tsa known travel

Known Traveler Number program: What is it, and should you get 1?

Editor's Note

When you travel, there are a few pieces of information you probably like to keep handy, including your frequent flyer number, your passport number and your trip confirmation number.

However, another number comes into play if you have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry : your Known Traveler Number. It's an important number that ensures access to the TSA PreCheck lanes .

Here's what to know about getting a KTN, how to find it and how to ensure it's attached to your flight reservations.

What is a Known Traveler Number?

A KTN is a nine-digit code each TSA PreCheck and Global Entry member receives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security upon approval for one of those two programs. Members of a couple of other Trusted Traveler programs get a KTN as well.

The code may be a combination of both letters and numbers. It's your identification number that proves you're a member of one of these programs and shows that you are eligible to use the TSA PreCheck lanes at U.S. airports.

Travelers with a KTN have gone through an application and screening process , and they are known and recognized as travelers by the U.S. government.

Should you apply for a Known Traveler Number?

Getting a KTN is helpful for air travel because if you have one, it means you're a member of a program that gets you shorter wait times.

A KTN is your key to access the TSA PreCheck lanes. These lanes typically have shorter lines and allow members to undergo a less intrusive screening process than the standard lanes. About 99% of TSA PreCheck customers wait 10 minutes or less at security, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

There are several ways to get a KTN through different Trusted Traveler programs run by the DHS. Each program requires travelers to submit an application and go through an interview process. Those interviews generally occur in person at enrollment centers for first-time applicants, with many enrollment centers located at airports. The government is allowing virtual interviews for certain applicants, often those seeking to renew their membership.

Each program that provides travelers with a KTN has a fee, and memberships in all programs are valid for five years. Many credit cards also offer application fee credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck .

TSA PreCheck

If you've applied for TSA PreCheck, gone through the screening process and received confirmation of your approval into the program, you'll receive a KTN from the government.

TSA PreCheck offers a fast-tracked security experience for its members. When going through the TSA PreCheck lanes, you generally won't have to remove your shoes, take laptops or liquids out of your bag, or go through the full-body scanner.

The application fee is $78 for first-time applicants.

Related: Denied for Global Entry or PreCheck? Here's how to appeal

Global Entry

If you've received your TSA PreCheck membership by applying for Global Entry, you'll receive your KTN through your Global Entry membership.

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows travelers designated as low-risk by the U.S. government to use faster customs lines when returning to the U.S. from abroad. Members also get access to TSA PreCheck.

The fee for an application to this program is $100.

If you're planning to travel internationally and within the U.S. multiple times in the next five years, Global Entry is probably your best bet since it gets you expedited screening both at customs and at TSA checkpoints for only $22 more than a standard TSA PreCheck membership.

Related: 13 things you need to know about Global Entry

Nexus and SENTRI

The DHS has two other Trusted Traveler programs for travelers entering the U.S. from Canada and/or Mexico. Nexus and SENTRI also provide members with TSA PreCheck access and, thus, a KTN.

Nexus allows pre-screened travelers to use expedited processing when entering the U.S. from Canada by air or land. The fee for this program's application is $50.

SENTRI allows pre-screened travelers expedited entry into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico by air, land or sea. The application fee for this program is $122.25.

How do you add a Known Traveler Number to your travel bookings?

Once approved for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, Nexus or SENTRI, you'll have to follow one additional step to ensure "TSA PreCheck" is printed on your boarding pass: You have to attach your number to your airline profile.

If you're just looking to attach your number to a single reservation, you can typically do this when filling out your personal information at checkout when booking a flight. However, we recommend always flying with a frequent flyer account to earn miles .

If you have a frequent flyer account, you can attach your KTN right to the personal information section of your airline profile. Once you do this, your KTN should be automatically added to each booking you make with that airline, as you include your frequent flyer number on the reservation. You typically can add your KTN to an existing reservation, too.

What to do if you forgot to add a KTN to your flight

If you already booked a flight and forgot to add your Known Traveler Number to your reservation, don't fret. You should be able to easily pull up your reservation and add your KTN.

Go to the airline's website or mobile app. Pull up your reservation using the confirmation number (or record locator) the airline gave you when you booked your trip. Then, go to the traveler information section. There should be a line that says "Known Traveler Number," "KTN" or "Secure Traveler Information." That's where you put your KTN.

If you've already checked in for your flight and downloaded your boarding pass, you may need to re-download the boarding pass to see "TSA PreCheck" appear.

Related: What to do if a boarding pass isn't marked TSA PreCheck

Where can you find your Known Traveler Number?

The time when you'll most likely need your KTN handy is when booking a flight or updating your airline profile. This goes for new members of TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, SENTRI or Nexus, as well as existing members who might be flying with an airline for the first time since joining one of those programs.

With all the numbers, passwords and accounts we have to keep track of in our lives, it's easy to lose your KTN ... and most of us probably don't know our number by heart. Fortunately, there are a few ways to locate it.

If you're a standard TSA PreCheck member looking to track down your number, you can use this page from the DHS to put in your personal information and look up your number.

If you received your KTN through the Global Entry program, you have a couple of options. If you have your physical Global Entry card, check the backside. Your nine-digit "PASSID" is your KTN; it may start with "15," "98" or "99."

