Is the thought of long airport security lines giving you pre-travel jitters? Imagine breezing through security, keeping your shoes on, your laptop in its bag, and your liquids tucked away. That's the magic of TSA PreCheck! And if you're an American Airlines flyer, adding your TSA PreCheck to your reservations is a must to unlock this streamlined experience.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to add your TSA PreCheck to your American Airlines bookings, whether you're a first-timer or just need a refresher. So, let's get you ready for a smoother journey!
The Power of Your KTN: Your Key to Expedited Screening
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's quickly touch upon the most important piece of information you'll need: your Known Traveler Number (KTN). This unique 9- or 10-digit alphanumeric code is assigned to you once you're approved for TSA PreCheck (or a related Trusted Traveler Program like Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, where your PASSID acts as your KTN). Without this number, you can't access the TSA PreCheck benefits.
If you don't have a KTN yet, you'll need to apply for TSA PreCheck. The application process typically involves an online application, a background check, and an in-person interview where you'll provide fingerprints and documentation. Once approved, you'll receive your KTN via email, usually within 3-5 days, though it can take up to 60 days.
Step 1: Let's Get Started! Do You Have Your KTN Handy?
Before we go any further, take a moment to locate your Known Traveler Number (KTN). It's crucial for every step that follows.
If you applied directly for TSA PreCheck: Your KTN typically starts with "TT" (for Idemia), "TE" (for Telos), or "AC" (for CLEAR) and is 9 or 10 digits long.
If you have Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI: Your KTN is your 9-digit PASSID, usually found on the back of your card (starts with 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 50, 70, 80, 95, 98, or 99) or by logging into your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account.
Got it? Fantastic! Let's move on.
Step 2: Adding Your KTN to Your American Airlines Profile (Recommended for Frequent Flyers)
The most efficient way to ensure you always get TSA PreCheck on your American Airlines boarding passes is to save your KTN to your AAdvantage profile. This way, it will automatically populate for all future bookings made under that profile.
Sub-heading: Accessing Your AAdvantage Account
Log In to AA.com: Go to the official American Airlines website,
www.aa.com, and log in to your AAdvantage account. You'll find the "Login" option typically in the top right corner.Navigate to Your Profile: Once logged in, click on your name, which usually appears in the top right corner. From the dropdown menu, select "Account" or "Your Account."
Sub-heading: Updating Your Secure Traveler Information
Find "Information and Password" or "Edit Account": Within your account dashboard, look for a section related to "Information and Password" or "Edit account." This is where your personal details are stored.
Locate "Secure Traveler" Section: Scroll down until you find the "Secure traveler" header. This section is specifically designed for security-related information.
Enter Your KTN: You'll see a field labeled "Known Traveler Number (KTN)" or "KTN/PASSID." Carefully enter your KTN into this field. Double-check for any typos!
Save Your Changes: Don't forget to click "Save Changes" or a similar button to ensure your KTN is permanently stored in your profile.
Pro-Tip: If you also have a Redress Number (used for travelers who have been delayed or denied boarding due to a watch list misidentification), you can add that here too!
Step 3: Adding Your KTN to an Existing American Airlines Reservation
What if you've already booked your flight but forgot to add your KTN, or you just got approved for TSA PreCheck? No worries! You can easily add it to an existing reservation.
Sub-heading: Finding Your Trip Online
Go to "Manage Trips": On the American Airlines homepage (
www.aa.com), click on the "Manage trips/Check-in" tab.Retrieve Your Reservation: You'll be prompted to enter your first name, last name, and the 6-character confirmation number for your reservation. This information is typically found on your booking confirmation email.
Access Your Trip Details: Once your trip loads, you'll see a summary of your flight.
Sub-heading: Editing Passenger Information for PreCheck
Locate "Edit Passenger Information" or "Security Information": Within your trip details, look for a section like "Add/Edit Passenger Information" or "Security Information." This is where you can modify traveler details.
Enter Your KTN: Find the "Known Traveler Number (KTN)" field and accurately input your KTN.
Save and Confirm: Click "Save" or "Update" to apply the changes. You might receive a confirmation message.
Important Note: After adding your KTN to an existing reservation, you may need to re-issue your boarding pass to see the TSA PreCheck indicator. This can often be done by re-checking in online or using the American Airlines app. If you've already checked in, unchecking and rechecking can help.
Step 4: Adding Your KTN During the Booking Process (For New Reservations)
This is arguably the easiest way to ensure your TSA PreCheck is applied! When you're making a new reservation on American Airlines, you'll have the opportunity to add your KTN during the passenger details section.
Sub-heading: Inputting KTN During Checkout
Select Your Flights: Proceed through the standard booking process on
www.aa.comor the American Airlines app, selecting your desired flights.Enter Passenger Details: When you reach the "Passenger Details" or "Traveler Information" page, you'll be asked to provide your name, date of birth, and other personal information.
