'm posting from the perspective of someone who not only gets CLEAR for free as a DL DM but also is a hub captive where the hub now has CLEAR (as well as the DL terminals at a number of major domestic airports), so for me it's been great.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 722
I can routinely make it from my front door (Houston heights) to boarding the plane at IAH in 50 minutes, even at rush hour. I dont have CLEAR, so I dont think IAH is your major data justification point. From the sounds of it the use at the WAS airports would be worth it.
IAH is insanely efficient. An extremely underrated airport IMO.
IAH is insanely efficient. An extremely underrated airport IMO.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
I too just recently signed up for it. I don't transit IAH much so my datapoints will not help you. LAX/SFO thus far have been very efficient and I've only beat the pre-check line by a couple of people since there rarely is a queue. I'm waiting for LAS this week.
Heads up, sign up for a Delta account. Clear drops to $99 for a General Member, less if you have status(originally $179). Even beats my Alumni Association offering $139.
Heads up, sign up for a Delta account. Clear drops to $99 for a General Member, less if you have status(originally $179). Even beats my Alumni Association offering $139.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SEA
Programs: UA: 1k, Marriott / Bonvoy: Platinum
Posts: 46
For me, clear means I spend a maximum of 10 minutes at security, regardless of how busy it is. This makes it worth while.
Because you always enter the line at the same point, you know exactly how long it will take at worst case, which helps me plan when to go to the airport.
The fact act that I spend less time on average than people in the pre or priority lane is just gravy.
Because you always enter the line at the same point, you know exactly how long it will take at worst case, which helps me plan when to go to the airport.
The fact act that I spend less time on average than people in the pre or priority lane is just gravy.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston/DC
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 562
Agreed. IAH is so easy to navigate and their TSA security seems much better than some of the east coast airports I frequent.
#13
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#14
Join Date: Nov 2006
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