Another way to locate your Known Traveler Number is to log in to your Global Entry or other Trusted Traveler Program account. There, you should be able to see which program you're enrolled in, as well as your membership number/PASSID, which, again, is your KTN. You should also be able to see when your membership expires.

An additional option for tracking down your number is to check your frequent flyer account for an airline you've recently flown with. If your membership in one of the Trusted Traveler programs is active and you've used TSA PreCheck before, odds are your KTN is on file with one or more airlines you regularly fly.

For this option, you'll need to go to your airline profile. If your KTN is in your profile, you should see it listed under your personal information.

Bottom line

A Known Traveler Number is a code that gets you into the TSA PreCheck lane. It's how the airline and government recognize a trusted traveler who is a member of TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or other similar programs.

Keep your number handy and add it to your airline profile. If you're not a member, consider enrolling in one of these programs that gives you a KTN and makes your trip through the airport less of a hassle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click below for responses to frequently asked questions. Contact TSA for additional information.

For information on REAL ID, please visit DHS frequently asked questions .

TSA PreCheck® for HME and TWIC® Information.

General Screening

Starting June 30, 2018, if you are traveling from an international last-point-of-departure to the U.S., powder-based substances in carry-on baggage greater than 350mL or 12 oz. may require additional screening at the central checkpoint. Powder-like substances over 12 oz. or 350mL in carry-on that cannot be resolved at the central checkpoint will not be allowed onto the cabin of the aircraft and will be disposed of.

For your convenience, place powders in your checked bag.

The measures have already been implemented at U.S. airports nationwide to identify and prevent potentially dangerous items from being brought aboard the aircraft. There are no changes to what is allowed in carry-on baggage at U.S. airport checkpoints.

TSA does not prohibit photographing, videotaping or filming at security checkpoints, as long as the screening process is not interfered with or sensitive information is not revealed.

Interference with screening includes but is not limited to holding a recording device up to the face of a TSA officer so that the officer is unable to see or move, refusing to assume the proper stance during screening, blocking the movement of others through the checkpoint or refusing to submit a recording device for screening.

Additionally, you may not film or take pictures of equipment monitors that are shielded from public view.

Please remove your pet from the carrying case and place the case through the X-ray machine. You should maintain control of your pet with a leash and remember to remove the leash when carrying your pet through the metal detector. Animal carriers will undergo a visual and/or physical inspection.

Contact the airline to determine your airline's policy on traveling with pets before arriving at the airport.

You are encouraged to contact your airline as times may vary depending on the airport and date of travel. In general, please allow time for parking/shuttle transportation, airline check-in, obtaining a boarding pass and going through the security screening process, which includes screening of your carry-on bag.

You may check how busy the airport is likely to be on your specific day and time of travel based on historical data by downloading the MyTSA app .

In the event you arrive at the airport without proper ID, because it is lost or at home, you may still be allowed to fly. By providing additional information, TSA has other ways to confirm your identity, like using publicly available databases, so you can reach your flight.

If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint.

Persons wearing head coverings, loose fitting or bulky garments may undergo additional security screening, which may include a pat-down. A pat-down will be conducted by a TSA officer of the same gender. If an alarm cannot be resolved through a pat-down, you may ask to remove the head covering in a private screening area.

Religious knives, swords and other objects are not permitted through the security checkpoint and must be packed in checked baggage.

Inform the TSA officer if you have religious, cultural or ceremonial items that require special handling.

Certain metal body piercings may cause the machines to alarm and a pat-down may be required. If additional screening is required, you may be asked to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down.

Transgender persons will be screened as he or she presents at the security checkpoint. The advanced imaging technology used to screen passengers has software that looks at the anatomy of men and women differently. If there is an alarm, TSA officers are trained to clear the alarm, not the individual. This process ensures every individual is screened effectively according to procedures prior to entering the secured area of an airport. You may request private screening or to speak with a supervisor at any time during the screening process

Please contact our Office of Civil Rights and Liberties for more information .

Learn more about the screening process and travel tips for transgender passengers .

Size dimensions of carry-on baggage allowed in the cabin of the aircraft vary by airline. Contact your airline to ensure what can fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

Musical instruments must undergo screening when transported as carry-on or in checked baggage. Musical instruments transported as carry-on require a physical inspection at the security checkpoint. Inform the TSA officer if your instrument requires special care and handling. You may pack brass instruments in your checked or carry-on baggage.

Check with your airline prior to your flight to ensure your instrument meets the aircraft size requirements.

TSA officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the best way to relieve any concerns during the screening of a child and to resolve any alarms during screening. TSA has modified screening procedures for children 12 and under that reduce the likelihood of pat-down screening. Read about the screening process if you are traveling with children .

For travelers 13 years and older, TSA’s standard screening procedures apply .

Advanced Imaging Technology

You will be asked to remove all items from your pockets (including non-metallic items) and walk into the imaging portal. Once inside, you are required to stand in position and remain still for a few seconds while the technology creates an image in real time. You will then exit the opposite side of the portal and collect your belongings. The entire process takes a matter of seconds.

Millimeter wave imaging technology uses harmless electromagnetic waves to detect potential threats, which are highlighted on a generic outline of a person appearing on a monitor attached to the unit. If there isn’t an alarm, an “OK” appears on the screen with no outline.

Advanced imaging technology is safe and meets national health and safety standards. In fact, the energy emitted by millimeter wave technology is 1000 times less than the international limits and guidelines.

