Link your TSA PreCheck or REAL ID number to American Airlines before you book

American Airlines does not have a separate "TSA Touchless ID" feature. What you can do is add your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) or your REAL ID driver's license information to your American Airlines frequent flyer profile. When you do this, the airline shares that information with TSA at check-in, which speeds up security screening and lets you use TSA PreCheck lanes if you have an active membership.

The process takes about five minutes and happens in your American Airlines account online or in the app. You will need your TSA PreCheck KTN (a nine-character number) or your state-issued REAL ID driver's license number. Once you add it, the information carries forward to every flight you book under that account.

Key Takeaways

  • Add your TSA PreCheck KTN or REAL ID information to your American Airlines profile through the website or mobile app under your frequent flyer account settings.
  • Your TSA PreCheck KTN is a nine-character number you receive when you enroll in TSA PreCheck; your REAL ID is your state driver's license marked as REAL ID compliant.
  • The information you add stays in your profile and applies to all future bookings under that account without you having to re-enter it.
  • American Airlines shares this information with TSA at check-in, which allows TSA to match you to your PreCheck membership or REAL ID status.

Where to find your TSA PreCheck KTN

Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a nine-character code issued when you enroll in TSA PreCheck. You can find it in several places: on your TSA PreCheck card (printed on the front), in your TSA PreCheck approval email, or in your account on the official TSA website at tsa.gov.

If you have enrolled in TSA PreCheck but cannot locate your KTN, log into your account at tsa.gov, click on "View process Status," and your KTN will appear on that page. If you have not enrolled in TSA PreCheck yet, you will need to do that first through tsa.gov before you can add it to American Airlines.

How to add TSA PreCheck to your American Airlines account online

Go to aa.com and sign into your AAdvantage frequent flyer account. Click on "My Account" or "Profile" (the exact label depends on which version of the website you see). Look for a section called "Travel Information," "Security Information," or "Known Traveler Number" — the label varies, but it will be grouped with your passport and ID settings.

Enter your nine-character TSA PreCheck KTN in the field provided. Save your changes. The system will confirm that your KTN has been added. You do not need to do anything else — American Airlines will include this information when you check in for your next flight.

How to add TSA PreCheck in the American Airlines app

Open the American Airlines app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select "Profile" or "Account Settings." Scroll down to find "Travel Documents," "Security Information," or "Known Traveler Number." Tap to edit that section.

Enter your TSA PreCheck KTN and save. The app will confirm the update. Like the website, this information will stay in your profile and be used for all future bookings and check-ins.

Adding REAL ID information instead of TSA PreCheck

If you do not have TSA PreCheck but your state has issued you a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, you can add that information to your American Airlines profile instead. REAL ID is a federal security standard for state-issued IDs; most states now issue REAL ID licenses by default, though some require you to request one.

In your American Airlines profile, look for a field labeled "REAL ID" or "State ID Number." Enter your driver's license number and the state that issued it. American Airlines will share this with TSA, which allows TSA to verify your identity more quickly at security, though you will still go through standard screening lines rather than PreCheck lanes.

What happens after you add your information

Once your TSA PreCheck KTN or REAL ID is in your American Airlines profile, the airline includes it in your reservation. When you check in at the airport or online, TSA receives this information and can match it to your PreCheck membership or REAL ID status. If you have an active TSA PreCheck membership, you will be able to use PreCheck security lanes.

You do not need to show anything extra or tell the agent that you added this information — it is already in the system. If for some reason TSA does not recognize you at security, you can show your TSA PreCheck card or your REAL ID driver's license as backup proof.

Troubleshooting: Your information is not showing up

If you added your KTN or REAL ID to American Airlines but it is not appearing at check-in, first verify that you saved your changes in your profile. Log back in and check that the information is still there. If it is, wait 24 hours — sometimes the system takes a day to sync with TSA's database.

If the information is still not working after 24 hours, contact American Airlines customer service or visit an airport ticket counter before security. They can manually add your KTN to your reservation. You can also contact TSA directly through tsa.gov to confirm that your PreCheck membership is active and your KTN is correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need TSA PreCheck to use this feature?

No. You can add either a TSA PreCheck KTN or REAL ID information. TSA PreCheck costs money and requires an in-person appointment, but it gives you access to faster security lanes. REAL ID is free if your state has already issued you a compliant license.

Will adding my information to American Airlines affect other airlines?

No. Each airline has its own profile system. You will need to add your TSA PreCheck KTN or REAL ID separately to each airline's frequent flyer account if you want the information to appear on all your bookings. TSA will still recognize your PreCheck membership regardless of which airline you fly.

What if I lose my TSA PreCheck card or my KTN changes?

If your TSA PreCheck membership expires or is revoked, log back into your American Airlines profile and remove the old KTN. If you renew your membership and receive a new KTN, update it in your profile. You can check your current KTN status anytime at tsa.gov.

Can I add both TSA PreCheck and REAL ID to the same account?

Yes. You can add both pieces of information to your profile. TSA will use whichever one is most relevant at the time of your flight. If you have an active TSA PreCheck membership, that takes priority.