Add your TSA PreCheck to American Airlines in three steps

Open the American Airlines app, go to your profile or account settings, and enter your Known Traveler Number (KTN) — the nine-digit code from your TSA PreCheck card or approval letter. The app will save it to your frequent flyer account, and it will appear on your boarding pass at check-in. You do not need to call American or visit an airport desk to do this.

The process takes about two minutes. Once your KTN is in the system, every boarding pass you generate through the app or website will automatically show your TSA PreCheck status, which tells TSA agents at security that you have already been vetted.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Known Traveler Number is a nine-digit code printed on your TSA PreCheck card or included in your approval email from TSA.
  • The American Airlines app stores your KTN in your frequent flyer profile, so you only enter it once and it applies to all future bookings.
  • Your TSA PreCheck status will print on your boarding pass automatically once the KTN is saved, with no additional action needed at the airport.
  • If you do not see your TSA PreCheck on your boarding pass after adding the KTN, contact American Airlines customer service to verify the entry.

Where to find your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN appears in two places. If you have a physical TSA PreCheck card, the nine-digit number is printed on the front, usually in the upper right corner. If you have not received a card yet but have an approval email from TSA, the KTN is in that email — search for "Known Traveler Number" or look for a nine-digit code near your name.

Do not confuse your KTN with your passport number, driver's license number, or frequent flyer number. The KTN is specific to TSA PreCheck and is the only number you need to add to the American Airlines app. If you cannot find your KTN, log into your TSA PreCheck account at tsa.gov to retrieve it.

Step-by-step: adding your KTN in the American Airlines app

Step 1: Open the app and sign in. Launch the American Airlines app and log in with your AAdvantage frequent flyer account. If you do not have an AAdvantage account, create one first — you will need it to link your TSA PreCheck.

Step 2: Go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Select "Profile" or "Account Settings," depending on your app version. You may see it labeled as "My Account" or "Traveler Information."

Step 3: Find the Known Traveler Number field. Look for a section called "Known Traveler Number," "KTN," "TSA PreCheck," or "find Flight Information." Tap the field and enter your nine-digit KTN exactly as it appears on your card or approval letter, with no spaces or dashes.

Step 4: Save and confirm. Tap "Save" or "Update." The app will confirm that your KTN has been added. You may see a message saying your information will be used for future bookings. Close the profile screen and return to the home page.

Checking that your TSA PreCheck appears on your boarding pass

After you add your KTN, book a flight or pull up an existing reservation in the app. Go to your boarding pass and look for "TSA PreCheck" printed near your name and confirmation number. It usually appears in a small box or line item on the pass. If you see it, your setup is complete.

If you do not see "TSA PreCheck" on your boarding pass after adding the KTN, wait a few hours — the system sometimes takes time to sync. Then check again. If it still does not appear after 24 hours, contact American Airlines customer service through the app or by phone to confirm that your KTN was saved correctly.

What happens if you add your KTN after booking

If you have already booked a flight and then add your KTN to the app, your TSA PreCheck will show on any new boarding passes you generate. For flights you booked before adding the KTN, you may need to check in again through the app or website to refresh your boarding pass and pull the updated version with TSA PreCheck printed on it.

At the airport, show the updated boarding pass with your TSA PreCheck designation printed on it. If you cannot generate a new pass, bring your physical TSA PreCheck card to the security checkpoint — TSA agents can scan it or verify your status manually.

Troubleshooting: common issues and fixes

If your KTN does not save, check that you entered it correctly with no extra spaces, dashes, or letters. The KTN is always nine digits. If you copied it from an email, paste it into a text editor first to make sure no extra characters came along. Then try entering it again in the app.

If the app rejects your KTN and says it is invalid, verify that the number you are using is actually your TSA PreCheck KTN and not another ID number. Log into tsa.gov with your TSA PreCheck account to confirm the correct number. If the app still rejects a number you know is correct, contact American Airlines customer service — there may be a technical issue on their end.

If your boarding pass shows your name and confirmation number but does not display TSA PreCheck even after you added the KTN, the information may not have synced to American's booking system yet. Wait 24 hours and check again. If it still does not appear, call American Airlines and ask them to manually verify that your KTN is linked to your AAdvantage account.

Adding your KTN on the American Airlines website instead

You can also add your KTN through the American Airlines website instead of the app. Log into aa.com with your AAdvantage account, go to "My Account" or "Profile," find the "find Flight Information" or "Known Traveler Number" section, and enter your nine-digit KTN. Save the changes. The information will sync across the app and website, so you only need to do this once.

Whether you add it on the app or website, the KTN stays in your frequent flyer profile and will explore to all future bookings on American Airlines. You do not need to re-enter it for each flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need TSA PreCheck to use the American Airlines app?

No. The app works without TSA PreCheck. Adding your KTN straightforward tells TSA that you have already been vetted, which speeds up security screening. If you do not have TSA PreCheck, you can still use the app to book flights, check in, and manage your reservations.

Will adding my KTN to American Airlines work on other airlines too?

No. Your KTN is valid with TSA at any airport, but you must add it separately to each airline's app or website. Adding it to American Airlines does not automatically add it to United, Delta, or Southwest. You will need to repeat the process for each airline you fly with.

What if I lost my TSA PreCheck card or do not have my KTN?

Log into your TSA PreCheck account at tsa.gov and retrieve your KTN from your account dashboard or approval letter. If you cannot find it there, call the TSA at 1-855-347-8371 and they can provide your number. You do not need the physical card to use your KTN in the app.

Can I add someone else's KTN to my American Airlines account?

No. Your AAdvantage account is personal to you, and you can only add your own KTN. If you are traveling with family members or colleagues, each person must add their own KTN to their own frequent flyer account with American Airlines.

How long does it take for TSA PreCheck to show on my boarding pass after I add the KTN?

Usually when ready, but it can take a few hours for the system to sync. If you do not see it within 24 hours, contact American Airlines customer service. In the meantime, bring your physical TSA PreCheck card to the airport and show it at security.