CLEAR Plus and Touchless ID: The Complete Guide for 2026

If you have ever stood in a long airport security line watching people breeze past you through a special lane, chances are they were using CLEAR. And with TSA now rolling out its own Touchless ID program at dozens of airports, biometric screening is quickly becoming the standard way to move through airport security.

This guide covers both programs: what they do, how they work, what they cost, and whether they are worth it for the way you travel.

What Is CLEAR Plus?

CLEAR is a private company that uses biometric identity verification — fingerprints, iris scans, or facial recognition — to confirm your identity at airport security checkpoints. Instead of showing a physical ID and boarding pass to a TSA officer, you step up to a CLEAR pod or e-gate, verify your identity in seconds, and move on.

<strong>What CLEAR replaces:</strong> The document-check step where a TSA officer examines your ID and boarding pass. This is the first part of the security process, before the physical screening (X-ray machines, body scanners).

<strong>What CLEAR does not replace:</strong> The physical screening itself. You still go through the X-ray and body scanner like everyone else. CLEAR speeds up the identity verification step and escorts you to the front of the physical screening line.

CLEAR Plus is the premium tier of the service. It is available at <strong>60+ airports</strong> across the United States, plus select stadiums and venues. In early 2026, CLEAR expanded its automated e-gates to <strong>37 airports</strong>, allowing members to verify their identity without needing a CLEAR Ambassador to escort them.

How CLEAR Plus Works Step by Step

<strong>Step 1: Enroll.</strong> Sign up online at clearme.com and complete an in-person biometric enrollment at any CLEAR location in an airport. The process takes about 5 minutes. You will provide your fingerprints and iris scan, and take a photo for facial recognition.

<strong>Step 2: Arrive at security.</strong> Instead of joining the general security line, look for the CLEAR lane, which is typically located at or near the TSA checkpoint entrance.

<strong>Step 3: Verify your identity.</strong> At the CLEAR pod or e-gate, scan your boarding pass and verify your identity using your eyes, fingerprints, or face. The verification takes just a few seconds.

<strong>Step 4: Skip to the front.</strong> A CLEAR Ambassador escorts you directly to the front of the TSA physical screening line. At airports with automated e-gates, you proceed through the gate and join the screening line at the front without needing an escort.

<strong>Step 5: Complete screening.</strong> Go through the standard TSA screening process (or TSA PreCheck screening if you have both). Remove shoes, laptops, and liquids as required (or keep them in your bag if you have PreCheck).

What Is TSA Touchless ID?

TSA Touchless ID is a separate program run by the Transportation Security Administration itself. It uses facial recognition technology to verify the identity of TSA PreCheck members at participating airports.

<strong>How it works:</strong> At airports with Touchless ID, PreCheck members with an eligible airline can use a dedicated lane with a camera that captures a photo of their face. The system matches the photo against the traveler's passport or driver's license photo on file. The entire process takes <strong>under 10 seconds</strong> and requires no physical ID.

<strong>Where it is available:</strong> TSA Touchless ID expanded to <strong>65 airports</strong> in early 2026, with plans to reach more airports throughout the year. The program is available to TSA PreCheck members flying on participating airlines.

<strong>Is it optional?</strong> Yes. TSA Touchless ID is entirely opt-in. Travelers who prefer not to use facial recognition can still show their physical ID to a TSA officer in the traditional way. There is no penalty for opting out.

<strong>Cost:</strong> Free for existing TSA PreCheck members. The only requirement is having an active TSA PreCheck membership ($78 for five years).

CLEAR vs TSA Touchless ID: Key Differences

While both programs use biometrics to verify your identity, they are different in important ways:

<strong>Operator:</strong> CLEAR is a private company. TSA Touchless ID is run by the federal government.

<strong>What you skip:</strong> CLEAR lets you skip the entire document-check line and escorts you to the front of the physical screening line. TSA Touchless ID speeds up the ID check itself but does not let you skip ahead of other PreCheck passengers.

<strong>Eligibility:</strong> Anyone can sign up for CLEAR (no background check required). TSA Touchless ID requires an active TSA PreCheck membership.

<strong>Cost:</strong> CLEAR Plus costs $209/year. TSA Touchless ID is included free with PreCheck ($78 for 5 years).

<strong>Availability:</strong> CLEAR is at 60+ airports. TSA Touchless ID is at 65 airports and expanding. There is some overlap, but each program covers airports the other does not.

<strong>Government shutdown resilience:</strong> Because CLEAR is privately operated, it continues to function normally during government shutdowns. TSA Touchless ID, as a government program, could be affected by staffing reductions, though the technology itself is automated.

CLEAR Plus Pricing and Discounts

<strong>Standard CLEAR Plus membership:</strong> $209/year. This includes access at all participating airports, stadiums, and venues.

