Add Your TSA PreCheck Number to an Existing United Reservation

You can add your TSA PreCheck number to a United flight you've already booked by logging into your United account, finding your reservation, and entering your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in the passenger details section. This takes about two minutes and doesn't require calling United or changing your ticket. The change appears in your reservation when ready and will show on your boarding pass at the airport.

The easiest time to add TSA PreCheck is right after you book, but you can do it anytime before your flight—even the day you travel. United keeps your TSA PreCheck information on file once you add it, so future bookings will ask if you want to use the same number.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your United account, select "Manage Reservations," find your booking, and click "Edit Passenger Information" to add your TSA PreCheck number.
  • Your TSA PreCheck number is the Known Traveler Number (KTN) printed on your TSA PreCheck card or available in your TSA account online.
  • Adding your number before check-in ensures it appears on your boarding pass, which is what TSA agents scan at security.
  • United stores your TSA PreCheck number in your profile after you enter it once, so you won't have to type it for every booking.
  • If you don't see the TSA PreCheck field when editing your reservation, your flight may be operated by a partner airline with different systems.

Step-by-Step: Finding Your Reservation and Adding the Number

Start by going to united.com and signing into your account with your email and password. Once you're logged in, look for "Manage Reservations" in the top menu or under "My Trips." Enter your confirmation code (the six-letter code from your booking email) and the last name on the ticket, then click "Find Reservation."

When your reservation appears, look for a button or link that says "Edit Passenger Information," "Manage Passengers," or "Add Known Traveler Number." Click it. You'll see a form with fields for each passenger on your booking. Find the passenger field for yourself and look for a box labeled "Known Traveler Number," "KTN," or "TSA PreCheck." Paste or type your TSA PreCheck number there, then save the changes. The system will confirm the update within seconds.

If you don't see a TSA PreCheck field, scroll down—some versions of the United website hide it below other passenger details. If it still doesn't appear, your flight may be operated by a partner airline (like Air Canada or Lufthansa on a United-booked ticket), and those airlines manage their own systems. In that case, you may need to add your number directly through the partner airline's website using your booking confirmation.

Where to Find Your Known Traveler Number

Your Known Traveler Number is printed on the front of your TSA PreCheck card, usually in the upper right corner. It's a nine-character code that starts with a letter. If you don't have your card handy, you can find your KTN by logging into your TSA account at tsa.gov. Click "View Your process Status," sign in with your credentials, and your KTN will appear on the status page.

Make sure you're copying the KTN, not your process number or receipt number—they're different codes. The KTN is what airlines need to print the TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass. If you recently renewed your TSA PreCheck, use the new KTN from your new card, not the old one.

What Happens After You Add Your Number

Once you've saved your TSA PreCheck number in your United reservation, the system updates your booking record. When you check in online or at the airport, your boarding pass will display "TSA PreCheck" or a TSA PreCheck indicator (usually a checkmark or the TSA logo) in the barcode area. This tells TSA agents at security that you're enrolled and may be able to access for expedited screening.

You don't need to do anything else—no special forms, no extra steps at the airport. Just show your boarding pass and ID at the TSA PreCheck lane, and you'll go through the faster screening process. If your boarding pass doesn't show the TSA PreCheck indicator after you've added your number, contact United before your flight to confirm the number was saved correctly.

Adding TSA PreCheck to Your United Profile for Future Bookings

After you add your TSA PreCheck number to one reservation, United asks if you want to save it to your profile. If you click "Yes" or "Save to Profile," the number stays in your account, and United will automatically offer to add it to every future booking you make. This saves you from typing it in each time.

You can also add your TSA PreCheck number to your profile without making a booking. Log into your United account, go to "Profile" or "Account Settings," and look for a section called "Travel Information" or "Known Traveler Number." Enter your KTN there, and it will be available for all future reservations. You can update or remove it anytime from the same section.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is entering the wrong number. Double-check that you're using your KTN (the nine-character code on your TSA PreCheck card), not your TSA process number or receipt number. If you enter the wrong number, your boarding pass won't show the TSA PreCheck indicator, and you'll miss the expedited line at security.

Another mistake is adding your number too late. While you can add it anytime before your flight, some airports print boarding passes at the gate if you check in very close to departure, and those gate-printed passes may not include the TSA PreCheck indicator. Add your number at least a few hours before your flight, or check in online 24 hours before departure to may support your boarding pass is generated with the indicator included.

If you recently renewed your TSA PreCheck, make sure you're using the new KTN from your new card, not the old one. Old KTNs stop working once your enrollment expires, so using an expired number won't get you into the TSA PreCheck lane.

What to Do If the TSA PreCheck Field Doesn't Appear

If you can't find a place to enter your TSA PreCheck number on United's website, the most likely reason is that your flight is operated by a partner airline. United sells tickets on flights operated by airlines like Air Canada, Lufthansa, and others, and those airlines manage their own reservation systems. In that case, you'll need to add your TSA PreCheck number through the partner airline's website instead.

Check your booking confirmation email to see which airline is operating the flight. If it's not United, visit that airline's website, find your reservation using your confirmation code, and add your TSA PreCheck number there. Some partner airlines don't offer TSA PreCheck integration at all, in which case you can't add it to that particular booking—but you can still use TSA PreCheck at the airport by showing your TSA PreCheck card and ID at the security checkpoint.

If you're unsure whether your flight is operated by United or a partner, call United customer service at 1-800-864-8331. They can tell you which airline operates your flight and walk you through adding your TSA PreCheck number if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add TSA PreCheck to my reservation if I haven't received my card yet?

No—you need your actual KTN to add it to a United booking, and you only get that number once your TSA PreCheck is approved and your card is mailed to you. If your process is still pending, you can add your TSA PreCheck number to your reservation once the card arrives. You can check your process status at tsa.gov to see when it's been approved.

What if I add the wrong TSA PreCheck number by mistake?

Log back into your United reservation, go to "Edit Passenger Information," and replace the incorrect number with the correct one. Save the changes, and your boarding pass will update. Do this as soon as you notice the error to make sure the correct number appears on your boarding pass before your flight.

Do I have to add TSA PreCheck to every United booking, or does it stay in my account?

Once you add your TSA PreCheck number to your United profile, it automatically appears on all future bookings. You won't have to enter it again unless you change it or let your TSA PreCheck enrollment expire. You can always remove it from your profile if you no longer want it on your bookings.

Will adding TSA PreCheck to my reservation change my ticket price or seat assignment?

No. Adding your TSA PreCheck number doesn't change anything about your ticket—not the price, the seat, the flight time, or any other detail. It only updates your boarding pass to show that you're TSA PreCheck enrolled, which lets you use the expedited security line at the airport.

What if my boarding pass doesn't show TSA PreCheck even though I added the number?

Contact United before your flight to confirm your KTN was saved correctly. If the number is correct in your reservation but doesn't appear on your boarding pass, there may be a system issue. United can reissue your boarding pass with the TSA PreCheck indicator, or you can show your TSA PreCheck card and ID directly at the security checkpoint to access the expedited line.