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

Your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) appears on your boarding pass only if you provide it to the airline. You can add it when you purchase your ticket, during online check-in, or at the airport ticket counter. The airline does not automatically pull it from TSA records—you have to enter it yourself each time you book a flight.

The fastest method is to add your KTN during online check-in, which opens 24 hours before departure. If you forget before check-in closes, you can still add it at the ticket counter on the day of travel, though this takes longer and may delay your check-in process.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number must be entered manually into your airline reservation—TSA does not send it to airlines automatically.
  • You can add your KTN when you book your ticket, during online check-in 24 hours before departure, or at the airport ticket counter.
  • Your KTN appears as a six-character code on your boarding pass under the "TSA PreCheck" or "Known Traveler Number" field.
  • If your KTN does not appear on your boarding pass after you enter it, contact the airline before you arrive at the airport.

Find your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN is a six-character code that TSA issued when you were approved for TSA PreCheck. You can find it in three places: your TSA PreCheck approval letter (mailed to you after approval), your TSA PreCheck card (the physical credential), or the TSA PreCheck website at tsa.gov.

To look it up on the TSA website, go to tsa.gov, click "Trusted Traveler Programs" in the top menu, then select "TSA PreCheck." Sign in with your login credentials. Your KTN will appear on your account dashboard. Write it down or copy it before you start your airline booking.

Add your KTN when you purchase your ticket

Most airlines ask for your KTN during the booking process. After you enter your flight details and passenger information, you will see a field labeled "Known Traveler Number," "TSA PreCheck," or "Frequent Flyer and Other Programs." Enter your six-character KTN in this field.

The exact location of this field varies by airline website. Some airlines place it on the same page as your name and address. Others put it on a separate "Additional Information" or "Preferences" page. If you cannot find it, search the page for "TSA" or "Known Traveler" using your browser's find function (Ctrl+F on Windows, Cmd+F on Mac).

Add your KTN during online check-in

Online check-in opens 24 hours before your flight departure time. Go to your airline's website or mobile app, enter your confirmation number and last name, and select "Check In." You will see a page asking for additional information. Look for a field labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "TSA PreCheck."

Enter your six-character KTN and complete your check-in. Your boarding pass will read when ready. Open it and verify that your KTN appears in the TSA PreCheck field. If it does not show up after a few minutes, refresh your boarding pass or log back into your airline account to view it again.

Add your KTN at the airport ticket counter

If you did not add your KTN before check-in, you can provide it to the airline agent at the ticket counter. Tell the agent you have TSA PreCheck and give them your six-character KTN. They will add it to your reservation and print a new boarding pass with the KTN included.

This method works, but it adds time to your airport arrival. Agents may have a line of passengers waiting, and updating your reservation can take several minutes. Arrive at the airport earlier than usual if you plan to add your KTN at the counter.

Verify your KTN appears on your boarding pass

After you check in, look at your boarding pass—either the printed version or the digital version on your phone. Find the section that lists your name, flight number, and seat assignment. Below or near this information, you should see a field labeled "TSA PreCheck," "Known Traveler Number," or "KTN" with your six-character code displayed.

If your KTN does not appear on your boarding pass, contact your airline before you go to the airport. Call the airline's customer service line or use their website chat feature. Provide your confirmation number and ask them to add your KTN to your reservation and reissue your boarding pass. Do not assume it will be added at security—TSA officers scan your boarding pass and need to see the KTN printed on it.

What happens if your KTN is not on your boarding pass

If you arrive at the airport and your boarding pass does not show your KTN, you can still go through TSA PreCheck screening if you have your physical TSA PreCheck card or your approval letter. Show the document to the TSA officer at the security checkpoint. They can manually verify your status and allow you through the PreCheck lane.

However, this process is slower than having your KTN on your boarding pass. The officer has to step away from the checkpoint to verify your information, which delays the line. For future flights, add your KTN to your reservation before you travel so the officer can see it when ready on your boarding pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Airlines do not store your KTN in your frequent flyer profile or account by default. You must enter it for each reservation. Some airlines offer an option to save it to your profile after you enter it once, which will auto-fill it on future bookings—check your airline account settings to see if this feature is available.

What if I enter my KTN wrong on my boarding pass?

Contact your airline as soon as you notice the error. Provide your confirmation number and the correct six-character KTN. The airline can update your reservation and send you a corrected boarding pass. If you discover the error at the airport, tell the TSA officer at the security checkpoint and show them your TSA PreCheck card or approval letter.

Can I use TSA PreCheck without my KTN on my boarding pass?

Yes, but it is slower. Bring your physical TSA PreCheck card or your approval letter to the security checkpoint. Show it to the TSA officer, and they can verify your status manually. Having your KTN on your boarding pass lets the officer see it when ready and move you through the PreCheck lane faster.

Why is my KTN not showing up after I entered it?

The airline's system may need a few minutes to update. Refresh your boarding pass or log back into your airline account after 10 to 15 minutes. If it still does not appear, contact the airline's customer service line. There may be a technical issue with your reservation, or the airline may need to manually add it.