Add your Known Traveler Number before you book or right after

Your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) goes into your airline reservation, not onto a physical boarding pass. You can add it when you first book your flight, or you can go back into your reservation afterward and add it there. The airline then prints your TSA PreCheck indicator on the boarding pass they issue—either at the airport kiosk, at the gate, or in your mobile boarding pass if you use one.

The process takes about two minutes and requires only your confirmation number and last name. You do not need to contact the airline by phone; every major carrier lets you do this online or through their mobile app.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Known Traveler Number is a nine-character code that TSA issues when you enroll in PreCheck; you can find it in your approval email or in the TSA's official website.
  • Add your KTN to your airline reservation through the airline's website, mobile app, or at the airport ticket counter before you check in.
  • The airline will display your TSA PreCheck status on your boarding pass, usually as a code like "TSA PRE" or a checkmark in the corner.
  • If you forget to add your KTN before arriving at the airport, you can still add it at the ticket counter or kiosk, though this takes longer.
  • Your KTN works across all airlines; you only need to add it once per reservation, not once per airline.

Where to find your Known Traveler Number

TSA sends your nine-character KTN in the approval email you receive after you complete your in-person appointment and pay the enrollment fee. The email subject line says "TSA PreCheck process Approval" and includes your KTN in the body of the message. Save this email or write the number down somewhere you can find it quickly.

If you cannot find the approval email, you can also look up your KTN on the TSA's official website. Go to tsa.gov, select "Check process Status," and log in with the same account you used when you enrolled. Your KTN will appear on the status page. You can also call the TSA PreCheck enrollment center at 1-855-347-8371 and provide your name and date of birth to have them read it to you over the phone.

Adding your KTN through the airline website

Log into your account on the airline's website using your confirmation number and last name, or your frequent flyer account if you have one. Find the reservation you want to update. Most airlines have a link that says "Manage Reservation," "Edit Trip," or "Passenger Details." Click that link and look for a field labeled "Known Traveler Number," "KTN," "TSA PreCheck," or "Redress Number."

Type your nine-character KTN into that field exactly as it appears in your approval email—no spaces, no dashes. Save or update your reservation. The airline will confirm the change on screen. You do not need to do anything else; the KTN is now attached to your reservation and will show up on your boarding pass.

Adding your KTN through the airline's mobile app

Open the airline's official mobile app and sign in. Navigate to your upcoming flight or reservation. Tap "Manage Booking," "Trip Details," or a similar option. Scroll down to find the passenger information section. You should see a field for "Known Traveler Number" or "TSA PreCheck."

Enter your KTN and save the changes. The app will show a confirmation message. Some airlines also let you add your KTN when you check in on your phone through the app, though it is faster to add it before you arrive at the airport. If you add it during mobile check-in, your digital boarding pass will update within a few seconds to show your TSA PreCheck status.

What to do if you forget to add your KTN before arriving at the airport

You can still add your KTN at the airport, but it takes longer. Go to the airline's ticket counter or a self-service kiosk and tell the agent or use the kiosk to access your reservation. Select the option to edit passenger details or add special information. Enter your KTN into the system. The agent or kiosk will print a new boarding pass with your TSA PreCheck indicator on it.

This process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, so arrive at the ticket counter early if you plan to do this. If you are already at the gate and realize you forgot, you can ask a gate agent to add it, though they may not have time if boarding is underway. It is always better to add your KTN online before you leave home.

How to recognize TSA PreCheck on your boarding pass

Once your KTN is in the system, your boarding pass will display a TSA PreCheck indicator. Different airlines show this differently. Some print "TSA PRE" in large letters in the top right corner. Others use a checkmark, a star, or a small code like "S" or "1." A few airlines print your full KTN on the pass itself. The exact format does not matter—TSA agents at security will see the indicator and know you are enrolled.

If your boarding pass does not show any TSA PreCheck indicator, tell a TSA officer at the security checkpoint that you are a PreCheck member. They can look up your enrollment status using your ID and confirmation number. You will still be able to use the PreCheck lane, though it may take a moment longer while they verify your status manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you need to add your KTN to each individual reservation. However, some airlines let you save your KTN to your frequent flyer profile, and they will automatically add it to future bookings. Check your airline's website to see if this option is available.

What if I have a connecting flight?

Add your KTN to your entire itinerary when you book. If you booked two separate tickets (one to your connection city and one from there), you need to add your KTN to both reservations separately. Your TSA PreCheck status applies to every flight you take that day.

Can someone else add my KTN to my boarding pass?

No. Only you or someone with access to your airline account can add your KTN. If you are booking a flight for someone else, they must provide you with their KTN, and you add it to their passenger record when you enter their name and details.

What if my KTN is wrong on my boarding pass?

Go back into your airline reservation and check that you typed your KTN correctly. If you see a typo, edit it and save the change. If your KTN is correct in the system but your boarding pass still shows an error, ask an agent at the ticket counter to reprint it. Do not try to cross out or write on your boarding pass.

Will my TSA PreCheck status transfer if I change airlines mid-trip?

No. Your KTN only applies to the airline you added it to for that specific flight. If you are connecting to a different airline, you need to have added your KTN to that second airline's reservation as well. Each airline maintains its own reservation system.