Add TSA PreCheck to Delta in three places: during booking, after purchase through Manage My Bookings, or at check-in

You can link your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) to a Delta ticket before you fly, and Delta offers three windows to do it. The fastest route is during initial booking when you enter your passenger details. If you've already bought your ticket, you can add it through Delta's Manage My Bookings tool on their website or app. At the airport, you can still provide your KTN at the check-in counter, though this is slower and leaves no room for error correction before you reach security.

Your KTN is a nine-character code issued by TSA when you enroll in PreCheck. You'll receive it by email and can also find it on your TSA PreCheck card, in the TSA PreCheck app, or through your TSA account online. Delta needs this exact number to attach PreCheck benefits to your reservation.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number must be entered exactly as TSA issued it — nine characters with no spaces or dashes — or Delta cannot link it to your ticket.
  • Adding your KTN during booking is fastest and gives you time to fix any typos before you travel.
  • If you've already purchased a ticket, use Delta's Manage My Bookings feature on their website or mobile app to add your KTN without rebooking.
  • Delta displays your PreCheck status on your boarding pass once the KTN is successfully linked, so check your pass before you reach the airport.
  • Adding your KTN at check-in is possible but leaves no time to correct mistakes, so add it online if you can.

Adding TSA PreCheck during Delta booking

When you book a Delta flight on delta.com or the Delta app, you'll enter passenger information before you pay. On the passenger details screen, look for a field labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "KTN" — it usually appears below the name and date of birth fields. Enter your nine-character TSA PreCheck number exactly as it appears on your TSA card or in your TSA account.

Do not add spaces, dashes, or extra characters. If your KTN is ABC123DEFG, type it exactly that way. Delta will validate the format during booking, and if the number doesn't match TSA's format, you'll see an error message asking you to correct it before you complete your purchase.

Once you finish booking and receive your confirmation email, open it and check your boarding pass preview. Your boarding pass should display "TSA PreCheck" or a TSA logo near your name. If it does not appear, contact Delta before your flight to verify the KTN was entered correctly.

Adding TSA PreCheck after you've bought your ticket

If you've already purchased your Delta ticket without entering your KTN, you can add it through Manage My Bookings on delta.com or the Delta app. Go to the homepage, select "Manage My Bookings," and enter your confirmation number and last name. Your reservation will load.

Look for an option to edit passenger details or add frequent flyer and special information. Click into the passenger details section for the traveler who holds the TSA PreCheck. Find the Known Traveler Number field and enter your nine-character KTN. Save your changes.

Delta will update your reservation within minutes. Check your updated boarding pass in Manage My Bookings or in the Delta app to confirm "TSA PreCheck" now appears. If you don't see it after 15 minutes, refresh the page or clear your app cache and reload. If it still doesn't show, contact Delta customer service with your confirmation number and KTN to troubleshoot.

What happens when your KTN is successfully linked

Once Delta has accepted your KTN, your boarding pass will display "TSA PreCheck" or a TSA PreCheck indicator. This tells TSA officers at the security checkpoint that you've been vetted and are enrolled in the program. You'll be directed to a dedicated PreCheck security lane where you can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on, leave laptops and liquids in your bag, and move through screening faster.

Your PreCheck status is tied to that specific ticket and reservation. If you change your flight or rebook, you'll need to verify that your KTN is still attached to the new reservation. Delta usually carries it over, but check your new boarding pass to be sure.

Fixing a mistake in your KTN

If you entered your KTN incorrectly during booking or notice it's wrong on your boarding pass, go back to Manage My Bookings and edit the passenger details. Delete the incorrect number and re-enter it carefully. Double-check it against your TSA PreCheck card or your TSA account before you save.

If you catch the error at the airport before security, tell the TSA officer at the checkpoint that your KTN was entered incorrectly on your boarding pass. Provide your correct KTN verbally. TSA can manually verify your PreCheck status in their system even if your boarding pass doesn't reflect it, though this takes longer than a correctly linked pass. To avoid this delay, fix the error online before you travel.

Adding KTN at the airport or check-in counter

You can provide your KTN to a Delta agent at the check-in counter or ticket counter if you haven't added it online. The agent will enter it into your reservation and reprint your boarding pass. However, this method is slower than adding it online and leaves no time to correct typos before you reach security.

If you're checking bags, you can add your KTN when you check in at the counter. If you're traveling carry-on only, use online check-in or the Delta app to add your KTN before you arrive at the airport — it's faster and you'll have your updated boarding pass ready on your phone.

When your KTN won't link to your Delta ticket

If Delta rejects your KTN or won't let you save it, the number may be formatted incorrectly or may not match TSA's records. Verify your KTN by logging into your TSA PreCheck account at tsa.gov, checking your TSA PreCheck card, or opening the official TSA PreCheck app. Copy the number directly from one of these sources rather than typing it from memory.

If the number is correct and Delta still won't accept it, your TSA PreCheck enrollment may have expired or been cancelled. TSA PreCheck is valid for five years from the date you were approved. If your enrollment has expired, you'll need to renew it through TSA before Delta can link it to your ticket. Contact TSA directly through tsa.gov or call 1-855-347-8371 to check your enrollment status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my TSA PreCheck to a Delta ticket I bought years ago?

No. You can only add your KTN to a ticket that is currently active in Delta's system — typically within 24 hours of your flight departure. Once a flight has departed, the reservation closes and you cannot modify it. For future flights, add your KTN during booking or through Manage My Bookings before your travel date.

What if I have TSA PreCheck but Delta won't show it on my boarding pass?

First, verify your KTN is entered correctly in Manage My Bookings by comparing it character-for-character to your TSA card or TSA account. If it matches, wait 15 minutes and refresh your boarding pass. If it still doesn't appear, contact Delta customer service with your confirmation number. TSA officers at security can verify your PreCheck status manually even if your boarding pass doesn't show it, but tell them when ready if you notice the discrepancy.

Do I need to add my TSA PreCheck to every Delta ticket?

Yes. Your KTN must be linked to each individual ticket or reservation. If you book multiple trips, add your KTN to each one. If you book a round-trip ticket, one KTN entry covers both the outbound and return flight on that reservation. If you rebook or change your flight, check that your KTN is still attached to the new ticket.

What if my TSA PreCheck number has changed?

Your TSA PreCheck number does not change during your five-year enrollment period. If you received a new number, your previous enrollment may have expired and you may have renewed it. Use your current KTN from your TSA account or card. If you're unsure which number is active, log into your TSA PreCheck account or call TSA at 1-855-347-8371 to confirm.

Can I add someone else's TSA PreCheck number to my ticket?

No. Each passenger's KTN must match their name on the ticket. Delta will reject a KTN that doesn't belong to the passenger listed on that reservation. Each traveler must provide their own TSA PreCheck number for their own ticket.