Find the KTN Field: Look for a field explicitly labeled "Known Traveler Number (KTN)" or similar. It's usually located near your name and date of birth fields.
Carefully Enter Your KTN: Precisely input your KTN into this field.
Complete Your Booking: Continue with the rest of your booking, reviewing all details before finalizing your purchase.
Remember: If you've already saved your KTN to your AAdvantage profile (as described in Step 2), and you're logged into that profile during booking, your KTN should automatically populate. Always double-check!
Step 5: Verify Your Boarding Pass for the TSA PreCheck Indicator
This is the final and most crucial step to confirm your TSA PreCheck is active for your flight. Before heading to the airport, always check your boarding pass.
Sub-heading: What to Look For
On a physical boarding pass: You'll typically see "TSA PreCheck," "TSA PRE," or a similar indicator printed directly on your boarding pass, often near your name or flight details.
On a mobile boarding pass: Look for the TSA PreCheck logo (often a green checkmark or text) usually located prominently at the top right corner, or next to your name.
If you don't see the indicator: Don't panic! Review the previous steps to ensure your KTN was entered correctly and that your name and date of birth on the reservation exactly match what the TSA has on file. If everything looks correct and it's still not appearing, consider contacting American Airlines customer service or checking the FAQs below.
Common Reasons Why TSA PreCheck Might Not Appear
Even with all the right steps, sometimes TSA PreCheck doesn't show up. Here are the most common culprits:
Name Mismatch: The name on your American Airlines reservation must exactly match the name on file with the TSA for your KTN. This includes middle names or initials. Even a single letter difference can cause an issue.
Date of Birth Mismatch: Just like your name, your date of birth needs to be an exact match.
Incorrect KTN: A single digit or letter typo in your KTN will prevent it from being recognized.
Expired KTN: TSA PreCheck memberships are valid for five years. Ensure yours is still active!
Airline Participation: While American Airlines is a participating airline, ensure your specific flight is eligible (though this is rare for AA).
Random Exclusion: The TSA uses unpredictable security measures, and no one is guaranteed expedited screening every time, even with PreCheck. You might be randomly selected for standard screening.
Booking through a Third Party: Sometimes, when booking through online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia or Priceline, the KTN field might be overlooked or not properly transmitted to the airline. Always double-check your reservation on
aa.comafter booking with an OTA.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if my TSA PreCheck is active?
You can check the status of your TSA PreCheck membership and retrieve your KTN by visiting the TSA's KTN lookup tool online (usually on the Idemia or Telos websites, depending on where you applied).
How to find my Known Traveler Number (KTN)?
If you applied through the TSA PreCheck Application Program, use the KTN lookup tool on the TSA website. If you have Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, your KTN is your PASSID, found on the back of your card or by logging into your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account.
How to add TSA PreCheck to a previously checked-in flight?
You'll need to re-access your reservation on aa.com or the American Airlines app, add your KTN in the passenger information section, and then re-check in to generate a new boarding pass with the PreCheck indicator.
How to get TSA PreCheck if I'm a military member?
Uniformed U.S. Armed Forces members (including Coast Guard, Reserves, and National Guard) can use their Department of Defense (DoD) ID number as their KTN when making reservations to receive TSA PreCheck benefits.
How to apply for TSA PreCheck?
You apply online through one of the approved enrollment providers (Idemia, Telos, or CLEAR), then schedule an in-person appointment for a background check, fingerprinting, and identity verification.
How to renew my TSA PreCheck membership?
You can typically renew your TSA PreCheck membership online through your original enrollment provider, usually 6 months before it expires.
How to ensure my children get TSA PreCheck benefits when traveling with me?
Children 12 and under can generally accompany an adult with TSA PreCheck in the expedited lane without their own KTN. For children 13-17, they must be on the same reservation as the adult with PreCheck, and the PreCheck indicator must appear on their boarding pass (don't add a KTN for them if they don't have one).
How to fix a name mismatch for TSA PreCheck on American Airlines?
Ensure the name on your American Airlines reservation exactly matches the name on your TSA PreCheck application/ID. If there's a discrepancy, you may need to contact American Airlines customer service to adjust your reservation name or contact TSA PreCheck to update your name on file.
How to get a refund for my TSA PreCheck application fee?
Some travel credit cards offer reimbursement for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee as a benefit. You usually need to pay for the application with that specific credit card to receive the statement credit.
How to use TSA PreCheck at the airport?
Once you have the "TSA PreCheck" indicator on your boarding pass, look for the designated TSA PreCheck lanes at the security checkpoint. You typically won't need to remove your shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops, or 3-1-1 liquids from your bags.
