Any reviews on the MCO TSA Reserve "CLEAR" program?

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Heard about this a while ago and after the last couple times at MCO and being super stressed standing in a very long TSA line I decided to sign up for it.

Does anyone have experience with it?
Did it go smoothly and was it fast?

 

[DonMacGregor]

I travel a lot for business as well as pleasure (live in SoCal but we have offices in Orlando and Miami) and have TSA PreCheck, as well as Clear. I have both my wife and adult son on my Clear and they both have PreCheck too. As crazy as the MCO security lines are, the PreCheck line always moves very quickly there and honestly half the time I don't even bother using clear at MCO. I'm not sure if it's because so many travelers there are less frequent fliers (tourists) and don't have PreCheck, but even when the regular security lines are huge, PreCheck never seems to be too bad. If you're just using Clear over regular security, you'll still save yourself a bunch on time in line. At other airports, Clear with or without PreCheck is a must. Just suggesting getting PreCheck as well, as it's cheaper and the enrollment is for 5 years at a time for $78.

If your CC company offers discounts/statement credits for both, then I'd jump on that. As far as getting set up the first time, it takes about 5 minutes tops to do fingerprint and facial scans, then you're done. Since you'll be getting set up at your departing airport, when you're headed home through MCO, you'll be golden.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I travel a lot for business as well as pleasure (live in SoCal but we have offices in Orlando and Miami) and have TSA PreCheck, as well as Clear. I have both my wife and adult son on my Clear and they both have PreCheck too. As crazy as the MCO security lines are, the PreCheck line always moves very quickly there and honestly half the time I don't even bother using clear at MCO. I'm not sure if it's because so many travelers there are less frequent fliers (tourists) and don't have PreCheck, but even when the regular security lines are huge, PreCheck never seems to be too bad.

I'd get PreCheck first, then decide about Clear. If your CC company offers discounts/statement credits for both, then I'd jump on that. As far as getting set up the first time, it takes about 5 minutes tops to do fingerprint and facial scans, then you're done. Since you'll be getting set up at your departing airport, when you're headed home through MCO, you'll be golden.

I don't fly much so I'm not paying for Precheck or the "Clear Plus" which is what I think you may be talking about.
I'm just talking about the free version of Clear which is not for those with Precheck or Clear Plus.
I made my appt time for my flight already.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I don't fly much so I'm not paying for Precheck or the "Clear Plus" which is what I think you may be talking about.
I'm just talking about the free version of Clear which is not for those with Precheck or Clear Plus.
I made my appt time for my flight already.

Ok, so you're talking about Clear RESERVE. That one allows you to reserve a time to show up at the security line (a TSA Fast Pass if you will), but you still need to go through the regular TSA security process. I've never actually heard of anyone using that particular Clear product, so I'd be curious as well. I've only ever heard of people using Clear Plus (which is really their main product so I don't know why they call it "Plus") and Clear Sports (that you can use at arenas, stadiums, etc.). Hopefully someone has some experience to share.

I will say, even if you don't fly very often, PreCheck comes out to $15 per year and that's money well spent in my mind if it saves you 30-45 minutes (or more, especially at MCO) each way on your vacation. And you only sign up once every 5 years. Just something to think about.

 

[_19disnA]

I don't have Clear, but do have TSA-precheck that works great. My credit card reimburses me for the cost of TSA pre-check and it is good for 5 yrs. Just renewed recently online and very easy. Might check to see if the credit card you happen to have also pays for it. If they do, even if you don't travel that often, can be a real time-saver.

Have used TSA-precheck in various airports and the biggest advantage I find (besides lines that are shorter and move faster) is you tend to get others who are frequent travelers and know what is expected of them so everything moves along much more smoothly. In the regular security lines, there always seems to be a lot of people who act like they have never been in an airport, never listen to the announcements being made or act like the security measures don't apply to them which greatly slows the process. Then they act surprised when TSA won't allow that HUGE bottle of shampoo to pass thru security.

 

[sam_gordon]

At other airports, Clear with or without PreCheck is a must.

What airports is Clear a "must"? I travel for work and got Pre-check. Over the last almost two years, if I had clear, I *MIGHT* have saved 30 minutes TOTAL. I've flown out of San Diego, Houston, DC, and LA among others. The only one that it really would have helped (maybe by 5 minutes) was Nashville immediately following a Titans game.

 

[DonMacGregor]

What airports is Clear a "must"? I travel for work and got Pre-check. Over the last almost two years, if I had clear, I *MIGHT* have saved 30 minutes TOTAL. I've flown out of San Diego, Houston, DC, and LA among others. The only one that it really would have helped (maybe by 5 minutes) was Nashville immediately following a Titans game.

JFK, ATL, O'Hare.

I wouldn't even bother with PreCheck to save any time in San Diego, same with HOU. Mostly just for convenience. I never use Clear at LAX either. It's actually slower than normal PreCheck at the Delta terminal and about the same through the Bradley terminal. I spent almost 50 minutes once in the PreCheck line at JFK before I signed up for Clear.

 

[CarolynFH]

JFK, ATL, O'Hare.

I wouldn't even bother with PreCheck to save any time in San Diego, same with HOU. Mostly just for convenience. I never use Clear at LAX either. It's actually slower than normal PreCheck at the Delta terminal and about the same through the Bradley terminal. I spent almost 50 minutes once in the PreCheck line at JFK before I signed up for Clear.

