Add TSA PreCheck to American Airlines During Booking or After

You can connect your TSA PreCheck number to American Airlines in two ways: when you book a flight, or by adding it to an existing reservation. American Airlines does not automatically pull your TSA PreCheck from the TSA database—you must enter your Known Traveler Number (KTN) yourself, either at the time of purchase or up to 24 hours before departure.

The fastest method is to add it during booking on aa.com or the American Airlines app. If you forget, you can log into your reservation and update it in your booking details. Either way, the number must be in your reservation before you check in for your flight to appear on your boarding pass.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a 10-digit code you receive from TSA after approval, separate from your passport or ID number.
  • Add your KTN to American Airlines during booking by entering it in the "Known Traveler Number" field, or add it later through your reservation details.
  • The KTN must be in your reservation at least 24 hours before departure for TSA PreCheck to show on your boarding pass.
  • If your boarding pass does not show TSA PreCheck at the gate, contact American Airlines customer service before boarding to add it.

Find Your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number

Your KTN is a 10-digit code issued by TSA when your PreCheck process is approved. It is not your passport number, driver's license number, or any other ID you already have. You can find it in three places: your TSA PreCheck approval letter (mailed to you after approval), your TSA account at tsa.gov, or your email confirmation from TSA.

Log into your TSA account at tsa.gov/precheck by clicking "Check process Status" and signing in with your username and password. Your KTN appears in the process details. If you cannot find it online, check your email for the approval message from TSA—it contains the KTN in the body of the message or as an attachment. Write down the 10-digit number before you book your flight.

Add Your KTN During Booking on aa.com

When you book a flight on American Airlines' website, you will see a field labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "KTN" in the passenger details section. This field appears after you enter your name, date of birth, and gender. Enter your 10-digit TSA PreCheck number exactly as it appears in your approval letter—no spaces, no dashes, no extra characters.

The field is optional, so American Airlines will let you complete your booking without it. However, if you skip it during booking, you must add it later through your reservation. Double-check the number before you confirm your purchase, because a typo will prevent TSA PreCheck from showing on your boarding pass.

Add Your KTN to an Existing Reservation

If you already booked your flight without entering your KTN, you can add it up to 24 hours before departure. Go to aa.com and click "Manage My Booking." Enter your confirmation number and last name, then click "View/Edit Booking." Find the passenger name and click "Edit Passenger Information" or a similar option (the exact wording varies by device and browser).

Scroll to the "Known Traveler Number" field and enter your 10-digit TSA PreCheck number. Save your changes. The system will confirm the update. Check your boarding pass after you make the change—it may take a few minutes for TSA PreCheck to appear, but it should show before you arrive at the airport. If you are within 24 hours of departure and the field is locked, contact American Airlines customer service by phone or chat to add it manually.

What Happens at the Airport After You Add Your KTN

When your KTN is correctly linked to your reservation, your boarding pass will display "TSA PreCheck" or a TSA PreCheck indicator (usually a checkmark or the TSA logo) in the upper right corner. This tells TSA agents at security that you are enrolled and may be able to access for expedited screening.

Present your boarding pass and a valid ID at the TSA PreCheck lane. You will not need to remove your shoes, belt, light jacket, or laptop—you can leave liquids in your carry-on bag. The process is faster than standard security. If your boarding pass does not show TSA PreCheck but you know your KTN is in the system, inform the TSA agent at the checkpoint. They can manually verify your enrollment in the TSA database and may still allow you through the PreCheck lane.

Troubleshooting: TSA PreCheck Not Showing on Your Boarding Pass

If you added your KTN but it does not appear on your boarding pass, check the timing first. The update must be in your reservation at least 24 hours before departure. If you added it less than 24 hours ago, wait a few hours and check again—the system sometimes takes time to sync.

If 24 hours have passed and TSA PreCheck still is not showing, verify that you entered the number correctly. Log back into your reservation and check the KTN field character by character against your approval letter. A single wrong digit will prevent it from matching the TSA database. If the number is correct but still not appearing, contact American Airlines customer service by phone (800-433-7300) or through the app before you go to the airport. They can confirm the number is in your reservation and may be able to add it to your boarding pass manually.

Adding Your KTN Through the American Airlines App

You can also add your KTN through the American Airlines mobile app. Open the app, go to "Trips," and select the flight you want to update. Tap "Manage Booking" or "Edit Passenger Details." Find the Known Traveler Number field and enter your 10-digit TSA PreCheck number. Save the changes and check your mobile boarding pass—TSA PreCheck should appear within a few minutes.

The app method works the same way as the website, and you can update your reservation up to 24 hours before departure. If you are checking in on your phone, make sure your mobile boarding pass refreshes after you add the KTN so you see the updated version at security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my TSA PreCheck number after I check in?

No. Your KTN must be in your reservation before you check in for it to appear on your boarding pass. If you check in online or at a kiosk without the KTN in your reservation, it will not be added to your boarding pass. You must add it to your reservation first, then check in.

What if I do not have my TSA PreCheck approval letter?

Log into your TSA account at tsa.gov/precheck and check your process status. Your KTN is displayed there. You can also call the TSA at 1-855-347-8371 to request your number, though you may need to verify your identity first.

Do I have to add my KTN every time I book with American Airlines?

Yes. American Airlines does not save your KTN in your frequent flyer profile or account settings. You must enter it for each new reservation. Some airlines offer the option to store it, but American Airlines requires you to add it manually each time you book.

Will my TSA PreCheck work on other airlines?

Yes. Your TSA PreCheck enrollment is valid on all U.S. airlines. You will need to add your KTN to each airline's reservation separately, just as you do with American Airlines. The TSA PreCheck itself is not airline-specific—only your reservation with each airline is.

What if my boarding pass shows TSA PreCheck but I am not enrolled?

This should not happen if you entered a valid KTN. If your boarding pass shows TSA PreCheck but you are not actually enrolled in the program, TSA agents will catch it at security and direct you to the standard line. To avoid this, only enter a KTN that belongs to you and is currently active.