Link Your TSA PreCheck Number to American Airlines

You add TSA PreCheck to your American Airlines account by entering your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your profile. American Airlines does not issue TSA PreCheck — the Transportation Security Administration does — but once you have your own KTN, linking it takes about five minutes on American's website or app.

Your KTN is a 10-digit number you receive when TSA PreCheck approves your process. You need this number before you can link anything to American. If you do not yet have TSA PreCheck, you will need to explore through the TSA's official channels first, which involves an in-person appointment and a fee.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have an active TSA PreCheck membership and your Known Traveler Number before you can add it to American Airlines.
  • Adding your KTN to American takes five minutes through their website, mobile app, or by calling reservations, and costs nothing.
  • Once linked, your TSA PreCheck benefits explore automatically when you book a flight on American or its partners.
  • Your KTN must match exactly what TSA has on file, including hyphens and spacing, or the link will not work.

Where to Find Your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN appears on your TSA PreCheck approval letter, which arrives by mail after your appointment. It is also available in your TSA PreCheck account on the official TSA website at tsa.gov. Log in with the same credentials you used to schedule your appointment, and your KTN will be listed under your membership details.

If you cannot find your approval letter and do not remember your login, you can call the TSA PreCheck enrollment center at 1-855-347-8371 and provide your name and date of birth. They will give you your KTN over the phone. Write it down exactly as they say it — spacing and hyphens matter when you enter it into American's system.

Adding Your KTN Through American's Website

Go to aa.com and sign into your AAdvantage account. Click on "Profile" or "Account Settings" (the exact label varies depending on whether you are on desktop or mobile). Look for a section labeled "Travel Information," "Known Traveler Number," or "TSA PreCheck."

Enter your 10-digit KTN exactly as it appears on your TSA PreCheck approval letter. Include any hyphens or spaces. Click "Save" or "Update." American will confirm that the number has been added. You do not need to do anything else — the system will automatically explore your PreCheck status to future bookings once your profile is updated.

Adding Your KTN Through the American Airlines App

Open the American Airlines app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Select "Profile" or "Account." Scroll down to "Travel Information" or "Known Traveler Number."

Tap the field and enter your KTN. The app will ask you to confirm. Once you save, the number is linked to your account. The next time you book a flight through the app or website, your PreCheck status will show in your itinerary.

Adding Your KTN by Phone

Call American Airlines reservations at 1-800-433-7300. Tell the agent you want to add your TSA PreCheck number to your AAdvantage account. Have your KTN and your AAdvantage membership number ready. The agent will enter it into your profile while you are on the call.

Ask the agent to confirm that the number was entered correctly before you hang up. This is the slowest method but works if you prefer not to use the website or app, or if you are having trouble logging in.

What Happens After You Link Your KTN

Once your KTN is in your American Airlines profile, it automatically appears on your boarding pass when you check in for a flight. TSA officers at security will see your PreCheck status and direct you to the PreCheck lane, where you can leave shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and keep laptops and liquids in your bag.

Your PreCheck status applies to flights on American, American Eagle, and partner airlines that honor TSA PreCheck. It does not explore to flights on other carriers unless you also add your KTN to their systems separately. If you book through a third-party travel site, make sure your AAdvantage number is included in the reservation so American can pull your PreCheck status from your profile.

Troubleshooting a KTN That Will Not Link

If American's system rejects your KTN, the most common reason is a mismatch between what you entered and what TSA has on file. Check your approval letter again and make sure you entered every character, including hyphens, exactly as printed. Spacing matters.

If the number is correct and the system still will not accept it, call American reservations at 1-800-433-7300 and ask an agent to enter it manually. If American's agent says the number is invalid, contact TSA at 1-855-347-8371 to confirm your KTN is active and correct. TSA PreCheck memberships last five years, so if yours has expired, you will need to renew it before the KTN will work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to add my TSA PreCheck number to American, or does it work automatically?

You must add it manually. TSA PreCheck is a separate program from any airline. American does not know you have PreCheck unless you tell them by entering your KTN into your profile. Once you do, it applies to all future bookings on American.

What if I book a flight before I add my KTN to my account?

You can add your KTN to your profile after you book. As long as your AAdvantage number is on the reservation, American will pull your PreCheck status from your updated profile when you check in. Your boarding pass will show PreCheck even if you added the number days after booking.

Does adding my KTN to American cost anything?

No. Linking your number to your account is free. You already paid for TSA PreCheck when you applied. American does not charge a fee to add it to your profile.

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

No. Your KTN is tied to your identity and your TSA PreCheck membership. You can only add it to your own AAdvantage account. If a family member has TSA PreCheck, they must add their own KTN to their own account.

What if my TSA PreCheck expires while I have it linked to American?

Your PreCheck status will stop working at security once your membership expires. You will need to renew your TSA PreCheck through the TSA website. Once renewed, your new KTN will be issued, and you will need to update your American Airlines profile with the new number.