PickedTravel
Comparison

TSA PreCheck vs CLEAR+ (2026)

These are not the same product. On official pages checked November 10, 2026, TSA PreCheck is a five-year U.S. government trusted-traveler program that TSA describes as “$85 or less,” with dedicated PreCheck lanes where you can leave electronics, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, light jackets, and shoes in place. CLEAR+ is a $219-per-year private membership for dedicated CLEAR+ lanes at 63 airports, and CLEAR says it can also be used with TSA PreCheck. This is not a scored ranking, and it is not a credit-card guide.

By PickedTravel Editorial TeamLast updated Pricing checked Nov 10, 2026

How this page was made: this is a research-based comparison built from official pricing pages, plan or policy wording, and product documentation. We haven’t tested these products or policies ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.

Quick answer

Choose TSA PreCheck if you want a five-year government Known Traveler Number for dedicated PreCheck lanes at $85 or less. Choose CLEAR+ if you want a $219-a-year private lane to a biometric pod or eGate at 63 airports, knowing it is not a substitute for PreCheck and can be used together with it. This page does not compare credit cards.

Last updated Pricing checked Nov 10, 2026

Check TSA PreCheck pricing (opens in a new tab)Check CLEAR+ pricing (opens in a new tab)

Key facts at a glance

Key facts (prices checked Nov 10, 2026)
TSA PreCheckCLEAR+
Official price and termTSA’s official page: five years of benefits for $85 or less. The same page lists current provider figures, including $79.75 next to enrollment at 500+ locations, IDEMIA renewals of $58.75 online or $66.75 in person, and Telos renewals of $69.95 online or $58.75 in person. Official FAQ: the fee maintains eligibility for 5 years.$219 per year on the official CLEAR+ page. Military service members and government employees are listed at $125 per year. You can add up to three adults for $125 each. Children 17 and under can join a member in the lane for free, with no membership needed.
What it is, as writtenA TSA trusted-traveler program. You get a Known Traveler Number to add to airline reservations so a PreCheck indicator can appear on your boarding pass. Official page: leave electronics and 3-1-1 liquids in your bag, and leave belts, light jackets, and shoes on, in dedicated PreCheck lanes.Official CLEAR+ page: a paid membership that unlocks dedicated CLEAR+ lanes. You scan your boarding pass, verify at a CLEAR pod or eGate, then head to bag screening. CLEAR says it can also be used with TSA PreCheck.
Where it works, as statedDedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at U.S. airports. Official page: about 99% of passengers wait less than 10 minutes. Official FAQ and main page: all travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.Official page: more than 150 CLEAR+ lanes across 63 airports nationwide. Hours and locations are on CLEAR’s locations page, which we did not re-list here.
Who can enrollOfficial fact sheet language on TSA pages: Official fact sheet (last updated October 4, 2024) and current PreCheck pages: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply. Finish in person with documents, fingerprints, and a photo. Official FAQ: most applicants are described as receiving approval in 3–5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days.Official FAQ: individuals 18 and older, with a REAL ID-compliant U.S. driver’s license or state ID, or a passport from the United States or a listed set of other countries. IDs must be valid, unexpired, not amended, and have a photo.
Children, as writtenTSA’s current official PreCheck page says children 17 and under can join an adult in the PreCheck lane for free. Official FAQ: children generally do not need to apply unless they routinely travel alone. A TSA PreCheck fact sheet last updated October 4, 2024 still says “Passengers 12 and younger traveling with an eligible passenger.” We report both official figures.Kids 17 and under can use the standard CLEAR+ lane with a member for free. To use the CLEAR+ with TSA PreCheck lane, the official FAQ says the child must be on the same reservation and have the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass.

We compared official TSA PreCheck and FAQ pages with official CLEAR+ and CLEAR Member Terms pages (terms effective August 24, 2026), all checked November 10, 2026. We have not timed lanes, and we do not invent scores. CLEAR is also one of TSA’s three authorized PreCheck enrollment providers, which is a different product from a paid CLEAR+ membership. This guide does not compare travel credit cards, card credits, or fee rebates. Confirm live enrollment prices, eligibility, and that no traveler is guaranteed expedited screening — TSA says that in so many words.

