There are some good options for people who want to avoid the long lines of TSA at the airport, including TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear. But there’s another lesser-known way to ensure you get a smoother transition through TSA, and it’s free: Reserve by Clear. Not everyone can afford the time and money it takes to set up and get a PreCheck or Clear subscription, with their fees and time-consuming interview process. A free option is helpful for those on a budget or traveling with large groups or family.
How does Reserve by Clear work?
Reserve is a free program powered by the same subscription, Clear, which uses biometric technology to skip the security lines for $189 per year. All you do is pick a time to go to the airport and use a fast pass to get through TSA. Unfortunately, it’s not available in all airports yet, but they are expanding. Here is where you’ll be able to use this program:
New York: John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 4.
California: Los Angeles International Airport, Terminals 7 and 8 (called LAX Fast Lane).
Florida: Orlando International Airport, East and West Checkpoints.
New Jersey: Newark Liberty International Airport, Terminals A and B (called EWR Virtual Line).
Washington: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Checkpoint 3 and 5 (called SEA Spot Saver).
Arizona: Phoenix Sky-Harbor International Airport, Terminals 3 and 4.
Canada: Calgary International Airport, Security D and E (called YYC Express).
Canada: Edmonton International Airport (called YEG Express).
Canada: Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (called YUL Express).
Canada: Toronto Pearson International Airport (called YYZ Express).
Canada: Vancouver International Airport (called YVR Express).
Germany: Berlin Brandenburg Airport (called BER runway).
Germany: Frankfurt Airpot (called FRA SmartWay).
Germany: Hannover Airport.
Italy: Rome Airport FCO, (Called QPass Security).
Iceland: Reykjavik Airport.
Netherlands: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
How to use Reserve by Clear
These programs are all about efficiency. You won’t need to register with Clear or create any kind of profile. Just go to this link and select the eligible airport you’re flying from. Enter your flight information, number of passengers, and pick the time you would like to go through security.
You should receive a confirmation email with a QR code that TSA will need to scan along with your ID. When you arrive to the airport, look for the special reserve lane for Reserve or Clear and have your QR code ready.
If you’re flying domestically, you can reserve a reservation of up to a maximum of 60 minutes before your flight. If you’re flying internationally, it’s a maximum of 75 minutes before your flight, with a grace period of 15 to 20 minutes in case you arrive late to your reservation.
You can find more information about the program from their FAQ here.
