{"id":5844,"date":"2023-11-16T03:13:42","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T03:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mer.tours\/why-your-family-may-want-to-get-clear-before-your-next-flight\/"},"modified":"2023-11-16T03:13:43","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T03:13:43","slug":"why-your-family-may-want-to-get-clear-before-your-next-flight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelaffiliatewebsite.com\/mer\/why-your-family-may-want-to-get-clear-before-your-next-flight\/","title":{"rendered":"Why your family may want to get Clear before your next flight"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

As you may have noticed at the airport, TSA PreCheck<\/a> isn’t always the only way to skip the traditional security line. Another service that will expedite your airport security experience in 54 airports and counting is Clear<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After deeming it unnecessary or duplicative to PreCheck<\/a> for a period of time, my family first used Clear<\/a> to get through security quickly in 2018; on this particular day, all the other lines were so long we may have missed our flight if we waited.<\/p>\n

Now, it feels more important than ever to have Clear so we can all get through security as quickly and painlessly as possible. This is especially true as PreCheck is becoming crowded or may not always be available.<\/p>\n

Since I’ve used Clear for a few years at this point, I know it doesn’t replace PreCheck \u2014 it can actually be used in conjunction with PreCheck. Clear is a paid service, so it may not make sense for people who fly only once a year or so. However, there are ways to make it more affordable, and since children under 18 can tag along with a parent with a membership, it can be a relatively family-friendly service.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How Clear works<\/h2>\n

Instead of using traditional documents checked by the U.S. Transporation and Security Administration screeners, Clear uses biometrics \u2014 such as your eyes and face \u2014 verified by machines. You don’t need to touch anything or have anyone handle your ID when using Clear. However, Clear users, like all registered travelers, remain subject to random ID checks by TSA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Even before the pandemic, avoiding the prospect of digging your ID out of your bag is pretty fantastic.<\/p>\n

When you bring your kids with you while using Clear, they don’t have their biometrics scanned or checked. They’ll instead get their boarding passes checked.<\/p>\n

While kids can only piggyback with you in PreCheck until they turn 13, they can accompany you for free through Clear until age 18.<\/p>\n

I have seen a bit of a line for Clear before in places like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport<\/a> (ATL). However, I’m usually through Clear and escorted past the TSA lane by a cheery Clear staff member in under two minutes.<\/p>\n

<\/picture>\n
\n

Daily Newsletter<\/p>\n

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter<\/p>\n

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG\u2019s experts<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Not only do you get to keep your ID in place when using Clear, but you can also still take advantage of all the normal PreCheck offerings; you can keep your shoes on and your tablet or laptop packed away. If you don’t have PreCheck \u2014 or you just don’t get it on that particular flight \u2014 you can still use your Clear membership.<\/p>\n

For example, when my family was leaving Orlando International Airport<\/a> (MCO), we randomly didn’t get PreCheck. We would have had to wait 30 minutes in the security line, but we were able to zip right through the process thanks to Clear.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"