TSA PreCheck
CLEAR+

TSA PreCheck vs CLEAR+: side-by-side

TSA PreCheck vs CLEAR+, from official pages checked November 10, 2026
TSA PreCheckCLEAR+
What it is, as writtenA TSA trusted-traveler program. You get a Known Traveler Number to add to airline reservations so a PreCheck indicator can appear on your boarding pass. Official page: leave electronics and 3-1-1 liquids in your bag, and leave belts, light jackets, and shoes on, in dedicated PreCheck lanes.Official CLEAR+ page: a paid membership that unlocks dedicated CLEAR+ lanes. You scan your boarding pass, verify at a CLEAR pod or eGate, then head to bag screening. CLEAR says it can also be used with TSA PreCheck.
Official price and termTSA’s official page: five years of benefits for $85 or less. The same page lists current provider figures, including $79.75 next to enrollment at 500+ locations, IDEMIA renewals of $58.75 online or $66.75 in person, and Telos renewals of $69.95 online or $58.75 in person. Official FAQ: the fee maintains eligibility for 5 years.$219 per year on the official CLEAR+ page. Military service members and government employees are listed at $125 per year. You can add up to three adults for $125 each. Children 17 and under can join a member in the lane for free, with no membership needed.
Where it works, as statedDedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at U.S. airports. Official page: about 99% of passengers wait less than 10 minutes. Official FAQ and main page: all travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.Official page: more than 150 CLEAR+ lanes across 63 airports nationwide. Hours and locations are on CLEAR’s locations page, which we did not re-list here.
Who can enrollOfficial fact sheet language on TSA pages: Official fact sheet (last updated October 4, 2024) and current PreCheck pages: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply. Finish in person with documents, fingerprints, and a photo. Official FAQ: most applicants are described as receiving approval in 3–5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days.Official FAQ: individuals 18 and older, with a REAL ID-compliant U.S. driver’s license or state ID, or a passport from the United States or a listed set of other countries. IDs must be valid, unexpired, not amended, and have a photo.
Children, as writtenTSA’s current official PreCheck page says children 17 and under can join an adult in the PreCheck lane for free. Official FAQ: children generally do not need to apply unless they routinely travel alone. A TSA PreCheck fact sheet last updated October 4, 2024 still says “Passengers 12 and younger traveling with an eligible passenger.” We report both official figures.Kids 17 and under can use the standard CLEAR+ lane with a member for free. To use the CLEAR+ with TSA PreCheck lane, the official FAQ says the child must be on the same reservation and have the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass.
Refunds and cancellation, as statedThe official FAQ discusses refunds in the context of scam or fraudulent enrollment, not a routine cooling-off refund for a completed application. We don’t add a general refund window.Official Member Terms, effective August 24, 2026: cancel within the first 14 days of the date you were charged for the current paid term for a full refund of those fees, after which paid access ends. If you cancel after 14 days, you retain paid access through the expiration date of the then-current term. Paid memberships continue for the period specified at signup and renew for the period specified at enrollment or renewal.
CLEAR as a PreCheck enrollment providerTSA lists CLEAR, IDEMIA, and Telos as authorized enrollment providers. That is how you apply for PreCheck, not a description of the CLEAR+ lane.The official TSA page also says you can renew PreCheck for free when you join CLEAR+, and that CLEAR will issue a one-time code to enroll in CLEAR+ for $134 for new enrollments or $146 for online renewals (the price of CLEAR+ minus the cost of TSA PreCheck). Terms apply. That bundle is not the same as buying either product à la carte, and we are not treating it as a credit-card offer.

What are the pros and cons?

TSA PreCheck: pros

  • Official five-year term at $85 or less, much longer than a $219 annual CLEAR+ membership
  • Dedicated PreCheck lanes where TSA says you can leave electronics, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, light jackets, and shoes on
  • Children 17 and under can join an adult in the PreCheck lane without applying

TSA PreCheck: cons

  • You still go through a TSA checkpoint; official language says no individual is guaranteed expedited screening
  • Enrollment requires an in-person visit (documents, fingerprints, photo), and some applications can take up to 60 days
  • A PreCheck KTN is not a CLEAR+ lane, and it does not by itself get you into a biometric pod

CLEAR+: pros

  • Official $219 year buys a dedicated CLEAR+ lane to a pod or eGate at 63 airports, and it can be combined with PreCheck
  • A 14-day official full-refund window from the charge date, with later cancellations keeping paid access through the current term
  • Children 17 and under can accompany a member in the standard CLEAR+ lane for free

CLEAR+: cons

  • Official term is one year at a higher annual price than PreCheck’s five-year fee
  • CLEAR+ is not a TSA trusted-traveler program and is not a substitute for a Known Traveler Number
  • Availability is limited to CLEAR’s published airport network, not every U.S. PreCheck checkpoint

Which should you choose: TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+?

