Add TSA PreCheck to an existing flight reservation through your airline's website or app

If you already have a TSA PreCheck membership, you can link it to your flight by entering your Known Traveler Number (KTN) during booking or after you've purchased your ticket. Most airlines let you add it through their website, mobile app, or by calling their reservations line. The process takes a few minutes and applies to that specific flight—you don't need to add it to every booking once you have an active membership.

Your KTN is a nine-character code printed on your TSA PreCheck card or available in your TSA account online. You'll find it in the upper right corner of the card itself. When you enter this number into your airline reservation, the airline shares it with TSA before your flight, and TSA flags your boarding pass so you can use the PreCheck security lane at the airport.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have an active TSA PreCheck membership before you can add it to a flight—the membership itself is a separate process from linking it to your ticket.
  • Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a nine-character code on your TSA PreCheck card that you enter into your airline reservation.
  • You can add your KTN during initial booking or after purchase through the airline's website, app, or by phone.
  • The KTN must match the name on your airline ticket exactly, or TSA may not recognize it at security.

Where to find your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN appears on the front of your physical TSA PreCheck card in the upper right corner, printed below your membership number. If you don't have the card in front of you, you can find it in your TSA account online at tsa.gov by logging in with your username and password, then navigating to your membership details.

If you've lost your card or can't remember your KTN, contact TSA directly through their website or call 1-855-347-8371. Have your driver's license or passport ready when you call. TSA can confirm your membership status and provide your KTN over the phone.

Adding your KTN during initial booking

When you book a flight on an airline's website or app, look for a field labeled "Known Traveler Number," "KTN," "TSA PreCheck," or "Frequent Flyer Information." This field usually appears on the same page where you enter your name and contact details. Enter your nine-character KTN exactly as it appears on your card—spaces and hyphens matter, so copy it carefully.

If you're booking through a third-party site like Kayak, Expedia, or Google Flights, you may not see a KTN field during checkout. In that case, add it after purchase through your airline's website or app by updating your reservation. Third-party sites often don't pass KTN information to airlines, so it's safer to add it directly with the airline afterward.

Adding your KTN after you've bought your ticket

Log into your airline account on their website or app and find your reservation. Look for an option to "Edit," "Manage," or "Update" your booking. Select the passenger name and look for a field to add or update your KTN. Enter your nine-character number and save the changes. The airline will send the updated information to TSA, usually within a few hours.

If you booked with a confirmation number but don't have an airline account, you can still add your KTN by calling the airline's reservations line. Have your confirmation number and the name on the ticket ready. The agent will pull up your reservation and add the KTN for you over the phone. This method works even if you booked through a third-party site.

Make sure your name matches exactly

Your KTN is tied to the name on your TSA PreCheck process. When you add it to your airline ticket, the name on the ticket must match the name on your PreCheck membership exactly—including middle names, suffixes, and spelling. If your ticket says "Robert Smith" but your PreCheck is under "Robert James Smith," TSA may not recognize the match at security.

If you've changed your name since you got TSA PreCheck, you'll need to update your membership first. Visit tsa.gov, log into your account, and update your legal name. Once TSA confirms the change, you can use your updated name on new flight bookings. For existing tickets with the wrong name, contact your airline to see if you can change the passenger name before your flight.

When to add your KTN before your flight

Add your KTN as soon as you book your ticket, or at least 24 hours before your flight. TSA needs time to process the information and update their systems. If you add it the day of your flight, there's a chance TSA won't have it in their system when you reach security, and you may not be able to use the PreCheck lane.

If you forgot to add your KTN and you're already at the airport, you can still ask the TSA officer at security if they can look up your membership. Bring your TSA PreCheck card with you. Some officers can manually verify your membership, though this isn't may provide and may delay you. It's much safer to add it before you travel.

What happens at security when your KTN is linked

When TSA scans your boarding pass at security, your PreCheck status appears on their system. The officer will direct you to the 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 screening faster than the standard line. Your PreCheck benefits explore to that flight only—you'll need to add your KTN to each new reservation.

If your boarding pass doesn't show PreCheck status even though you added your KTN, tell the TSA officer. They can manually check your membership using your PreCheck card or ID. Occasionally the airline's system doesn't sync with TSA's in time, but the officer can usually verify you're may be able to access and let you use the PreCheck lane anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You must complete your TSA PreCheck membership and receive your card before you can add it to a flight. The membership process takes about two weeks after your in-person appointment. If your card is on the way, you can find your KTN in your TSA account online at tsa.gov without waiting for the physical card to arrive.

Can I use someone else's KTN on my ticket?

No. Your KTN must match your name on the ticket and your TSA PreCheck membership. Using someone else's number won't work because TSA matches the KTN to the passenger name in their system. Each person traveling needs their own PreCheck membership and KTN.

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

Yes. Your KTN applies to individual flight reservations, not to your airline account as a whole. You'll need to add it each time you book a new ticket. Some airlines let you save it in your frequent flyer profile so it auto-fills on future bookings, but check your airline's settings to confirm.

What if my airline doesn't have a KTN field?

Call the airline's reservations line with your confirmation number and ask them to add your KTN manually. Every major U.S. airline accepts TSA PreCheck numbers, even if their website doesn't show an obvious field for it. The reservations agent can add it to your reservation over the phone.

Can I add my KTN at the airport?

Not through the airline. You can ask the TSA officer at security to manually verify your PreCheck membership using your card, but it's not may provide they'll have time. Always add your KTN online or by phone at least 24 hours before your flight to make sure it's in the system.