Generally, passengers undergoing screening will have the opportunity to decline AIT screening in favor of physical screening. However, some passengers will be required to undergo AIT screening if their boarding pass indicates that they have been selected for enhanced screening, in accordance with TSA regulations, prior to their arrival at the security checkpoint. This will occur in a very limited number of circumstances. The vast majority of passengers will not be affected.

Advanced imaging technology safely screens passengers without physical contact for both metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives, which may be concealed under a passenger’s clothing.

TSA has implemented strict measures to protect passenger privacy, which is ensured through the anonymity of the image. Automated target recognition software detects any metallic and non-metallic threats concealed under clothing by displaying a generic outline of a person on a monitor attached to the advanced imaging technology unit highlighting any areas that may require additional screening. The generic outline of a person will be identical for all passengers. If there isn’t an alarm, an “OK” appears on the screen with no outline.

Disabilities and Medical Conditions

A nebulizer, CPAP, BiPAP and APAP must be removed from its carrying case and undergo X-ray screening. Facemasks and tubing may remain in the case. You may provide a clear plastic bag to place the device through the X-ray.

TSA has made provisions for those that cannot safely wear a mask. Travelers under the age of 2 years old, those with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask for reasons related to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and those for whom a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by relevant workplace safety guidelines or federal regulations are exempt from the face mask requirement.

All passenger items must undergo security screening. It is recommended that medication be clearly labeled to facilitate the screening process.

You may bring medically necessary liquids, medications and creams in excess of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on bag. Remove them from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.

You and your service dog/animal will be screened by a walk-through metal detector. You may walk through together or you may lead the animal through separately on a leash.

If you opt not to be screened by the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), or a walk-through metal detector (WTMD), you will undergo a pat-down.

If the metal detector alarms, you and your service dog/animal will undergo additional screening, including a pat-down.

During the additional screening, do not make contact with the dog/animal (other than holding the leash) until a TSA officer has completed inspection of your dog/animal. TSA will not separate you from your service animal. If you have concerns about your screening, you can ask to speak with a supervisor or passenger support specialist at any point during the process.

Service dog/animal collars, harnesses, leashes, backpacks, vests and other items are subject to security screening. Items that are necessary to maintain control of the service dog/animal or indicate that the service dog/animal is on duty do not require removal to be screened.

If you need to relieve your service dog and must exit the security checkpoint, you and the service dog will need to go through the screening process again. You may request to move to the front of the line upon your return.

Medication for service animals must go through X-ray or inspection screening. Please separate medications and inform the TSA officer that you carry these items for your service dog.

You can be screened without having to empty or expose the ostomy pouch during Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), a walk-through metal detector (WTMD), or a pat-down screening. Please inform a TSA officer that you have an ostomy pouch before you enter the screening area. The ostomy pouch is subject to additional screening and may require you to conduct a self pat-down of the pouch outside of your clothing, followed by a test of your hands for any trace of explosives. You may also undergo a standard pat-down of areas that will not include the ostomy pouch.

TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process.

Contact us 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. You may call (855) 787-2227 or submit an online form .

Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) can facilitate your screening and reduces the likelihood of a pat-down. Inform the TSA officer that you have an artificial knee, hip, other metal implant or a pacemaker, defibrillator or other internal medical device. You should not be screened by a walk-through metal detector if you have an internal medical device such as a pacemaker. Consult with your physician prior to flying.

If you choose to not be screened through the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), or a walk-through metal detector (WTMD), you will undergo a pat-down screening.

Lost or Damaged Item

Money from the sale of all lost and found items goes to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and into a general fund used to pay towards the U.S. national debt.

You may file a claim if you are injured or your property is lost or damaged during the screening process. Screening at certain airports is performed by private companies and not TSA.

To retrieve the item, you must be able to describe the item, when it was lost, the color of the item, or any information identifying the item, to ensure it is reunited with its rightful owner.

Contact lost and found to locate items left at the security checkpoint. For items left elsewhere in the airport, please contact the airport authority.

TSA estimates that approximately 90,000 to 100,000 items are left behind at checkpoints each month.

TSA works with the airport to reunite passengers with all lost or unclaimed personal property, including personal identification items such as drivers’ licenses and passports, left behind at a checkpoint. If the ID is not claimed within 30 days, it is destroyed.

All weapons detected in carry-on bags are turned over to local law enforcement authorities.

TSA makes every effort to reunite passengers with items left behind at the airport checkpoint. Lost and found items retained by TSA for a minimum of thirty (30) days, and if not claimed, are either destroyed, turned over to a state agency for surplus property, or sold by TSA as excess property. The state may dispose of the items through sales, destruction, donations or charities. The state keeps any money from sales, not TSA. At a number of locations, lost and found items are turned over to the airport at the end of each day.

Unclaimed electronics will have its memory removed and destroyed (e.g. laptop hard drive) or be destroyed completely (e.g. items with non-removable memory) to protect personal data after the 30-day holding period.

Provide as much detail as possible including receipts, appraisals and flight information to avoid delays. Contact your airline for lost or missing baggage.

Please allow up to six months to fully investigate your claim. Claims that require investigation by law enforcement require additional processing time.

All claims are investigated thoroughly and the final decision to approve a claim rests with TSA. If your claim is approved, you will receive a letter and form to complete regarding settlement agreement and/or payment methods. You can check the status of your claim at any time.

