Why You Should Get Both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ in 2026

Being part of just one airport program that speeds you through security may not be enough anymore, especially when events like government shutdowns, major storms, and system outages can create long lines and travel disruptions.

During the recent government shutdown concerns, services like Global Entry have experienced delays or temporary suspensions. While TSA PreCheck has continued operating in many cases, its availability could change if airports need to prioritize staffing in standard security lines.

In past years, I would have advised travelers to choose either TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+. While both services have expanded to many airports, extenuating circumstances could leave you without access to the service you’ve paid for. The solution? Have both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+, so you increase your chances of a smooth, wait-free airport security experience — something that feels more important than ever in 2026.

In this article, I’ll compare TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+, explain how you can get each for free, and show why having both may help you avoid long airport security lines.

TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR+

Below, we compare TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ so you can better understand how each program works and what each offers.

Having both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ won’t eliminate every airport delay, but they can certainly improve your experience. Here’s how.

Hot Tip:

You can also learn more about these services and what travelers think of them. We surveyed more than 1,500 people to find out whether TSA PreCheck is worth it (hint: many think it is). We’ve also analyzed whether CLEAR+ is worth the cost and why Global Entry remains a valuable option for international travelers.

1. Each Service Isn’t Available at Every Airport

As the chart above shows, TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports, while CLEAR+ is available at over 70 locations (including stadiums). While these numbers will likely increase over time, you may find yourself at an airport with only one of these services.

Having access to both increases the likelihood that you’ll be able to use expedited security at any U.S. airport you visit.

2. You Can Choose the Shorter Line

If an airport offers both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+, being enrolled in both programs allows you to choose whichever line is shorter. This can be incredibly helpful during peak times, such as holidays or summer travel, when security lines can grow quickly. I’ve personally experienced airports where the TSA PreCheck lane had a long wait while the CLEAR+ lane was nearly empty — and other times when the opposite was true.

If the lines aren’t located next to each other, you can always ask airport staff which service tends to have shorter lines. They might not always know for sure, but in my experience, they’ve been very helpful in directing me toward the quicker line.

3. Kids Can Accompany Adults for Free

Another benefit is that children can often use both services for free when their parents are members, making TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ even more valuable for families.

Speaking from personal experience, expedited security can make a big difference when traveling with babies, toddlers, or young children.

TSA PreCheck for Families

Children 12 and under can accompany parents with TSA PreCheck through the expedited lane.

Children ages 13 to 17 may also use TSA PreCheck if the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass. This typically occurs when the child is on the same reservation as a parent who has TSA PreCheck.

CLEAR+ for Families

Children 17 and under can also use CLEAR+ lanes for free with a parent who has an active CLEAR+ membership — no separate enrollment required.

4. You Can Sometimes Get Each Program for Free (or Discounted)

As we mentioned in the chart, it’s fairly simple to get these services for free or with a discount, depending on what credit cards or airline elite status you hold.

How To Get TSA PreCheck for Free

For starters, see if you hold any of these 39 cards that offer a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. TSA PreCheck is valid for 5 years from the date of approval, and you can renew it up to 6 months before it expires.

If you apply for Global Entry, you can get TSA PreCheck for free. Global Entry can greatly reduce your wait in line at border control when coming back from a trip abroad.

Hot Tip:

Note that the Global Entry suspension caused by the current partial government shutdown is an evolving story. Check trusted news sources if you have an upcoming trip to see which fast-track services are available at your local airport.

How To Get CLEAR+ for Free (or Discounted)

A few credit cards offer statement credits that can offset the cost of a CLEAR+ membership, which normally costs $209 per year. These include:

• Platinum Card^® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express
• American Express Green Card^®
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Among these, most travelers prefer the Amex Platinum card because it offers a variety of other benefits and statement credits that can help offset its annual fee.

The information regarding the American Express Green Card^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted. 

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash and Uber One, Resy, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, lululemon credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR+ credit, and Equinox credit)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts and Amex International Airline Program
• Access to Amex transfer partners
• No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

 

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

 

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
• $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

 

If you’re looking for a card with a lower annual fee, the Amex Green card is an excellent option.

