How to add TSA PreCheck® after booking
Quick insights
- You’re granted access to the TSA PreCheck line when the TSA PreCheck logo or the words “TSA PRE” appear on your boarding pass.
- If you add your Known Traveler Number to your flight reservation, the airline will typically update your boarding pass to indicate your TSA PreCheck status.
- Each airline has their own process for adding TSA PreCheck to your ticket.
If you have TSA PreCheck, you probably know that it may offer a streamlined experience at airport security, but you only get this perk if you provide the relevant TSA PreCheck information when booking your air travel. If you forget to add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) or receive it after your booking, it’s still possible to add it to your airline ticket.
In this article, we’ll explore how to add TSA PreCheck after your booking with four major airline carriers.
How to get TSA PreCheck
If you’re not already a member of this program, you may be wondering how to get TSA PreCheck. First, you can pre-enroll through the TSA website to begin the application process. The next step is to schedule an appointment at an enrollment center to provide documentation and undergo fingerprinting.
The application fee is due at this appointment, and the cost may vary based on the enrollment provider you use. Some credit cards may reimburse you for the TSA PreCheck application fee. For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card.
TSA will then conduct a background check to determine if you’re eligible. If you’re eligible, you’ll be issued a KTN. Your TSA PreCheck membership lasts for five years.
You typically get the perks of membership if you follow the airline’s process for adding TSA PreCheck to your boarding pass. The process differs across airlines, but you typically need to locate your KTN and provide it for the airline regardless of who you fly with.
You’ll know you’ve successfully added TSA PreCheck when the logo appears on your boarding pass or it says “TSA PRE.”
Process for adding TSA PreCheck after booking
The steps you take to add TSA PreCheck after you’ve purchased your airfare can vary based on the airline. Several airlines have webpages dedicated to TSA PreCheck that may provide the most current instructions on how to add your KTN number after you’ve booked the ticket. This page is usually a good starting point.
You may be able to add your KTN number through the airline’s website or app. The process typically begins by locating the “My Trips,” “Manage Reservations” or a similar section on the website in the navigation menu. Additionally, you may also be able to update the information by finding your account profile and following prompts to add or edit your information.
Some airlines have loyalty programs where you can usually save your KTN number as part of your profile. Then, your KTN number will automatically populate on any future bookings you make through your account.
In summary
It’s still possible to add your TSA PreCheck number to your flight reservation after the fact, but each airline has their own process for how to do it. The airline’s website usually has the most up-to-date information regarding how to add TSA PreCheck information to an existing reservation. Many airlines will automatically add your KTN to any future bookings when you save this information in your account profile.
