Add TSA PreCheck to Spirit Through Your Online Account

You add TSA PreCheck to Spirit by entering your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your Spirit Airlines account before you book or after you've already booked a flight. Spirit does not sell TSA PreCheck itself — you obtain that separately through the TSA — but once you have your KTN, linking it to your Spirit account takes about two minutes and applies to all future bookings automatically.

Log into your Spirit Airlines account on their website or mobile app. Go to your profile or account settings, find the "Known Traveler Number" or "TSA PreCheck" field, and paste your 10-digit KTN exactly as it appears on your TSA PreCheck approval letter. Save the changes. The next time you book a flight, your KTN will appear on your boarding pass, and you'll see the TSA PreCheck indicator at check-in.

If you've already booked a flight without your KTN, you can still add it after purchase. Log in, find the reservation, and add your KTN to that specific booking. Spirit will reissue your boarding pass with the PreCheck designation, though this usually takes a few hours to process.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck KTN is a 10-digit number issued by the TSA when you complete the PreCheck process and background check, not something Spirit provides.
  • You enter your KTN in your Spirit account settings, and it will automatically appear on all future boarding passes once saved.
  • If you've already booked a flight, you can add your KTN to that reservation after purchase through your account.
  • Your boarding pass must show your KTN for TSA PreCheck screening to work at the airport — the number alone in your account is not enough.
  • Adding your KTN to Spirit takes no extra time at check-in and costs nothing once you have an active TSA PreCheck membership.

Where to Find Your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN appears on the approval letter you received from the TSA when you completed your PreCheck process and in-person appointment. If you completed PreCheck through the TSA's official website (tsa.gov), you can also log into your TSA PreCheck account and find your KTN in the "My Account" section under "Known Traveler Number."

The KTN is always 10 digits and begins with letters or numbers depending on the program. Write it down or copy it exactly — even a single wrong character will prevent PreCheck from showing on your boarding pass. If you cannot find your KTN, contact the TSA directly through their website or call the TSA PreCheck customer service line listed on your approval letter.

Adding Your KTN During Booking

When you book a Spirit flight on their website or app, you'll see a field for "Known Traveler Number" or "TSA PreCheck" during the passenger information step. Enter your 10-digit KTN in that field before you complete the purchase. Spirit will include it on your boarding pass automatically.

This is the fastest way to may support your PreCheck designation appears from the moment you book. If you skip this step during booking, you can add it afterward through your account, but adding it at the time of purchase means your boarding pass is correct from the start and you won't need to request a reissue.

Adding Your KTN to an Existing Reservation

If you've already booked a Spirit flight without entering your KTN, log into your Spirit account and find the reservation under "My Trips" or "Manage Booking." Look for an option to edit passenger information or add frequent flyer and traveler details. Select the passenger and enter your KTN in the appropriate field.

After you save the change, Spirit will process the update and reissue your boarding pass with the KTN included. This usually happens within a few hours, though it can take up to 24 hours depending on how close your flight is. You'll receive a new boarding pass via email or you can read it from your account. Do not check in for your flight until your new boarding pass shows the KTN.

What Happens at the Airport With Your KTN on File

When you arrive at the airport with a boarding pass that displays your TSA PreCheck indicator (usually a checkmark or the words "TSA PreCheck"), you'll go through a dedicated PreCheck security lane if one is available at your airport. You'll keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and move through screening faster than standard passengers.

Your KTN being in your Spirit account does not automatically put you in the PreCheck line — it must appear on your actual boarding pass. If your boarding pass does not show the PreCheck indicator, tell a TSA officer at security and have your KTN ready. They can manually verify it, though this takes longer than having it printed on your pass. Always check your boarding pass before you leave for the airport to confirm the KTN is there.

Troubleshooting: Your KTN Isn't Showing on Your Boarding Pass

If you entered your KTN in Spirit's system but it's not appearing on your boarding pass, the most common cause is a typo in the number itself. Log back into your account, pull up your reservation, and compare your entered KTN character by character against your TSA approval letter. Even a single wrong digit will prevent it from showing.

A second possibility is that your TSA PreCheck membership has expired. TSA PreCheck is valid for five years from the date of approval. If your membership expired, you'll need to renew it through the TSA before your KTN will work. Check your approval letter or your TSA account to confirm your membership is still active. If both the number and your membership are correct, contact Spirit customer service with your reservation number and they can investigate why the KTN isn't linking properly.

Using Your KTN With Other Airlines

Your KTN works with every airline, not just Spirit. Once you have your TSA PreCheck membership, you can enter the same KTN into the accounts of American, Delta, United, Southwest, and any other carrier. You don't need a separate PreCheck membership for each airline — one membership covers all of them.

If you fly multiple airlines, add your KTN to each airline's frequent flyer or account settings so it appears on all your boarding passes automatically. This saves you from having to enter it manually for each booking and ensures you never accidentally book a flight without your PreCheck designation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to add my KTN to Spirit, or does it work automatically?

You must manually enter your KTN into your Spirit account or during booking. The TSA and Spirit do not share databases, so Spirit has no way to know your KTN unless you tell them. Once you add it, it stays in your account and appears on future bookings automatically, but you have to do the initial entry yourself.

Can I add my KTN after I check in online?

You can add your KTN after online check-in, but it won't appear on the boarding pass you already downloaded. You'll need to request a new boarding pass at the airport or through the Spirit app. To avoid this, add your KTN before you check in, or add it to your reservation when ready after booking and before you check in.

What if I don't have my KTN memorized?

You can look it up on your TSA PreCheck approval letter or by logging into your TSA PreCheck account at tsa.gov. You don't need to memorize it — just have it available when you book or when you add it to your Spirit account. Write it down or keep a photo of your approval letter on your phone for straightforward reference.

Will adding my KTN to Spirit cost extra?

No. Adding your KTN to Spirit is free. You pay for TSA PreCheck membership once (currently $78 to $85 for five years, depending on the program), and then using it on any airline, including Spirit, costs nothing extra.

What if my TSA PreCheck membership expires before my Spirit flight?

If your membership expires, your KTN will no longer work and the PreCheck indicator will not appear on your boarding pass. You'll go through standard security screening. Renew your TSA PreCheck membership through the TSA website before your flight if you want PreCheck screening. Once renewed, your KTN will work again on all future bookings.