Pat-down Screening

To reduce the likelihood of an alarm that results in pat-down screening, remember to remove all items from your pockets before you go through screening. You should avoid wearing clothes, shoes and jewelry with a high metal content.

At any time during the screening process, you may request private screening and have a witness of your choice present. The screening is conducted by a TSA officer of the same gender. The officer will explain the pat-down process before and during the screening. Since pat-down screening is conducted to determine whether prohibited items are concealed under clothing, sufficient pressure must be applied in order to ensure detection. You should inform the officer if you have a medical condition or any areas that are painful when touched.

Pat-down screening is used to resolve alarms; provide an alternate to metal detectors and imaging technology; and as an unpredictable security measure.

TSA officers will work with parents to resolve any alarms at the checkpoint. TSA has modified screening procedures for children 12 and under that reduce the likelihood of pat-down screening.

Permitted and Prohibited Items

There are no provisions for returning prohibited items removed from checked baggage. Passengers should contact their airline with further questions about possible hazardous materials.

Formula, breast milk, juice in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. You do not need to travel with your child to bring breast milk. Breast milk and formula are considered medically necessary liquids. This also applies to breast milk pumping equipment (regardless of presence of breast milk).

Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk and juice - regardless of the presence of breast milk - are allowed in carry-on. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above. You may also bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred and processed baby food in carry-on baggage. These items may be subject to additional screening.

Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule . TSA officers make the final decision on whether certain items are permitted into the secured areas of the airport.

If hazardous materials are found in a passenger’s checked baggage, those items are brought to the attention of the airline with which the passenger is booked. Once the airline determines whether the item is permitted or prohibited, TSA officers accept the airline’s determination.

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion.

TSA PreCheck®

applying for tsa precheck®.

Yes, TSA is committed to promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people, including LGBTQIA+. Individuals who apply for TSA PreCheck®, including persons utilizing a non-binary and gender non-conforming identity document, may self-select Male, Female, or Another Gender as their gender when applying for TSA PreCheck®.

Yes. If you commit certain violations of federal security regulations, such as assault, threat, intimidation, or interference with flight crew, physical or sexual assault or threat of physical or sexual assault of any individual on an aircraft, interference with security operations, access control violations, providing false or fraudulent documents, making a bomb threat, or bringing a firearm, explosive, or other prohibited item to an airport or onboard an aircraft, you are denied expedited screening for a period of time. The duration of disqualification from participation in TSA PreCheck® is related to the seriousness of the violation and/or a repeated history of regulatory violations. Membership suspension can last up to five years for a first time offense or be permanent for egregious incidents or repeat offenses.

TSA PreCheck® enrollees undergo recurrent criminal history vetting as a condition of their TSA PreCheck® enrollment. Temporary suspensions may occur as a result of recurrent vetting. Resolution typically takes less than 30 days, but can take up to 90 days. TSA PreCheck® enrollees found to have committed a disqualifying offense may have their TSA PreCheck® enrollment temporarily suspended or permanently disqualified, depending on the severity of the offense.

If you are unclear why you are not receiving the TSA PreCheck® indicator on your boarding pass, first check that your membership has not expired by looking up your KTN (Known Traveler Number) here .

If your KTN is still active, confirm with your airline that your KTN, name, and date of birth are accurate.

If you still do not have a TSA PreCheck® indicator on your boarding pass, or if you have questions concerning your TSA PreCheck® status, we're here to assist you. You can reach out to us through X (Twitter @AskTSA) , Facebook Messenger ( http://www.fb.com/AskTSA ), Apple Business Chat or by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872 ). You can also contact the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 or fill out an online form. If you've received a notice of violation, please reach out to your assigned case agent

Please note: TSA uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.

It depends on their age and whether they are traveling with a parent or guardian who has enrolled in TSA PreCheck:

Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction.
Children 13-17 may access the TSA PreCheck lanes if they have a TSA PreCheck logo on their boarding pass. To be eligible to receive the TSA PreCheck logo on their boarding pass, the passenger between the ages of 13 and 17 must be on the same airline reservation with a TSA PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian. However, they will not have access to TSA PreCheck lanes if they are on a separate reservation from their parent or guardian or if the TSA PreCheck logo is not included on their boarding pass. In these cases, they must go through standard security screening.
Any child traveling alone routinely may want to enroll in the program.

Please note, adults using gate passes to accompany children traveling alone will be directed to standard screening as gate passes are excluded from TSA PreCheck benefits. This applies even if the gate pass holder has enrolled in TSA PreCheck. The adult will not be permitted to join the child in the TSA PreCheck lane.

Please note, no individual is guaranteed expedited screening because TSA uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.

Yes, TSA requires all names used, current and past. You do not need to provide documents that prove you have previously used another name or alias. The name provided on the TSA PreCheck® application must be the name used when making your airline travel reservations. The name on your application must be an exact match to the name on the identification and proof of citizenship/immigration documents you provide at enrollment.

No, the gender on your identification documents does not need to match the gender you select on your TSA PreCheck Application.

No. You will receive TSA PreCheck® screening even if your current gender differs from the gender you provided when you enrolled in TSA PreCheck®, as long as the name, KTN and date of birth on your reservation match the name, KTN and date of birth on record with TSA.

