Add your TSA PreCheck number to American Airlines before you book

You add your TSA PreCheck number to American Airlines by entering it into your frequent flyer profile on their website or app, or by providing it when you book a ticket. American Airlines uses the number you give them to print it on your boarding pass, which tells TSA screening officers at the airport that you have PreCheck benefits. The number itself comes from your TSA PreCheck membership card or your TSA account — you'll need it before you start.

The fastest way is to add it to your profile once, so it appears on every boarding pass automatically. If you don't add it ahead of time, you can still enter it during booking, but you'll have to do this for each flight. Either way, the number must match exactly what TSA has on file for your membership.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck number comes from your TSA membership card or your TSA account online, and you need it before you add it to American Airlines.
  • Adding your number to your American Airlines frequent flyer profile means it will print on every boarding pass you generate, without you having to enter it each time.
  • You can add your TSA PreCheck number through the American Airlines website, the mobile app, or during the booking process itself.
  • The number must match exactly what TSA has on file, or the PreCheck benefit won't show on your boarding pass at the airport.

Find your TSA PreCheck number before you add it

Your TSA PreCheck number is a 10-digit code that appears on your TSA PreCheck membership card. If you have the physical card, the number is printed on the front. If you don't have the card in front of you, you can find the number by logging into your TSA account at tsa.gov.

Go to tsa.gov, click "Sign In" at the top right, and log in with your username and password. Once you're logged in, your TSA PreCheck number will appear on your account dashboard. Write it down or have it ready to copy and paste — you'll need the exact number, with no spaces or dashes added.

Add your TSA PreCheck number to your American Airlines profile

The easiest way to make sure your PreCheck benefit shows on every boarding pass is to add your number to your AAdvantage frequent flyer profile. Go to aa.com, sign in to your AAdvantage account, and click on "Profile" or "My Account" (the exact label varies depending on whether you're on the website or app). Look for a section called "Travel Information," "Known Traveler Information," or "TSA PreCheck."

Click the option to add or edit your TSA PreCheck number, paste in your 10-digit number, and save. American Airlines will store this number in your profile. From that point on, whenever you book a flight under that AAdvantage account, your TSA PreCheck number will automatically print on your boarding pass — you won't have to enter it again.

If you're using the American Airlines mobile app, the process is similar: tap the menu icon, go to "Profile," find "Travel Information" or "Known Traveler Information," and add your number there.

Add your TSA PreCheck number during booking if you haven't saved it yet

If you're booking a flight and haven't added your TSA PreCheck number to your profile yet, you can enter it during the booking process. After you've selected your flights and entered your passenger information, look for a section labeled "Known Traveler Information," "TSA PreCheck," or "Frequent Flyer Benefits." Enter your 10-digit TSA PreCheck number there.

American Airlines will print the number on your boarding pass for that flight. However, you'll need to repeat this step for every flight you book unless you save the number to your profile first. For that reason, adding it to your profile is the smarter move if you fly more than once or twice a year.

What happens after you add your number

Once your TSA PreCheck number is linked to your American Airlines account or appears on your boarding pass, TSA will see it when you check in at the airport. Your boarding pass will show your PreCheck status, and you'll be directed to a TSA PreCheck screening lane, where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, and leave your laptop and liquids in your bag.

The number must match exactly what TSA has on file. If there's a typo — a missing digit, an extra space, or a transposed number — TSA won't recognize you as a PreCheck member, and you'll go through standard screening instead. If this happens, you can ask the TSA officer to manually verify your PreCheck membership using your card or ID, but it's faster to get it right the first time.

Update your number if your TSA PreCheck membership renews

TSA PreCheck membership lasts five years. When your membership renews, you'll receive a new membership card with a new 10-digit number. You'll need to update this number in your American Airlines profile so that your new PreCheck benefit shows on future boarding passes.

Log back into your AAdvantage profile, go to "Travel Information" or "Known Traveler Information," and replace the old number with the new one from your renewed membership card. Make this change as soon as you receive your new card, so you don't accidentally book a flight with the old number still in your profile.

Troubleshooting: Your TSA PreCheck number isn't showing on your boarding pass

If you've added your TSA PreCheck number to your American Airlines profile but it's not appearing on your boarding pass, the most common cause is a mismatch between the number you entered and the number TSA has on file. Double-check that you copied the number correctly from your TSA membership card or TSA account, with no extra spaces or dashes.

Another possibility is that you booked under a different name or a different AAdvantage account than the one where you saved your PreCheck number. Make sure the name on your booking matches the name on your TSA PreCheck membership card exactly. If the names don't match, TSA won't recognize the PreCheck benefit, even if the number is correct.

If you've verified the number and the name, and the PreCheck still isn't showing, contact American Airlines customer service before your flight. They can manually add the number to your boarding pass or issue you a new one. It's better to fix this before you get to the airport than to discover the problem at security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my TSA PreCheck number to American Airlines after I've already booked?

Yes. You can add it to your profile at any time, and it will show on your boarding pass if you haven't already checked in. If you've already checked in online or at the airport, you may need to contact American Airlines to have them reissue your boarding pass with the PreCheck number added.

Do I need to add my TSA PreCheck number separately for each airline?

Yes. Each airline has its own frequent flyer system and its own place to store your TSA PreCheck number. You'll need to add it to American Airlines, and if you fly with other carriers, you'll add it to their profiles too. TSA doesn't share this information between airlines.

What if my TSA PreCheck number is different from what American Airlines has on file?

Contact American Airlines customer service with your correct TSA PreCheck number and ask them to update your profile. You can also bring your TSA membership card to the airport and show it to the TSA officer at security — they can verify your PreCheck membership manually, though this takes longer than having the number on your boarding pass.

Will adding my TSA PreCheck number to American Airlines cost me anything?

No. Adding your number to your American Airlines profile is free. You've already paid for your TSA PreCheck membership separately, and linking it to your airline account doesn't cost extra.

What if I don't have an AAdvantage account yet?

You can create a free AAdvantage account on aa.com before you add your TSA PreCheck number. You don't need to have booked a flight or spent money with American Airlines to open an account. Once your account is active, you can add your TSA PreCheck number to it.