Update Your Airline Profiles with Your Known Traveler Number

You’ve gone through all of the steps to become a Trusted Traveler — the application, the fees and the interview — so don’t get stuck in the slow lane just because you forgot the last step of the process! TPG Contributor JT Genter shows you how to add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your traveler profile so you can breeze through security using TSA Precheck, Global Entry and more.

Update: WestJet, Etihad, Cape Air, Aeromexico, Allegiant and Seaborne now also participate in TSA PreCheck.

Once you have fast-track airport security access with TSA Precheck, Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS, it’s hard to go back to the normal/slow lane at airport security, as TPG recently discovered after forgetting to put his Known Traveler Number in his JetBlue profile. To ensure you get access to a shorter line and are allowed to wear your shoes, belt and more, and keep your liquids and laptop in your carry-on bags, here’s how to make sure you’re prepared before you arrive at the airport. 

First of all, know that there are two main ways of getting access to TSA Precheck — by applying for it directly, or by being accepted into a US Customs and Border Protection program like Global Entry. The application fees for the two are nearly the same — $85 for Precheck vs. $100 for Global Entry.

However, if you even have notions of traveling internationally, you should choose Global Entry. Plus, there are more ways than ever to get your Global Entry fees reimbursed through your credit card — such as the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard and the Citi Prestige.

Once you’re in either program, though, you need to make sure that:

1. the airlines on which you fly offer TSA Precheck, and;
2. you add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your airline traveler profiles.

To get started, find your KTN online:

• TSA Precheck participants should head to the TSA Service Status webpage and enter your basic info to retrieve your number.
• Global Entry/SENTRI/NEXUS participants should log into their Customs and Border Patrol GOES account. Your “PASSID” number is displayed directly under your GOES User ID number.

Know that the following airlines participate in TSA Precheck:

• Air Canada
• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Southwest Airlines
• Sun Country
• United Airlines
• Virgin America

Let’s walk through adding your KTN to your traveler profile for the biggest airlines: American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska and Virgin America.

American Airlines

1. Click here and log in
2. You should automatically be directed to the “Information and password” section of your account.
3. Scroll about halfway down and enter your KTN in the “Known Traveler number” box.
4. Scroll to the bottom and click “Save.”

Delta Air Lines

1. Click here and log in
2. You should automatically be directed to the “Basic Info” section of your account.
3. Click Edit in the Secure Flight Passenger Data section. Your name should auto-populate.
4. Enter your Gender, Date of Birth and KTN.
5. Click “Save Changes.”

United Airlines

1. Click here and log in.
2. You should automatically be directed to the “Edit Traveler” section of your account.
3. Click the “+” sign next to “Known Traveler Number/Pass ID” and enter your KTN.
4. Scroll to the bottom and click “Continue” to save.

Southwest Airlines

1. Click here and log in. (Note: if you get an error, close the tab and then click the link again.)
2. You should automatically be directed to the “Edit Profile Information” section of your account.
3. Enter your KTN in the “Known Traveler Number” box.
4. Scroll to the bottom and click “Save.”

JetBlue Airways

1. Click here and log in.
2. You should automatically be directed to the “Profile” section of your account.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the form. Click the pencil icon next to TSA Pre✓.
4. Enter your KTN in the “Known Traveler Number” box.
5. Click “Yes, Update” to save changes.

Alaska Airlines

1. Click here and log in.
2. Click “Traveler Profiles” on the left-side menu.
3. Click “Edit my information” on the right side.
4. Enter your KTN in the “Known Traveler Number” box.
5. Scroll to the bottom and click “Save.”

Virgin America

1. Click here and log in.
2. Click “Edit Personal Info” in the middle of the screen.
3. Scroll down to the bottom and enter your KTN in the “Known Traveler Number” box.
4. Click “Continue.”

Air Canada:

There is no KTN entry field in Air Canada’s Aeroplan traveler profile. Your KTN must be entered in the traveler information when you book your flight.

Now that you have your travel profile updated, these airlines should automatically submit your name to the TSA for Precheck clearance before check-in begins. So, at check-in, hopefully your boarding pass will have the magic letters “PRE”!