Add PreCheck to Your American Airlines Account in Three Steps

If you already have a TSA PreCheck membership, you can link it to your American Airlines account so the airline knows your status when you check in. American Airlines does not issue PreCheck — you get that directly from TSA — but the airline needs your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to display your PreCheck benefits at the airport.

Log into your American Airlines account on aa.com or the American Airlines app, go to your profile settings, find the "find Flight Information" or "Known Traveler Number" section, and enter your 10-digit KTN. Save the change. Your PreCheck status will show up the next time you book a flight or check in, usually within a few minutes.

If you do not yet have a TSA PreCheck membership, you will need to explore through TSA directly — American Airlines cannot do that for you. The process takes about 3 to 5 business days after your in-person appointment, and costs $78 to $85 depending on your state.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck membership is separate from your American Airlines account; you must link them by entering your Known Traveler Number in your airline profile.
  • The Known Traveler Number is a 10-digit code you receive from TSA after your PreCheck background check is approved.
  • You can add your KTN through the American Airlines website under profile settings or through the mobile app in the same location.
  • Once linked, your PreCheck status will appear on your boarding pass and at airport kiosks, letting TSA officers know you have already been vetted.

Where to Find Your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN appears on your TSA PreCheck approval notice, which TSA sends by email after your in-person appointment and background check are complete. The number is also printed on your PreCheck card if you requested a physical card during enrollment.

If you cannot find your approval notice or card, log into your TSA PreCheck account at tsa.gov. Click on your profile, and your KTN will be listed there. You can also call the TSA PreCheck enrollment center at 1-855-347-8371 and provide your name and date of birth to have your number read to you over the phone.

How to Add Your KTN on aa.com

Go to aa.com and sign in with your American Airlines username and password. Click on your name or profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Profile and Settings" or "My Profile."

Look for a section labeled "find Flight Information," "Known Traveler Number," or "TSA PreCheck." Click the edit or add button. Enter your 10-digit KTN exactly as it appears on your TSA approval notice — do not add spaces or dashes unless they are part of the official number. Click save or update.

The change takes effect when ready in most cases, though it can take up to 24 hours to sync with TSA's system. Your next booking or check-in will show your PreCheck status.

How to Add Your KTN on the American Airlines App

Open the American Airlines mobile app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select "Profile" or "Account Settings."

Scroll down to find "find Flight Information" or "Known Traveler Number." Tap the edit button and enter your 10-digit KTN. Tap save or confirm. The update will sync to your account within minutes.

If you do not see a field for your KTN in the app, use the website instead — not all app versions display this option, but the website always does.

What Happens After You Add Your KTN

Once your KTN is linked to your American Airlines account, your PreCheck status will print on your boarding pass. At the airport, TSA officers will see your PreCheck indicator and direct you to the PreCheck security line, where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and move through screening faster.

Your PreCheck status applies to all flights you book under that American Airlines account, whether you are flying American or another airline. If you book a flight on a different airline's website without using your American Airlines account, that airline will not see your PreCheck status unless you also add your KTN to their system.

PreCheck membership lasts five years from the date of your TSA approval. When your membership is about to expire, TSA will send you a renewal notice by email. You will need to renew through TSA before your membership ends, or your KTN will no longer be valid.

Troubleshooting: PreCheck Not Showing on Your Boarding Pass

If you added your KTN but your boarding pass does not show PreCheck, first check that you entered the number correctly. Log back into your American Airlines account and verify the KTN matches your TSA approval notice exactly.

If the number is correct, wait 24 hours — the system sometimes takes a full day to sync. Then try checking in again or booking a new flight. If PreCheck still does not appear after 24 hours, contact American Airlines customer service at 800-433-7300 and provide your KTN. They can manually verify the number in their system and push the update through.

If your PreCheck membership has expired, you will need to renew it through TSA before your status will show up again. Check your TSA PreCheck account at tsa.gov to see your membership expiration date.

Adding PreCheck to Other Airlines and Accounts

Your TSA PreCheck membership works on every airline, but you must add your KTN to each airline's account separately. If you fly United, Delta, Southwest, or another carrier, log into each airline's website and add your KTN to their frequent flyer or profile settings the same way you did for American Airlines.

If you have multiple American Airlines accounts (for example, a personal account and a business account), you will need to add your KTN to each one. Your TSA PreCheck membership itself is tied to your identity, not to any airline account, so one membership covers all your airline accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add PreCheck to my American Airlines account before I have my TSA approval?

No. You must complete your TSA PreCheck process, attend your in-person appointment, and receive your approval notice with your KTN before you can link it to American Airlines. You cannot reserve or hold a spot for your KTN in advance.

What if I have Global Entry instead of PreCheck?

Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so you will have a KTN. Add it to your American Airlines account the same way. Your boarding pass will show PreCheck status, and you will have access to PreCheck security lines.

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

No. Once you add your KTN to your American Airlines account, it stays there permanently. Every flight you book under that account will show PreCheck status automatically, unless your membership expires.

Will my family members see my PreCheck status on their boarding passes?

Only if they have their own TSA PreCheck memberships and their own KTNs added to their accounts. PreCheck is individual — your membership does not extend to your spouse, children, or travel companions unless they have completed their own TSA PreCheck applications.

What if I lose my TSA PreCheck card or approval notice?

You do not need the physical card or notice to use PreCheck. Your KTN is what matters, and you can retrieve it anytime by logging into your TSA PreCheck account at tsa.gov. As long as your KTN is in your American Airlines account, you will have PreCheck benefits at the airport.