Buy the job, not a slogan. TSA PreCheck, at an official “$85 or less” for five years, is the government Known Traveler Number for dedicated PreCheck lanes, with shoes-on and liquids-in-bag language and a nationwide checkpoint network — and with TSA’s own caveat that expedited screening is not guaranteed. CLEAR+, at $219 a year, is a private lane to a biometric pod or eGate at 63 airports. Official CLEAR language says it can be used with PreCheck, which is how some travelers use both, not a reason to treat them as substitutes. We have not timed either line. This page does not compare credit cards or card-linked credits.

Choose TSA PreCheck if…

  • You want a five-year KTN for dedicated PreCheck lanes, and an official fee of $85 or less matters more than a private biometric lane
  • You fly airports that have PreCheck but may not have a CLEAR+ lane
Check TSA PreCheck pricing (opens in a new tab)

Choose CLEAR+ if…

  • You want official CLEAR+ lane access at the 63 airports on CLEAR’s network, and you accept a $219 annual fee
  • You already have, or plan to get, TSA PreCheck and want to combine it with a CLEAR+ lane, as the official CLEAR+ page describes
Check CLEAR+ pricing (opens in a new tab)

CLEAR the enrollment provider is not CLEAR+ the lane

TSA’s official PreCheck page lists CLEAR, IDEMIA, and Telos as the companies that take fingerprints and enrollment fees for PreCheck. That is one way to apply for a KTN. CLEAR+ is a separate paid membership for CLEAR’s own lanes. We keep those jobs apart, including the official “renew PreCheck for free when you join CLEAR+” offer, which is a bundle with its own $134 / $146 CLEAR+ prices and is not a TSA fee change.

Who should skip this?

  • Readers looking for credit-card credits, fee rebates, or a card-vs-card comparison. Those are out of scope here.
  • People who need Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI compared in detail. Official FAQ: you cannot switch from PreCheck to Global Entry; Global Entry is $120 for five years as a new enrollment. That is a different program.
  • Anyone who wants a timed “which line is faster” test or a scored winner. We compared official terms, not stopwatch results.

Frequently asked questions

Is CLEAR+ a replacement for TSA PreCheck?
No. Official CLEAR+ language describes a private lane to bag screening, and says CLEAR+ can be used with TSA PreCheck. PreCheck is a five-year TSA program with a Known Traveler Number. They are different products and can be held together.
How much do TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ cost?
TSA’s official page says five years of PreCheck benefits for $85 or less, and lists current provider figures including $79.75 and the IDEMIA and Telos renewal prices above. Official CLEAR+ is $219 a year, or $125 for military and government employees, with additional adults at $125 each.
Can I get a refund?
Official CLEAR Member Terms allow a full refund if you cancel paid access within 14 days of the charge date; after that, you keep paid access through the current term. TSA’s official FAQ does not describe a routine cooling-off refund for a completed PreCheck application.
Do children need their own membership?
TSA’s current official PreCheck page says children 17 and under can join an adult in the PreCheck lane for free, and the official FAQ says children generally do not need to apply unless they travel alone routinely. A TSA fact sheet last updated October 4, 2024 still says passengers 12 and younger traveling with an eligible passenger. We report both official figures. For CLEAR+, kids 17 and under can join a member in the standard CLEAR+ lane for free; the PreCheck-combined CLEAR+ lane has extra official conditions.
Does this page recommend a credit card?
No. We do not compare travel credit cards or card-linked credits.

Sources

Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Nov 10, 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.

