Have you ever booked an American Airlines flight, only to realize after hitting "confirm" that you forgot to add your Known Traveler Number (KTN)? Don't worry, you're definitely not alone! It's a common oversight, but thankfully, American Airlines makes it relatively easy to rectify. Adding your KTN is crucial for unlocking the benefits of TSA PreCheck, which means shorter security lines, no need to remove shoes, liquids, or laptops, and an overall much smoother airport experience.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through, step-by-step, exactly how to add your KTN to an existing American Airlines flight reservation. Let's get you breezing through security!
Understanding Your KTN: A Quick Refresher
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's quickly clarify what a KTN is. A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a unique ID issued to individuals approved for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI. This number verifies your pre-screened status, allowing you to utilize expedited security lanes at participating U.S. airports.
Your KTN is typically a 9 or 10-digit alphanumeric code. For TSA PreCheck enrollees, it often starts with "TT." For Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, your KTN is your 9-digit Customs and Border Protection (CBP) PASS ID, usually found on the back of your card.
Step 1: Engage with Your American Airlines Reservation
The first thing you'll need to do is access your existing flight reservation. There are a couple of ways to do this, catering to different preferences.
Option 1.1: Via the American Airlines Website (Recommended)
This is often the easiest and quickest method.
Open your web browser and navigate to the official American Airlines website:
www.aa.com.On the homepage, locate the "Manage trips/Check-in" tab. It's usually prominently displayed.
Click on this tab. You'll then be prompted to enter your reservation details.
Input your Last Name (as it appears on your reservation) and your 6-character Confirmation Code (also known as the PNR or Record Locator). This code can be found in your original booking confirmation email.
Click "Find Trip" or "Submit."
Option 1.2: Using the American Airlines Mobile App
If you prefer to manage your travel on the go, the American Airlines mobile app is a great tool.
Open the American Airlines app on your smartphone or tablet.
If you're not already logged in, log in to your AAdvantage account. If you don't have an account, you can still proceed by selecting "Find Trip" or a similar option.
Navigate to your "Trips" or "My Trips" section.
Select the specific flight reservation you wish to update.
If your trip isn't automatically displayed, look for an option like "Find Trip" and enter your last name and confirmation code.
Step 2: Locating the Passenger Information Section
Once you've successfully accessed your reservation, you'll need to navigate to the section where you can edit passenger details.
Sub-heading 2.1: On the Website
After finding your trip, you'll typically see a summary of your flight details.
Scroll down the page until you find a section related to "Passengers" or "Passenger Summary."
Look for a button or link that says "Add/Edit Passenger Information" or "Edit Information." This is where you'll make the necessary changes.
Click on the "pen" icon or "edit" option next to your name if available.
Sub-heading 2.2: On the Mobile App
Within your selected trip, you might need to expand a menu at the bottom or top of the screen (often indicated by three dots or a "More" option).
Look for "Manage Trip," "Traveler Information," or "Edit Traveler Details."
You might have to scroll a bit to find the "Security Information" or "Known Traveler Number" field.
Step 3: Entering Your Known Traveler Number (KTN)
This is the moment of truth! Make sure you have your KTN readily available.
Within the "Add/Edit Passenger Information" or "Security Information" section, you will see a field specifically labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "KTN."
Carefully enter your KTN into this designated field. Double-check for accuracy! Even a single misplaced digit or letter can prevent your TSA PreCheck status from appearing.
Important Note: Ensure the name and date of birth on your American Airlines reservation exactly match the name and date of birth associated with your KTN in the TSA's system. Minor discrepancies (like a missing middle initial or a hyphenated name mismatch) can cause issues.
Sub-heading 3.1: Saving Your KTN to Your AAdvantage Profile (Highly Recommended for Future Flights!)
While you're updating your current reservation, it's an excellent idea to add your KTN to your AAdvantage frequent flyer profile. This way, for all future flights booked while logged into your AAdvantage account, your KTN will automatically populate, saving you this step!