Yes. The name submitted on your airline reservation must be an exact match to the name you provided on your application. If you use a frequent flyer account or online travel profile, ensure that your name is properly saved. If you included your middle name in your TSA PreCheck application, you must add it when booking your airline reservation.

While TSA does not offer any assistance with application fee costs, several credit cards and loyalty programs do. Click here to see what programs participate.

No, you can select any gender option on the TSA PreCheck® application, even if the gender you self-select does not match the gender on your supporting documentation (such as birth certificate, passport, or state ID). You can self-select Male, Female, or Another Gender as your gender.

Find all active TSA PreCheck® enrollment provider locations by entering a zip code in the search box.

Find an enrollment center for Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI by first selecting the state where you wish to visit an enrollment center.

Visit tsa.gov/precheck to select the enrollment provider that best meets your needs and has an enrollment location near you. You can pre-enroll online and make an appointment for the in-person process, or walk-in to an enrollment center without an appointment.

The online application takes five minutes to complete with the in-person visit taking 10 minutes. During the in-person process, the enrollment provider will collect your biometric data (fingerprints, photo), verify identity documents, and collect payment.

Any website that claims to allow consumers to register for TSA PreCheck that does not end in “.gov” is not an official TSA PreCheck website. Consumers who are applying for TSA PreCheck for the first time cannot pay the application fee online, they must complete their application and pay in-person at a TSA enrollment center. First time applicants are not asked to provide payment information online.

Before you apply, we recommend that you review the various DHS trusted traveler programs: TSA PreCheck® Application Program, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and determine the best program for you. If you travel internationally four or more times a year, consider enrolling in Global Entry. If you take less than four international trips a year, TSA PreCheck is a great choice for domestic travelers.

If you are a member of the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, you may request a gender data update through the enrollment provider you initially applied with. Click here to find contact details for all enrollment providers or to look up your enrollment provider. Please note, updating your gender is not required to receive TSA PreCheck® screening. You are eligible to receive TSA PreCheck® screening even if your current gender differs from the gender you provided when you enrolled in TSA PreCheck®, as long as the name and date of birth on your reservation match the name and date of birth on record with TSA.

Most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in 3-5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days. Applicants can receive updates on their enrollment application status by email, phone, text or by checking online through the enrollment provider they applied with. If you've forgotten who you enrolled through, click here .

TSA has strict requirements and protects all applicants’ data. No applicant information can be used for any purpose other than TSA PreCheck enrollment and vetting without the prior consent of the applicant. Please note, you can opt-in or opt-out to receive marketing promotions / communications at any time through your enrollment provider. TSA also protects your data by ensuring it is encrypted, stored and transmitted securely using methods that protect the information from unauthorized retrieval or use.

The name on your application must be an exact match to the name on the identification and proof of citizenship/immigration documents you provide at enrollment. The name provided must be the name used when making your airline travel reservations.

The fee maintains your eligibility for a period of 5 years, and covers the operational costs associated with the TSA PreCheck® Application Program. For in-depth information on the TSA component of the fee, please see the TSA PreCheck® Application Program TSA Component Fee Development Report .

Participating airlines display a TSA PreCheck® indicator directly on your boarding pass if you are eligible for TSA PreCheck based on your provided Known Traveler Number (KTN). Please ensure you add your KTN to your airline reservation while booking the reservation. If you do not have a valid boarding pass with a TSA PreCheck indicator on it, you cannot access the TSA PreCheck lane. If you believe you should have the TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass but did not receive it, we're here to assist you. You can reach out to us through X (Twitter @AskTSA) , Facebook Messenger ( http://www.fb.com/AskTSA ), Apple Business Chat or by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872 ). You can also contact the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 or fill out an online form.

If you or someone you know believes they have fallen victim to a scam, report it to your local police department and file a report at the Federal Trade Commission’s website, ReportFraud.ftc.gov . Additionally, contact your bank or credit card company immediately and inform them of the fraudulent charge. Please note, TSA will not issue a reimbursement to applicants who attempt to enroll in TSA PreCheck® through a fraudulent website.

No. Medical certification is not required to change the gender options on your TSA PreCheck® application. If you are a member of the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, you may request a gender data update through the enrollment provider you initially applied with. Click here to find contact details for all enrollment providers or to look up your enrollment provider. Please note, updating your gender is not required to receive TSA PreCheck® screening. You are eligible to receive TSA PreCheck® screening even if your current gender differs from the gender you provided when you enrolled in TSA PreCheck®, as long as the name and date of birth on your reservation match the name and date of birth on record with TSA.

The name provided on your TSA PreCheck application and the identification and proof of citizenship/immigration documents provided at enrollment must be the exact name used when making your airline travel reservations. If your name includes a hyphen (e.g. Billings-Smith) or an apostrophe (e.g. O’Sullivan), please ensure to fill your first, middle and last name in the appropriate boxes when completing the airline reservation (e.g. Amelia Louise O’Sullivan).

If you are a member of the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, please contact the enrollment provider you applied with. Click here for the enrollment provider contact information to make changes to your name, address, or other information contained in your records. You will be provided information regarding documentation needed to process the change.

If you change your name and do not update your TSA PreCheck membership to match the new details, you will not be able to use your TSA PreCheck benefits when traveling until the name change process is completed.

When enrolling, be sure to check with your specific enrollment provider for all accepted payment methods. Several credit cards offer assistance with enrollment costs.