  1. TSA: TSA PreCheck official page — $85 or less for five years, lane benefits, provider prices, 99% wait language (checked Nov 10, 2026) (tsa.gov)
  2. TSA: TSA PreCheck FAQ — 5-year eligibility, no guaranteed expedited screening, children, Global Entry $120 (checked Nov 10, 2026) (tsa.gov)
  3. TSA: TSA PreCheck fact sheet — last updated October 4, 2024; $85 for five years; “12 and younger” language that conflicts with the current official page’s “17 and under” (checked Nov 10, 2026) (tsa.gov)
  4. CLEAR: CLEAR+ official page — $219/year, $125 military/government, 63 airports, use with PreCheck (checked Nov 10, 2026) (clearme.com)
  5. CLEAR: Member Terms — effective August 24, 2026; 14-day full refund; later cancellations last through the current term (checked Nov 10, 2026) (clearme.com)
comparison

Priority Pass vs Airline Lounge Day Pass (2026)

On official pages checked November 10, 2026, a United Club one-time pass is $59 a person and an American Airlines Admirals Club One-Day Pass is $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles. The official Priority Pass join page we checked — including the U.S. path and a ?residence=US URL — defaulted to United Kingdom pricing: Standard £69 a year with £24 member and guest visits, Standard Plus £229 a year with 10 included member visits then £24, and Prestige £419 a year with included member visits and £24 guest visits. We cite those official figures and don’t list a U.S. dollar price. This is not a scored ranking, and it is not a credit-card guide.

best of

TSA 3-1-1 Toiletry Kits and Travel Bottles, Explained (2026)

TSA’s official liquids rule is a quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag, containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, and one bag per passenger. A branded clear toiletry case is not automatically that bag. On official pages checked November 10, 2026, Away’s Clear Toiletry Bag is $75 and 8.3 × 5.5 × 3.6 in — useful as a clear organizer, not a claimed quart 3-1-1 substitute. Matador’s FlatPak bottle is $15; the same page says both 3 fl oz (100 mL) and a 3 oz (90 mL) volume. Cadence’s Large Capsule is $38 and 2.75 fl oz, with a stated fit of four in a quart-sized bag.

guide

TSA-Accepted Luggage Locks, Explained (2026)

A TSA-accepted lock is one that U.S. screening officers can open with a master key, inspect, and relock, so they may not have to cut it. Official TSA language names two systems — Travel Sentry and Safe Skies — and also says TSA has no position on these locks as a security measure and will still remove them if necessary. Look for the Travel Sentry Red Diamond (and a code such as TSA007) or the Safe Skies mark on the lock itself, not only on the box. This is not a theft-proofing guarantee, and we are not ranking a “best” lock we have not tested.

guide

Best Flight Search Tools (2026): A Choice Guide, Not a Scorecard

There is no official “always cheapest” flight search tool on the pages we checked November 10, 2026, and we did not run a fare bake-off. Google Flights’ official help says partners do not pay to appear in the flight list or influence its order. Skyscanner and KAYAK both say search is free; Skyscanner does not process payment, and KAYAK documents a 30-day Price Forecast and Hacker Fares. Going’s official membership guide lists a free Limited plan, Premium at $49 a year, and Elite at $199 a year, with no airline or OTA commissions. Hopper’s official terms say the price you pay Hopper may include a markup. This is not booking advice.

guide

ULCC Personal Item Sizes: Frontier, Allegiant, and United (2026)

On official pages checked November 10, 2026, Frontier’s free personal item is 18 × 14 × 8 in, including handles, wheels and straps, up to 35 lb, and must fit under the seat. Allegiant’s free personal item is 8 × 14 × 18 in (20 × 35 × 45 cm), also including wheels, pockets, handles and decorations, and must fit under the seat. United’s personal item is a tighter 9 × 10 × 17 in under-seat box. Official Spirit Airlines bag pages were not available when we checked, so Spirit sizes are not cited here. This is an under-seat guide, not an overhead carry-on guide.

comparison

Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck (2026)

On official pages checked November 10, 2026, TSA PreCheck is a five-year TSA program that TSA describes as “$85 or less,” for dedicated checkpoint lanes. Global Entry is a CBP Trusted Traveler Program with a $120 non-refundable application fee and a five-year membership that official CBP pages say includes TSA PreCheck and expedited clearance on arrival in the United States. Official TSA language still says no individual is guaranteed expedited screening, and official CBP language says Global Entry members may still be selected for further examination. This is not a scored ranking, and it is not a credit-card guide.

guide

Mobile Passport Control Explained (2026)

On official CBP pages checked November 10, 2026, Mobile Passport Control is a free app, not a Trusted Traveler Program. You can submit a self-photo and declaration up to 4 hours before landing, or 8 hours before a land-border arrival; the submission is active for those windows. Groups of up to 12 can be processed from one device. You still talk to a CBP officer in a designated MPC lane and must present your passport. Official CBP language says it does not include TSA PreCheck. This is not a timed test or a scored ranking.