Log in to your AAdvantage account on
aa.com.Click on your name (usually in the top right corner) and select "Account" or "Account Summary."
Go to "Profile Settings" or "Information and password."
Look for the "Secure Traveler" header or similar section.
Find the "Known Traveler Number" field and enter your KTN.
Save your changes.
Step 4: Confirming Your TSA PreCheck Status
After adding your KTN, it's vital to confirm that it has been successfully applied to your boarding pass.
Save the changes to your reservation.
Go back to your trip summary or try to re-access your boarding pass.
Look for the TSA PreCheck indicator (often a green checkmark or "TSA Pre✓" text) on your digital or printed boarding pass.
If you're checking in online, the PreCheck logo should appear on your boarding pass after you've re-downloaded it or refreshed the page.
Sub-heading 4.1: What if it doesn't appear? Don't Panic!
Sometimes it takes a moment for the system to update. If you don't see the TSA PreCheck indicator immediately:
Refresh your browser page or re-open the mobile app.
Log out and log back in to your American Airlines account.
Delete your existing mobile boarding pass and then re-download it. This often forces an update.
Wait a few minutes and check again.
If after a reasonable amount of time (15-30 minutes), it still doesn't show, proceed to the troubleshooting steps in the FAQ section.
Step 5: At the Airport (If All Else Fails)
Even if you couldn't get it to show up online, you still have options at the airport.
Visit the American Airlines Check-in Counter: Speak to an agent at the full-service check-in counter. They can access your reservation and manually add your KTN. Be sure to have your KTN handy.
Use an Airport Kiosk: Many airport kiosks allow you to manage your reservation. You might be able to find an option to "Edit Passenger Information" or "Add KTN" and then print a new boarding pass.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if my KTN is active?
You can check the status of your KTN by visiting the TSA's website (tsa.gov/precheck/status) and entering your biographical information.
How to ensure my name on my American Airlines ticket matches my KTN?
Always ensure the name and date of birth on your American Airlines reservation exactly match the name and date of birth associated with your KTN. This includes middle names and any suffixes. If there's a discrepancy, contact American Airlines to amend your reservation or, if the issue is with your KTN, contact TSA.
How to add a KTN to an American Airlines flight booked through a third-party travel site?
Even if you booked through a third-party site (like Expedia, Orbitz, etc.), you can still add your KTN directly on the American Airlines website or app by using your last name and the American Airlines confirmation code provided in your booking details.
How to add KTN if I've already checked in for my American Airlines flight?
You can still add your KTN after checking in online. Follow the steps above to edit your passenger information. After adding, delete and re-download your mobile boarding pass, or print a new one at an airport kiosk or check-in counter.
How to know if my KTN is a PASS ID from Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI?
If you have Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, your KTN is the 9-digit PASS ID number found on the back of your membership card, usually starting with 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 50, 70, 80, 95, 98, or 99.
How to find my KTN if I forgot it?
If you enrolled in TSA PreCheck, you can retrieve your KTN on the Universal Enroll website. For Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, log in to your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account.
How to add my KTN to all future American Airlines bookings automatically?
To ensure your KTN is always applied, add it to your AAdvantage frequent flyer profile by logging into your account on aa.com and updating your "Secure Traveler" information in your profile settings.
How to troubleshoot if TSA PreCheck isn't showing on my boarding pass after adding KTN?
First, ensure your KTN, name, and date of birth precisely match your government records. If they do, try re-downloading your boarding pass, or contact American Airlines customer service via phone, chat, or social media (e.g., @AskAA on X/Twitter). If all else fails, speak to an agent at the airport check-in counter.
How to know the benefits of TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck allows eligible travelers to go through expedited security screening at U.S. airports. Benefits include not needing to remove shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops from bags, or 3-1-1 liquids.
How to contact American Airlines customer service for KTN issues?
You can contact American Airlines customer service by calling their reservation line (1-800-433-7300 within the U.S. and Canada), using their chat feature on aa.com or the mobile app, or by reaching out to them on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) at @AmericanAir or @AskAA.