Clear Reserve: How to reserve your spot in airport security
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?
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?
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.
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
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).
TPG Tip: If you want to try Clear and sign up using TPG's special offer, you can save $50 on the first year's membership.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- 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.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.