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

Your TSA PreCheck number — called your Known Traveler Number or KTN — goes into your airline reservation, not onto a physical boarding pass. Once it's in your reservation, the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on your boarding pass automatically when you check in or print it at home. You can add it when you first book your flight, or go back and add it to an existing reservation anytime before you fly.

The process takes two minutes and works the same way across all major U.S. airlines. You'll need your KTN, which is a nine-character code printed on your TSA PreCheck card or available in your TSA account online.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Known Traveler Number must be entered into your airline reservation through the airline's website or app, not added to a physical boarding pass.
  • You can add your KTN when you book your flight or edit your reservation afterward — it works either way.
  • Once your KTN is in the system, the TSA PreCheck indicator will print on your boarding pass automatically at check-in or when you print it yourself.
  • If your boarding pass does not show the TSA PreCheck indicator, contact the airline to confirm your KTN was entered correctly in your reservation.

Find your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN is a nine-character code that begins with numbers or letters. You can find it in three places: on the back of your TSA PreCheck card (printed in the upper right corner), in your TSA account at tsa.gov, or in an email confirmation you received when your TSA PreCheck was approved.

If you cannot locate your card or remember your number, log into your TSA account at tsa.gov, click "View" next to your approved TSA PreCheck membership, and your KTN will be displayed on that page. Write it down or copy it before you move to the next step.

Add your KTN to a new flight reservation

When you book a flight on an airline website or app, look for a field labeled "Known Traveler Number," "KTN," "Frequent Flyer," or "Passenger Information." The exact wording varies by airline. Enter your nine-character KTN in that field before you complete your purchase. Some airlines ask for it on the same page where you enter your name and date of birth; others ask for it after you select your flights.

If you book through a third-party site like Kayak, Expedia, or Google Flights, the option to add your KTN may not appear during booking. In that case, book your flight first, then log into your airline account and edit your reservation to add the KTN (see the next section).

Add your KTN to an existing reservation

Log into your airline account on the airline's website or app and find your reservation. Look for an option to "Manage Reservation," "Edit Booking," or "View Trip Details." Click that option and find the passenger information section. There should be a field for "Known Traveler Number" or "KTN" — enter your nine-character number there and save your changes.

You can do this anytime after you book, even the day before your flight. The change takes effect when ready in the airline's system. When you check in online or at the airport, your boarding pass will display the TSA PreCheck indicator if your KTN was entered correctly.

Check your boarding pass for the TSA PreCheck indicator

Once your KTN is in your reservation, the TSA PreCheck indicator will appear on your boarding pass. On a printed or digital boarding pass, it usually shows as a small box or logo labeled "TSA PreCheck" or "TSA PRE✓" near your name or barcode. Some airlines display it prominently; others print it smaller. The exact placement and design vary by airline.

If you check in online and read your boarding pass before arriving at the airport, look for the indicator on that digital pass. If you check in at a kiosk or counter at the airport, the printed pass will show it. Either way, the indicator tells TSA officers that you are enrolled and may be able to access for expedited screening.

What to do if the TSA PreCheck indicator does not appear

If your boarding pass does not show the TSA PreCheck indicator, the most common reason is that your KTN was entered incorrectly or not saved in your reservation. Log back into your airline account, pull up your reservation, and double-check that your nine-character KTN is exactly as it appears on your TSA PreCheck card — no extra spaces, no typos.

If the number is correct and the indicator still does not appear, contact your airline's customer service by phone or through their website. Provide your confirmation number and KTN, and ask them to verify that it is in your reservation. They can usually fix it within minutes. If you are flying the same day, call the airline as soon as you notice the problem so they have time to correct it before you arrive at the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my KTN after I check in?

No. Your KTN must be in your reservation before you check in — either online or at the airport. Once you have checked in and received your boarding pass, it is too late to add it. If you realize you forgot to add it, contact the airline when ready to see if they can reissue your boarding pass with the KTN included.

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

Yes. Each reservation is separate, so you need to add your KTN to each flight you book. Some airlines allow you to save your KTN to your frequent flyer profile so it auto-fills on future bookings, but you should always verify it is there before you complete your reservation.

What if I have TSA PreCheck but do not have my card yet?

You can still use your KTN. Log into your TSA account at tsa.gov and view your approved membership — your KTN will be displayed there even if your physical card has not arrived. Use that number to add to your airline reservation.

Will adding my KTN to my boarding pass cost extra?

No. Adding your KTN to your reservation is free. You already paid for your TSA PreCheck membership when you enrolled. The airline does not charge a fee to include it on your boarding pass.

Can my family members use my KTN on their boarding passes?

No. Each person needs their own TSA PreCheck membership and their own KTN. Children under 12 traveling with an enrolled parent do not need their own membership, but adults must enroll separately and use their own KTN on their reservations.