<strong>CLEAR + PreCheck bundle:</strong> $209 total for 1 year of CLEAR Plus and 5 years of TSA PreCheck. This is a significant saving compared to purchasing both separately ($209 + $78 = $287).

<strong>Family plan:</strong> Add up to 3 family members for $60/each per year on top of the primary membership.

<strong>Credit card benefits:</strong> Several premium travel credit cards include CLEAR Plus as a perk or offer statement credits toward the membership fee. Check your card benefits before paying out of pocket.

<strong>Airline partnerships:</strong> United Airlines MileagePlus members get discounted CLEAR pricing. Delta SkyMiles members previously had free CLEAR included with Diamond and Platinum status, though terms have changed over time.

CLEAR Plus vs PreCheck vs Global Entry

Here is how the three major expedited screening programs compare:

<table><tr><th>Feature</th><th>TSA PreCheck</th><th>Global Entry</th><th>CLEAR Plus</th></tr><tr><td><strong>Cost</strong></td><td>$78 (5 years)</td><td>$120 (5 years)</td><td>$209/year</td></tr><tr><td><strong>What it speeds up</strong></td><td>Physical screening</td><td>Customs + screening</td><td>ID verification</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Background check</strong></td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes (extensive)</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Airports</strong></td><td>200+</td><td>61 (international)</td><td>60+</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Works in shutdown</strong></td><td>Yes</td><td>Interviews suspended</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Best for</strong></td><td>Domestic travelers</td><td>International travelers</td><td>Busy airport travelers</td></tr></table>

<strong>Our recommendation:</strong> Start with TSA PreCheck. It offers the best value at $15.60 per year and makes the biggest difference in your screening experience. If you travel internationally, upgrade to Global Entry for just $42 more over five years, which includes PreCheck. Add CLEAR only if you frequently fly from busy airports where the document-check line is a significant bottleneck, or if you want resilience during government shutdowns when standard lines are at their worst.

Why CLEAR Matters During Government Shutdowns

The value of CLEAR increases dramatically during government shutdowns. Here is why:

When TSA is short-staffed, fewer document-check officers are available, which means the identity verification line grows much faster than usual. At some airports during the 2026 shutdown, the document-check line alone has exceeded an hour.

CLEAR bypasses this line entirely. While the physical screening portion may also be slower due to reduced staffing, CLEAR eliminates what is often the longer of the two waits during a shutdown.

Combine CLEAR with TSA PreCheck and you get the fastest possible path through security: CLEAR handles the ID check instantly, and PreCheck simplifies the physical screening. During normal operations, this combination might save you 10-15 minutes. During a shutdown, it can save you an hour or more.

Use <a href="/">FlightQueue</a> to check current wait times at your airport and see whether the investment in CLEAR makes sense for your travel patterns.

Privacy Considerations

Both CLEAR and TSA Touchless ID involve biometric data collection, which raises legitimate privacy questions.

<strong>CLEAR:</strong> Stores your fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition data on its own servers. CLEAR states it does not sell biometric data to third parties and allows members to request deletion of their data if they cancel. However, as a private company, CLEAR's data practices are governed by its privacy policy rather than government regulations.

<strong>TSA Touchless ID:</strong> TSA states that photos taken at Touchless ID checkpoints are deleted within 24 hours and are not stored in any database. The system matches your face against the photo already on your government-issued ID. Participation is entirely optional.

If privacy is a concern, TSA Touchless ID offers a more limited data footprint than CLEAR. Either way, both programs remain opt-in, and you can always choose to show a physical ID instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

<strong>Do I need PreCheck to use CLEAR?</strong> No. CLEAR works independently of PreCheck. However, the two programs complement each other well. CLEAR skips the ID-check line, and PreCheck simplifies the physical screening. You can use one without the other or both together.

<strong>Does CLEAR work at all airports?</strong> No. CLEAR is available at 60+ airports, which covers most major US airports. Check clearme.com for the full list. If your home airport does not have CLEAR, the membership may not be worth it.

<strong>Can children use CLEAR?</strong> Children under 18 can accompany a CLEAR Plus member through the CLEAR lane at no additional cost. They do not need their own membership.

<strong>Is CLEAR worth $209 per year?</strong> It depends on how often you fly and from which airports. If you fly 10+ times per year from busy airports like Atlanta, LAX, or JFK, CLEAR can save you significant time. For occasional travelers, TSA PreCheck alone is usually sufficient. During government shutdowns, CLEAR becomes more valuable because the document-check lines it bypasses are much longer than usual.

<strong>Can I use CLEAR outside of airports?</strong> Yes. CLEAR is available at select stadiums, venues, and other locations. The membership covers all CLEAR locations, not just airports.