When you say HOU, do you mean HOU Houston Hobby or IAH Bush International, or both? We fly out of IAH so I’m interested in whether to add Clear to our Global Entry (PreCheck).

 

[sam_gordon]

When you say HOU, do you mean HOU Houston Hobby or IAH Bush International, or both? We fly out of IAH so I’m interested in whether to add Clear to our Global Entry (PreCheck).

Whenever I'm at an airport that has Clear, I just sort of pay attention to how many people get in front of me (already PreCheck) because of Clear. I think the most at any airport has been 5.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Last couple times I’ve looked at using Clear I’ve skipped it and done TSA Pre as Clear looked rather backed up. Worked out faster all 3 times for me too. DEN, MCO & LAS. Just try to get the TSA line Clear isn’t dumping people into if at MCO.

Only reason I have Clear is it’s free with my Amex Plat, otherwise it would be a hard pass as I don’t transit airports where it is necessary or attend sporting events where it is used.

 

[gottalovepluto]

When you say HOU, do you mean HOU Houston Hobby or IAH Bush International, or both? We fly out of IAH so I’m interested in whether to add Clear to our Global Entry (PreCheck).

You can try searching for info on Clear at IAH on Flyertalk, lots of experienced flyers there, they should be able to tell you if it’s necessary if you don’t find the info you need here.

Not at IAH but last couple times I’ve looked at using Clear I’ve skipped it and done TSA ID check as Clear looked rather backed up, program has been flooded since it got added as an Amex Plat perk. Worked out faster all 3 times for me too. DEN, MCO & LAS. Just try to get the TSA line Clear isn’t dumping people into if at MCO.

Only reason I have Clear is it’s free with my Amex Plat, otherwise it would be a hard pass as it is not cheap and I don’t transit airports where it is necessary or attend sporting events where it is used.

 

[FreeTime]

I had Clear and precheck. The airports I mostly use are RNO, CMH, MCO, LAS, SLC, DFW. I didn’t renew Clear. It was always faster or the same to use precheck.

 

[Herding_Cats]

We have used the free version of CLEAR at MCO twice. It probably saved us about 20min of waiting in the line for TSA to check our bags, but that was all. I think if you are flying out in the morning it would be more beneficial as the lines have been longer then (ime) or during a holiday/heavy travel time.

BOOKING it was a bit of a chore because it's like a 3-days-before kind of thing and you have to put in your flight info and it may or may not be already booked up.

 

[DonMacGregor]

When you say HOU, do you mean HOU Houston Hobby or IAH Bush International, or both? We fly out of IAH so I’m interested in whether to add Clear to our Global Entry (PreCheck).

Sorry, IAH. I use the Centurion Lounge at IAH so I always go through security at the international terminal (D or E if memory serves me) regardless of airline, and even there I've never had a long wait in standard PreCheck.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Last couple times I’ve looked at using Clear I’ve skipped it and done TSA Pre as Clear looked rather backed up. Worked out faster all 3 times for me too. DEN, MCO & LAS. Just try to get the TSA line Clear isn’t dumping people into if at MCO.

Only reason I have Clear is it’s free with my Amex Plat, otherwise it would be a hard pass as I don’t transit airports where it is necessary or attend sporting events where it is used.

Standard PreCheck is miles better than Clear at LAX when flying Delta for sure. With Delta's new Digital ID and PreCheck, there's nothing faster. I agree that with the flood of people signing up for Clear, it's becoming less and less of a benefit at most airports I travel through too.

 

[EACarlson]

You can try searching for info on Clear at IAH on Flyertalk, lots of experienced flyers there, they should be able to tell you if it’s necessary if you don’t find the info you need here.

The thread you're looking for on FlyerTalk lives in the Trusted Traveler subforum. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tru...mation-thread-locations-promotions-value.html

I had Clear Plus all last summer and decided it wasn't worth my money. If I paid the AF for the AMEX Plat or had high enough status with United or Delta to get it for free, I'd have kept it. I added up all the time it saved me and it totaled about 10 minutes. That was with flights from BNA, ORD, DCA, ATL, MCO, MKE and CLT. Only once did save any meaningful time, and that was 15 minutes at MCO.

 

[tony67]

Personally even if the pre check line is longer I'll use it just for the convenience of not dealing with the standard security.

The biggest issue I have with pre check is the folks that get it for free and travel once every year or two - they seem to really slow things down since they don't know what to do. Still better than general security.

I also still deal with an Airline that does not use TSA Pre Check at all - mind boggling that Aer Lingus still does not have pre check.
Also clear in not in the Aer Lingus terminal currently so another reason not to use Aer Lingus.

I really hope the competition from Jet Blue will get them to step up their game.


EDIT: Well Aer Lings added TSA Precheck on July 1st. Still not the most customer friendly Air Line but adding Pre Check is an improvement. I've flown with them at least 50 times and every time its worse than the last time and we say never again.

 

[elle101me]

Heard about this a while ago and after the last couple times at MCO and being super stressed standing in a very long TSA line I decided to sign up for it.

Does anyone have experience with it?
Did it go smoothly and was it fast?

I used Clear Reserve yesterday. It was quick and easy, probably took about 5 minutes from check in to putting my shoes back on.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I used Clear Reserve yesterday. It was quick and easy, probably took about 5 minutes from check in to putting my shoes back on.

I used it this morning. Took 2 minutes from check in to shoes on lol.