You've got your TSA PreCheck, and now you're ready to breeze through airport security like a seasoned traveler. Excellent choice! Getting your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is the first big step towards a smoother airport experience, and adding it to your Southwest Airlines reservations is just as important to ensure you reap those benefits. Don't worry, it's a straightforward process, and we'll walk you through every detail.
So, you're excited to skip the long lines, keep your shoes on, and leave your laptop in your bag, right? Let's make sure that happens!
The Ultimate Guide: Adding Your TSA PreCheck to Southwest Airlines
This guide will cover everything from updating your profile for future flights to ensuring your KTN is on an already booked trip.
Step 1: Locate Your Known Traveler Number (KTN)
Before you do anything else, you need your Known Traveler Number. This is the unique alphanumeric ID that the TSA provides you after you've been approved for TSA PreCheck (or Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, as the PASSID from those programs also works as a KTN).
Where can you find your KTN?
Approval Letter: When you were approved, you likely received an email or letter with your KTN.
TSA Website: You can look up your KTN on the official TSA website using your personal information.
Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) Website: If you applied through Global Entry or another Trusted Traveler Program, log into your TTP account; your PASSID (which functions as your KTN) will be displayed.
Pro Tip: Write down your KTN in a secure, easily accessible place, or save it in your phone's notes for quick reference when booking travel.
Step 2: Adding Your KTN to Your Southwest Rapid Rewards Profile (For Future Bookings)
This is the most efficient method for ensuring your TSA PreCheck applies to all your future Southwest flights. By adding your KTN to your Rapid Rewards profile, it will automatically populate for any new reservations you make while logged in.
Sub-step 2.1: Logging into Your Southwest Account
Visit the Southwest Airlines Website: Open your web browser and go to Southwest.com.
Click "Login": In the top right corner of the homepage, you'll see a "Login" button. Click it.
Enter Credentials: Input your Rapid Rewards account number or username and your password. Then click "Log in."
No Rapid Rewards account yet? It's highly recommended you create one. Click "Enroll" and follow the prompts. This will streamline your future bookings and KTN application.
Sub-step 2.2: Navigating to Your Traveler Information
Go to "My Account": Once logged in, click on "My Account" in the top right corner.
Find "My Preferences" or "Profile": Look for a section titled "My Preferences" or simply "Profile." Within this section, you'll typically find an option like "Security," "Traveler Info," or "Secure Traveler Information." Click on it.
Sub-step 2.3: Entering Your KTN
Locate the KTN Field: You'll see a field specifically labeled "Known Traveler Number" (KTN).
Input Your KTN: Carefully enter your KTN into this field. Double-check for any typos!
Verify Personal Details: Crucially, ensure that your full name, date of birth, and gender on your Southwest profile exactly match what is on file with the TSA for your PreCheck enrollment. Even minor discrepancies (like a middle initial vs. full middle name, or a hyphenated last name mismatch) can prevent PreCheck from appearing on your boarding pass.
Save Your Changes: After entering your KTN and verifying your details, click the "Save" or "Update" button to confirm.
Congratulations! Your Rapid Rewards profile is now updated. This means for all future bookings made while logged into this account, your KTN should be automatically applied.
Step 3: Adding Your KTN to an Existing Southwest Flight Reservation
Forgot to add it when you booked? Or perhaps you received your KTN after booking your flight? No problem at all! You can easily add your KTN to an existing reservation.
Sub-step 3.1: Accessing Your Reservation
Visit the Southwest Airlines Website: Go to Southwest.com.
Click "Manage Reservations": On the homepage, look for a "Manage Reservations" or "Check In" option. Click on it.
Enter Flight Details: You'll need your:
Confirmation Number: This is the six-character alphanumeric code for your booking.
First Name: As it appears on the reservation.
Last Name: As it appears on the reservation.
Click "Search" or "Retrieve Reservation": This will pull up your flight details.
Sub-step 3.2: Updating Passenger Information
Find "Add/Edit Passenger Information" or "Secure Traveler Information": Once your reservation is open, look for a section that allows you to modify passenger details or add secure information.
Enter Your KTN: Locate the "Known Traveler Number (KTN)" field and carefully input your KTN.
Confirm and Save: Just like with your profile, ensure your name and date of birth match. Save the changes.
Sub-step 3.3: Re-checking In (If Already Checked In)
If you had already checked in for your flight before adding your KTN, you will need to re-check in to generate a new boarding pass with the TSA PreCheck indicator. You can typically do this online or through the Southwest app.
If you haven't checked in yet, your KTN will be applied when you do.
Step 4: Adding Your KTN During the Booking Process
This is often the easiest way to ensure your KTN is applied if you're booking a new flight and haven't saved it to your profile, or if you're booking for someone else.
During Passenger Details: As you go through the booking process on Southwest.com, you'll reach a "Passenger Details" or "Traveler Information" section.
