Turkish Airlines does not let you add TSA PreCheck during booking, but you can link your PreCheck number to your airline profile after you buy your ticket

Turkish Airlines does not have a field for TSA PreCheck during the online checkout process. Instead, you add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your Turkish Airlines frequent flyer profile — called Miles&Smiles — and the airline will pull that number into your reservation automatically. This works for flights departing from U.S. airports where TSA PreCheck is available.

The process takes about five minutes and requires your TSA PreCheck membership number, which you receive by email when your process is approved. If you have already booked a Turkish Airlines flight without adding your KTN, you can still add it to that reservation through your Miles&Smiles account or by contacting Turkish Airlines directly before your flight.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck number is called a Known Traveler Number (KTN) and appears in your TSA PreCheck approval email.
  • Turkish Airlines requires you to add your KTN to your Miles&Smiles frequent flyer profile, not during ticket purchase.
  • Once your KTN is saved in your Miles&Smiles profile, it will automatically appear on all future Turkish Airlines bookings from that account.
  • If you have already booked a flight, log into your reservation and add your KTN before you check in.

Finding Your TSA PreCheck Number

Your TSA PreCheck number is your Known Traveler Number, or KTN. It appears in the approval email you receive after TSA processes your process and background check. The email comes from TSA PreCheck Operations and includes your membership number, which is typically 10 to 12 characters long.

If you cannot find the email, log into your TSA PreCheck account at tsa.gov/precheck. Click "View My process Status" and look for your KTN in the approval section. You can also call the TSA PreCheck customer service line at 855-347-8371 to request your number.

Adding Your KTN to Miles&Smiles

Go to the Turkish Airlines website and log into your Miles&Smiles account. If you do not have a Miles&Smiles account, create one — it is free and takes about two minutes. Once logged in, click on "My Profile" or "Account Settings," depending on which version of the website you see.

Look for a section called "Travel Information," "Frequent Flyer Details," or "Preferences." This is where you enter your KTN. Paste your full TSA PreCheck number into the field labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "KTN." Save your changes. Turkish Airlines will now attach your KTN to every reservation you make under that Miles&Smiles account.

Adding Your KTN to an Existing Reservation

If you have already booked a Turkish Airlines flight and did not add your KTN during purchase, you can add it afterward. Log into your Miles&Smiles account, find your reservation under "My Bookings," and click to view the details.

Look for an option to edit your reservation or add frequent flyer information. Enter your KTN in the Known Traveler Number field and save. Turkish Airlines will update your reservation within a few hours. You can also call Turkish Airlines reservations at 1-800-874-8875 and ask an agent to add your KTN to your booking over the phone.

When Your KTN Appears on Your Boarding Pass

Once your KTN is linked to your reservation, it will print on your boarding pass in a field labeled "TSA PreCheck" or "Known Traveler Number." This happens automatically when you check in online or at the airport. The number tells TSA screening officers that you have passed a background check and are enrolled in the program.

Check your boarding pass before you go through security to make sure your KTN printed correctly. If it did not appear, tell a TSA officer at the checkpoint and provide your TSA PreCheck approval letter or your membership card. They can manually verify your enrollment in the system.

What Happens at Security if Your KTN Is on Your Boarding Pass

When TSA officers scan your boarding pass and see your KTN, you move to a TSA PreCheck security lane, which is usually shorter and faster than the standard line. You can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your carry-on bag, and go through the metal detector instead of the full-body scanner.

TSA PreCheck is available at most major U.S. airports, but not all. If you are flying out of a smaller airport, there may not be a dedicated PreCheck lane, and you will go through standard screening instead. Your KTN on the boarding pass does not hurt — it just means PreCheck is not available at that location.

Troubleshooting: KTN Not Showing on Your Boarding Pass

If you added your KTN to Miles&Smiles but it did not print on your boarding pass, wait at least 24 hours after you made the change. Turkish Airlines sometimes takes time to sync the information to their booking system. Then check in again online or at the airport.

If the KTN still does not appear, contact Turkish Airlines customer service before your flight. Have your reservation number, your full name, and your KTN ready. An agent can manually add it to your reservation. You can also bring your TSA PreCheck approval letter to the security checkpoint and show it to an officer, who can verify your enrollment without the KTN on your boarding pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need TSA PreCheck to fly Turkish Airlines?

No. TSA PreCheck is optional and costs money to enroll in. It speeds up security screening at U.S. airports but is not required to fly any airline, including Turkish Airlines. You can fly without it and go through standard security screening.

Will my KTN work on Turkish Airlines flights that connect through other airlines?

Your KTN will work on the Turkish Airlines portion of your trip. If you are connecting to a different airline, that airline must also have your KTN in their system to show it on your boarding pass for that leg. Add your KTN to the frequent flyer profiles of any other airlines you fly with regularly.

What if I have TSA PreCheck but no Miles&Smiles account?

Create a free Miles&Smiles account on the Turkish Airlines website, then add your KTN to your profile. You do not need to earn miles or spend money to use the account — it is just a way for Turkish Airlines to store your traveler information and attach it to your bookings.

Can I add my KTN at the airport if I forgot to do it online?

You can ask a Turkish Airlines agent at the ticket counter to add your KTN to your reservation, but there is no may provide they will have time to do it before your flight. It is safer to add it online before you arrive at the airport. If the agent cannot add it, show your TSA PreCheck approval letter to the TSA officer at security.