Add your TSA PreCheck to American Airlines during booking or in your account settings

You can link your TSA PreCheck number to American Airlines in two places: when you book a flight, or afterward in your existing reservation. American Airlines calls this your Known Traveler Number (KTN). The airline uses it to flag your boarding pass at check-in, which tells TSA screeners you have already been vetted. Without the number on your reservation, you will not get the TSA PreCheck lane at security, even if you hold an active membership.

The fastest route is to add it during booking, before you complete your purchase. If you have already booked, you can add it to that reservation through the American Airlines website or app without rebooking. Either way, the number must match exactly what TSA has on file — any typo will break the link.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck number must be added to each American Airlines reservation separately; it does not automatically carry over from one booking to the next.
  • You can add the number during checkout when you book, or edit an existing reservation through the American Airlines website or mobile app.
  • The number you enter must match your TSA records exactly, including any letters or numbers, or the system will not recognize it.
  • American Airlines calls this field "Known Traveler Number" or "KTN" — it is the same thing as your TSA PreCheck membership number.

Adding TSA PreCheck during booking

When you are on the American Airlines website or app building your itinerary, you will reach a page that asks for passenger details. Look for a field labeled Known Traveler Number, KTN, or TSA PreCheck — the label varies slightly depending on which device or browser you are using. Enter your nine-digit TSA PreCheck number in that field. Do not include spaces or dashes, even if your membership card shows them that way.

If you do not see the field on the first try, scroll down or check whether you are on the right step of the booking flow. Some versions of the American Airlines site hide it under a link that says "Add known traveler information" or "TSA PreCheck." Once you enter the number and complete your booking, it will be saved to that reservation.

Adding TSA PreCheck to an existing reservation

If you have already booked your flight without adding the number, you can edit your reservation at any time before you check in. Go to the American Airlines website and select "Manage My Booking." Enter your confirmation number and last name, then click into your reservation.

Look for a section labeled "Passenger Information" or "Trip Details." You should see a field for Known Traveler Number or KTN. Click to edit it, type in your nine-digit TSA PreCheck number, and save the changes. The update takes effect when ready. You do not need to call American Airlines or visit the airport to make this change.

Adding it through the American Airlines app

Open the American Airlines app and tap "Manage Reservations" or "My Trips." Sign in with your confirmation number and last name, or log into your AAdvantage account if you have one. Find the flight you want to edit and tap into the reservation details.

Scroll to the passenger information section and look for the Known Traveler Number field. Tap to edit, enter your TSA PreCheck number, and save. The app will confirm the update was successful. If you do not see the field, make sure you are tapping on the correct passenger name — you may need to add the number for each traveler separately if you booked multiple people on the same flight.

What happens if you forget to add it

If your reservation does not have your TSA PreCheck number, your boarding pass will not show the TSA PreCheck indicator, and you will go through standard security screening instead of the PreCheck lane. You can still add the number up until you check in at the airport, either online or at the ticket counter, though doing it at the counter may delay your check-in.

The safest approach is to add it as soon as you book, or to check your reservation the day before your flight to make sure it is there. American Airlines does not automatically pull your TSA PreCheck number from your AAdvantage account, so you have to enter it manually for each trip.

Making sure the number is correct

Your TSA PreCheck number is a nine-digit code that TSA issued when you completed your background check and paid the fee. You can find it on your TSA PreCheck card, in your TSA account online at tsa.gov, or in confirmation emails TSA sent you when you enrolled. Write it down before you start your American Airlines booking so you do not have to hunt for it.

When you type it into American Airlines, enter it exactly as it appears — no spaces, no dashes, no extra characters. If you have a hyphen or space on your card, leave it out in the booking field. A single wrong digit will prevent the system from matching your reservation to your TSA record, and you will lose the PreCheck benefit for that flight.

Linking TSA PreCheck to your AAdvantage account

American Airlines also lets you save your TSA PreCheck number to your AAdvantage frequent-flyer account. Log into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website, go to "Profile" or "Account Settings," and look for a section on "Known Traveler Information" or "TSA PreCheck." Enter your number there and save it.

Saving it to your account can speed up future bookings — some versions of the American Airlines site will auto-fill the field when you book if it is already in your profile. However, this does not mean the number will automatically appear on every reservation. You should still verify that it is there before each flight, because the system does not always carry it over from your profile to your booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to add my TSA PreCheck number to every American Airlines flight?

Yes. The number does not carry over between bookings. Each reservation needs its own entry. If you save it to your AAdvantage profile, American Airlines may auto-fill it on future bookings, but you should check to make sure it is there before you fly.

What if I do not have my TSA PreCheck number with me?

Log into your TSA account at tsa.gov with your username and password, and your membership number will be displayed on your dashboard. You can also check your TSA PreCheck card, your enrollment confirmation email, or call TSA at 1-855-347-8371 to confirm your number.

Can I add TSA PreCheck at the airport if I forgot to add it online?

Yes, but it may slow down your check-in. Go to the American Airlines ticket counter and tell the agent you want to add your Known Traveler Number to your reservation. They can update it before printing your boarding pass, though this takes longer than doing it online beforehand.

Will adding my TSA PreCheck number to American Airlines work at other airlines?

No. You must add your TSA PreCheck number separately to each airline you fly with. The number itself is valid across all airlines, but each airline maintains its own reservation system and does not share the information.

What if my boarding pass does not show TSA PreCheck even though I added the number?

Check that the number you entered matches your TSA record exactly. If it does, contact American Airlines before your flight to have them verify the entry. Sometimes a typo or system delay can prevent the indicator from appearing, and the airline can fix it at the counter.