Click here to learn more about what documents you are required to bring when applying for TSA PreCheck®.

You can select the gender on your TSA PreCheck® application that is most appropriate for you – Male, Female, or Another Gender. TSA will not require supporting documentation regarding your selection of gender. Medical certification or a physician’s letter is not required when enrolling with a gender that does not match the gender on your identification documents.

The gender on your identification document does not have to match the gender you select on your TSA PreCheck® application. You can select Male, Female, or Another Gender as your gender when applying for TSA PreCheck®.

The TSA PreCheck® Application Program is only open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. Applicants may be ineligible due to incomplete or false application information, certain violations of federal security regulations, or disqualifying criminal offenses and factors .

Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI allow some foreign citizens to apply. You can find more information on all programs here .

All travelers, including TSA PreCheck® enrollees, must have a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification (e.g., passport) in order to fly once TSA is enforcing the REAL ID requirement at airports.

To obtain a REAL ID, contact your state’s driver’s licensing agency.

Learn more about REAL ID by reviewing REAL ID FAQs .

No, there is no TSA PreCheck card. Travelers should enter their Known Traveler Number in their airline reservation to receive a TSA PreCheck® indicator on their boarding pass.

Experiencing TSA PreCheck® at the Airport

No. To receive TSA PreCheck®, you must include your Known Traveler Number (your CBP PASSID for Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI members) in the appropriate field of your airline reservation, and the TSA PreCheck® indicator must be displayed on the boarding pass to access the lanes.

Yes. TSA PreCheck® is available when you depart from a U.S. airport to a foreign country, and for domestic, connecting flights after you return to the United States. If you travel internationally four or more times a year, consider enrolling in Global Entry instead of TSA PreCheck®. With Global Entry you’ll receive expedited customs processing when entering the United States, and you’ll receive TSA PreCheck® when flying from U.S. airports. Learn more about Global Entry .

No. Parents accompanying children through airport security via gate passes will always be directed to standard screening as TSA PreCheck benefits do not apply to gate passes. This applies even if the parent has enrolled in TSA PreCheck.

Participating airlines display a TSA PreCheck® indicator (such as TSAPRECHK, TSA PRE, or TSA PreCheck®) on boarding passes to help you recognize when you are eligible for TSA PreCheck® on your flight. You must have the TSA PreCheck® indicator on your boarding pass before you can access the TSA PreCheck® screening lane.

TSA PreCheck® memberships last five years.

If you consistently do not receive TSA PreCheck®, we're here to assist you. You can reach out to us through X (Twitter @AskTSA) , Facebook Messenger ( http://www.fb.com/AskTSA ), Apple Business Chat or by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872 ). You can also contact the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 or fill out an online form.

Please be aware that if you have violated certain federal security regulations, including TSA security regulations, your access to TSA PreCheck® screening will be suspended. The duration of suspension from participation in TSA PreCheck® is related to the seriousness of the violation and/or a repeated history of regulatory violations. Membership suspension can last up to five years for a first time offense or be permanent for egregious incidents or repeat offenses.

Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction. Children 13-17 must have the TSA PreCheck logo on their boarding pass. To be eligible to receive the TSA PreCheck logo on their boarding pass, the passenger between the ages of 13 and 17 must be on the same airline reservation with a TSA PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian.

Children 17 and under who will be traveling alone or without a TSA PreCheck-eligible adult must apply for TSA PreCheck to have access to expedited screening. Please note, adults using gate passes to accompany children traveling alone will be directed to standard screening as gate passes are excluded from TSA PreCheck benefits. This applies even if the gate pass holder has enrolled in TSA PreCheck. The adult will not be permitted to join the child in the TSA PreCheck lane.

First, check that your membership has not expired by looking up your account here .

If still active, confirm with your airline that your Known Traveler Number, name, and date of birth are accurate and that your airline participates in TSA PreCheck®. If you still do not have a TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass, we can assist. You can reach out to us through X (Twitter @AskTSA) , Facebook Messenger ( http://www.fb.com/AskTSA ), Apple Business Chat or by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872 ). You can also contact the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 or by filling out an online form. .

If possible, please contact TSA within 72 hours of experiencing problems with your TSA PreCheck benefits to allow TSA the ability to trouble shoot the issue.

I think my TSA PreCheck membership was suspended or revoked, but I'm not sure why, what do I do?

First, check that your membership has not expired by looking up your KTN (Known Traveler Number) here . You can also confirm your airline participates in the TSA PreCheck® program, by clicking here .

If your KTN is still active, confirm with your airline that your KTN, name, and date of birth are accurate.

If you still do not have a TSA PreCheck® indicator on your boarding pass, or if you have questions concerning your TSA PreCheck® status, we're here to assist you. You can reach out to us through X (Twitter @AskTSA) , Facebook Messenger ( http://www.fb.com/AskTSA ), Apple Business Chat or by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872) . You can also contact the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 or fill out an online form. If you received a notice of violation, please contact your case agent.

No, TSA uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.

You may request Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) screening if you are not able to undergo or opt-out of metal detector screening. Learn about the special procedures for persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

TSA PreCheck® screening may still be an option through the standard screening lane when dedicated TSA PreCheck® screening lanes are not available. If a TSA PreCheck® lane is not available, please show your TSA PreCheck® boarding pass and you may be able to keep 3-1-1 liquids and laptops in your bag, and shoes and light jackets on while accessing the standard screening lane. Eligible passengers should check with the TSA officer on duty.

