Yes, CLEAR can lead you to TSA PreCheck if you’re PreCheck-eligible and the airport supports CLEAR-to-PreCheck access; CLEAR alone doesn’t grant PreCheck.
CLEAR Only
CLEAR + PreCheck
PreCheck (No CLEAR)
Airports
- Some CLEAR podiums feed PreCheck directly.
- Others place you near general screening; walk to PreCheck.
- Check your airport’s CLEAR page before you fly.
Locations
Boarding Pass Setup
- Add your KTN to the reservation.
- Name must match your ID.
- Look for the PreCheck indicator.
KTN & Indicator
Kids & Companions
- Ages 12 and under may accompany a PreCheck adult.
- Teens 13–17 need the indicator on their pass.
- Adults each need their own KTN.
Family
Using CLEAR With TSA PreCheck: How It Works
CLEAR verifies your identity with biometrics, then an agent guides you to the screening lane. If your boarding pass shows the TSA PreCheck indicator, you’re sent to the PreCheck lane at airports where CLEAR links directly to it. If your pass doesn’t show the indicator, or the airport lacks that link, you’ll head to standard screening after the CLEAR podium.
PreCheck is a separate program. It’s run by the Transportation Security Administration. You enroll, pass a background check, and receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). When your airline profile carries that KTN and your name matches your ID, your mobile or paper pass will often print the PreCheck indicator. That’s your ticket to the quicker lane where shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops, and 3-1-1 liquids usually stay put. You can read the rules on the TSA PreCheck page.
CLEAR Vs. TSA PreCheck: What Each Program Handles
| Program | What It Does | What It Doesn’t Do |
|---|---|---|
| CLEAR Plus | Speeds ID check with fingerprints or iris at a CLEAR podium; often escorts you to the proper lane. | Doesn’t grant PreCheck; screening rules still apply. |
| TSA PreCheck | Provides an expedited screening lane for eligible travelers with the indicator on the pass. | Doesn’t skip ID; doesn’t guarantee a separate lane at every checkpoint. |
| Both Together | Fast identity check plus access to the PreCheck lane when your pass shows the indicator. | Doesn’t override checkpoint staffing or local procedures. |
Can CLEAR Get You Into PreCheck Without A KTN?
No. CLEAR is not a substitute for TSA PreCheck. It can put you at the front of the ID check, but only TSA decides who uses the PreCheck lane. That decision is based on program membership and the indicator on your boarding pass. CLEAR’s own site says PreCheck access from CLEAR lanes varies by airport, and you still need to qualify for PreCheck. See its guidance in the CLEAR FAQ.
If you want that green checkmark on your pass, apply for PreCheck and add your KTN to every airline profile you use. Enter it the same way every time, with the exact legal name sequence on your ID. Typos and mismatched middle names are common reasons the indicator fails to appear.
Airport Setups And What You’ll Experience
Each terminal can route lanes a little differently. At some locations, a CLEAR ambassador will walk you to a PreCheck lane that’s side-by-side with general screening. In others, the CLEAR podium is fixed near general screening only, so PreCheck members simply join that lane after the podium. Either way, your screening benefits hinge on the indicator.
Families have a few extras. Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled adult in the PreCheck lane. Teens 13–17 can join when their boarding passes show the indicator and they’re on the same reservation. Adults traveling together each need their own KTN. TSA explains the age rules in a public FAQ, which you can find on tsa.gov.
Set Up Your Reservation Correctly
Add Your Known Traveler Number
Log in to your airline account and store your KTN in the traveler profile. Re-enter it during booking if the site doesn’t pull it through. If you booked already, open the record and add the number under “Secure Traveler,” “Traveler Info,” or a similar field.
Match Your Name To Your ID
Use the same spelling and order shown on your government ID. If your airline flips given and middle names, call to fix it. A clean match helps the indicator populate consistently.
Check-In And Verify
At check-in, confirm that the PreCheck indicator appears on the boarding pass. If it’s missing, re-enter the KTN, verify your date of birth, then try again. If it still doesn’t show, a ticket agent can review the record.
