Will You Get an Airport Clear Card?

Have you heard about the Airport Clear Card? It’s a card allowing you to go through airport security faster. The card costs $100 with an additional $28 fee added for TSA costs. So, for $128 you can go through airport security faster than others. Of course, according to the Clear Card website, Clear Card holders are prescreened before they can use the card. The card can be used by anyone, business travelers or casual vacationers.

How Do You Get a Clear Card?

According to the Clear Card website,  you have to apply for the card, completing a little basic information. Then, get this, you have to go to a center, show at least two forms of identification and get fingerprinted as well as get your eyes photographed. You know, like those high-tech machines that you see in the sci-fi movies where your irises are scanned. That’s cool, yet a little scary in my opinion. Once everything checks out, according to  Clear Card, you have the privilege of going through the Clear Lane while at the airport, if your airport participates.

Continuous Monitoring

Even after you have been cleared, clear card holders are continuously checked and monitored. I also read on the Clear Card site, that the cards can be revoked. You don’t get your money back, either. If something in your record becomes an issue, you will no longer be able to use the Clear Lane.

Where are Clear Lanes?

Clear Lanes are new and not all airports have them yet. Actually, not all airports may offer the Clear Card. It may also not be offered for all terminals. Looking at the Clear Card web site, it appears that the cards are offered at certain airports and certain terminals within the airport. Airports and airlines have to agree to offer Clear Lines. You can check to see if you airport has Clear Lanes here.

Will You Apply for a Clear Card?

It does seem like a good idea, and I’ve heard that you are supposed to be able to basically breeze through airport security if you have a card. If you travel a lot, and you don’t mind the government continuously monitoring you (don’t they do that already?)  you may want to spend the $128 for the card. So, what do you think? Is a Clear Card worth it to you?

Credit: Drawing by Annie Wong, Flickr Creative Commons License

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Get to secret to getting through the airport on time, how to handle security checks, and what will make you least likely to be checked while in the airport, prevent jet lag and keep your children entertain while on the plane. Pilot Karen Kahn also discusses how to pack light and the thought process that goes into packing, since many airlines are now charging for extra check-in baggage. Dr. Kahn divulges secrets to handling airport check-in, airport security and flights in this podcast. Dr. Kahn is extremely knowledgeable on this topic, so you don’t want to miss this.

Interview with Pilot Karen Kahn

I also have a mp3 version of the podcast. Be warned. There is about 10 seconds of dead air space in this version.
Interview with Pilot Karen Kahn, mp3

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Prices for airline tickets and other travel tickets are rising due to increasing fuel costs. You can, however, get dirt cheap tickets if you know where to look. Prices may have risen, but you still need to travel. Don’t let inflation keep you from going on a vacation or spending a stress-free time with your family. Here are some suggestions for finding the least expensive, dirt cheap tickets on the web.

Give yourself plenty of time
Look for your tickets as soon as possible. The more advance notice you have, the more likely that you will get the best price. Shoot for searching for tickets months before your event or activity. If you can look for tickets nine months in advance of your trip, that’s all the better.
Go straight to the airline’s site
Most people believe that discount tickets on sites like Expedia.com are always the best place to get the cheapest tickets. Airlines, however, sometimes have dirt cheap tickets, or the cheapest tickets that you could find anywhere. Many airlines have features that allow you to check several different dates for the cheapest tickets. Look for several different dates and several times for your trip. Oftentimes red eye flights have the cheapest tickets.

Look for tickets during off-season periods
Try to travel during off-season periods rather than peak travel times. For example, airline tickets are more expensive during the Christmas holidays in the United States. You may be able to find reasonable hotel rates because people tend to stay with family rather than spending a night in hotel during the Christmas holiday. You need to travel when others would prefer to stay at home. Travelers, for example, love to travel during the spring for spring break.

Use Search Engine Power
Use the power of the Internet to search for dirt cheap tickets. If your state has several airports, consider searching for tickets from several different airports (especially if you will have no problem driving to the airport, getting a shuttle, or paying for parking). Search engines such as Expedia, Orbitz, and Cheap Tickets,
can help you search for the lowest prices for several dates at a time.