TSA PreCheck®
Known Traveler Number Information
TSA Pre✓® allows low-risk travelers to enjoy expedited security screening. The program is available at participating U.S. airport locations for domestic and international travel.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has several Trusted Traveler programs which provide an improved experience, while enhancing security and increasing system-wide efficiencies. The programs are customized based on travel needs and many of them have reciprocal benefits. A comparison chart is available as a guide to help the customer choose which program may be best for them.
To obtain access to expedited screening, travelers can enroll in a DHS trusted traveler program such as the TSA Pre✓® Application Program or CBP Global Entry.
· DHS Trusted Traveler Program
The TSA Pre✓® application program enrollment process can be completed in 3 easy steps:
· Apply for TSA Pre✓® Online
o Submit a quick, 5-minute online application and schedule an appointment at any of the nearly 400 enrollment center locations
· Complete the In-Person Enrollment
o Schedule a 10-minute, in-person appointment to provide identity documents, payment, and fingerprints.
o Most individuals are approved within days of completing the in-person appointment.
o You can check the status of your application online.
· Quicker transit through airport lanes
· Shorter lines
· Shorter wait times
· Improved customer experience
· No removal of:
o Shoes
o Laptops
o 3-1-1 liquids
o Belts
o Light jackets
Known Traveler Number Information
Customers approved for one of the Trusted Traveler programs will be assigned a Known Traveler Number (KTN). The KTN should be added by the agency to the reservation for the customer. The KTN is only used in the PNR to obtain TSA Pre✓®. Children ages 12 years and under may use the TSA Pre✓® lane when traveling with a parent or guardian who has the TSA Pre✓® indicator on their boarding pass. We recommend the customer add the KTN to their profile on aa.com to ensure it appears on all American reservations.
Note: The information in the aa.com profile does not override the information added by the travel agency to the reservation.
KTN’s Features
Members approved by The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
· The KTN is 9 or 10 digits long, can be a combination of numbers and letters.
· The KTN begins with TT for those who enrolled through IDEMIA
· The KTN begins with TE for those who enrolled through Telo.
· The KTN begins with AC for those who enrolled trough CLEAR
Note: IDEMIA, Telos and CLEAR are official TSA Pre✓® enrollment providers.
Members approved for Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI:
· The KTN is the CBP PASS ID
· The KTN is 9-digit number long
· The KTN begins with the numbers 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 50, 70, 80, 95, 98, or 99.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces
· May provide their 10-digit DoD ID number to qualify for TSA Pre✓®.
Formats
The KTN is entered as a DOCO and should be associated directly to the customer’s name number. If the KTN is improperly associated by flight segment(s), it may result in TSA Pre✓® disqualification for the associated flight segment(s).
Sabre examples:
DOCO//K/981234567///US
DOCO//K/TT1234AB7///US
Note: Check with your GDS Help Desk for the correct format.
DOCO//K/XXXXXXXXXXX///US – (11 X’s)
· A KTN does not exist for the customer in American’s database
· This remark is added by American’s Corporate Security
· Added to notify TSA customer is important to American
American transmits the KTN information to the DHS along with the Secure Flight Passenger Data (DOCS information). The final qualification for TSA Pre✓® is completed by the DHS.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did TSA Pre✓® not appear on the boarding pass?
The final determination for TSA Pre✓® is completed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, there are common issues which may have caused the problem. We recommend you verify the following information in the reservation is correct:
· Known Traveler Number (KTN) is correct
· KTN in the reservation was entered using the correct format (DOCO)
· Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD)
· Name matches the name on file with the DHS/TSA
· Date of birth (birth month, birth date, and birth year)
· Birth year format is acceptable as 2-digits or 4-digits
Note: if corrections were made to the KTN/SFPD in the PNR, the information is automatically sent to the DHS for requalification. The customer’s online boarding pass will be updated if approved. Return to aa.com and view the boarding pass to determine if TSA Pre✓ was updated on the boarding pass. It is not necessary to uncheck the customer in.
2. I have followed the TSA Pre✓® guidelines and did not receive TSA Pre✓® on my boarding pass. Who should I contact?
· Members approved for Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, can visit https://ttp.dhs.gov/
· TSA Pre✓® program can visit: TSA Pre✓® KTN Lookup
· Customers who regularly do not receive TSA Pre✓ may contact the TSA directly:
o Email: TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov
o Phone: 1-866-289-9673
3. Does the status of my Known Traveler Number credentials expire?
Yes, it is valid for 5 years. Once it is expired, you may no longer receive TSA Pre✓. You can verify your status at TSA Pre✓® KTN Lookup
4. Where do I find the KTN if I applied through the CBP (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI)?
It can be found on the back of the card. See example below:
The customer may also visit: https://ttp.dhs.gov/
5. Where do I find the KTN if I applied through the TSA application program directly?
· Visit TSA Pre✓® KTN Lookup
· Provide the information to login and verify KTN at the bottom of the page
6. Does the customer’s name on the ticket have to match the name on file with DHS/TSA?
The PNR name field on the ticket should contain the customer’s first name and last name only. The middle name, middle initial, and suffix are not necessary. However, the information input into the SFPD (DOCS) must match the information on file with the DHS/TSA to qualify for TSA Pre✓®.
7. Where is the KTN number updated in the PNR?
The Known Traveler Number (KTN) is entered as a DOCO and must be associated to the customer’s name number only. Do not associate the KTN to the individual flight segment.
8. What if the customer is a Member of the Military; do they receive TSA Pre✓®?
As part of an intelligence-driven, risk-based approach to security, TSA offers TSA Pre✓® expedited screening to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces can experience expedited screening at many airports by using their official Department of Defense (DoD) identification number when making flight reservations. Members of the Military must include their DoD ID number when making airline reservations to receive TSA Pre✓®. For details visit: TSA Military Travel
9. Is it possible for a traveler to have a Redress number and a KTN? Should both the Redress number and the KTN be included in the reservation?
Yes, if a customer has both a Redress Number and a KTN, both should be added to the reservation.
The KTN and Redress number perform separate functions. It’s important to include both the Redress number and KTN in all reservations for the customer. We recommend the customer add the KTN and Redress number to their profile on aa.com to ensure it appears on all American reservations.
10. How can the customer update their aa.com profile?
If the customer is an AAdvantage® program member, they can login to aa.com
· Select information and password (under Edit Account)
· Scroll down to the Secure Traveler section
· Input the Known Traveler Number
· Input the Redress number (if applicable)
Note: When the customer sees the reservation online, the KTN will not be displayed if they are viewing the reservation as a guest.
The information in the aa.com profile does not override the information added to the reservation by the travel agency.
The KTN is only used for TSA Pre✓®.
12. If I can’t insert the KTN for a child 12 years or younger, will the child not receive TSA Pre✓®?
Children aged 12 and younger may use the TSA Pre✓® lane when traveling with a parent or guardian who has the indicator on their boarding pass
13. If I don’t insert the KTN, does that mean the child 12 years or younger can’t use Global Entry when returning to the U.S. from an overseas location?
They can still use Global Entry without a KTN in the reservation, as the use of Global Entry is not tied to the KTN. The passport number in the reservation is what enables a customer to use the Global Entry kiosk upon arrival in the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will automatically verify the passport number matches a Global Entry participant.
Updated: September 2024