Link Your TSA PreCheck Number to Delta Before You Book

You add TSA PreCheck to Delta by entering your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your Delta SkyMiles profile, then using that profile when you book your flight. Delta does not issue TSA PreCheck — the Transportation Security Administration does — but Delta's system lets you attach your KTN to your reservation so the airline knows you have it and the TSA sees it at the checkpoint.

The process takes about five minutes and works whether you already have a Delta account or are creating one for the first time. You can add your KTN before you book a flight, or you can add it to a reservation you have already made. Either way, the number must be in your Delta profile and linked to the specific booking for it to show up on your boarding pass.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) comes from the TSA, not Delta, and you must have it before you can add it to your account.
  • You enter your KTN in your Delta SkyMiles profile under "Traveler Information" or "Known Traveler Number," and it stays there for all future bookings.
  • The KTN must be linked to your specific flight reservation for it to print on your boarding pass and work at security.
  • If your boarding pass does not show TSA PreCheck after you add the number, contact Delta to confirm the number was saved to that reservation.

Where to Find Your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN is a nine-character code that the TSA issued to you when you enrolled in TSA PreCheck. It appears in your TSA PreCheck approval email and in your account on the TSA's official website at tsa.gov.

To find it online, go to tsa.gov, sign in with your login credentials, and look for your membership details or approval letter. The number is usually labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "KTN." If you cannot find it, check your email for the approval message the TSA sent when your PreCheck enrollment was accepted — the KTN is in that message.

Do not confuse your KTN with your TSA PreCheck membership number or your confirmation number from enrollment. The KTN is the nine-character code you need to enter into Delta.

Adding Your KTN to Your Delta SkyMiles Profile

Log in to your Delta SkyMiles account on delta.com or the Delta app. Go to your profile or account settings — the exact location varies slightly between the website and app, but look for "My Profile," "Account," or "Traveler Information."

Find the field labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "KTN" and enter your nine-character TSA PreCheck number. Save the changes. Once you have saved it to your profile, the number is stored in your account and will be available for all future Delta bookings under that SkyMiles account.

If you do not see a KTN field in your profile, try searching the page for "known traveler" or "TSA PreCheck." On the Delta app, swipe to your profile, tap "Edit Traveler Information," and look for the KTN field there. If it is still not visible, your account may need to be updated; try logging out and logging back in.

Linking Your KTN to a Specific Flight Reservation

Having your KTN in your profile is not enough — it must also be attached to the specific flight you are taking. When you book a new flight, Delta usually pulls your KTN from your profile automatically if you are logged into your SkyMiles account at checkout. Check the confirmation email to see if your boarding pass shows "TSA PreCheck" or your KTN.

If you booked a flight before adding your KTN to your profile, you can add it to that reservation after the fact. Go to "Manage My Booking" on delta.com or the app, enter your confirmation number and last name, and look for an option to edit your traveler information or add a known traveler number. Enter your KTN and save.

After you add or update your KTN, read or view your new boarding pass. It should now display "TSA PreCheck" or your KTN near the barcode. If it does not appear within a few minutes, refresh the page or close and reopen the app.

What to Do If Your Boarding Pass Does Not Show TSA PreCheck

If you have added your KTN to your profile and your reservation but your boarding pass still does not show TSA PreCheck, the number may not have saved correctly. Log back into your Delta account and check both your profile and your specific reservation to confirm the KTN is there and spelled correctly.

If the number is saved in both places, contact Delta customer service by phone, chat, or the app. Have your confirmation number and KTN ready. Delta can verify that the number was transmitted to the TSA's system and troubleshoot why it is not appearing on your boarding pass. In rare cases, the TSA's system may not have recognized the number; Delta can help you confirm your enrollment status with the TSA.

Do not assume the KTN is not working if it does not print on your boarding pass. Some Delta boarding passes do not display the PreCheck indicator, but the TSA still has the information. Bring your boarding pass and a photo ID to the TSA PreCheck lane at the airport, and the agent will verify your enrollment in their system.

Using TSA PreCheck at the Airport

Once your KTN is linked to your reservation and appears on your boarding pass, you can use the TSA PreCheck lane at the airport. Look for the sign that says "TSA PreCheck" or "Known Traveler" — it is usually near the standard security checkpoint.

In the PreCheck lane, you can leave your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, keep your laptop and liquids in your bag, and move through security faster than the standard line. You still need a valid photo ID and your boarding pass. The TSA agent will scan your boarding pass, which contains your KTN, and you will proceed through the expedited screening.

TSA PreCheck works on all airlines, including Delta, at all U.S. airports that have a PreCheck lane. Your KTN is valid for five years from the date the TSA issued it, so you will not need to renew it during that time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use TSA PreCheck on Delta flights if I did not add my KTN to my account?

No. The TSA PreCheck lane requires your KTN to be on your boarding pass, and Delta only prints it there if you have added it to your profile and linked it to that specific reservation. Without the KTN on your boarding pass, you cannot enter the PreCheck lane.

Do I have to add my KTN every time I book a Delta flight?

No. Once you add your KTN to your SkyMiles profile, Delta automatically includes it on boarding passes for flights you book while logged into that account. You only need to add it manually if you book a flight before creating a profile or if you book as a guest without logging in.

What if I have TSA PreCheck but Delta does not recognize my KTN?

Double-check that you entered the number correctly — it is nine characters and should match exactly what the TSA issued. If it matches, contact Delta customer service to confirm the number was saved to your account and reservation. You can also verify your TSA PreCheck enrollment status on tsa.gov before your flight.

Does adding TSA PreCheck to Delta cost extra?

No. Adding your KTN to your Delta account and boarding pass is free. TSA PreCheck itself costs money to enroll in through the TSA, but using it on Delta flights does not add any charge to your ticket.

Can I add my family members' KTNs to my Delta account?

No. Each person needs their own SkyMiles account with their own KTN. Children traveling with you can have their own TSA PreCheck enrollment and KTN, which you would add to their separate SkyMiles profile or to your reservation under their name.