With summer travel in full swing, we recommend taking no chances when dealing with airport crowds.
Thanks to expedited security programs like Clear, you don’t have to waste time waiting in the TSA security line.
Clear biometrically automates a user’s identity via a separate Clear security lane with dedicated kiosks; this way, the traveler won’t have to wait for the normal TSA license or passport review process. Once your identity is confirmed, a Clear representative escorts you to the front of the line for the traditional security screening machine — either for regular TSA or TSA PreCheck.
This service is available to Clear Plus members at 50 airports nationwide for $189 annually, though some credit cards provide cardholders with a free or discounted membership. However, there’s also a lesser-known Clear program: Clear Reserve. It’s available to all travelers, including non-Clear Plus users, for timed entry through security.
What is Clear Reserve?
Unlike Clear Plus, Clear Reserve is a free service for travelers looking for capacity-controlled access to a TSA officer, regardless of whether they belong to Clear.
Clear Reserve allows travelers to reserve a dedicated time slot in the security line for their party entry through TSA security at select airports.
“The goal of our free RESERVE lanes is to help minimize peak travel periods in the airport, which reduces wait times and creates a better experience for all travelers – even for those who don’t use RESERVE,” a company spokesperson said. “We offer this service to all passengers in order to improve checkpoint experiences for everyone.”
How do Clear airport security reservations work?
To make a reservation, travelers can book online or via the Clear app using the home-to-gate feature. Passengers enter their flight details and the number of people in their party to book a time slot.
Once you select your reservation time, you’ll finish booking by entering your contact information before receiving a confirmation QR code via email. This is how you will access the Reservation Lane powered by Clear.
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Reservations will be tied to one entry time for as many as 10 individuals. This means families and small groups traveling together can book one reservation based on departure time. You can make reservations up to one month before travel. However, individual airports determine how far in advance passengers can book their reservation, ranging from a few days to weeks ahead of their flight. A limited number of time slots are available.
Alternatively, travelers can sign up for a time slot on the spot as they approach security.
Once travelers book, they will receive a confirmation email with a QR code, which a Clear ambassador will scan for access to a designated security checkpoint lane. There, passengers will comply with the standard TSA boarding pass and photo ID verification.
Where is Clear Reserve available?
Clear Reserve is currently available at 18 airports, including some abroad:
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).
- Calgary International Airport (YYC).
- Denver International Airport (DEN).
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG).
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
- Hannover Airport (HAJ).
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
- Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).
- Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
- John F. Kennedy International Airport York (JFK).
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
- Orlando International Airport (MCO).
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
- Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO).
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Bottom line
As of June 2023, Clear Reserve is available for travelers to book a timed entry through security at 18 airports across the U.S., Canada and Europe (with more airports to come).
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