Link Your TSA PreCheck Number to Southwest

You add TSA PreCheck to Southwest by entering your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your Southwest account profile. Southwest does not issue TSA PreCheck — you obtain it separately from the TSA — but once you have your KTN, linking it takes about two minutes online. The number then appears on your boarding pass automatically, which tells TSA screeners you have already been vetted.

Your KTN is a nine-character code that comes with your TSA PreCheck approval. You will receive it by email and also see it in your TSA PreCheck account at tsa.gov. You do not need to print anything or carry a separate card, though the TSA does mail a physical card to your address.

Key Takeaways

  • You must obtain TSA PreCheck from the TSA first — Southwest cannot issue it for you, only link it to your account.
  • Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a nine-character code you receive when TSA PreCheck is approved, usually within three to five business days.
  • Adding your KTN to Southwest takes two minutes in your account settings under "Rapid Rewards" and "Traveler Information."
  • Once linked, your KTN appears on every Southwest boarding pass you print or read, and TSA PreCheck benefits explore to all airlines.

Getting Your TSA PreCheck Number Before You Link It

Before you can add anything to Southwest, you need an active TSA PreCheck membership. You obtain this directly from the TSA, not through Southwest. Visit tsa.gov/precheck, select "Enroll Now," and choose an enrollment center near you. Most centers are located in airports, but some are in standalone locations or mobile units.

The enrollment appointment takes about 10 minutes. You will need a valid passport or state ID, proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency, and your Social Security number. The TSA charges $78 to $85 for a five-year membership, depending on the enrollment center. Once approved — usually within three to five business days — you receive your KTN by email and in your TSA PreCheck account online.

If you already have TSA PreCheck but do not remember your KTN, log into your account at tsa.gov/precheck. Your nine-character number appears under "Known Traveler Number" on your account dashboard.

Adding Your KTN to Your Southwest Account

Log into your Southwest account at southwest.com using your username and password. Click on your name or profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Rapid Rewards" or "Account Settings." Look for a section labeled "Traveler Information" or "Known Traveler Number."

Paste or type your nine-character KTN into the field provided. Do not include spaces or dashes — enter only the nine characters. Save your changes. Southwest will confirm that the number has been added to your profile.

If you have multiple travelers in your Southwest account (such as family members), you must add each person's KTN separately under their own traveler profile. Each traveler needs their own TSA PreCheck membership and KTN.

When Your KTN Appears on Your Boarding Pass

Once your KTN is linked to your Southwest account, it appears automatically on every boarding pass you receive for flights booked under that account. You will see it printed on paper boarding passes and displayed in the Southwest app or on your phone when you check in online.

The KTN remains on your boarding pass for the entire duration of your TSA PreCheck membership — five years from the date of approval. You do not need to renew it with Southwest; it stays there until your TSA PreCheck expires with the federal government. When your TSA PreCheck membership is about to expire, the TSA sends you a renewal notice by email.

TSA PreCheck Benefits at the Airport

When you arrive at security with a boarding pass showing your KTN, TSA officers direct you to the TSA PreCheck lane, which is typically shorter and faster than the standard security line. In the PreCheck lane, you can leave your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. You can keep your laptop and liquids bag in your carry-on, and you do not need to remove them from your bag.

TSA PreCheck works on all airlines, not just Southwest. If you fly on United, American, Delta, or any other carrier, your KTN on the boarding pass gives you the same PreCheck benefits. The benefit is tied to your KTN, not to the airline.

What to Do If Your KTN Does Not Appear on Your Boarding Pass

If you have added your KTN to Southwest but it does not show on your boarding pass, first check that you entered it correctly — no spaces, no dashes, exactly nine characters. Log back into your Southwest account and verify the number matches what the TSA sent you.

If the number is correct, wait 24 hours for Southwest's system to sync. Sometimes there is a delay between adding the KTN and having it appear on new boarding passes. If it still does not appear after a day, contact Southwest customer service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. Have your KTN and confirmation number from the TSA ready.

Another common issue: you booked your flight before adding your KTN to your account. In that case, the boarding pass was generated without the KTN. You can add the KTN to your reservation by checking in again online or through the app after updating your profile. The new boarding pass will include the KTN.

Renewing Your TSA PreCheck When It Expires

TSA PreCheck is valid for five years. About six months before your membership expires, the TSA sends you an email reminder. You can renew at tsa.gov/precheck by selecting "Renew" instead of "Enroll Now." Renewal is faster than initial enrollment — you do not need an in-person appointment for most renewals, and the cost is the same ($78 to $85).

When you renew, you receive a new KTN. You will need to update your Southwest account with the new number. Log in, find your traveler information, and replace the old KTN with the new one. Your old KTN stops working on the expiration date, so update it before your membership expires to avoid losing PreCheck benefits on future flights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use someone else's TSA PreCheck number on my Southwest account?

No. Each TSA PreCheck membership is tied to one person, and each Southwest traveler profile must have its own KTN. If you are traveling with family members, each person needs their own TSA PreCheck membership and their own KTN linked to their own traveler profile in your Southwest account.

Do I have to pay Southwest to add my TSA PreCheck number?

No. Adding your KTN to Southwest is free. You pay the TSA directly for TSA PreCheck membership ($78 to $85 for five years), but Southwest does not charge a fee to link it to your account.

What if I book a flight as a guest without a Southwest account?

If you book without creating a Southwest account, your boarding pass will not include your KTN automatically. You can still use TSA PreCheck at the airport — tell the TSA officer your KTN verbally — but it is easier to create a Southwest account, add your KTN, and book through that account so the number appears on your pass.

Does adding TSA PreCheck to Southwest cost extra or change my ticket price?

No. Your ticket price does not change, and there is no fee from Southwest. The only cost is the TSA PreCheck membership fee, which you pay to the TSA when you enroll, not to Southwest.

Will my TSA PreCheck work if I fly on a different airline?

Yes. TSA PreCheck is a federal program, not an airline program. Your KTN works on every airline that participates in TSA PreCheck, including United, American, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, and others. You only need to add your KTN to each airline's account if you want it to appear automatically on your boarding passes with that airline.