What Is CLEAR at the Airport & How to Get It for Free

TSA lines have gotten out of hand. At some of the country's busiest airports, security wait times are pushing past an hour, and that's on a regular travel day. Nobody wants to show up two and a half hours early just to stand in a line that barely moves.

CLEAR solves that. And right now, you can try it for free.

Here is everything you need to know: what CLEAR actually is, how it's different from TSA PreCheck, and exactly how to get your hands on a free membership before your next trip.

What Is CLEAR at the Airport?

CLEAR is a private membership program that uses biometrics to verify your identity at airport security. Instead of showing your ID to a TSA agent, you walk up to a CLEAR kiosk, scan your eyes or fingerprints, and the system confirms who you are in seconds.

From there, you go straight to the front of the security line. No waiting behind 40 other people while someone fumbles with their passport.

It costs $209 per year for an individual membership. Kids 17 and under always get in free when they're traveling with a member, which makes it a solid perk for families.

One thing worth knowing: CLEAR is available to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents 18 and older with a valid government-issued ID, and travelers from select international countries with a valid passport. No background check is required.

How to Get CLEAR for Free (The 2-Month Trial Hack)

Here's the trick that's been making the rounds — and it works.

CLEAR is currently offering two free months to new members. But the promo code isn't advertised on the homepage. You have to ask for it.

Go to clearme.com and open the chat feature. Ask about getting two free months. Their digital assistant will give you a promo code you can apply at checkout.

Sign up, start your membership, and use it for two months completely free. Just set a reminder to cancel before the trial ends if you decide CLEAR isn't worth the full $209 annual fee. The membership auto-renews, so that calendar reminder matters.

Two months is enough time to use it on two or three trips and get a real feel for whether it's worth keeping.

CLEAR vs. TSA PreCheck: What's the Difference?

TSA PreCheck is a government program run by the Department of Homeland Security. Once you're approved (which requires an in-person appointment and background check), you get access to a dedicated security lane where you don't have to remove your shoes, laptop, or light jacket. It's valid for five years and costs $85 to enroll.

CLEAR is a private company. No background check, no government involvement. CLEAR handles the identity verification part, confirming that you are who your boarding pass says you are. Once you're through the CLEAR lane, you still go through the physical security screening (bags through the X-ray, body scan, all of it) — just at the front of the line.

The reason people love both: they work together. Use CLEAR to skip the identity check line, then head directly into the TSA PreCheck lane for the fastest possible path to your gate. Stack both and airport security becomes almost painless.

CLEAR members save an average of four hours per year on airport security. That number adds up fast if you fly more than a few times a year.

Other Ways to Get CLEAR for Free

The two-month trial is the fastest route for most people, but there are a handful of ways to get a full year of CLEAR for free, or heavily discounted, depending on what's already in your wallet.

American Express Platinum Card

This card offers up to $209 in annual statement credits toward CLEAR+. Pay for your membership with the card, the credit posts, and your membership is effectively free. The Amex Platinum has a high annual fee, but the CLEAR credit alone covers a significant chunk of it.

Amex Business Platinum Card

Same deal as the personal Platinum. Business owners who carry this card get up to $209 in CLEAR credits per calendar year.

American Express Green Card

The Green Card is the most affordable Amex option with a CLEAR perk. Lower annual fee than the Platinum, still offers up to $209 toward CLEAR+.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Hilton loyalists take note. The Aspire card also includes up to $209 in annual CLEAR statement credits alongside its other hotel perks.

If you don't have any of those cards, CLEAR still offers discounted rates through airline partnerships:

Delta SkyMiles Members

SkyMiles members get preferred pricing. Delta Diamond Medallion members (the highest elite tier) receive CLEAR free.

United MileagePlus Members

United Global Services members get CLEAR free. Premier 1K members pay $129. Platinum, Gold, and Silver members, along with any United credit card holder and pay $169.

All Delta co-branded Amex cards also get a reduced rate of $169 per year when paying with the card. Worth checking what you already carry before you pay full price.

Is CLEAR Worth It?

For frequent flyers, it's an easy yes. Even occasional travelers who hit a major hub like JFK, LAX, or Atlanta are going to feel the difference immediately. Walking past a 45-minute line and heading straight to the front is one of those travel moments that genuinely changes how you feel about flying.

The free trial exists for a reason: CLEAR knows that once you use it, it's hard to go back.

Start with the two months free. Use it. Decide from there.

And if you're flying to New York and want to make sure the rest of your trip runs just as smoothly, my NYC Ultimate Travel Guide has everything mapped out for you: the best restaurants, the subway explained simply, neighborhoods worth your time, and an interactive Google Map you can pull up right from your phone. No research spirals. No tourist traps. Just a trip that actually works.