Add your TSA PreCheck number to United in three steps

Open the United app, go to your profile settings, and enter your Known Traveler Number (KTN) — the nine-digit code on your TSA PreCheck card or approval notice. United then displays this number on your boarding pass so TSA officers can see it at security. The process takes about two minutes and works whether you booked through United or another airline.

Your KTN must match exactly what TSA has on file. If you enter it wrong, the app will not flag the error, but TSA will not recognize it at the checkpoint. Check your card or the approval letter you received when TSA PreCheck was granted.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Known Traveler Number is a nine-digit code printed on your TSA PreCheck card or included in your approval notice email.
  • The United app stores your KTN in your profile so it automatically appears on every boarding pass you generate through the app.
  • Entering your KTN in the app does not change your TSA PreCheck status — it only tells United to display the number on your pass.
  • If you book a flight on another airline's website, you may need to enter your KTN separately with that airline for it to show on that boarding pass.

Where to find your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN appears in two places. If you have a physical TSA PreCheck card, the nine-digit number is printed on the front. If you do not have the card yet or cannot locate it, check the email TSA sent when your process was approved — the approval notice includes your KTN.

Do not confuse your KTN with your process receipt number. The receipt number is what TSA gave you when you first submitted your process. Your KTN is what you use at the airport and in airline apps.

Steps to add your KTN in the United app

Step 1: Open the United app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner.

Step 2: Select "Profile" or "My Account," then look for "Frequent Flyer" or "Traveler Information." The exact label varies depending on your app version.

Step 3: Find the field labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "KTN" and enter your nine-digit number. Save your changes.

Once saved, your KTN will appear on every boarding pass you create in the app going forward. If you book a flight through United's website instead of the app, you may need to enter your KTN separately during checkout — the app and website do not always share this information.

What happens after you add your KTN

United prints your KTN on your boarding pass in a small box, usually near your name or confirmation number. TSA officers scan or read this number at the security checkpoint to confirm you have an active TSA PreCheck membership. If the number matches their records, you move to the TSA PreCheck lane where you can keep shoes, belt, and light jacket on.

Adding your KTN to the app does not speed up the process of getting TSA PreCheck itself — you must have already completed your TSA PreCheck process and been approved before the number appears. The app straightforward displays what you already have.

If your KTN does not appear on your boarding pass

Check that you entered the number correctly in your profile. A single wrong digit means TSA will not find it in their system. Log back into your profile, delete what you entered, and type it again carefully, comparing each digit to your card or approval email.

If the number is correct but still does not show on your pass, sign out of the United app completely and sign back in. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to display the updated information. If you booked your flight on another airline's website, that airline's system controls what appears on the boarding pass — United's app cannot change it.

Adding KTN when you book a flight

If you book a flight through the United app after you have saved your KTN to your profile, the number should appear automatically on your boarding pass. You do not need to enter it again.

If you book through United's website instead of the app, you may see a separate field asking for your KTN during checkout. Enter it there as well. Some travelers save time by adding it to their United account profile on the website — similar to the app — so it fills in automatically on every booking.

Updating or removing your KTN

If your TSA PreCheck expires or you renew it and receive a new KTN, go back to your profile in the United app and update the number. Delete the old one and enter the new one. This ensures your boarding passes show the current, valid number.

If you no longer have TSA PreCheck or want to remove the number from your profile, you can delete it from your profile settings. Removing it from the app does not affect your TSA PreCheck status with the government — it only stops United from printing it on your passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need TSA PreCheck before I add my KTN to the United app?

Yes. You must have completed your TSA PreCheck process, been approved, and received your KTN before you can add it to the app. If you have not applied yet, you will need to do that through TSA's official website first.

Will adding my KTN to the app automatically add it to flights I already booked?

No. Your KTN will appear on new boarding passes you create after you save it to your profile. For flights you booked before adding your KTN, you may need to check in again through the app or website to generate a new boarding pass that includes the number.

What if I book a United flight through a third-party website like Expedia?

The United app cannot control what appears on boarding passes for flights booked elsewhere. You will need to enter your KTN directly with that third-party site or contact United customer service to add it after booking.

Can I use the same KTN on other airline apps?

Yes. Your KTN is issued by TSA and works with every airline. You can add it to the apps for American, Delta, Southwest, and any other carrier. Each airline stores it separately in their system.

What if my TSA PreCheck expires?

TSA will send you a renewal notice before your membership expires. Once you renew and receive your new KTN, update it in the United app by going to your profile and replacing the old number with the new one.