What’s the difference between TSA PreCheck, Touchless ID and CLEAR?

(NewsNation) — Airport security lines have become increasingly unpredictable amid a partial government shutdown that has triggered Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages at major hubs.

The disruptions, which have left some travelers waiting hours in line, have reignited interest in expedited screening programs like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, with Google search interest spiking in recent days.

Those programs come at a cost, but they typically help cut wait times — in some cases, significantly — even if they haven’t been spared from the recent turmoil.

Here’s what to know about TSA PreCheck, CLEAR and a newer option called Touchless ID.

Will TSA PreCheck and CLEAR help you avoid the travel chaos?

The programs often cut security wait times, but they aren’t immune to disruptions.

Both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR were unavailable at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday, where wait times stretched to four hours.

TSA PreCheck was also unavailable at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Sunday due to staffing shortages. Airport officials said the service is typically available but may be suspended during busy periods.

At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, agents warned passengers on Sunday that TSA PreCheck wait times were climbing to four to five hours, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. The line reportedly included passengers without the designation.

In some cases, the paid membership service CLEAR has stayed open even when TSA PreCheck is down, as in New Orleans on Sunday, where it remained available for those who were already enrolled in the program.

At Baltimore/Washington International Airport, traveler Casey Clark said he faced an hourslong line on Sunday, with TSA PreCheck closed and only one checkpoint open. He looked for another option.

“The standard security line there was more than a four-hour wait, so I signed up for CLEAR on the spot,” Clark told NewsNation.

He was able to switch lines and make his flight just in time but said many seats were empty.

A CLEAR spokesperson told NewsNation on Monday that the service remains open but may be affected at some locations amid rapidly changing airport conditions. The company identified Hartsfield-Jackson and Bush Airport as airports with “extreme disruptions” on Tuesday.

NewsNation checked wait times at several major airports Tuesday and found that TSA PreCheck lines were generally shorter than standard security.

Even so, TSA PreCheck hours can change based on operational needs, which vary by airport, according to the agency.

What is TSA PreCheck, and how much does it cost?

Cost: $76 – $85 for a five-year membership, depending on the enrollment provider

TSA PreCheck is a government program that allows approved travelers to use expedited security lanes at more than 200 U.S. airports.

Those lanes typically move faster than standard security and don’t require passengers to remove shoes, belts or light jackets or take laptops out of their bags.

The TSA says about 99 percent of PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes. As of Aug. 2024, TSA PreCheck had more than 20 million active members.

Many credit cards offer a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck application fee, effectively covering the cost.

How to sign up for TSA PreCheck

To enroll, travelers apply online through one of three authorized providers (IDEMIA, Telos, or CLEAR), then schedule an in-person appointment for identity verification and fingerprinting.

Once approved, most applicants receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) within three to five days, though some applications may take up to 60 days.

Travelers can add that number to their reservation, and a TSA PreCheck icon will show up on their boarding pass, giving them access to dedicated security lanes.

Children 12 and under can use TSA PreCheck lanes with a parent or guardian who has TSA PreCheck, even if it’s not listed on their boarding pass

Travelers ages 13 to 17 can use TSA PreCheck lanes only if it appears on their boarding pass

Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck

What is TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?

A new version of TSA PreCheck, called Touchless ID, will be available at 65 airports by this spring. Major hubs like ATL, DEN, DFW, JFK, LAX and ORD are already up and running, according to The Points Guy.

The voluntary program uses facial comparison technology to speed up identity checks and gives PreCheck travelers access to a dedicated Touchless ID lane.

TSA Pre Touches ID signage at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, VA, United States on July 29, 2025. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

To participate, TSA PreCheck members must have an active profile with a participating airline — including Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest or United — and upload their passport information.

Travelers then need to “opt-in” through their airline profile or at check-in. A TSA PreCheck Touchless ID indicator will appear on the boarding pass, giving them access to the specific lane.

For specific step-by-step instructions, click the link below to check with your airline:

What is CLEAR and how much does it cost?

Cost: $209 per year for CLEAR+

CLEAR+ is a paid membership service that gives travelers a faster way through airport security with designated lanes, operated by a private technology company of the same name.

Instead of waiting in the standard TSA line to show identification, CLEAR+ uses biometrics to verify a traveler’s identity, allowing members to move to the front of the line for TSA screening.

Clear Plus security company sign at San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California, October 19, 2024. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Unlike TSA PreCheck, which requires an application and a background check, travelers can sign up for CLEAR+ in just a few minutes at the airport.

The service operates more than 150 lanes across 60 airports.

Children 17 and under can use CLEAR+ lanes with a member for free — no membership needed

Members can add up to three adults to their account for $125 each per year

Some credit cards and airline loyalty programs offer CLEAR+ at a discount

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