If you’re a frequent traveler, you’re likely familiar with the airport security process and have even enrolled in the NEXUS program, which is the best way to speed up airport screening and streamline Canada–U.S. land border crossings.
For those who regularly fly through U.S. airports, such as when taking a positioning flight before a major redemption, there’s now a new service available to move through security even faster. As of mid-2025, CLEAR+, which was previously only available to U.S. passport holders, has expanded eligibility to citizens of several other countries, including Canada.
I recently signed up for CLEAR+ at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) using my Canadian passport and will share my experience with the enrollment process, my first impressions after using the CLEAR+ lanes a few times, and whether the program is worth the cost, or how you might even get it for free.
What is CLEAR+?
CLEAR+ is currently available at 59 U.S. airports and offers an annual membership that uses biometric data (fingerprint or facial recognition) to let members bypass the TSA ID check and head straight to the front of the security screening line.
With CLEAR+, you skip the line for a TSA agent to manually check your ID and boarding pass before security screening. Instead, you head to a CLEAR kiosk located before the checkpoint, where your identity is verified and a CLEAR staff member scans your boarding pass. From there, you’re escorted straight to the front of the security screening line.
In the brief number of times I’ve used CLEAR+, the entire process has taken less than 20 seconds to reach the screening area. While that speed is a major time saver, the convenience comes at a steep cost of US$209 annually for a CLEAR+ membership.
You can also add up to three additional family members to your account for US$125 per person, and children under 18 are free.
If you hold a NEXUS card, you’re automatically enrolled in TSA PreCheck and can enjoy expedited screening. At most airports, CLEAR+ works seamlessly alongside TSA PreCheck, with many now having dedicated lanes specifically for travelers using both services.
Having CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck together gives you the best of both worlds, as you can bypass the ID verification line entirely and be escorted straight to the front of the TSA PreCheck lane. From there, you can continue through security without removing your shoes, separating your liquids, or pulling any electronics out of your bag.
An added benefit of CLEAR+ is that the service is also available at more than 100 stadiums and arenas across the U.S. This allows you and your family to enjoy expedited security when attending sporting events or concerts.
You can view all of the currently available locations for CLEAR+ here.
What are the Benefits of CLEAR+ Membership?
To understand how CLEAR+ benefits you at the airport, it’s important to know which part of the TSA security process it speeds up. Keep in mind that CLEAR+ is only available at U.S. airports.
For reference, security screening at all U.S. airports involves two steps:
- Manual verification of your ID and boarding pass by a TSA agent
- Physical screening of yourself and your bags
CLEAR+ allows you to skip the first step entirely. Your identity is instantly verified via facial recognition at a CLEAR kiosk, and a CLEAR employee then escorts you directly to the physical screening area.
In my experience, the manual ID and boarding pass check are often the most time-consuming part of security. CLEAR+ can therefore save a significant amount of time. With dozens of credit cards now offering NEXUS/TSA PreCheck rebates, more travelers can access these faster lines, making CLEAR+ an even more attractive option for those looking to streamline the airport experience.
Avis Preferred Plus Membership
CLEAR+ has partnered with Avis to offer members a complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership. This allows members to skip the counter and go straight to their rental car by verifying their identity in advance with CLEAR, while also unlocking extra upgrades, discounts, and rewards.
Benefits for CLEAR+ and Avis Preferred Plus members include:
- Faster driver’s license verification at over 50 Avis airport locations
- Up to 25% off base rates and up to 35% off Pay Now bookings
- Complimentary vehicle upgrades when available
- Earn 25% more Avis Preferred Points per dollar spent
How does CLEAR+ Enrollment Work?
One of the big advantages of CLEAR+ over enrolling in NEXUS or TSA PreCheck is the speed of the enrollment process. Enrollment with CLEAR+ takes only a few minutes, whereas NEXUS and TSA PreCheck require scheduling an appointment, waiting weeks for an interview at an airport or port of entry, and then waiting again for your card to arrive by mail. With CLEAR+, once you complete the enrollment at an airport, you can start using the service immediately. No appointment is required to complete the enrollment process for CLEAR+.
Enrolling in CLEAR+ is straightforward. You can sign up online through the CLEAR app or website by entering your contact details and paying for the service before heading to the airport. However, Canadian passport holders must complete the final step in person with a CLEAR staff member, since only U.S. passports are currently accepted online.
