Adding TSA PreCheck® after booking a flight: What to know

If you’re traveling soon but didn’t add your TSA PreCheck® information when booking the flight, you may still be able to add it to your boarding pass. Understanding how to use TSA PreCheck® benefits could help you move through airport security faster the next time you travel.

What you’ll learn:

• If you didn’t include your TSA PreCheck® information when you booked a flight, you may be able to update your boarding pass with the airline later on.

• TSA PreCheck® helps members move more quickly and efficiently through airport security checkpoints.

• Each airline has a different process for adding TSA PreCheck® after you’ve booked a flight.

• Some Capital One travel cards offer cardholders a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck® application fee.

TSA PreCheck®, like Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI, is a Trusted Traveler Program offered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that can help you move through airport security faster. 
Becoming a TSA PreCheck® member requires an application, in-person appointment and enrollment fee. Upon approval, you get a Known Traveler Number (KTN). By adding the KTN to your flight reservations, you can enjoy shorter security lines and an easier screening process at over 200 airports and 90 airlines.

If you didn’t include your TSA PreCheck® number when booking a flight, it’s possible to add it later. You might be able to add it to a reservation through the airline’s mobile app or contact the airline online or by phone.

TSA issues each TSA PreCheck® member a KTN that grants access to expedited security lines. So adding a KTN to an existing reservation is the same as adding TSA PreCheck® after booking.

Airlines may differ, but it’s often possible to add TSA PreCheck® once you’ve already booked a flight.

You can add your KTN to an American Airlines’ trip online or in the mobile app. You can also save your KTN to an AAdvantage® account so it’s automatically added to reservations.

If you booked a Delta flight without adding your KTN, you can log in to your Delta account and add it.

You can find any trips you’ve booked with Frontier by entering your last name and confirmation code online. From there, you can add a KTN.

Southwest lets you add a KTN to a flight you’ve already booked. You can save your KTN in your Rapid Rewards® account so it applies to future flights.

Find an upcoming trip with Spirit to add a KTN.

You can add your KTN to an existing United trip and to your United MileagePlus profile.

It’s a good idea to add your KTN when booking a flight so that it shows up on your boarding pass. But if you forgot to add your KTN or it’s not shown on your boarding pass, there are a few things you can do.
You can contact the airline to add your KTN after booking or to make sure you entered your name, date of birth and KTN correctly. If your KTN still doesn’t show up, consider checking that your TSA PreCheck® membership is active. You can also submit an online form or call the TSA at (866) 289-9673.

Have more questions about adding TSA PreCheck® to your flight? Read on.

You can get through airport security screening easier with TSA PreCheck®, even if you’ve already booked a flight. Many airlines offer a way to add your KTN to a boarding pass before traveling.

A travel credit card could help you earn rewards while traveling. And with a Capital One Venture, Venture X or Venture X Business or Spark Miles card, you can get reimbursed for the TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee with a statement credit up to $120.*