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Clear Reserve: How to reserve your spot in airport security

June 15, 2023
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4 min read
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
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With summer travel in full swing, we recommend taking no chances when dealing with airport crowds.

Thanks to expedited security programs like Clear, you don't have to waste time waiting in the TSA security line.

Clear biometrically automates a user's identity via a separate Clear security lane with dedicated kiosks; this way, the traveler won't have to wait for the normal TSA license or passport review process. Once your identity is confirmed, a Clear representative escorts you to the front of the line for the traditional security screening machine — either for regular TSA or TSA PreCheck.

This service is available to Clear Plus members at 50 airports nationwide for $189 annually, though some credit cards provide cardholders with a free or discounted membership. However, there's also a lesser-known Clear program: Clear Reserve. It's available to all travelers, including non-Clear Plus users, for timed entry through security.

What is Clear Reserve?

CLEAR

Unlike Clear Plus, Clear Reserve is a free service for travelers looking for capacity-controlled access to a TSA officer, regardless of whether they belong to Clear.

Clear Reserve allows travelers to reserve a dedicated time slot in the security line for their party entry through TSA security at select airports.

"The goal of our free RESERVE lanes is to help minimize peak travel periods in the airport, which reduces wait times and creates a better experience for all travelers - even for those who don’t use RESERVE," a company spokesperson said. "We offer this service to all passengers in order to improve checkpoint experiences for everyone."

How do Clear airport security reservations work?

CLEAR

To make a reservation, travelers can book online or via the Clear app using the home-to-gate feature. Passengers enter their flight details and the number of people in their party to book a time slot.

Once you select your reservation time, you'll finish booking by entering your contact information before receiving a confirmation QR code via email. This is how you will access the Reservation Lane powered by Clear.

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Reservations will be tied to one entry time for as many as 10 individuals. This means families and small groups traveling together can book one reservation based on departure time. You can make reservations up to one month before travel. However, individual airports determine how far in advance passengers can book their reservation, ranging from a few days to weeks ahead of their flight. A limited number of time slots are available.

Alternatively, travelers can sign up for a time slot on the spot as they approach security.

Once travelers book, they will receive a confirmation email with a QR code, which a Clear ambassador will scan for access to a designated security checkpoint lane. There, passengers will comply with the standard TSA boarding pass and photo ID verification.

Where is Clear Reserve available?

Clear Reserve is currently available at 18 airports, including some abroad:

  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
  • Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).
  • Calgary International Airport (YYC).
  • Denver International Airport (DEN).
  • Edmonton International Airport (YEG).
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
  • Hannover Airport (HAJ).
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
  • Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).
  • Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport York (JFK).
  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
  • Orlando International Airport (MCO).
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
  • Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO).
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
  • Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

Bottom line

Clear kiosks at JFK
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

As of June 2023, Clear Reserve is available for travelers to book a timed entry through security at 18 airports across the U.S., Canada and Europe (with more airports to come).

Related reading:

Featured image by CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.