Travel smarter, not harder! If you're a proud holder of a TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN), you already know the joys of breezing through airport security. No more fumbling with shoes, belts, or laptops! But to truly unlock this superpower on your Southwest Airlines flights, you need to make sure your KTN is correctly linked to your reservation.
Are you ready to transform your airport experience and skip those long lines? Let's dive in! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of adding your TSA PreCheck number to your Southwest Airlines booking, whether you're making a new reservation or modifying an existing one.
Step 1: Confirm You Have Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) Handy!
Before you even think about logging into your Southwest account, the absolute first thing you need to do is locate your Known Traveler Number (KTN). This unique alphanumeric code is your golden ticket to expedited security.
Where to find your KTN:
TSA PreCheck Application Program: If you enrolled directly through TSA PreCheck, your KTN typically starts with "TT," "TE," or "AC" and is usually 9 or 10 digits long. You can find it on your approval letter or by using the TSA's KTN lookup tool online.
Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI: If you're part of one of these Trusted Traveler Programs, your KTN is actually your PASSID number. This 9-digit number usually starts with "10," "13," "14," "15," "16," "50," "70," "80," "95," "98," or "99" and can be found on the back of your card or by logging into the Trusted Traveler Programs website.
DoD, HME, TWIC®: If your PreCheck benefits come from these programs, consult their specific resources for KTN retrieval.
Important Note: Your name, date of birth, and KTN must exactly match the information on your TSA PreCheck application for the benefit to apply. Even a small discrepancy can prevent the "TSA Pre" indicator from appearing on your boarding pass.
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| How To Add Tsa Number To Southwest Airlines |
Step 2: Adding Your KTN to a New Southwest Airlines Booking
This is the easiest way to ensure your TSA PreCheck benefits are applied from the get-go.
Sub-heading: During the Booking Process
Start your flight search: Go to Southwest.com and enter your desired departure and arrival cities, dates, and number of passengers.
Select your flights: Choose your outbound and return flights as usual.
Navigate to "Who's Flying?": After selecting your flights, you'll be directed to the "Who's Flying?" section where you enter passenger details.
Locate "Secure Traveler Information": Below the fields for first name, middle name, and last name, you'll find a dropdown or link for "Secure Traveler Information." Click on this!
Enter your Known Traveler Number (KTN): A field labeled "Known Traveler #" will appear. Carefully enter your KTN here.
Verify and continue: Double-check that all your information, including your KTN, is entered correctly. Then, proceed with the rest of your booking as usual (selecting seats, adding bags, payment, etc.).
Confirmation: Once your booking is complete, the system will process your KTN. When you check-in for your flight (online or via the app), you should see the "TSA Pre" indicator on your boarding pass.
Step 3: Adding Your KTN to an Existing Southwest Airlines Reservation
Forgot to add it when you booked? No problem! Southwest makes it relatively easy to update your existing reservations.
Tip: Keep your attention on the main thread.
Sub-heading: Via the Southwest Airlines Website (Recommended)
Go to "Manage Reservations": Visit Southwest.com and look for the "Manage Reservations" or "Lookup Reservation" link, usually found in the top navigation bar or under a "Travel" or "My Trips" section.
Retrieve your reservation: You'll need your confirmation number, your first name, and your last name (exactly as they appear on your reservation). Enter this information and click "Search" or "Retrieve."
Access passenger details: Once your reservation loads, look for an option to "Edit Passenger Information," "Add/Edit Traveler Info," or something similar. This is where you can modify details for each passenger on the booking.
Find the KTN field: Within the passenger details, locate the "Known Traveler Number" (KTN) field. It might be under a "Secure Traveler Information" section.
Enter your KTN: Input your KTN precisely as it's registered with the TSA.
Save changes: Don't forget to click "Save," "Update," or "Confirm Changes" to ensure your KTN is applied.
Re-check in (if applicable): If you've already checked in for your flight, you might need to re-check in after adding your KTN to ensure the "TSA Pre" indicator appears on your boarding pass.
Sub-heading: Through Your Southwest Rapid Rewards Account (for future bookings)
While this method primarily impacts future bookings, it's a great habit to get into.
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account: Go to Southwest.com and log in with your Rapid Rewards account number or username and password.
Access your profile: Look for "My Account," "Profile," or "My Preferences."
Navigate to "Secure Traveler Information" or "Traveler Info": Within your profile settings, find the section related to secure traveler information.
Add your KTN: Locate the "Known Traveler Number" field and enter your KTN.
Save your profile: Save the changes to your Rapid Rewards profile.
Note: Adding your KTN to your Rapid Rewards profile should automatically apply it to future bookings you make while logged in. However, the TSA officially suggests manually adding your KTN to every flight reservation you book to be absolutely sure.
Sub-heading: Via the Southwest Airlines Mobile App
Open the Southwest App and log in: Ensure you have the latest version of the Southwest Airlines app installed on your mobile device.
Go to "My Trips" or "Manage Trips": Find your upcoming flight.
Select the specific trip: Tap on the reservation you want to modify.
