Add TSA PreCheck to Alaska Airlines in Three Steps

You can link your TSA PreCheck membership to your Alaska Airlines account through the airline's website or mobile app. Once connected, your Known Traveler Number (KTN) will appear on your boarding pass automatically, letting TSA officers know you are enrolled in the program. The process takes about five minutes and requires your KTN, which appears on your TSA PreCheck card or approval letter.

Alaska Airlines does not charge a fee to add TSA PreCheck to your account—you pay TSA directly for the membership itself (currently $78 to $85 for five years, depending on where you explore). Once your KTN is linked, it will show on every Alaska Airlines boarding pass you print or display on your phone, as long as you book under the same name as your TSA PreCheck enrollment.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your Known Traveler Number (KTN) from your TSA PreCheck card or approval letter before you can add it to Alaska Airlines.
  • Add your KTN through the Alaska Airlines website under "Manage My Booking" or in the mobile app under your profile settings.
  • Your KTN must match the name on your airline ticket exactly, or it will not appear on your boarding pass.
  • Once linked, your TSA PreCheck status will show on every Alaska Airlines boarding pass you generate under that account.

Find Your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN is a nine-character code printed on the front of your TSA PreCheck card, usually in the upper right corner. If you enrolled online and have not received your card yet, check the approval email TSA sent you—the KTN appears there as well. The number looks like a mix of letters and numbers, such as "ABC123DEF4".

If you cannot find your KTN, visit the TSA website and use the "Check process Status" tool. You will need your process receipt number, which was emailed to you when you first submitted your process. Once you locate your KTN, write it down or keep it handy before you log into Alaska Airlines.

Add Your KTN Through the Alaska Airlines Website

Log into your Alaska Airlines account at alaskaair.com. Click on your name or profile icon in the top right corner, then select "My Profile" or "Account Settings." Look for a section labeled "Frequent Flyer Information," "Travel Documents," or "Known Traveler Number"—the exact wording varies slightly depending on when your account was created.

Click the option to add or edit your KTN. Type your nine-character code exactly as it appears on your TSA PreCheck card, with no spaces or dashes. Double-check the spelling and numbers before you save. Alaska Airlines will confirm the entry and show your KTN in your profile. From that point forward, your KTN will print on every boarding pass you generate for flights booked under that account.

Add Your KTN Through the Alaska Airlines Mobile App

Open the Alaska Airlines mobile app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select "My Account" or "Profile," then look for "Travel Documents," "Frequent Flyer," or "Known Traveler Number." The exact label depends on your app version, but it will be grouped with other passenger information.

Tap the option to add or update your KTN. Enter your nine-character code carefully, matching the capitalization and numbers on your TSA PreCheck card. Save your changes. The app will update your profile within a few minutes, and your KTN will appear on mobile boarding passes you generate through the app going forward.

Make Sure Your Name Matches Exactly

Your TSA PreCheck enrollment is tied to a specific legal name. When you book a flight on Alaska Airlines, use the exact same name—first, middle, and last—that appears on your TSA PreCheck card and approval letter. If your booking name does not match your enrollment name, your KTN will not appear on your boarding pass, even though it is linked to your account.

This is a common source of confusion: a KTN linked to "Robert James Smith" will not show on a boarding pass for "Bob Smith" or "R. J. Smith." If you have a legal name change or need to update the name on your TSA PreCheck enrollment, contact TSA directly through their website before you rebook with Alaska Airlines.

Verify Your KTN Appears on Your Boarding Pass

After you add your KTN to your Alaska Airlines account, book a test flight or check an upcoming reservation. When you view or print your boarding pass, look for your KTN printed near the top, usually next to your name or confirmation number. It may appear as "TSA PreCheck" or as the actual nine-character code, depending on how your boarding pass displays.

If your KTN does not appear on your boarding pass, check three things: that you entered the code correctly in your profile, that your booking name matches your TSA PreCheck enrollment name exactly, and that you are viewing the boarding pass through the same Alaska Airlines account where you added the KTN. If all three are correct and the KTN still does not show, contact Alaska Airlines customer service—there may be a delay in the system updating.

What Happens at the Airport

When you arrive at the airport, show your boarding pass (printed or on your phone) along with your ID to the TSA officer at security. The officer will see your KTN and direct you to the TSA PreCheck lane, where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, and leave your laptop and liquids in your bag. You do not need to show your TSA PreCheck card itself—the KTN on your boarding pass is all TSA needs.

If your boarding pass does not show your KTN for any reason, tell the TSA officer. They can sometimes manually verify your enrollment if you show your TSA PreCheck card, but it is faster and more reliable to have the KTN printed on your boarding pass from the start. That is why double-checking that your name matches and your KTN is correctly entered in your Alaska Airlines account is worth the five minutes it takes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have not received my TSA PreCheck card yet?

You can use your KTN from your approval email right away—you do not have to wait for the physical card to arrive. Add the KTN to your Alaska Airlines account as soon as you receive the approval email, and it will show on your boarding passes when ready.

Do I have to add my KTN to every Alaska Airlines flight I book?

No. Once you add your KTN to your account profile, it will automatically appear on every boarding pass you generate through that account, for any Alaska Airlines flight. You only have to enter it once.

Can I use the same KTN on multiple airline accounts?

Yes. Your KTN is your personal TSA PreCheck identifier, and you can add it to the accounts of any airline you fly. Add it to Alaska Airlines, then add the same KTN to other carriers' accounts if you use them.

What if I book through a travel website instead of Alaska Airlines directly?

If you book through a third-party site like Expedia or Kayak, the KTN from your Alaska Airlines account may not transfer to your boarding pass. Book directly through alaskaair.com or the Alaska Airlines app to may support your KTN appears. If you must use another site, contact Alaska Airlines customer service with your confirmation number and they can add your KTN manually.

Does adding TSA PreCheck to Alaska Airlines cost extra?

No. Linking your KTN to your account is free. You pay TSA directly for your PreCheck membership when you enroll with them. Alaska Airlines does not charge a fee to display your KTN on your boarding pass.