You’ll Be Able to Reserve a Spot in the Security Line at These Airports
Updated: Jun. 07, 2023
You can skip unexpected waits in airport security. Clear's Reserve will let you reserve a spot in a security line for free.
If summer travel is part of your to-do list, you’ll want to do everything you can to stay ahead of the airport crowds—and there’s no shortage of them in recent months. In fact, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration has already reported checkpoint numbers of over 2.6 million on a single day in June.
When your goal is to hop on a plane to a dreamy, Instagram-worthy destination, the last thing you want to worry about is airport security. Still, it’s a necessary part of jet-setting. Biometric identity verification service Clear launched its Reserve lane in 2021 at Florida’s Orlando Airport, and it has since expanded to include other airports. Here’s how to use Clear’s Reserve to shorten your next airport security wait.
What is Clear’s Reserve Lane?
In case you missed it, Clear’s Reserve Lane is a free service that lets you schedule a place in an assigned security line ahead of time. It’s sort of like the paid TSA PreCheck airport pre-screening or Disneyland’s Genie+ system, but without the monthly cost and with slightly different terms.
According to Clear, you must book your spot in the security line ahead of time and still show a TSA officer your ID, but it provides a “more predictable experience.”
Where is Clear’s Reserve Lane available?
Since Clear’s Reserve Lane isn’t available at every airport, you’ll want to check if your departure airport has the service.
Clear’s Reserve Lane is currently available at the following U.S. airports:
- Colorado: Denver International Airport (DEN)
- California: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX Fast Lane)
- Minnesota: Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
- New York: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- New Jersey: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Florida: Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Arizona: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Washington: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA Spot Saver)
Clear Reserve Lane is also available at select airports in Canada and Europe, including:
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
- Berlin Airport (BER Runway)
- Calgary International Airport
- Edmonton International Airport
- Frankfurt Airport
- Hannover Airport
- Montreal–Trudeau International Airport
- Keflavik International Airport (Rejkjavik)
- Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport
- Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Vancouver International Airport
Do I need to have TSA PreCheck or be a Clear member to use the Reserve Lane?
Luckily, you don’t need TSA PreCheck or a Clear membership to use the Reserve Lane. The airport security reservation service is free to everyone.
If you have TSA PreCheck, Clear’s website says that you’re welcome to use Reserve Lanes, but it won’t route you to the PreCheck screening area. Instead, Reserve goes through standard TSA screening areas, so it isn’t a replacement for TSA PreCheck.
Clear Plus members don’t need a reservation to access Clear Plus Lanes in airports. If you use Clear’s Reserve, you won’t have access to a Clear Plus Lane unless you’re a Clear Plus member, and should instead find the designated Clear Reserve Lane.
How do I use Clear’s Reserve Lane?
Using Clear’s Reserve Lane is simple:
- First, select your departure airport and choose the date and time you would like to reserve your spot for standard security.
- Once you place your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email with a QR code. The QR code is what you will use to gain access to the Reserve Lane.
- Simply show the QR code to a TSA agent and enjoy quicker service.
If for any reason you miss your scheduled appointment time, Clear’s website notes that the Reserve Lane offers a 20-minute grace period for missed times.
Sources:
- TSA.gov: TSA checkpoint travel numbers (current year versus prior year(s)/same weekday)
- Clearme.com
Originally Published: June 07, 2023
