Try Clear for Free

Starwood Hotels Preferred Guest program is offering three months of Clear service just for having a Preferred Guest account. If you have one, click this link: http://starwood.r.delivery.net/r/c/r?2. ... k.GbAEdK00 and enter your account #. If you don't have one yet, you can probably sign up for one now and get the deal. Apparently it will ask you for a CC # and renew automatically for $199 if you do not cancel before the three months are up.

I don't fly enough to make paying $199 for Clear worthwhile, but I am interested in seeing how well it works so I may try it.

You still need to go to a kiosk for the biometrics setup and get a background check.

Yes, you do. There's now one in Grand Central Terminal if you don't feel like trekking to the airport.

Clear is really a waste of money and hasn't been well received. The fact is if you're traveling frequently enough to use Clear you are most likely Elite level in the FF program(s) you belong too and can use the Elite or F class security lanes for free, which move very fast. The last five times I've left on AA out of JFK I've been through the screening lanes at the most two minutes and most of that time is spent doing the same thing I'd have to do with the Clear lane. If this program was successful they wouldn't be giving it away for free like this. Doesn't work and is a waste of resources.