Locate KTN Field: There will be a specific field for "Known Traveler Number (KTN)."
Enter KTN: Input your KTN here.
Verify Information: Confirm that the name and date of birth for the passenger exactly match the TSA's records.
Step 5: Verifying TSA PreCheck on Your Boarding Pass
This is the moment of truth! Once you've added your KTN, you'll want to confirm it's been successfully applied.
Look for the "TSA PRE" Indicator: On your Southwest boarding pass (whether printed, mobile, or via the app), you should see "TSA PRE" or "TSA Pre✓" prominently displayed, usually near your name or in a dedicated section.
Mobile Boarding Pass: On the Southwest mobile app, look for "TSA Pre" often accompanied by a green checkmark next to the QR code.
Important Note: Even with a KTN, TSA uses unpredictable security measures, and expedited screening is never 100% guaranteed. However, having your KTN on your boarding pass significantly increases your chances of using the PreCheck lane.
Troubleshooting: What if TSA PreCheck Doesn't Show Up?
It happens! Don't panic if you don't see "TSA PRE" on your boarding pass. Here are the common reasons and solutions:
Mismatched Information: This is the #1 culprit. Your name, date of birth, and KTN on your Southwest reservation must exactly match what the TSA has on file for your PreCheck enrollment. Check for even minor differences (e.g., full middle name vs. middle initial, hyphens, suffixes). Correct any discrepancies in your Southwest profile or the specific reservation.
Expired Membership: Double-check that your TSA PreCheck membership is still active. You can do this on the TSA's KTN lookup tool.
Booking Through a Third Party: If you booked through an online travel agency (OTA) or a corporate booking tool, sometimes the KTN doesn't transmit correctly. You may need to directly contact Southwest Airlines or manage the reservation on their website to add it.
Randomized Exclusion: As mentioned, the TSA occasionally selects even PreCheck members for standard screening. This is random and usually doesn't indicate an issue with your KTN.
Not a Participating Airline/Airport: Southwest Airlines does participate in TSA PreCheck. However, not all airports or all checkpoints within an airport will have a dedicated TSA PreCheck lane. Check TSA.gov for specific airport information.
What to do if it's still not showing:
Call Southwest Airlines Customer Service: Provide your confirmation number and KTN, and they can often add it for you over the phone.
Visit the Airport Ticket Counter: If you're at the airport and still don't have it, go to the Southwest ticket counter. They can usually add your KTN and reprint your boarding pass.
Contact TSA Directly: If you've tried everything with the airline and believe there's an issue with your PreCheck status itself, you can contact the TSA Contact Center or reach out to them via social media (@AskTSA on X/Twitter, Facebook Messenger).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about adding TSA PreCheck to Southwest, with quick answers:
How to check if my TSA PreCheck is active? You can check the status of your TSA PreCheck membership by using the KTN lookup tool on the official TSA website.
How to add my KTN to a Southwest flight I already booked? Log in to Southwest.com, go to "Manage Reservations," find your flight using your confirmation number and name, and then look for "Add Secure Traveler Information" or "Edit Passenger Information" to enter your KTN. Remember to re-check in if you already had your boarding pass.
How to ensure my KTN applies to all future Southwest flights? Add your KTN to your Southwest Rapid Rewards profile under "My Account" > "My Preferences" > "Secure Traveler Information." This will auto-populate it for future bookings made while logged in.
How to fix a mismatch between my KTN info and my Southwest reservation? Carefully compare the name, date of birth, and KTN on your Southwest profile/reservation with your official TSA PreCheck enrollment. Correct any discrepancies on the Southwest side to ensure an exact match.
How to know if my boarding pass has TSA PreCheck? Look for "TSA PRE" or "TSA Pre✓" printed on your physical boarding pass or displayed digitally on your mobile boarding pass, often near your name or the QR code.
How to get TSA PreCheck if I don't have it yet? Apply online through one of the TSA-approved enrollment providers (Idemia or Telos), complete an online application, and then attend a brief in-person appointment for fingerprinting and identity verification.
How to use my Global Entry PASSID as a KTN for Southwest? Your 9-digit Global Entry PASSID functions exactly as your KTN. Simply enter this number in the KTN field when managing your Southwest profile or booking.
How to add TSA PreCheck if I booked through a travel agent? If your travel agent didn't add it, you can typically log in to Southwest.com with your confirmation number and name to add it yourself, or call Southwest customer service.
How to renew my TSA PreCheck membership? You can usually renew your TSA PreCheck online through your original enrollment provider up to six months before it expires. Some renewals may require another in-person visit.
How to get help if my TSA PreCheck still isn't working with Southwest? First, contact Southwest Airlines customer service. If they can't resolve it, reach out to the TSA Contact Center or their social media team (@AskTSA) for assistance with your PreCheck status.