Check the TSA PreCheck® airports and airlines map for a current list of participating airlines.

Passengers must be traveling on an airline that has entered into a partnership with TSA to offer TSA PreCheck®.

Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI

If you have questions or concerns about your Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI membership, you may visit the Trusted Traveler Program website or contact Customs and Border Protection at (877) 227-5511 or by email .

TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry are both Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Trusted Traveler Programs. TSA PreCheck® provides expedited security screening benefits for flights departing from U.S. Airports. Global Entry provides expedited U.S. customs screening for international air travelers when entering the United States. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck® benefits as part of their membership.

Before you apply, we recommend that you review the various DHS trusted traveler programs, such as the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and determine the best program for you. If you travel internationally four or more times a year, consider enrolling in Global Entry. If you take less than four international trips a year, TSA PreCheck is a great choice for domestic travelers. For more information on all of the DHS Trusted Traveler Programs use the DHS interactive Trusted Traveler Tool .

Known Traveler Number (KTN)

Contact your airline by phone or online to add your Known Traveler Number (KTN). Remember to enter your full name, date of birth and KTN exactly as you provided during enrollment because if there is a mismatch in the data entry in the travel reservation, you will not receive the TSA PreCheck® indicator on your boarding pass.

Once you have been assigned a Known Traveler Number (KTN), you must include this number in the ‘KTN' field of each reservation you make with a participating airline. The KTN also can be added when booking reservations online via a participating airline website, by phone with an airline reservation agent or with the travel management company making reservations. Save your KTN to any frequent flyer profiles, employer booking systems or online travel websites that you use.

If you are a member of the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, look up your Known Traveler Number (KTN) here .

If you are a member of another trusted traveler program, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, log on to the Trusted Traveler Program website to obtain your PASSID, which is your KTN.

If your TSA PreCheck® benefits come through HME, TWIC®, or DoD, please visit these respective links for additional information: HME , TWIC® , DoD .

If your TSA PreCheck® benefit comes through TSA PreCheck® for DHS employees, please visit TSA PreCheck® for DHS Employees | TSA PreCheck® for additional information.

A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is issued to all individuals approved to receive TSA PreCheck® expedited screening. The KTN must be added in the KTN field when booking airline travel reservations to have the TSA PreCheck® indicator appear on your boarding pass.

For members approved for the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, this number is 9 or 10 digits long, can be a combination of numbers and letters and typically begins with TT for those who enrolled through IDEMIA, TE for those who enrolled through Telos, or AC for those who enrolled through CLEAR all of which are official TSA PreCheck® enrollment providers.

For members approved for Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, the KTN is the CBP PASS ID number. This nine-digit number usually begins with 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 50, 70, 80, 95, 98, or 99 and can be found on the back of your NEXUS, SENTRI, or Global Entry card in the upper-left corner or by logging on to the Trusted Traveler Programs website. Your trusted traveler card will not grant you access to TSA PreCheck® lanes, instead you must add your PASS ID number in the KTN field when making airline reservations to ensure the TSA PreCheck® indicator appears on your boarding pass.

Renewing TSA PreCheck®

Members may renew their TSA PreCheck® membership online up to six months before their expiration date. The new membership period begins as the current one ends, so there is no disadvantage to renewing early. Alternatively, members can renew in person at an enrollment center.

If members have changed their name since enrollment, they may either visit an enrollment center to complete the renewal process in-person or update their name by contacting the enrollment provider they have selected to process their renewal (up to six months before the expiration date). Please click here to view enrollment providers' contact information.

Name changes may take up to 45 days to complete and processing time varies by individual.

Most applicants receive approval notification in 3-5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days. Considering this, applicants are encouraged to renew at least 60 days prior to expiry. TSA will notify members with eligibility results.

The cost for TSA PreCheck® membership renewal varies by enrollment provider. Please find current offerings here . The fee maintains your eligibility for a period of 5 years, and covers the operational costs associated with the background check.

TSA's enrollment providers will send a renewal notification to members who have a valid email and/or phone number on record. Members will receive notification six months, three months, one month, and two weeks prior to their expiration. Emails will come from IDEMIA /Universal Enroll.

You may also look up your expiration date online .

If you or someone you know believes they have fallen victim to a scam, report it to your local police department and file a report at the Federal Trade Commission's website, ReportFraud.ftc.gov . Additionally, contact your bank or credit card company immediately and inform them of the fraudulent charge. Please note, TSA will not issue a reimbursement to applicants who attempt to renew TSA PreCheck® through a fraudulent website.

No, you will not receive TSA PreCheck® on your boarding pass if your Known Traveler Number has expired. You must renew before expiration to continue receiving TSA PreCheck on your boarding pass. Renew online here .

You are eligible for the return of time lost if suspension occurred as a result of false match to another individual, resulting in revocation of TSA PreCheck benefits.

You are not eligible for the return of time lost due to suspension resulting from a TSA checkpoint or FAA violation, unless the suspension went beyond the intended disqualification period.

You are not eligible for the return of time lost due to recurrent vetting for Criminal History Records Checks.

