How to Add TSA PreCheck to Your Alaska Airlines Account

Link Your TSA PreCheck Number to Alaska Airlines

You add TSA PreCheck to Alaska Airlines by entering your Known Traveler Number (KTN) into your Alaska Airlines account online or at the airport. Alaska Airlines does not issue TSA PreCheck itself — you obtain that separately from the TSA — but once you have your KTN, linking it takes about five minutes and appears on your boarding pass automatically for future flights.

The KTN is a 10-digit number you receive when you complete your TSA PreCheck process through the official TSA website or at an enrollment center. You must have this number before you can add it to Alaska Airlines. If you have already completed TSA PreCheck but have not yet linked it to Alaska, the process is straightforward and costs nothing.

Key Takeaways

Your TSA PreCheck KTN comes from the TSA directly, not from Alaska Airlines, and you need it before you can link your account.
You can add your KTN to Alaska Airlines through the airline's website under your frequent flyer profile, or ask an agent at the airport ticket counter.
Once linked, TSA PreCheck appears on your boarding pass for all Alaska Airlines flights automatically.
The link takes effect when ready, but you may need to check in again if you added it after already checking in for a flight.
Alaska Airlines does not charge a fee to add TSA PreCheck to your account; the TSA PreCheck program itself costs money upfront, but that is separate.

Get Your TSA PreCheck KTN Before You Start

You cannot add TSA PreCheck to Alaska Airlines without a KTN. If you do not yet have one, you must complete your TSA PreCheck process first. Visit tsa.gov/precheck to start the process online or find an enrollment center near you. The process asks for your personal information, background details, and payment (the fee varies but is typically around $78 to $85 for five years, depending on your state and the enrollment center).

After you submit your process online, you will receive an appointment confirmation. Attend your in-person appointment at an enrollment center, where a TSA officer will verify your identity, take your fingerprints, and conduct a background check. Once approved — which usually takes one to two weeks after your appointment — the TSA will email you your KTN. Write this number down or save it somewhere you can find it easily, because you will need it to link to Alaska Airlines.

Add Your KTN Through Alaska Airlines Online

Log into your Alaska Airlines account on the airline's website or mobile app. Go to your profile or account settings — the exact location varies slightly between the website and app, but look for a section labeled "Frequent Flyer Profile," "My Profile," or "Account Settings." Once you find it, look for a field that says "Known Traveler Number," "KTN," or "TSA PreCheck."

Enter your 10-digit KTN exactly as it appears in your TSA PreCheck approval email. Double-check the number before you save it, because a typo will prevent TSA PreCheck from showing on your boarding pass. After you save, Alaska Airlines will confirm that the number has been added. The change takes effect when ready, and TSA PreCheck will appear on all future boarding passes you generate for Alaska Airlines flights.

Add Your KTN at the Airport if You Prefer

If you have not added your KTN online before you travel, you can do it at the Alaska Airlines ticket counter or gate agent desk on the day of your flight. Bring your TSA PreCheck approval email or any document that shows your KTN. The agent can add it to your reservation and reprint your boarding pass with TSA PreCheck included.

Adding it at the airport works, but it is slower than doing it online beforehand. If you are traveling soon, add your KTN to your Alaska Airlines account now so it is ready when you check in. That way, TSA PreCheck will already be on your boarding pass, and you will not have to ask an agent to update it.

What Happens After You Link Your KTN

Once your KTN is linked to your Alaska Airlines account, TSA PreCheck will appear on every boarding pass you print or display for Alaska Airlines flights. At security, show your boarding pass and a valid ID to the TSA officer. You will be directed to a TSA PreCheck lane, where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and move through security faster than the standard line.

The KTN stays linked to your account until you remove it or until your TSA PreCheck membership expires (after five years). When your TSA PreCheck is about to expire, the TSA will send you a renewal notice. You can renew through the TSA website, and once you have your new KTN, update it in your Alaska Airlines account the same way you added the original one.

Troubleshooting: TSA PreCheck Not Showing on Your Boarding Pass

If you added your KTN to Alaska Airlines but TSA PreCheck is not appearing on your boarding pass, check that you entered the number correctly. Log back into your account and verify the KTN matches your TSA PreCheck approval email exactly — even a single wrong digit will cause it not to show. If the number is correct, try checking in again or generating a new boarding pass.

If you checked in before you added your KTN, your original boarding pass will not have TSA PreCheck on it. Check in again after you have added the KTN, and the new boarding pass will include it. If you are already at the airport and your boarding pass still does not show TSA PreCheck, ask an Alaska Airlines agent at the ticket counter to verify that your KTN is in the system and to reprint your boarding pass.

TSA PreCheck Works on Alaska Airlines Partner Airlines Too

Alaska Airlines is part of a partnership with other carriers, and your TSA PreCheck KTN may also work on partner airlines if you add it to their systems as well. However, each airline has its own account system, so you need to add your KTN separately to each one. Check the websites of any other airlines you fly regularly to see if they have a field for TSA PreCheck or KTN in your frequent flyer profile.

Adding your KTN to multiple airlines does not cost anything and takes just a few minutes per airline. It ensures that TSA PreCheck shows up on your boarding pass no matter which airline you are flying, so you get the security benefit on every trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to have TSA PreCheck before I book my Alaska Airlines flight?

No. You can book your flight anytime. You can add your KTN to your reservation before you check in, at check-in, or even at the airport on the day of your flight. However, adding it online before you travel is fastest and ensures TSA PreCheck shows on your boarding pass from the start.

What if I have TSA PreCheck but do not have my KTN number?

Check your TSA PreCheck approval email — it contains your KTN. If you cannot find the email, visit tsa.gov and log into your TSA PreCheck account with the same credentials you used when you applied. Your KTN will be displayed there. You can also call the TSA at 1-855-347-8371 to request your number.

Can I add someone else's TSA PreCheck to my Alaska Airlines account?

No. Each person needs their own TSA PreCheck and their own Alaska Airlines account. If you are traveling with family members or colleagues, each person should add their own KTN to their own Alaska Airlines account. Children under 18 can use a parent's or guardian's TSA PreCheck, but the adult's name must be on the boarding pass.

Will adding TSA PreCheck to Alaska Airlines cost me anything?

Adding your KTN to Alaska Airlines is free. The TSA PreCheck program itself has a fee (typically $78 to $85 for five years), but that is paid to the TSA when you explore, not to Alaska Airlines. Linking your existing KTN to your Alaska account costs nothing.

What happens to my TSA PreCheck when my Alaska Airlines frequent flyer membership expires?

Your TSA PreCheck and your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account are separate. If your frequent flyer account expires or is closed, your TSA PreCheck KTN will no longer be linked to Alaska Airlines, and TSA PreCheck will not show on future Alaska Airlines boarding passes. However, your TSA PreCheck itself remains valid with the TSA. If you reactivate your Alaska Airlines account, you can add your KTN again.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.