Alternatively, you can complete the entire enrollment process at the airport, where a CLEAR agent will guide you through each step. The process usually takes less than five minutes and involves following prompts on a kiosk to enter basic information to create an account, such as your phone number and email address. A quick passport scan and photo are then all that’s required before you can begin using the service.
In the past, CLEAR relied on fingerprints and iris scans to verify identity, but it now appears to be transitioning to only using facial recognition on its newer machines for greater speed and convenience.
The service requires you to receive a text message from CLEAR to verify your account during the enrollment process, so it’s best to make sure you’re using a number that can receive international text messages or use a U.S. phone number from a service such as Google Fi.
Keep in mind that if you haven’t created an online account and paid for the service before arriving at the airport to complete the enrollment, the CLEAR agent will require you to pay for the annual membership before you can use the CLEAR+ lane to access security.
How to Get Complimentary or Discounted CLEAR+ Membership
At $209 per year, CLEAR+ is unquestionably a premium service and a hefty price for something that just lets you skip airport security lines. Fortunately, in most circumstances, you shouldn’t ever have to pay the full annual fee. Plus, with the right credit card, you can even have the entire cost of the yearly fee covered for free.
For those who have access to U.S. credit cards, American Express (US) issues several credit cards that offer a statement credit covering the entire cost of a yearly CLEAR+ membership.
The following U.S. cards offer a yearly CLEAR+ statement credit:
- American Express Green Card
- American Express Platinum Card
- American Express Business Platinum Card
- American Express Centurion Card (up to $395 credit per year)
- American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card
| Credit Card | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
200,000 Membership Rewards points Estimated value: $4,000 |
|
 |
80,000 Membership Rewards points Estimated value: $1,600 |
|
 |
150,000 Hilton Honors points Estimated value: $900 |
|
 |
40,000 Membership Rewards points Estimated value: $800 |
|
You don’t need to enroll to take advantage of this benefit. Simply pay for your CLEAR+ membership with any of the cards mentioned above, and the statement credit should appear on your bill within 2 to 4 weeks.
If you don’t have one of the above cards, you may still be eligible for a free or discounted CLEAR+ membership. CLEAR partners with select airlines to offer special rates to members based on their status level.
| Airline / Program | Membership Tier | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles | Diamond Medallion & Delta 360° Members Platinum, Gold, Silver Medallion Members & eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members SkyMiles Members | Free $169 $199 |
| United MileagePlus | United Global Services Premier 1K Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum & United U.S. Credit Card Members MileagePlus Members | Free $129 $169 $199 |
| Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards | All Atmos Rewards Members | $199 |
CLEAR+ vs NEXUS with TSA PreCheck: Which One Should You Get?
If you travel a lot through U.S. airports, you’ll ideally want both CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck, but if you can only choose one, which one is better?
Streamlined Security vs Skipping The Line
NEXUS/TSA PreCheck lets you move through a shorter security line with lighter screening requirements, so you don’t need to remove your shoes, liquids, or laptops. CLEAR+ lets you skip the line before security entirely. At a CLEAR kiosk, your ID and boarding pass are verified instantly, and a CLEAR agent escorts you straight to the front of the security line.
In my limited use of the CLEAR+ program so far, I’ve found it difficult to put a precise value on this benefit. That said, if it helps me avoid missing a flight even once, that alone could easily justify the cost.
Availability
TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 U.S. airports, while CLEAR+ is currently available at just 59 airports, roughly a quarter of that total. However, CLEAR+ may provide extra value if you frequently attend sporting events or concerts in the U.S.
Another factor to keep in mind is that not all airlines participate in TSA PreCheck, while CLEAR+ works with any airline since it simply lets you move to the front of the security line.
Cost
NEXUS/TSA PreCheck clearly comes out on top. At just US$120 for a 5-year membership, it offers a far more cost-effective way to breeze through airport security compared to a 1-year CLEAR+ membership, which costs US$209.
Even though both memberships can be obtained for free through certain credit cards offering statement credits, I think a NEXUS/TSA PreCheck membership is still worth the price even if you’re paying out of pocket. I’m not sure the same can be said for CLEAR+.
For large families, CLEAR offers a more favorable pricing structure, as all children under 18 can enroll for free. In contrast, NEXUS/TSA PreCheck requires every member to pay the non-refundable US$120 application fee.
Ease of Renewing Membership
Renewing your CLEAR+ membership is easy. You simply pay the annual fee. No application or documentation is needed, though you may be required to update your facial recognition scan every few years.
