2 Month FREE Trial - CLEAR Airport Security Fast Lane

Hello

I got this email, that CLEAR has a promotion with Hertz car rental for 2 months free 'trial', then $99 a year (instead of $179)

What is CLEAR?

CLEAR said: CLEAR lets busy travelers avoid long lines and speed through airport security in 5 minutes or less. CLEAR’s member-only lanes and dedicated airport staff not only save you time, but also make air travel enjoyable again. You can use CLEAR in San Francisco, Dallas-Fort Worth, Orlando, Denver and Westchester, New York airports, with more coming soon.

Do you remember when you could go straight to the gate in five minutes? With CLEAR, those days are back!

I don't know if $99 a year is a good deal for this. I guess if you fly through those airports or would have it at full price anyway it is... but definitely cant beat a free 2 months! As long as you remember to cancel. I am not sure how to yet but I will update when I sign up!

https://enroll.clearme.com/register?execution=e1s1

Until they have more airports, this is just not worth it. If you fly enough, try and get PreCheck from the TSA instead. Even though I fly in and out of Denver quite a bit, I canceled before my trial ended.

I live near SFO and have been using free clear promos for years

All it does it let you cut to the head of the security line , you get escorted to the front of the X-ray machine as all the other passengers give you dirty looks

They let you signup for a new promo each time , definitely saved me 15-20 minutes in security lines sometimes .

I fly about once every other month so it's not worth paying for , but if I flew more often I'd pay for it

Yes that's right , while commoners are in line getting their shoes off and placing their bins on the xray conveyor , a Clear representative escorts you ahead of all these people

they put your stuff on the conveyor ahead of everyome else and then you pass through the body scanner ahead of them

It was originally supposed to allow people to skip security procedures but became just a cut-in-line card . You dont avoid the security checks or xrays, you are just paying to cut ahead of everyone else , being escorted by a Clear representative. its well worth it to some people

leonardosf said:   I signed up for CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Trusted Traveler Program, using GOES (Global Online Entry System). You'll need a US Passport, an interview with a customs agent which he will fingerprint you and pay a $100 fee. The GOES card is good for 5 years. The program allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States, as well as departures from selected airports to and from the US & Canada. GOES - US & Canadian airports - TSA PRE

Last month, I traveled through San Francisco (SFO), Ft Lauderdale (FLL) and Chicago (ORD) and showed my GOES card and passport and went through a special line called the TSA PRE. I didn't have to remove my shoes or take out my laptop, or go through a body scanner. There were no lines and I was through security in a matter of 1 or 2 minutes. I did pass through a metal detector which I expected it to beep, but they didn't. It was so very easy. And much better and cheaper than the CLEAR program.

Register here: GOES - US Customs & Border Patrol Global Online Entry System

The program is call Precheck. Some high-level elite frequent flyer program members have been invited to join. I joined via GOES. There is a random selection of Precheck members who are sent through regular security. If you go through the Precheck route, you don't have to take anything out of your carry-on except a CPAP machine. No coat removal, no shoe removal, so fast. When I've used this, there is a dedicated security line for Precheck and I've never seen anyone else use it. The TSA agents on the Precheck line look really bored. Hope this program continues.

Word of warning on GOES. A friend who had a misdemeanor conviction was denied. This was after submitting the application, receiving instructions to go to an airport for fingerprinting, etc., driving 200 miles for the enrollment, and then finding out that he wasn't qualified. Of course, the fee had already been paid. At that time, there was nothing on the GOES web page mentioning this restriction.

Seems like a deal if youre always in a rush and need to skip the line.

fwiw, and further to leonardosf and bippie posts above --

TSA Pre Check is the preferable "product." Dedicated physical screening lanes, keep your shoes & suit jacket on, liquids stay in suitcase, etc. Pre Check lanes now in most maor airports, constantly expanding, and "official" vs. relying on interaction btwn TSA and CLEAR.

I was a member of the original pre-bk CLEAR, and used them once or twice in MCO when they re-booted & offered complimentary renewal. They are very nice people, but I did not renew

rigor said:   oh wow i thought this company went out of business. they do the retina scan and such.

They did go out of business, but then returned. The old clear was at far more airports.

coolbreeze said:   TSA PreCheck is free, faster, and in many more airports. You need to be a frequent flier with a Nexus Card though (I fly weekly). On a Monday morning, I am through security with my shoes and jacket on, computer and liquids in bag in less than 2 minutes.

Actually, you do not need to be a certain elite level of frequent flier to use TSA Pre Check, as long as you are a member of one of the designated Customs and Border Protection (CBP)programs: Nexus (as you mention); Global Entry (what I use); or SENTRI. Each of these programs qualifies you for TSA Pre Check.

Also: if you are active duty military (in or out of uniform), you can use your CAC card for TSA Pre Check.

I applied for Global Entry, paid the fee, but was denied due to a DUI, which happened 10 years ago. Sucks getting denied and being a commoner.

My GOES went through without a hitch. I never been arrested or had a DUI. I feel pretty lucky.
I'm now in the Trusted Travel Program which includes the Global Entry - Into the United States using kiosks in the international airports and SENTRI - Into the United States across the land border from Mexico, as well as able to use the TSA-PRE lines at any of the US airports.

BTW, Can you appeal the denial decision?