Link Your TSA PreCheck Number to United Before You Book

You add TSA PreCheck to your United Airlines account by entering your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your United profile. United does not issue TSA PreCheck — the Transportation Security Administration does — but once you have your own KTN, linking it to United takes about two minutes and makes sure the airline includes it on your boarding pass. Without that step, TSA PreCheck benefits do not appear at airport security, even if you have paid for and received the credential.

The process works the same whether you are a new United customer or already have a frequent flyer account. You can add your KTN before you book a flight, or after, as long as you do it before you check in. If you add it after booking, United will reprint your boarding pass with the KTN included.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Known Traveler Number comes from TSA PreCheck itself, not from United, and you must obtain it separately through the TSA before you can link it to any airline.
  • You enter your KTN in the "Frequent Traveler" or "Known Traveler Number" field in your United profile under account settings, and it takes effect when ready.
  • Adding your KTN to United does not cost money and does not change your TSA PreCheck status — it only tells the airline to print the number on your boarding pass.
  • If you forget to add your KTN before check-in, you can still add it at the airport, but the boarding pass will not reflect it and you may not receive TSA PreCheck screening.

Where to Find Your Known Traveler Number

Your KTN is a nine-character code that TSA sends you after you complete the TSA PreCheck process and in-person appointment. It arrives in an email from TSA, usually within two to three weeks after your appointment, though timing varies. The email subject line says "TSA PreCheck process Status" and includes your KTN in the body of the message.

If you cannot find the email, log into your TSA PreCheck account at universalenroll.dhs.gov. Click "View My process Status" and your KTN will appear on that page. You can also call the TSA PreCheck enrollment center at 855-347-8371 and provide your process number to have your KTN read to you over the phone.

Write down your KTN or copy it exactly — the number must match what TSA issued, or United will not recognize it. Do not add spaces, dashes, or extra characters.

Steps to Add Your KTN to Your United Account

On the United website: Log into your United account at united.com. Click on your name or profile icon in the top right corner and select "Profile Settings" or "Account." Look for a section labeled "Frequent Traveler Information," "Known Traveler Number," or "TSA PreCheck." Paste or type your nine-character KTN into that field. Click "Save" or "Update." The change takes effect when ready.

On the United mobile app: Open the app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Select "Profile" or "Account Settings." Scroll to "Frequent Traveler Information" or "Known Traveler Number." Enter your KTN and tap "Save." The app will confirm the update.

By phone: Call United reservations at 1-800-864-8331. Tell the agent you want to add your TSA PreCheck number to your account. Provide your frequent flyer number (or name and date of birth if you do not have one) and your KTN. The agent will add it to your profile and confirm it is saved.

When to Add Your KTN — Before or After Booking

You can add your KTN at any point: before you book a flight, after you book but before check-in, or even after you check in online. The timing does not matter for your account, but it matters for your boarding pass.

If you add your KTN before you book or when ready after, your boarding pass will print with the KTN included when you check in online or at the airport. If you add it after you have already checked in, you need to request a new boarding pass at the airport ticket counter or kiosk so the airline can reprint it with your KTN. Without the KTN on the physical or digital boarding pass, TSA screeners will not see it and you will not receive TSA PreCheck screening, even though your account has the number.

What Happens After You Add Your KTN

Once your KTN is linked to your United account, it stays there. Every time you book a flight on United under that account, the airline will automatically include your KTN on your boarding pass — you do not have to re-enter it for each flight. If you book a flight on a different airline, you will need to add your KTN to that airline's account separately, because each airline maintains its own system.

At airport security, TSA screeners will scan your boarding pass and see your KTN. If everything matches their records, you will be directed to the TSA PreCheck lane, where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and move through security faster. If your KTN does not appear on your boarding pass, screeners will not see it and you will go through standard security screening.

Troubleshooting: Your KTN Is Not Showing on Your Boarding Pass

If you added your KTN to United but it does not appear on your boarding pass, check these things: First, make sure you entered the number correctly — compare it character by character to the email from TSA. Second, confirm that you saved the change in your United profile; sometimes the system requires you to click a confirmation button or link in an email. Third, if you checked in online before adding your KTN, your boarding pass was already generated without it. Request a new boarding pass at the airport kiosk or ticket counter and the new one should include your KTN.

If you added your KTN more than a few days ago and it still does not appear on new boarding passes, call United at 1-800-864-8331 and ask an agent to verify that your KTN is saved correctly in their system. Sometimes a typo or system glitch prevents the number from syncing. The agent can check your profile and correct it if needed.

Adding Your KTN If You Do Not Have a United Account Yet

You can add your KTN when you create your United account for the first time. During the account setup process, United will ask for frequent traveler information. Enter your KTN in the "Known Traveler Number" field at that point. If you skip that step during signup, you can add it later by following the steps in the "Steps to Add Your KTN to Your United Account" section above.

You do not need a United account to have TSA PreCheck — TSA PreCheck is independent of any airline. But linking your KTN to United (or any airline you fly with regularly) makes sure the number appears on your boarding pass every time you book with that airline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay United to add my TSA PreCheck number?

No. Adding your KTN to your United account is free. You pay TSA for TSA PreCheck itself (currently $78 to $85 for five years, depending on your state), but the airline does not charge to link your number to your profile.

What if I have TSA PreCheck but do not have a United account?

You can still use TSA PreCheck at the airport — just show your boarding pass and TSA PreCheck card or ID to the screener. However, if your KTN is not on your boarding pass, the screener may not see it. Creating a free United account and adding your KTN ensures the number prints on every boarding pass, so screeners will always know you have TSA PreCheck.

Can I add my spouse's or child's TSA PreCheck number to my United account?

No. Each person needs their own United account with their own KTN. You cannot add someone else's TSA PreCheck number to your profile. If you are traveling with family, each family member should create their own United account and add their own KTN.

Will adding my KTN to United affect my TSA PreCheck status?

No. Your TSA PreCheck status is managed by TSA, not by United. Adding your KTN to United straightforward tells the airline to print the number on your boarding pass. It does not change your TSA PreCheck credential, expiration date, or any other aspect of your TSA PreCheck account.

What if I lose my TSA PreCheck and need to renew it?

When you renew TSA PreCheck with TSA, you will receive a new KTN. You will then need to update your United account with the new number. Log into your United profile and replace the old KTN with the new one. The change takes effect when ready.