Add your TSA PreCheck number when you book or check in with Lufthansa

You can add your TSA PreCheck number to Lufthansa in two ways: during the initial booking on Lufthansa.com, or after you've booked by updating your reservation. Lufthansa calls this your "Known Traveler Number" or KTN. Once you add it, the airline shares it with TSA, and your PreCheck status should appear on your boarding pass at check-in — though you'll still need to show your actual PreCheck card or passport at airport security.

The process takes less than five minutes either way. You'll need your TSA PreCheck membership number, which appears on your PreCheck card or in your TSA account at tsa.gov.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck number is called a Known Traveler Number (KTN) on Lufthansa's system, and you enter it the same way for all airlines.
  • You can add your KTN during booking on Lufthansa.com or afterward by logging into "Manage My Booking" on their website.
  • Adding your number to Lufthansa does not automatically enroll you in TSA PreCheck — you must have an active TSA PreCheck membership first.
  • Your boarding pass will show a TSA PreCheck indicator if the airline successfully linked your number, but bring your physical PreCheck card to security as backup.

Add your KTN during a new Lufthansa booking

When you book a flight on Lufthansa.com, you'll see a "Frequent Flyer and Special Services" section during checkout. Look for the field labeled "Known Traveler Number (KTN)" or "TSA PreCheck Number." Enter your nine-digit TSA PreCheck number exactly as it appears on your card.

If you're booking through a travel agent or a third-party site like Expedia, you may not see this field during checkout. In that case, you'll need to add it afterward through Lufthansa's website (see the next section). Some third-party sites do have a KTN field, but it's safer to add it directly through Lufthansa to may support it reaches their system.

Add your KTN to an existing Lufthansa reservation

Go to Lufthansa.com and click "Manage My Booking" at the top of the page. Enter your booking reference (a six-character code from your confirmation email) and your last name, then click "Find Booking."

Once your reservation loads, look for "Passenger Details" or "Edit Passenger Information." Click into that section and find the "Known Traveler Number" field. Type in your nine-digit TSA PreCheck number and save the changes. Lufthansa will confirm the update on screen.

You can make this change anytime before you check in — even the day of your flight. However, it's best to add it at least 24 hours before departure to give Lufthansa time to sync the information with TSA and print it on your boarding pass.

What happens after you add your number

Once Lufthansa receives your KTN, they send it to TSA. When you check in online or at the airport, your boarding pass should display a TSA PreCheck indicator — usually a checkmark, the words "TSA Pre✓," or a special code. This tells TSA officers at security that you've provided your PreCheck information.

The indicator on your boarding pass is a courtesy; it does not replace your actual TSA PreCheck card. You must still show your PreCheck membership card or a valid passport with your PreCheck number written on it at the security checkpoint. TSA officers use the card to verify your membership before letting you use the PreCheck lane.

Common mistakes to avoid

Entering your number incorrectly. Your TSA PreCheck number is nine digits. Double-check it against your card before submitting. A single wrong digit means TSA won't recognize you at security.

Confusing your PreCheck number with your frequent flyer number. These are different. Your PreCheck number is issued by TSA and appears on your PreCheck card. Your Lufthansa frequent flyer number is separate. Make sure you're entering the TSA number in the KTN field, not your Miles & More account number.

Assuming the boarding pass indicator means you don't need your card. The indicator is helpful but not required. Always bring your physical PreCheck card to security. If the indicator doesn't print for any reason, your card is your proof.

Adding your number only to one airline. If you fly multiple carriers, you'll need to add your KTN to each airline's system separately. Lufthansa, United, American, and others all maintain their own reservation systems.

If your PreCheck indicator doesn't appear on your boarding pass

Check that you entered your nine-digit number correctly in Lufthansa's system. Log back into "Manage My Booking" and verify the KTN field. If it looks right, the delay is usually just a sync issue between Lufthansa and TSA — this can take a few hours.

If your boarding pass still doesn't show the indicator by the time you reach security, don't worry. Show your TSA PreCheck card to the officer. They can manually verify your membership in their system, and you'll still be able to use the PreCheck lane. The boarding pass indicator is a convenience, not a requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need TSA PreCheck before I add my number to Lufthansa?

Yes. You must have an active TSA PreCheck membership before you can add your number to any airline. If you don't have PreCheck yet, you'll need to enroll through tsa.gov first. The enrollment process takes about a week after your in-person appointment.

Can I add my TSA PreCheck number to Lufthansa if I booked through a travel agent?

Yes. Use Lufthansa's "Manage My Booking" tool on their website with your booking reference and last name. You can add or update your KTN there regardless of where you booked the flight.

Will adding my number to Lufthansa automatically add it to other airlines?

No. Each airline maintains its own reservation system. You'll need to add your KTN separately to every airline you fly with. However, the process is the same for all of them.

What if I have a connecting flight with a different airline?

Add your KTN to both airlines' systems. Your first boarding pass (from Lufthansa) will show the PreCheck indicator if you added it to Lufthansa. Your connecting airline's boarding pass will show the indicator only if you added your number to their system as well.

Can I change my TSA PreCheck number on Lufthansa if I renew my membership?

Yes. Log into "Manage My Booking," find the KTN field, and update it with your new nine-digit number. You can do this for past bookings, current bookings, or future bookings.