Edit passenger details: Look for an option to "Edit Passenger Info" or "Add/Edit Traveler Information."
Enter your KTN: Input your Known Traveler Number in the designated field.
Save and confirm: Save your changes. You may need to refresh your boarding pass or re-check in to see the "TSA Pre" indicator.
Sub-heading: By Calling Southwest Customer Service
If you're having trouble with the online or app methods, or simply prefer to speak with someone, you can always call Southwest Airlines customer service.
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Have your information ready: Be prepared with your confirmation number, full name, date of birth, and your Known Traveler Number.
Call Southwest: Dial Southwest Airlines' customer service number (check their official website for the most current number).
Explain your request: Clearly state that you need to add your TSA PreCheck KTN to an existing reservation.
Verify details: The agent will ask for your reservation details and KTN.
Confirm the update: Ask the agent to confirm that the KTN has been successfully added to your reservation.
Step 4: Verify Your Boarding Pass for "TSA Pre"
Tip: Focus on one point at a time.
This is the most crucial step to ensure your KTN was successfully applied.
Printed Boarding Pass: Look for "TSA PRE" printed directly above your name, usually below where "Southwest Airlines" is printed.
Mobile Boarding Pass: On a mobile boarding pass, you should see "TSA Pre" along with a green checkmark, often located near the QR code or in the top right corner.
If you don't see the "TSA PRE" indicator:
Double-check your KTN: Ensure you entered your KTN and personal information (name, date of birth) exactly as they appear on your TSA PreCheck application. Even minor typos or discrepancies will prevent the benefit from applying.
Re-save/Re-check in: Go back to your reservation online or in the app and re-save your details, then try re-checking in.
Contact Southwest or TSA: If the issue persists, contact Southwest Airlines customer service. You can also reach out to AskTSA via social media (X/Twitter @AskTSA, Facebook Messenger) or by calling the TSA Contact Center. They can help troubleshoot why the indicator isn't appearing. Remember, TSA uses unpredictable security measures, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening every time, but a consistently missing "TSA Pre" is usually a data mismatch issue.
Step 5: Enjoy the Expedited Security Lane!
With "TSA Pre" clearly displayed on your boarding pass, you are now ready to enjoy the benefits! Head to the designated TSA PreCheck security lane at the airport.
Remember the perks:
No need to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets.
Keep laptops and 3-1-1 liquids in your carry-on bag.
Generally shorter lines and faster screening process.
Frequently Asked Questions about TSA PreCheck and Southwest Airlines:
How to know if my TSA PreCheck number is correctly added to my Southwest flight?
The best way to confirm is to check your boarding pass. If it shows "TSA PRE" with a green checkmark (on mobile) or printed on a physical boarding pass, then it's correctly added.
How to add my Known Traveler Number (KTN) during initial booking on Southwest Airlines?
Tip: Break down complex paragraphs step by step.
When booking on Southwest.com, after selecting your flights, proceed to the "Who's Flying?" section. Click on "Secure Traveler Information" and enter your KTN in the "Known Traveler #" field.
How to add TSA PreCheck to an already booked Southwest flight?
Go to "Manage Reservations" on Southwest.com, retrieve your booking using your confirmation number and name, and then look for an option to "Edit Passenger Information" or "Secure Traveler Information" to add your KTN.
How to update my KTN in my Southwest Rapid Rewards profile?
Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, navigate to "My Account" or "Profile," then find the "Secure Traveler Information" or "Traveler Info" section to add or update your KTN.
How to find my TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number if I forgot it?
You can retrieve your KTN by visiting the TSA's KTN lookup tool online (tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/ktn-lookup) or by logging into the Trusted Traveler Programs website if you're a Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI member.
How to resolve if my TSA PreCheck isn't showing on my Southwest boarding pass?
Tip: Skim only after you’ve read fully once.
First, verify that your name and date of birth on your reservation exactly match the information on your TSA PreCheck application. Then, ensure your KTN is correctly entered. If it still doesn't appear, try re-checking in, or contact Southwest Airlines customer service or AskTSA for assistance.
How to ensure children travel with me through TSA PreCheck lanes on Southwest?
Children 12 and under can accompany an adult with TSA PreCheck without needing their own KTN, provided they are on the same reservation. For children aged 13-17, the "TSA Pre" indicator must be on their boarding pass, which typically happens if they are on the same reservation as the TSA PreCheck adult and no KTN is entered for them if they don't have one.
How to apply for TSA PreCheck?
Visit the official TSA PreCheck website (tsa.gov/precheck), complete the online application, pay the fee, and then attend a brief in-person appointment for a background check and fingerprinting.
How to know if my airport has TSA PreCheck lanes for Southwest flights?
Most major airports served by Southwest Airlines have TSA PreCheck lanes. You can check the TSA's website for a list of participating airports and their checkpoint hours, or look for signage at the airport.
How to check the status of my TSA PreCheck application?
You can check the status of your TSA PreCheck application directly on the TSA's website through their application status tool.
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