Being part of just one airport program that speeds you through security may not be enough anymore, especially when events like government shutdowns, major storms, and system outouts can create long lines and travel disruptions. During the recent government shutdown concerns, services like Global Entry have experienced delays or temporary suspensions. While TSA PreCheck has continued operating in many cases, its availability could change if airports need to prioritize staffing in standard security lines.
In past years, I would have advised travelers to choose either TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+. While both services have expanded to many airports, extenuating circumstances could leave you without access to the service you’ve paid for. The solution? Have both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+, so you increase your chances of a smooth, wait-free airport security experience — something that feels more important than ever in 2026.
In this article, I’ll compare TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+, explain how you can get each for free, and show why having both may help you avoid long airport security lines.
TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR+
Below, we compare TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ so you can better understand how each program works and what each offers.
Service
How It Works
Number of Airports
How To Get It for Free
TSA PreCheck
($85 for 5 years)
Enroll online, then make an appointment for fingerprints and a photo. Obtain your Known Traveler Number (KTN) upon approval, entering it in your travel profiles and reservations before flying. Use the TSA PreCheck dedicated line at security. Don’t remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or light jackets. Opt in within your frequent flyer profiles to use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, which uses biometrics.
Available at over 200 airports with over 90 participating airlines nationwide. Type in your airport here to see if TSA PreCheck is available.
TSA PreCheck is free if you apply for Global Entry. Get Global Entry and/or TSA PreCheck for free with these 39 credit cards that offer a statement credit.
CLEAR+
($209 for 1 year)
Apply for CLEAR+. Once approved, go through CLEAR+ lanes at airports and stadiums using biometrics. CLEAR Concierge is an additional service that includes an airport ambassador (for an added fee per trip).
Available at over 70 locations with over 150 lanes.
4 credit cards offer CLEAR+ membership for free. Our favorite card with this benefit is the Platinum Card® from American Express.
Certain elite status tiers within frequent flyer programs offer discounts for CLEAR+.
Having both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ won’t eliminate every airport delay, but they can certainly improve your experience. Here’s how.
Hot Tip:
You can also learn more about these services and what travelers think of them. We surveyed more than 1,500 people to find out whether TSA PreCheck is worth it (hint: many think it is). We’ve also analyzed whether CLEAR+ is worth the cost and why Global Entry remains a valuable option for international travelers.
1. Each Service Isn’t Available at Every Airport
As the chart above shows, TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports, while CLEAR+ is available at over 70 locations (including stadiums). While these numbers will likely increase over time, you may find yourself at an airport with only one of these services. Having access to both increases the likelihood that you’ll be able to use expedited security at any U.S. airport you visit.
2. You Can Choose the Shorter Line
If an airport offers both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+, being enrolled in both programs allows you to choose whichever line is shorter. This can be incredibly helpful during peak times, such as holidays or summer travel, when security lines can grow quickly. I’ve personally experienced airports where the TSA PreCheck lane had a long wait while the CLEAR+ lane was nearly empty — and other times when the opposite was true.
If the lines aren’t located next to each other, you can always ask airport staff which service tends to have shorter lines. They might not always know for sure, but in my experience, they’ve been very helpful in directing me toward the quicker line.
3. Kids Can Accompany Adults for Free
Another benefit is that children can often use both services for free when their parents are members, making TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ even more valuable for families.
Speaking from personal experience, expedited security can make a big difference when traveling with babies, toddlers, or young children.
TSA PreCheck for Families
Children 12 and under can accompany parents with TSA PreCheck through the expedited lane. Children ages 13 to 17 may also use TSA PreCheck if the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass. This typically occurs when the child is on the same reservation as a parent who has TSA PreCheck.
CLEAR+ for Families
Children 17 and under can also use CLEAR+ lanes for free with a parent who has an active CLEAR+ membership — no separate enrollment required.
4. You Can Sometimes Get Each Program for Free (or Discounted)
As we mentioned in the chart, it’s fairly simple to get these services for free or with a discount, depending on what credit cards or airline elite status you hold.
