What happened
Automated e-gates are live at 53 U.S. airports as of early November, covering nearly 80% of the airports Clear serves, and the company expects the vast majority of Clear Plus locations to have them by year-end. Members walk through after a brief photo instead of stopping at the blue kiosks. The company says 96% of passengers at those hubs get through quickly.
Clear Plus still costs $219 a year, though some premium cards and airline partnerships can offset the fee. The lane usually works best alongside TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is expanding as a free option for PreCheck and Global Entry members who opt in. Holiday travelers who pay for Clear Plus should find the lane more consistent at most of the company's airports.
Expect e-gates at nearly all Clear Plus locations by year-end, and compare the $219 fee with free TSA Touchless ID if PreCheck is already in hand.
- Numbers
- 53 airports: airports with Clear e-gates
- 80%: share of Clear airports with e-gates
- 96%: passengers getting through in five minutes or less at e-gate airports
- $219: Clear Plus annual membership fee
- Who qualifies
- Clear Plus members at U.S. airports where Clear operates
- Takeaway
- Clear Plus members should expect e-gates at nearly all locations by year-end and weigh the $219 fee against free TSA Touchless ID if they already have PreCheck.