CLEAR+ Review: It Skips the Line, Not the Screening
CLEAR+ is an annual membership that uses biometric identity verification — eyes and face — to move you to the front of the airport identity-check queue, available at a growing list of US airports and some stadiums. It is a travel convenience product with no health function. It appears on this site because a lot of readers are flying with refrigerated injectable medication for the first time, and the rules around that are worth knowing before you are standing at the checkpoint.
Verified August 24, 2026. CLEAR+ is a travel identity service. No health or medical function. For weight-loss medication see our GLP-1 provider rankings.
Affiliate disclosure: Rx Saver Hub earns a commission if you sign up through links on this page. It does not change what we write — see our disclosure policy.
Verdict: Genuinely saves time at the right airports, and is widely misunderstood as something it is not. CLEAR+ verifies your identity biometrically, letting you skip the document-check queue. It does not replace physical screening — you still go through the scanner and your bags still go through X-ray. Its value is entirely a function of which airports you use and how busy they are, and it is most powerful paired with TSA PreCheck rather than instead of it. As a standalone purchase at a quiet airport it is close to worthless.
What CLEAR+ Costs
CLEAR+ is an annual membership, with family add-ons and frequent partner discounts through airlines and credit cards.
| Plan | What you get | Listed | Real cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual membership | Individual biometric identity access | Annual fee | Check current rate before enrolling |
| Family add-ons | Additional household members | Reduced per person | Adults only; children accompany free |
| Partner discounts | Airline status, credit cards | Often substantial | Frequently free with certain cards |
| TSA PreCheck | Separate government programme | Multi-year enrolment | Different thing entirely |
Flying with GLP-1 medication
GLP-1 medications need refrigeration and belong in your carry-on, never checked luggage — hold temperatures are uncontrolled and bags get lost. TSA permits medically necessary liquids and injectables above the standard limits when you declare them at screening. Bring a pharmacy label or prescription, pack an insulated case with a cold pack, and allow extra time, because declared medical items often mean a manual bag check regardless of which security line you used.
Before paying the annual fee, check whether a credit card you already hold covers it — several travel cards reimburse the membership in full, and a large share of members never pay directly.
What it does and does not do
CLEAR+ replaces the identity check — the point where an officer looks at your ID and boarding pass — with biometric verification at a dedicated podium. A representative then walks you to the front of the physical screening queue.
It does not exempt you from screening. You still walk through the scanner, your bag still goes through X-ray, and if you are carrying declared medical items you may still get a manual bag check. People who expect to walk straight to the gate are consistently disappointed.
CLEAR+ versus TSA PreCheck
These solve different problems and are frequently confused. TSA PreCheck is a government programme that changes how you are screened — shoes and belt stay on, laptops and liquids stay in the bag. CLEAR+ is a private service that changes how quickly you reach screening.
Together they are genuinely fast. If you can only have one, PreCheck is usually the better value for most travellers because it addresses the slower part of the process, and it costs less per year across its multi-year enrolment.
The medication part, which matters more
If you are flying with semaglutide or tirzepatide, the important points are: carry-on only, declare at screening, bring documentation, and use an insulated case with a cold pack. Checked luggage exposes medication to uncontrolled temperatures and to being lost.
Plan for the destination too. Hotel minibar fridges are often not reliably cold, and many hotels will provide a proper fridge on request for medical reasons if you ask when booking. For longer trips, confirm what refrigeration you will actually have before you travel.
If you are crossing time zones, ask your prescriber how to handle a weekly injection schedule. There is usually a straightforward answer, but it is better obtained before departure.
Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Genuinely faster identity verification at busy participating airports
- Pairs well with TSA PreCheck for the fastest overall experience
- Frequently covered in full by travel credit cards
- Family add-ons at reduced per-person rates
- Also used at some stadiums and venues
Drawbacks
- No health or medical relevance
- Does not skip physical screening, only the identity queue
- Value depends entirely on which airports you use
- Requires sharing biometric data with a private company
- Close to pointless at quiet airports or for infrequent travellers
Who Should Pick It — and Who Shouldn't
Good fit
A frequent traveller flying through busy participating airports, ideally with TSA PreCheck already, and ideally with a credit card that reimburses the fee.
Look elsewhere
Infrequent travellers, anyone flying mainly through smaller airports, and anyone uncomfortable providing biometric data to a private company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly with semaglutide or tirzepatide?
Yes. Keep it in your carry-on, never checked luggage. TSA permits medically necessary liquids and injectables above standard limits when declared at screening. Bring a pharmacy label or prescription and an insulated case with a cold pack, and allow extra time for a possible manual bag check.
Is CLEAR+ the same as TSA PreCheck?
No. PreCheck is a government programme changing how you are screened — shoes on, laptop in the bag. CLEAR+ is a private service changing how fast you reach screening. They complement each other; if choosing one, PreCheck is usually better value.
Does CLEAR+ help with medical items at security?
Not directly. It gets you to screening faster, but declared medical items may still trigger a manual bag check. Build in extra time regardless of which line you use.
How do I keep my medication cold while travelling?
An insulated medical case with a cold pack for the journey, then confirmed refrigeration at your destination. Hotel minibars are often not reliably cold — many hotels will supply a proper fridge on request for medical reasons if you ask when booking.
Considering CLEAR+?
CLEAR+ is worth it for frequent travellers at busy airports, especially if a card you hold covers the fee. The medication advice above matters more: carry-on, declared, insulated.
More Reviews Like This
Other brands we have reviewed in the same category.
Membership structure read from clearme.com on August 24, 2026; current pricing varies and should be checked directly. TSA policies described reflect published TSA guidance and are subject to change. Rx Saver Hub earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page.