Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so you use the same Known Traveler Number

When you enroll in Global Entry, you automatically receive TSA PreCheck as part of the membership. You do not need to pay for both or enroll separately. Global Entry costs $100 for five years and covers expedited screening at U.S. airports plus expedited customs and immigration processing when you return to the country. TSA PreCheck is included in that single membership.

To use TSA PreCheck at airport security, you enter your Known Traveler Number (KTN) — the nine-digit code you receive when Global Entry is approved — into your airline booking. The TSA then flags your reservation, and when you arrive at the airport, you go through a dedicated PreCheck lane instead of the standard security line.

The PreCheck lane moves faster because the TSA screens you less intensively. You keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. You leave laptops and liquids in your bag. You go through the metal detector instead of the full-body scanner in most cases. The whole process typically takes 5 to 10 minutes instead of 20 to 40.

Key Takeaways

  • Global Entry membership automatically includes TSA PreCheck; you receive one Known Traveler Number that works for both programs.
  • You must enter your Known Traveler Number into each airline booking to use PreCheck screening at the airport.
  • PreCheck screening lets you keep shoes and jackets on, leave electronics and liquids in your bag, and usually skip the full-body scanner.
  • Global Entry costs $100 for five years and requires an in-person interview at a Global Entry enrollment center or a select airport.
  • If you book through a travel agent or third-party site, you may need to add your Known Traveler Number manually after purchase.

Where to find and enter your Known Traveler Number

Your Known Traveler Number appears in your Global Entry approval email and in your account on the Trusted Traveler Programs website (trustedtraveler.cbp.dhs.gov). Log in with the same username and password you created during enrollment. The KTN is a nine-digit code; write it down or save it somewhere you can find it quickly.

When you book a flight, enter your KTN in the "Known Traveler Number" field during checkout. Most major airlines — United, American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, and others — have this field on their booking pages. If you book directly with the airline's website or app, the field is usually near where you enter your frequent-flyer number.

If you book through a travel agent, a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, or a corporate travel system, you may not see the KTN field during checkout. In that case, log into your airline account after you book and add the number to your reservation. Most airlines let you do this in the "Manage My Booking" or "Trip Details" section. Call the airline if you cannot find where to add it.

What happens when you arrive at the airport with PreCheck

When you check in and head to security, look for the lane marked "TSA PreCheck" or "PreCheck." It is usually near the standard security checkpoint but separate. Hand your ID and boarding pass to the TSA officer. Because your KTN is in the system, your boarding pass will have a TSA PreCheck indicator — usually a small logo or the letters "TSA PRE✓" printed on it.

In the PreCheck lane, you move through these steps: place your carry-on bag on the belt, put your personal item (backpack, purse) on the belt, and walk through the metal detector. You do not need to remove shoes, socks, belts, light jackets, or hoodies. You do not need to take out your laptop, tablet, or liquids bag. You keep your phone and keys in your pocket if you want.

After you pass through the metal detector, collect your bags and move on. The whole process is usually done in under 10 minutes. On busy travel days, PreCheck lines are noticeably shorter than standard lines, even though the screening itself is faster.

What to do if your Known Traveler Number is not working

Sometimes your KTN does not appear on your boarding pass even though you entered it correctly. This usually means the airline's system did not sync with the TSA's database, or you entered the number in the wrong field. First, double-check that you entered the nine-digit number exactly as it appears in your Global Entry account — no spaces, no dashes, no extra characters.

If the number is correct, log into your airline account and check your reservation. Some airlines require you to add the KTN to your profile first, and then it automatically applies to all future bookings. If it is not in your profile, add it there and rebook or modify your reservation.

If you are already at the airport and your boarding pass does not show the PreCheck indicator, go to the airline's ticket counter or customer service desk before you head to security. They can reprint your boarding pass with the KTN included. If that does not work, you can still go through standard security — you will not be penalized, but you will not get the faster screening.

How Global Entry enrollment works and what you need

To get Global Entry and its included TSA PreCheck benefit, you must complete an enrollment process. The process is free and takes about 10 minutes on the Trusted Traveler Programs website. You will need your passport or passport card number, your Social Security number, and a valid U.S. driver's license or state ID.

After you submit the process, the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) reviews it, usually within a few days. If approved, you pay the $100 fee and schedule an in-person interview. The interview is brief — typically 5 to 10 minutes — and happens at a Global Entry enrollment center or at select airports. During the interview, a CBP officer verifies your identity, takes your fingerprints, and answers any questions.

Once the interview is complete, you receive your Known Traveler Number when ready. You can start using it for TSA PreCheck right away, even before your Global Entry card arrives in the mail. The card itself takes 2 to 4 weeks to arrive and is used for expedited customs processing when you return from international travel.

PreCheck benefits at different airports and airlines

TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 U.S. airports, including all major hubs. However, not every airport has a dedicated PreCheck lane. At smaller airports, PreCheck screening may happen in the standard security line but with the same relaxed rules — you still keep your shoes on and leave your laptop in your bag.

Every U.S. airline honors TSA PreCheck, including legacy carriers (United, American, Delta, Southwest), low-cost carriers (Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant), and regional carriers. If you fly internationally on a U.S. carrier, you get PreCheck screening at the U.S. airport before departure. When you return from abroad, you use your Global Entry membership for expedited customs processing, which is a separate benefit.

Some airports also offer Real ID lanes, which are separate from PreCheck. Real ID is a federal ID standard; if your driver's license is Real ID compliant, you can use those lanes. PreCheck is faster than Real ID lanes in most cases, so PreCheck is the better benefit if you have both.

Keeping your Known Traveler Number active and up to date

Your Global Entry membership lasts five years from the date of your in-person interview. Your Known Traveler Number does not change during that time. You can use the same KTN for every flight you book within those five years.

About six months before your Global Entry membership expires, you will receive a notice from the Trusted Traveler Programs website. You can renew online for $100 and skip the in-person interview if you have not been arrested or convicted of any crime since your last enrollment. If you have, you will need another interview.

If you change your name — through marriage, legal change, or other means — update your Global Entry account on the Trusted Traveler Programs website. Your KTN stays the same, but your name in the system must match your current ID and airline reservations, or the TSA may not recognize you at security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use someone else's Known Traveler Number on my boarding pass?

No. Your KTN is tied to your identity and your Global Entry membership. Using someone else's number is fraud and can result in criminal charges. Each person who wants PreCheck benefits must enroll in Global Entry separately.

What if I forgot to add my Known Traveler Number when I booked my flight?

Log into your airline account and add it to your reservation before you check in. Most airlines let you do this up to 24 hours before departure. If you are already at the airport, go to the ticket counter and ask them to add it and reprint your boarding pass.

Do I need Global Entry to use TSA PreCheck, or can I buy PreCheck alone?

You can buy TSA PreCheck alone for $78 to $85 for five years, but Global Entry is a better value. Global Entry costs $100 and includes PreCheck plus expedited customs and immigration processing. If you travel internationally at all, Global Entry pays for itself.

Will my child get PreCheck if I have Global Entry?

No. Children need their own Global Entry membership or their own TSA PreCheck enrollment. Children under 12 can go through PreCheck lanes with an adult who has PreCheck, but they do not get their own KTN. Teenagers 13 and older must enroll separately.

What happens if my boarding pass does not show the PreCheck indicator?

You can still go through standard security, but you will not get the faster screening. Before you leave home, check that your KTN is in your airline account. At the airport, ask the ticket counter to reprint your boarding pass with the KTN included.