Is Clear worth it for families?
Chances are, you’ve noticed those Clear lines at the airport, perhaps as you endured the standard security queues with restless kids and the clock ticking down to your departure. In the midst of the chaos, you may have pondered, “Is Clear worth it for families?” The answer hinges on a few factors, and we’re here to share our insights!
The lines, the stress, and the constant shuffle can sometimes turn the excitement of a trip into a cumbersome ordeal. For us, when we hear about services that can limit the stress and time we are very interested. But alway ask, what’s this going to cost us and is it worth it? This is where services like Clear step in, promising to streamline the security process and make your airport experience smoother. The question is, is Clear worth it for families?
Why We Signed Up For Clear
On a whim at Denver airport during the peak of the Covid pandemic in 2020, I found myself in endless security lines. Traveling for business, I decided to explore the Clear line as an alternative to avoid the lengthy wait. Conveniently located at the security checkpoint, I signed up on the spot after learning about the cost (details below). Discovering that my wife Jamie could be added, and my kids could join me for free, prompted me to go ahead.
While the sign-up process involved a bit of time for information and payment details, the eye and fingerprint scans were efficient, and I quickly moved on. Despite the brief sign-up delay, I not only caught my flight but also secured Clear benefits for my family throughout the year.
Why Take Our Advice?
We’ve had Clear for 3 to 4 years now and have taken countless flights with the whole family, each time using Clear when available. It is worth noting that I’ll be writing this review from a Denver family’s perspective. Your home airport plays a huge role in deciding whether or not Clear is worth it. For one, Clear is available in Denver. It is not at every airport. Secondly, Denver International Airport has a history of long security lines as it is one of the busiest and largest airports in the country. More on these factors below.
Get to know us with our Five Bags Pack Introduction blog post here.
The Basics of Clear
Clear is a private, biometric identity service that aims to expedite the security screening process at airports. Using fingerprint and eye scans, Clear members can quickly move through dedicated security lanes, bypassing the traditional ID check and document verification steps.
The Case for Families: Is Clear worth it for families?
Time-Saving Advantage:
For families, time is of the essence, especially when dealing with restless children or maybe you didn’t make it out the door as quickly as you did when leaving for the airport. Clear’s promise of skipping the lines can be a game-changer, allowing you to breeze through security and focus on keeping your family comfortable. Sometimes, there is no line at the airport and Clear can be pretty useless in this case. However, for the few times that the lines were out the door, Clear was worth every penny.
At the airports we’ve flown through, we have never waited more than 5 minutes to get through a Clear security line.
Stress Reduction:
With Clear, you don’t really have to stress about how long the security lines are. You may still get held up checking your bags or checking in to your airline at the counter but you can forget about security waits. Traveling can be stressful, and anything that minimizes that stress is worth considering. Clear eliminates the need to fumble for IDs; your ID is your fingerprint or eye scan, providing a more seamless experience for both parents and kids.
Kid-Friendly Process:
If you’re wondering if they scan the kids’ fingerprints and eyes, no, they do not. So if privacy is a concern for you, the kids don’t have to do anything they wouldn’t do at a normal security line. Typically, the basics that kids have to do is answer a few questions like “what is your name?”, “who are you traveling with?”, “how old are you?”
Traveling with a Baby? Check out our 9 Tips for Traveling With Your Baby!
The Considerations: Is Clear worth it for families?
Cost Factor:
While the time saved is invaluable, the cost of Clear memberships may be a consideration for some families. It’s essential to weigh the expense against the frequency of your family’s travel and the potential convenience it brings. As of January 2024, the prices on Clear’s website are:
Individual: $189/ year
Family: $189/ year + $99/ person (kids free under 18)
Our bill from Clear should be $285 a year for a family of 5. (We currently pay a little less at $259, because we locked into a price a few years ago when we signed up.)
How Often You Fly:
Clear’s yearly unlimited membership, allowing unlimited usage at a consistent price, makes the frequency of your flights a crucial factor. For frequent flyers, especially families, the investment becomes more worthwhile. However, if your family only travels occasionally, Clear may not offer the same value. A cost-per-use option would benefit families with infrequent flights, but Clear currently does not provide this alternative.
For example, if your family takes 4 to 5 roundtrip flights a year (similar to ours), it’s like paying around $28 to $25 for the whole family or approximately $6 per person (for a family of 5) at each security checkpoint. Essentially, the more you fly, the more worth it Clear becomes.
Your Home Airport and The Airports You Fly to Matter:
Clear may not be worth it if your home airport and the ones you frequently visit have consistently short security lines. Also, if Clear isn’t available at your common airports, you won’t benefit from it. For example, we fly out of Denver, which is usually busy, but Milwaukee (where we visit Jamie’s family), despite having Clear, doesn’t need it as the lines are short. Unfortunately, Clear isn’t an option in Savannah, where we travel to Hilton Head. Even at major airports like Los Angeles (LAX), the Clear line might be empty, making it unnecessary. While Clear may not matter most of the time, it’s been valuable during a few instances when it saved us significant time.
More Than Just Airports:
Another point to consider is that Clear can expedite security at sporting events or concert venues. We haven’t utilized this aspect, even though it’s available at both Ball Arena and Coors Field in Denver. However, on recent visits, the security lines at these venues haven’t been lengthy so we have never considered using Clear for these events.
For a full list of where to use Clear, search here on their website.
Other Expedited Services and Perks
If you already enjoy expedited services like TSA PreCheck or have premiere status as a frequent flyer, Clear may not provide substantial additional benefits for you. Premiere access lines from airlines are often comparably swift, and your entire family can usually join you, even without the status. While TSA PreCheck is generally fast, Clear tends to be quicker in Denver, from my observations. Additionally, you can maximize efficiency by combining Clear and TSA PreCheck when relevant.
Personally, without TSA PreCheck and no longer holding A-list status with Southwest, I can’t provide extensive insights into the comparative benefits of these services. I will note that TSA PreCheck is significantly cheaper than Clear and is priced at $78 for adults for 5 years. If you want to cover all your security bases, you might as well add this to your expedited security budget.
Our Verdict: Is Clear worth it for families?
Is Clear worth it for families? For frequent travelers with families, Clear can indeed be a worthwhile investment. The time saved, stress reduced, and the potential positive impact on the overall travel experience make it an appealing option. However, it’s crucial to assess your family’s specific needs, travel frequency, and the availability of Clear at your preferred airports before deciding if it’s the right fit for you. Ultimately, the goal is to create a smoother, more enjoyable travel experience for everyone involved. We will continue using Clear for the foreseeable future as it has been a huge help for our family.
