How to Add TSA PreCheck to Your Delta Flight Booking

Add TSA PreCheck to Delta Before or After You Book

You can add your TSA PreCheck number to a Delta flight in two ways: during booking when you first buy your ticket, or afterward through your Delta account. The easiest time is during checkout—Delta asks for your Known Traveler Number (KTN) on the same screen where you enter your name and passport details. If you already have a ticket and haven't added it yet, you can log into Delta.com, find your reservation, and edit your passenger information to include your KTN there.

Your Known Traveler Number is a nine-character code that TSA issues when you enroll in PreCheck. It looks like a mix of letters and numbers—for example, "ABC123DEF4". Delta needs this exact number to link your PreCheck benefits to your boarding pass. Without it in the system, the TSA agent at security won't see that you're PreCheck-enrolled, and you'll go through standard screening instead.

Key Takeaways

Add your Known Traveler Number during Delta checkout, or edit your reservation afterward through your Delta account online.
Your KTN is the nine-character code TSA gave you when you enrolled in PreCheck; it appears on your TSA PreCheck card and in your TSA account.
Delta displays your PreCheck status on your boarding pass only after your KTN is saved to that specific reservation.
If you don't see PreCheck on your boarding pass, check that the name on your Delta ticket matches exactly what TSA has on file for your PreCheck enrollment.

Where to Find Your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN appears in three places. First, it's printed on your physical TSA PreCheck card—look at the front or back depending on which TSA program you enrolled in (PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI all issue a KTN). Second, you can log into your TSA account at tsa.gov, go to "Manage Enrollment," and your KTN will be displayed there. Third, if you've already added your KTN to other airlines, check your frequent flyer profile with those carriers—you may have saved it there.

If you can't find your card and don't remember your KTN, the TSA website is the fastest route. Create a login at tsa.gov if you don't have one, then navigate to your enrollment status. You'll see your KTN, enrollment expiration date, and other details. Write down the nine-character number exactly as it appears—spaces, hyphens, and capitalization matter when you enter it into Delta's system.

Adding Your KTN During Delta Checkout

When you're buying a ticket on Delta.com or the Delta app, you'll reach a screen that asks for passenger information. This is where you enter your first name, last name, date of birth, and passport number. On that same screen, Delta includes a field labeled "Known Traveler Number" or sometimes "TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Number." Paste or type your nine-character KTN into that field before you complete your purchase.

Double-check that the name you're entering matches exactly what TSA has on file for your PreCheck enrollment. If your PreCheck is under "Robert James Smith" but you book as "Bob Smith," the system won't recognize the match, and your boarding pass won't show PreCheck status. Middle names, suffixes, and spelling all have to align. Once you've entered your KTN and confirmed your name is correct, finish your booking. Your confirmation email should reference your PreCheck status.

Adding Your KTN to an Existing Delta Reservation

If you already have a Delta ticket and didn't add your KTN at checkout, you can add it anytime before your flight. Log into Delta.com with your SkyMiles number and password, then find your reservation using your confirmation number or last name and first name. Click "Manage My Booking" or "Edit Reservation," depending on which version of the website you see.

Once you're in your reservation, look for "Passenger Information" or "Traveler Details." You should see a field for Known Traveler Number. Enter your nine-character KTN there and save your changes. Delta will update your reservation when ready, and your new boarding pass—whether you print it, read it, or view it on your phone—will show your PreCheck status. You don't need to contact Delta customer service unless the system won't accept your KTN, which usually means a name mismatch or a typo in the number.

What to Check If Your Boarding Pass Doesn't Show PreCheck

After you've added your KTN, your boarding pass should display "TSA PreCheck" or a TSA logo somewhere on it—usually near your name or in the barcode area. If it doesn't appear, the most common reason is that the name on your Delta ticket doesn't match the name TSA has for your PreCheck enrollment. Check your TSA PreCheck card and your TSA account to see exactly how your name is listed there, then compare it character-for-character with your Delta reservation.

The second thing to verify is that you entered your KTN correctly. Log back into your Delta reservation and check that the nine-character number is exactly as it appears on your TSA card—no extra spaces, no transposed digits. If you're still not seeing PreCheck on your boarding pass after correcting both the name and the KTN, contact Delta customer service before your flight. They can confirm that your KTN was saved and troubleshoot why it's not displaying.

PreCheck Status and Boarding Pass Timing

Delta updates your boarding pass with PreCheck status as soon as your KTN is saved to your reservation. If you add your KTN weeks before your flight, your boarding pass will show it when ready. If you add it the day before or the morning of your flight, it will still appear on your boarding pass—there's no delay. The important thing is that it's in the system before you arrive at the airport.

When you check in at the airport or online, your boarding pass will reflect your PreCheck status. At security, the TSA agent will scan your boarding pass and see that you're PreCheck-enrolled. You'll then proceed to the PreCheck lane, where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, and leave your laptop and liquids in your carry-on. This only works if your KTN is linked to that specific flight reservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my TSA PreCheck number after I've already checked in?

You can add it, but it won't appear on the boarding pass you already checked in with. If you haven't gone through security yet, you can check in again online or at a kiosk to get a new boarding pass with your PreCheck status. If you've already passed security, you'll go through standard screening for that flight.

What if my name on my Delta ticket doesn't match my TSA PreCheck enrollment?

Contact Delta customer service to correct your name on the reservation before your flight. Your name must match exactly—including middle names, suffixes, and spelling—for TSA to recognize your PreCheck status. Once Delta updates your name, add your KTN again and verify it appears on your new boarding pass.

Do I need to add my KTN to every Delta flight I book?

Yes, you need to add your KTN to each individual reservation. Some airlines let you save your KTN to your frequent flyer profile so it auto-fills on future bookings, but you should verify it's there each time you book. Check your boarding pass before your flight to confirm PreCheck status is showing.

What if I don't have my TSA PreCheck card with me?

Log into your TSA account at tsa.gov to find your KTN. You don't need the physical card to add your number to Delta—just the nine-character code. If you've forgotten your KTN and can't access your TSA account, contact TSA at 866-289-9673 and they can provide it.

Will adding my TSA PreCheck number change my ticket price?

No. Adding your KTN to Delta doesn't change what you paid for your ticket or add any fees. It only links your PreCheck enrollment to that flight so you can use the PreCheck lane at security.

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.