Renewing a NEXUS membership is a bit more involved. You must submit a renewal application with updated personal information and photos, and in some cases, attend a follow-up interview. Fortunately, this process is only required every five years, but it’s still more inconvenient than renewing with CLEAR+.
Government Agency vs Private Company
Both of these programs require you to provide a significant amount of personal and biometric information. It’s worth noting that CLEAR is a relatively new, private, for-profit company, which may make some people hesitant to share so much sensitive data, especially given the frequent reports of security breaches and data leaks in the tech industry.
On the other hand, NEXUS/TSA PreCheck is managed by a U.S. government agency, which tends to have a more proven, long-standing track record of protecting personal information.
Both programs are designed to make the airport security process faster, but each affects different parts of the experience. As a result, they complement each other rather than serve as replacements. Either way, it is great to have options, and using one or both can make for a more predictable and seamless airport journey.
Which Is Better?
To sum up, if you can only choose one, I think a NEXUS card with TSA PreCheck is the better choice for most travelers.
TSA PreCheck is offered at many more airports and provides shorter lines along with a simpler screening process. By comparison, CLEAR+ only speeds up entry into the security checkpoint, and without TSA PreCheck, members still need to remove electronics, liquids, and shoes. Overall, a NEXUS card with TSA PreCheck is still the most efficient and cost-effective way to reach the gate without unnecessary delays.
If you have a travel credit card that provides statement credits for both programs, I see no reason not to enroll in each at no additional cost and take advantage of both benefits for free.
Is CLEAR+ Worth It?
The biggest drawback to a CLEAR+ membership is, unsurprisingly, the cost. At US$209 per year, it really only makes sense for travelers who frequently fly from U.S. airports with CLEAR+ lanes.
If you already hold a NEXUS membership, which includes TSA PreCheck, and you only visit the U.S. occasionally, CLEAR+ likely isn’t worth it. However, for those who regularly travel through busy U.S. airports or during peak travel periods, the time savings can be substantial.
CLEAR+ can also provide added value if you attend many sporting events or concerts in the U.S., where it’s increasingly being integrated for expedited entry into stadiums and arenas.
If you have a U.S. credit card or airline status that fully covers the annual fee, signing up is a no-brainer. That’s exactly my situation; I only enrolled because my American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card covers CLEAR+ for free. I see CLEAR+ as a great perk to take advantage of when it’s free through an American Express card or airline status, but it’s not a service I’d personally pay for otherwise.
Conclusion
CLEAR+ is now available to Canadian passport holders, giving members the ability to fast-track through airport security. If you travel to the U.S. often and your airport supports CLEAR+, it can be a significant timesaver.
For those who already hold a NEXUS membership with TSA PreCheck, that may be sufficient, and CLEAR+ might not be necessary. However, combining both programs allows you to skip lines and enjoy an even smoother security experience.
Enrolling in CLEAR+ with a U.S.-issued American Express card that offers an annual statement credit is the easiest way for Canadians to save a significant amount on this new service.
Frequently Asked Questions
CLEAR+ is a membership program that uses biometric technology to verify your identity at airports and sports venues, allowing you to bypass the standard ID check lines for faster access to security screening.
CLEAR+ costs US$209 per year, though discounted rates may be available through select American Express credit cards or airline partnerships.
TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ are both designed to speed up airport security, but they serve different purposes. TSA PreCheck provides access to dedicated screening lanes where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on and leave laptops and liquids in your bag.
CLEAR+ uses biometric verification at kiosks to let you skip the ID and boarding pass check. Many travelers combine both programs for the fastest experience, using CLEAR+ to bypass lines and TSA PreCheck to enjoy expedited screening.
If you have NEXUS, a separate CLEAR+ membership is likely not necessary, especially for travel between the U.S. and Canada. NEXUS includes benefits from both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, allowing you to expedite security and customs processes at most major airports. This means you can enjoy faster screening without the need for additional programs like CLEAR+.
However, CLEAR+ offers its own advantages. It uses biometric technology to verify your identity, allowing you to bypass the standard ID check lines and proceed directly to security screening. This can be particularly beneficial during peak travel times or at airports where NEXUS lanes aren’t available.
If your travel is primarily between the U.S. and Canada, NEXUS should be sufficient. But if you frequently fly domestically within the U.S. or to other international destinations, and you value expedited identity verification, CLEAR+ is worth considering. Combining NEXUS with CLEAR+ provides the fastest and most seamless airport experience.
CLEAR+ is available at 59 airports and over 100 stadiums and arenas across the United States. New locations are constantly being added to the service.
Jeff Jamieson
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