American Express Green Card^®

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card can provide a great way to accumulate Membership Rewards points on eligible travel, transit, and at restaurants.

All information about American Express Green Card^® has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

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American Express Green Card^®

This card can provide a great way to accumulate Membership Rewards points on eligible travel, transit, and at restaurants.

Welcome Offer

Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express Green Card^® within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

40,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $880

Annual Fee

$150

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express Green Card^® is an excellent all-around travel rewards card thanks to earning 3x Membership Rewards^® points on eligible travel and transit purchases and at restaurants, access to American Express transfer partners, and a reasonable annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide, on all eligible travel purchases, and transit purchases
• Up to $209 per calendar year in statement credits after you pay for a CLEAR^® Plus membership with the Card.
• Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

• $150 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express Green Card^® within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on travel, including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® Points on transit purchases, including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
• $209 CLEAR Plus Credit: Receive up to $209 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express Green Card^®.
• Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It^® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you’ll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
• Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you’re traveling, when you use your American Express Green Card^® there are no foreign transaction fees.
• $150 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Airline Status Discounts

Some airline elite status tiers also provide discounted CLEAR+ memberships.

Whether you hold a Delta co-branded credit card or have Medallion status, being affiliated with Delta can get you a free or discounted CLEAR+ membership.

For example, CLEAR+ is free for Diamond Medallion elites or those with Delta 360° status. Instead of the $209 annual membership, Delta Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion members can purchase it for $169. Delta SkyMiles members without elite status can get a membership for $199 annually.

If you hold any of these Delta-branded credit cards, you can get CLEAR+ for a discounted price of $169 per year:

• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

United is a similar story. Global Services elite status members get a complimentary CLEAR+ membership. United Premier Silver, Gold, and Platinum elite status members can get a membership for $169, while United Premier 1K members can get it for $129 per year. Regular United MileagePlus members without elite status get a small discount and can pay $199 per year.

United-branded credit cardholders can also get a discount on membership. If you hold one of the following cards, you pay just $169:

• United℠ Explorer Card
• United Club℠ Business Card
• United℠ Business Card

For Alaska and Hawaiian, all Atmos Rewards members get a discounted rate for CLEAR+ at $199 per year. And, Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium members receive 1,500 miles for enrolling in CLEAR+ for the first time at the $199 rate and 1,250 miles for renewing or reinstating their CLEAR+ accounts at the $199 rate.

5. You May Be Able to Bundle CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck

If you don’t have either service, it may be possible to apply for both programs at the same time through certain promotional bundles.

For example, CLEAR+ sometimes offers promotions where those who enroll and complete a TSA PreCheck application within a specified window can receive a reimbursement of the TSA PreCheck application fee. Right now, you can apply for CLEAR+ and get TSA PreCheck for free.

Here’s how it works:

• Join CLEAR+ here, then either preenroll or renew TSA PreCheck through CLEAR+ within 7 days here.
• Pay the full rate of $288.95 ($209 for CLEAR+ and then $79.95 for TSA PreCheck).
• After completing your TSA PreCheck application, you receive a $79.95 refund (the full cost of TSA PreCheck).

The best way to pay for this bundled pack is with one of the 4 cards that offer a statement credit for a complimentary CLEAR+ membership: the Amex Platinum card, the Amex Business Platinum card, the Amex Green card, or the Hilton Aspire card. This way, you can offset the cost of both programs.

Hot Tip:

You can get CLEAR+, Global Entry, and TSA PreCheck for free just by holding a single credit card. The Amex Platinum card offers statement credits every 5 years for both Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck) and CLEAR+, making it a top choice if you want to reduce wait times at the airport.

Final Thoughts

Both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ can help travelers move through airport security faster. While neither program guarantees a completely line-free airport experience, having access to both gives you more flexibility and increases the likelihood that you’ll be able to use an expedited security option.

Between growing travel demand, occasional staffing challenges, and unpredictable travel disruptions, having both programs can help reduce stress and make navigating airport security easier. And with the right credit cards or airline status, it’s often possible to significantly reduce (or even eliminate) the cost of enrollment.