Connect Your TSA PreCheck Number to United in Three Steps

You can link your TSA PreCheck membership to your United Airlines account through the United website or mobile app. Once connected, your Known Traveler Number (KTN) will appear on your boarding pass automatically, letting you use TSA PreCheck lanes at security. The process takes about five minutes and requires your TSA PreCheck number, which you received when you enrolled in the program.

United does not charge a fee to add TSA PreCheck to your account — it straightforward stores your KTN so the airline can print it on your boarding passes. You only need to do this once per account, and it applies to all future bookings unless you remove it.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your Known Traveler Number (KTN) from your TSA PreCheck enrollment confirmation before you start.
  • The fastest way to add TSA PreCheck is through the United website under your profile settings, not at the airport.
  • Your KTN will print on every boarding pass once it is linked, but only if you are flying on a United ticket.
  • If your TSA PreCheck number does not appear on your boarding pass, contact United customer service to verify the number was saved correctly.

Find Your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN is a nine-character code that TSA issued when you completed your PreCheck enrollment and paid the fee. You can find it in several places: your TSA PreCheck approval email, your trusted traveler card (if you received a physical card), or the TSA website under your account.

Go to the TSA website, sign in with your login credentials, and look for your membership details. Your KTN will be listed there. If you cannot find your number or do not remember your TSA account password, use the "Forgot Password" option on the TSA site before you try to add it to United.

Add Your KTN Through the United Website

Log in to your United account at united.com. Click on your name or profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Profile" or "Account Settings" depending on which version of the website you see. Look for a section called "Frequent Flyer Information," "Travel Documents," or "Known Traveler Number" — the exact label varies by account type.

Paste or type your nine-character KTN into the field. Double-check that you entered it correctly, with no extra spaces or characters. Click "Save" or "Update." United will confirm that the number was saved. You should see your KTN displayed in your profile within a few minutes.

Add Your KTN Through the United Mobile App

Open the United app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Select "Profile" or "My Account." Scroll down to find "Known Traveler Number" or "TSA PreCheck." Tap the field and enter your nine-character KTN.

Verify the number one more time before you save it. Tap "Save" or "Done." The app will confirm the update. If you do not see a field for your KTN in the app, use the website method instead — not all app versions display this option.

Verify Your KTN Appears on Your Boarding Pass

Book a test flight or check a recent booking to confirm your KTN printed correctly. Go to "Manage My Booking" on the United website or app, enter your confirmation code and last name, and view your boarding pass. Scroll down or look at the bottom of the pass — your KTN should appear in a line that says "TSA PreCheck" or lists your known traveler number.

If your KTN does not show up on your boarding pass, log back into your profile and verify that the number was saved. Common mistakes include adding a space in the middle of the number, using the letter O instead of zero, or entering an expired KTN. If the number looks correct in your profile but still is not printing on your pass, contact United customer service by phone or chat — they can manually verify the number in their system.

What to Do If Your TSA PreCheck Expires

TSA PreCheck membership lasts five years from the date you enrolled. When your membership is about to expire, TSA will send you a renewal notice. You must renew your TSA PreCheck directly with TSA — United cannot renew it for you. Once you renew and receive your new KTN, log back into your United account and update the number.

If you fly on an expired KTN, TSA will not let you use the PreCheck lane, even if the number is on your boarding pass. Update your United profile as soon as you receive your new KTN to avoid confusion at the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to add TSA PreCheck to United, or will it work automatically?

You must add your KTN to your United account for it to print on your boarding pass. TSA PreCheck membership and United membership are separate — United has no way to know your KTN unless you tell them. Without your number on your pass, you cannot use the PreCheck lane even if you are a member.

Can I add TSA PreCheck to someone else's United account?

No. Each person must add their own KTN to their own United account. If you are booking a flight for a family member, they need to create their own United account and add their own TSA PreCheck number. You can still book them on the same reservation, but their KTN will only appear on their boarding pass.

What if I have Global Entry instead of TSA PreCheck?

Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits, so you have a KTN. Add it to United the same way — Global Entry members use the same PreCheck lanes. Your KTN will be listed in your Global Entry enrollment documents.

Will my KTN work on flights with other airlines?

Yes. Your TSA PreCheck membership works at any U.S. airport and with any airline. However, you must add your KTN to each airline's account separately for it to print on their boarding passes. Add it to United, then repeat the process with American, Delta, Southwest, or any other airline you fly with regularly.

What happens if I enter the wrong KTN?

If you enter an incorrect number, it will not print on your boarding pass, and you will not be able to use the PreCheck lane. Log back into your United account, delete the wrong number, and enter the correct one. Make sure you are copying directly from your TSA confirmation email or the TSA website to avoid typos.