What You Can Expect At The Checkpoint
If You Have CLEAR And PreCheck
Go to the CLEAR podium, verify with biometrics, then follow the ambassador to the PreCheck lane where available. In that lane, you’ll keep shoes, belt, and light jacket on. Laptops and 3-1-1 liquids usually stay in your bag, per TSA’s program rules. Screening still includes X-ray or CT scanners and metal detectors.
If You Have Only CLEAR
Use CLEAR for the ID step, then proceed to standard screening. You’ll follow regular rules for bins, liquids, laptops, and shoes. CLEAR speeds access to the lane; it doesn’t change screening.
If You Have Only PreCheck
Head straight to the PreCheck lane. You’ll show ID to TSA at the podium, then enjoy the streamlined prep. This path is often the best value if your airports don’t have CLEAR.
Pricing, Enrollment, And Bundles
PreCheck enrollment is available through authorized providers. Pricing can vary slightly by provider and promotion. CLEAR Plus is a separate membership with its own annual fee. In 2024–2025, CLEAR partnered with TSA to offer a bundle that lets you enroll in both in a single flow through a co-branded portal. The official portal explains the steps and the rebate terms. You can start from the TSA PreCheck by CLEAR page.
Travel cards sometimes reimburse one or both fees. If you’re deciding between programs, check your home airport first. If it has PRE lanes but no CLEAR, apply for PreCheck first. If it has both and you fly often at peak times, pairing them can shave minutes from the line and the prep.
Common Scenarios And The Right Lane
| Scenario | What Happens | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| CLEAR + PreCheck indicator shows | Biometrics at CLEAR, then PreCheck lane where connected; otherwise join PreCheck after the podium. | Keep ID name format consistent across airlines. |
| CLEAR member, no PreCheck | Biometrics at CLEAR, then standard screening. | Apply for PreCheck to get the indicator in the future. |
| PreCheck only | ID with TSA, then PreCheck lane. | Re-verify KTN in your profile before every trip. |
Troubleshooting When Things Don’t Match Up
The Indicator Is Missing
Re-enter your KTN and date of birth, then reprint. If you used a nickname on the ticket, ask an agent to match the legal name on your ID. If your airline profile has an old passport number or outdated middle name, update it and try again.
The Airport Doesn’t Show A CLEAR Path To PreCheck
No problem. Use CLEAR for ID, then walk to the PreCheck lane yourself. CLEAR lane layouts can change as checkpoints move. Look for the ambassador—they’ll point the way.
Your Family Is Splitting Lanes
Adults without PreCheck must use standard screening. Kids 12 and under can stay with a PreCheck adult. Teens 13–17 can join only when their passes show the indicator and they’re on the same booking.
Quick Prep Checklist Before You Fly
- Store your KTN in every airline profile you use.
- Book tickets with the exact legal name on your ID.
- At check-in, confirm the PreCheck indicator appears.
- At the airport, choose the CLEAR podium only if it shortens your wait.
- Follow all TSA rules on liquids and electronics even in PreCheck.
That’s the smoothest path: right data on the reservation, the right lane at the checkpoint, and the right expectations about what each program handles and timing.
When Each Choice Makes Sense
Fly a few times a year from an airport with a reliable PreCheck lane? PreCheck alone usually does the trick: calmer queue, lighter prep, steady wait. Commute weekly through hubs where lines balloon? CLEAR plus PreCheck speeds the podium step and drops you in the right lane fast. If CLEAR sits at only one checkpoint, check terminal maps in your airline app before you head to security.
If a card refunds CLEAR, add it. If a card only reimburses PreCheck, start there. No credits? Weigh your airport layout and peak times; mornings at big hubs run longest.
Edge Cases You Might See
Random Screening Still Happens
Even with the indicator, you can be routed to standard screening from time to time. That’s normal. It doesn’t cancel your membership; it’s a security spot-check.
Name Formats And Hyphens
Hyphenated surnames, multiple last names, and suffixes can trip systems. Match your airline profile to your ID exactly, including punctuation. If a kiosk drops a character, ask an agent to reprint.
International Connections
PreCheck applies at U.S. checkpoints only. On the return, you’ll use regular security abroad unless a partner lane exists. Back in the States, PreCheck applies again when you re-screen after customs.