Add your Known Traveler Number before you book or at check-in

Your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) appears on your boarding pass only if the airline has it when they issue the pass. You can add it in three ways: enter it when you buy your ticket online, provide it when you check in at the airport, or update it in your airline account before booking. The earliest you add it, the more likely it will print on your pass.

If your number does not appear on a pass you already have, you can usually request a new one at the airport ticket counter or kiosk before you go through security. Some airlines let you add it through their mobile app after purchase, though this does not always update a pass you have already printed.

Key Takeaways

  • Enter your Known Traveler Number when you purchase your ticket online, and it will print on your boarding pass automatically.
  • If you forget at booking, provide your KTN at the airport check-in counter or kiosk, and ask for a new boarding pass with the number added.
  • Your KTN is a nine-character code that begins with letters (usually your program initials) and appears in your TSA PreCheck approval letter or account.
  • Mobile boarding passes sometimes do not display the KTN even if it is in the airline system, so print a paper pass if you are unsure.
  • TSA PreCheck benefits only work if your KTN is on the boarding pass you show at security, not just in your airline account.

Where to find your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN is printed on the approval letter you received when your TSA PreCheck process was processed. It is a nine-character code, usually starting with letters. If you cannot find the letter, log into your TSA PreCheck account at universalenroll.dhs.gov and look for it in your account details or approval documents.

Some airlines also let you view your KTN in their frequent flyer or loyalty account settings if you have already added it there before. Check your airline's website under "Manage My Booking" or "My Account" sections. If you still cannot locate it, contact TSA directly through their website or call the enrollment center where you completed your interview.

Adding your number when you book online

When you purchase a ticket on an airline website or through a travel booking site, look for a field labeled "Known Traveler Number," "KTN," "TSA PreCheck," or "Frequent Flyer Information." This field usually appears on the same page where you enter your name and date of birth. Enter your nine-character KTN exactly as it appears on your approval letter, with no spaces or dashes unless the form shows them.

After you complete your purchase, check your confirmation email to see if the KTN appears on the boarding pass preview. If it does, you are set. If it does not show up in the email, log into your airline account and look at the booking details to confirm the number was saved. Some airlines display the KTN in the account but not on the emailed pass preview, so you may need to check again closer to your flight.

Adding your number at the airport

If you did not add your KTN when you booked, go to the airline ticket counter or self-service kiosk before you check your bag or go through security. Tell the agent or use the kiosk to add your Known Traveler Number to your reservation. Ask them to print a new boarding pass with the number included.

This process usually takes a few minutes. The agent will look up your reservation, add the KTN to your record, and print a fresh pass. Make sure the new pass shows your KTN before you leave the counter. If you are running late or the line is long, you can also ask the TSA officer at the security checkpoint whether they can look up your KTN in the system, though this is less reliable than having it printed on your pass.

Updating your number in your airline account

Many airlines let you store your KTN in your frequent flyer or loyalty account so it automatically fills in on future bookings. Log into your airline account, find the section for "Traveler Information," "Preferences," or "Known Traveler Number," and enter your nine-character code. Save the changes.

Once your KTN is saved in your account, it should appear on boarding passes for all future flights booked under that account. However, this does not update passes you have already purchased. If you booked a flight before adding your KTN to your account, you still need to add it to that specific reservation at the ticket counter or through the airline's website booking management tool.

Why your KTN might not appear on your boarding pass

Even if you entered your KTN correctly, it may not show on a mobile boarding pass in your airline app, though it is still in the airline system. If this happens, request a paper boarding pass at the airport. The TSA officer at security can also manually look up your KTN if you show them your approval letter, though having it printed on your pass is faster and more reliable.

Some airlines also have delays syncing KTN information to their systems, especially if you added it very close to your flight time. If you added your number less than an hour before departure and it does not appear, mention this to the ticket agent and ask them to verify it is in the system. You may need to show your approval letter at security if the pass still does not display it.

What happens at security with your KTN on your boarding pass

When you reach the TSA security checkpoint, the officer will scan your boarding pass and see your KTN. This tells them you are enrolled in TSA PreCheck and may be able to access for expedited screening. You will be directed to a PreCheck lane where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and move through the line faster.

If your KTN does not appear on your pass, you will go through standard screening instead. This is why it matters to have it printed on the pass itself rather than just in your airline account. If you forgot to add it before you reach security, you can ask the TSA officer if they can look it up, but this is not may provide to work and may slow you down.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have my approval letter and cannot find my KTN?

Log into your TSA PreCheck account at universalenroll.dhs.gov using your email and password. Your KTN should be listed in your account details or in a downloadable approval document. If you cannot access your account, contact the TSA enrollment center where you completed your interview, or call the TSA PreCheck customer service line.

Can I add my KTN to a boarding pass after I have already checked in?

It depends on the airline. Some allow you to update your reservation through their website or app after check-in, but this may not update a pass you have already printed or added to your phone. Your safest option is to request a new paper boarding pass at the ticket counter before you go through security.

Do I need to add my KTN to every flight I book?

No. If you save your KTN in your airline frequent flyer account, it will be added automatically to all future bookings under that account. However, you will need to add it manually to bookings made under a different account or with a different airline, since each airline manages its own system.

What if my boarding pass shows my KTN but I still went through regular security?

The TSA officer may not have scanned your pass correctly, or your KTN may not have been in their system at that moment. This occasionally happens due to technical delays. For your next flight, confirm your KTN is on your pass and mention it to the officer when you hand it over.

Can I add someone else's KTN to my boarding pass?

No. Your boarding pass must show your own KTN, not a family member's or travel companion's. Each person needs their own TSA PreCheck enrollment and their own KTN on their own boarding pass to receive expedited screening.