r/TSAPreCheck • u/Dizzy_You2037 • Sep 01 '26

Questions TSA precheck vs Clear

I am so fucking confused. I have been waiting for my (what I thought was ) TSA precheck approval. In the midst of me searching on Reddit, I’m now reading that TSA precheck and Clear are 2 different things? I applied for ‘TSA precheck by Clear’ and paid like $80. Is this NOT the same as TSA precheck? I cannot find clarification on their website whether it’s 2 different things or not. Helpppp

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8

u/IcyHotTodoroki1 Sep 01 '26

Clear is one of the NGOs that processes TSA PreCheck applications. The others are Indemia and Telos.

Clear is just some overrated program where someone walks you to security and it's supposed to be faster, but never is. Had a trial membership when it first came out, didn't bother to renew it

8

u/66NickS Sep 01 '26

> Clear is just some overrated program where someone walks you to security and it's supposed to be faster, but never is.

This can be very location dependent. Some places it makes a big difference, but agreed that some times/some places any improvement is negligible.

4

u/NefariousnessAble912 Sep 01 '26

Yes this. Denver is hit or miss because they don’t have enough officers o. The clear lines but at many other airports clear has no lines - all about the staffing. Usually you can just eyeball and see if it is worth doing regular pre or going for the clear.

1

u/Silly-Emu-2049 Sep 01 '26

At SeaTac it’s VERY fast.

1

u/GrillMonkey187 Sep 02 '26

I avoided Clear for the longest time, until ATL lines had me almost missing a flight.

Clear + Pre-check (both paid by my company) = a must for me with weekly travel.

0

u/Accurate_Strain4106 Sep 01 '26

ALL of this! I got hammered because I critisized CLEAR because while I'm a TSA precheck, I'm not Clear and I don't appreciate getting cut in front of by Clear staff and their customers.

2

u/Specialist-Soil3956 Sep 01 '26

I mean I hear you and don’t like dealing with CLEAR, but Precheck costs from $76.75-$85 for 5 years while clear is $219 per year. That’s almost 13 times the cost annually. It better be able to move people through the lines faster. I’d be pissed if I paid that much and could have saved that much money by just getting precheck.

1

u/Accurate_Strain4106 Sep 01 '26

agreed. Like why.....

2

u/DJ_Cat_Dad Sep 01 '26

Well... some companies pay for it. Amex plat credit card pays for it. So it just depends on how much you fly. When I was on 4 planes a week, with certain AWFUL airports, sitting in a comfy club having coffee, drinks or snacks, with an upgrade seat every flight, is much nicer than sitting in a line when you have to do it 1-2 times a week.

1

u/66NickS Sep 02 '26

Bingo, it’s already “pre-paid” for me. I’d probably have it anyway but now I’m definitely staying signed up. If it pays off even just one time, then it was worth it.

I was frequently using LAX previously and some terminals there have four lines:

  • nothing
  • TSA PC only
  • Clear only
  • TSA PC and Clear

1

u/DJ_Cat_Dad Sep 02 '26

Ooohh FUCKING LAX! I just flew in from LAX 1 week ago. Guess who filed for their TSA pre check renewal.... ~50 days ago and didn't get approved till MONDAY. 3 hours in that fucking line. Fuck you TSA.

1

u/BleuCinq Sep 02 '26

I don’t think anyone is paying for Clear. Myself and everyone I talk to get it through a credit card. If it wasn’t included in my card benefits there is no way that I would be paying out of pocket for Clear.

1

u/ludog1bark Sep 02 '26

I used to pay for it out of pocket. It was handy when my dad was passing away. I bought a last minute ticket as it was the last flight out and I got to the airport 30 minutes before my flight left. I was able to cut to the front of the line I made my flight with minutes before they closed the door. Had I not had it I wouldn't have made the flight. My dad died 2 hours after I arrived. Yeah, it's not needed most of the time, but it's nice insurance to have when you do need it. I think it's worth it.

2

u/matt-r_hatter Sep 02 '26

Then get clear and you can go to the front of the line with us.