How To Get TSA PreCheck for Free
For starters, see if you hold any of these 39 cards that offer a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. TSA PreCheck is valid for 5 years from the date of approval, and you can renew it up to 6 months before it expires.
If you apply for Global Entry, you can get TSA PreCheck for free. Global Entry can greatly reduce your wait in line at border control when coming back from a trip abroad.
Hot Tip: Note that the Global Entry suspension caused by the current partial government shutdown is an evolving story. Check trusted news sources if you have an upcoming trip to see which fast-track services are available at your local airport.
How To Get CLEAR+ for Free (or Discounted)
A few credit cards offer statement credits that can offset the cost of a CLEAR+ membership, which normally costs $209 per year. These include:
- Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express Green Card®
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Among these, most travelers prefer the Amex Platinum card because it offers a variety of other benefits and statement credits that can help offset its annual fee.
The information regarding the American Express Green Card® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
If you’re looking for a card with a lower annual fee, the Amex Green card is an excellent option.
Airline Status Discounts
Some airline elite status tiers also provide discounted CLEAR+ memberships. Whether you hold a Delta co-branded credit card or have Medallion status, being affiliated with Delta can get you a free or discounted CLEAR+ membership.
For example, CLEAR+ is free for Diamond Medallion elites or those with Delta 360° status. Instead of the $209 annual membership, Delta Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion members can purchase it for $169. Delta SkyMiles members without elite status can get a membership for $199 annually.
If you hold any of these Delta-branded credit cards, you can get CLEAR+ for a discounted price of $169 per year:
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
United is a similar story. Global Services elite status members get a complimentary CLEAR+ membership. United Premier Silver, Gold, and Platinum elite status members can get a membership for $169, while United Premier 1K members can get it for $129 per year. Regular United MileagePlus members without elite status get a small discount and can pay $199 per year.
United-branded credit cardholders can also get a discount on membership. If you hold one of the following cards, you pay just $169:
- Unitedâ„ Explorer Card
- United Clubâ„ Business Card
- Unitedâ„ Business Card
For Alaska and Hawaiian, all Atmos Rewards members get a discounted rate for CLEAR+ at $199 per year. And, Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium members receive 1,500 miles for enrolling in CLEAR+ for the first time at the $199 rate and 1,250 miles for renewing or reinstating their CLEAR+ accounts at the $199 rate.
5. You May Be Able to Bundle CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck
If you don’t have either service, it may be possible to apply for both programs at the same time through certain promotional bundles. For example, CLEAR+ sometimes offers promotions where those who enroll and complete a TSA PreCheck application within a specified window can receive a reimbursement of the TSA PreCheck application fee.
Right now, you can apply for CLEAR+ and get TSA PreCheck for free. Here’s how it works:
Join CLEAR+ here, then either preenroll or renew TSA PreCheck through CLEAR+ within 7 days here. Pay the full rate of $288.95 ($209 for CLEAR+ and then $79.95 for TSA PreCheck). After completing your TSA PreCheck application, you receive a $79.95 refund (the full cost of TSA PreCheck).
The best way to pay for this bundled pack is with one of the 4 cards that offer a statement credit for a complimentary CLEAR+ membership: the Amex Platinum card, the Amex Business Platinum card, the Amex Green card, or the Hilton Aspire card. This way, you can offset the cost of both programs.
Hot Tip: You can get CLEAR+, Global Entry, and TSA PreCheck for free just by holding a single credit card. The Amex Platinum card offers statement credits every 5 years for both Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck) and CLEAR+, making it a top choice if you want to reduce wait times at the airport.
Final Thoughts
Both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ can help travelers move through airport security faster. While neither program guarantees a completely line-free airport experience, having access to both gives you more flexibility and increases the likelihood that you’ll be able to use an expedited security option.
Between growing travel demand, occasional staffing challenges, and unpredictable travel disruptions, having both programs can help reduce stress and make navigating airport security easier. And with the right credit cards or airline status, it’s often possible to significantly reduce (or even eliminate) the cost of enrollment.
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