Reconsideration is the process applicable to persons who have been disqualified from TSA PreCheck® on account of a regulatory violation who seek TSA to reconsider the length of the period of disqualification. Redress is the process applicable to persons who have been incorrectly disqualified from TSA PreCheck® (meaning individuals incorrectly identified as having committed a regulatory violation or individuals correctly identified as having committed a regulatory violation but erroneously disqualified for longer than the intended disqualification period).

If you commit certain violations of federal security regulations, such as assault, threat, intimidation, or interference with flight crew, physical or sexual assault or threat of physical or sexual assault of any individual on an aircraft, interference with security operations, access control violations, providing false or fraudulent documents, making a bomb threat, or bringing a firearm, explosive, or other prohibited item to an airport or onboard an aircraft, you are denied expedited screening for a period of time. The duration of disqualification from participation in TSA PreCheck® is related to the seriousness of the violation and/or a repeated history of regulatory violations. Membership suspension can last up to five years for a first time offense or be permanent for egregious incidents or repeat offenses.

TSA PreCheck® enrollees undergo recurrent criminal history vetting as a condition of their TSA PreCheck® enrollment. If TSA is notified of new criminal records while you are a member of TSA PreCheck®, your eligibility for TSA PreCheck® expedited screening may be temporarily suspended while TSA investigates the new criminal information. This process typically takes less than 30 days, but can take up to 90 days. TSA PreCheck® enrollees found to have committed a disqualifying offense may have their TSA PreCheck® enrollment temporarily suspended or permanently disqualified, depending on the severity of the offense.

If you are unclear why you are not receiving the TSA PreCheck® indicator on your boarding pass, first check that your membership has not expired by looking up your KTN (Known Traveler Number) here . You can also confirm your airline participates in the TSA PreCheck® program, by clicking here .

You may renew your membership online up to six months before the expiration date with the new membership beginning as the current one ends. TSA recommends you renew at least 60 days prior to your expiration to avoid a lapse in benefits.

Some individuals may need to renew in person, for example, if they have changed their name and have not gone through TSA’s name update process. These members may either visit an enrollment center to complete the renewal process in-person or update their name with the enrollment provider with which they would like to renew. Please click here to view enrollment providers' contact information.

Yes. Members will keep the same KTN during the renewal process.

TSA PreCheck® Enrollment Providers

No, TSA does not offer price matching, please check out the current providers' details at tsa.gov/precheck to find a provider's offering that suits your needs. Several credit cards offer assistance with application fee costs.

No. The requirements to enroll in the TSA PreCheck program are the same among all the enrollment providers in which the applicant chooses. Details on each enrollment provider's offering such as locations, pricing and promotions can be found at tsa.gov/precheck and travelers can select the enrollment provider that best suits their needs.

To determine which TSA PreCheck enrollment provider you have enrolled with, click here .

You are not charged the application fee until you have completed your application in person and can switch enrollment providers until you have completed the enrollment process at an onsite provider location. Please note you will need to re-enroll with the new provider. If your application is incomplete, your data will be purged after 180 days from the enrollment provider's system. However, once the in-person process is complete for both new applications and renewals and payment is taken, there are no refunds.

No, your Known Traveler Number (KTN) remains the same regardless of enrollment provider selected.

No, the majority of applicants will be able to renew completely online with any enrollment provider.

Regardless of which enrollment provider you choose to enroll with, some individuals may need to renew in person, for example, if they have changed their name and have not completed TSA’s name update process. These members may either visit an enrollment center to complete the renewal process or update their name with the enrollment provider with which they would like to renew. Please click here to view enrollment providers' contact information.

All enrollment providers facilitate TSA PreCheck enrollments and renewals on TSA's behalf. Providers vary in their enrollment locations, prices, and other promotional offers they may provide applicants. Details on each enrollment provider's offering can be found at tsa.gov/precheck and travelers can select the enrollment provider that best suits their needs.

A TSA PreCheck enrollment provider is a private sector company that is contracted by TSA to collect TSA PreCheck enrollment information from applicants and submit this data to TSA and the FBI. Applicant enrollments are conducted by these enrollment providers, and providers must meet TSA contract requirements, including strict requirements related to data privacy and security. Enrollment data is submitted to TSA securely, and TSA uses the enrollment information to perform a background check on the applicant. TSA makes the final decision on TSA PreCheck eligibility.

The current enrollment providers are CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos. Travelers can enroll through the provider that best suits their needs. All available enrollment provider offerings are detailed on tsa.gov/precheck .

Yes, you can renew through any enrollment provider you choose. To see available renewal offers visit tsa.gov/precheck .

Yes. Each enrollment provider is allowed to set its own prices for TSA PreCheck enrollment and renewal fees. The fee provided to TSA to conduct vetting, adjudication, and program support will be consistent across all enrollment providers. To see current available pricing visit tsa.gov/precheck .

TSA PreCheck® for Active Duty Military and DoD Civilians

No, TSA PreCheck® benefits do not extend to non-DoD affiliated military adult dependents age 18 and over. Be sure to enroll here for TSA PreCheck® benefits. Note: Also check Credit Cards and Loyalty Programs featuring TSA PreCheck® here for eligible credit cards and loyalty rewards programs featuring fee reimbursement.

Firearms, ammunition, and firearm parts are prohibited in carry-on baggage and may be transported in checked baggage only. If you have just returned from overseas duty or any assignment where you carried a firearm or ammunition, check your carry-on bag and other belongings to ensure firearms, parts, and ammunition are not present. Contact AskTSA or TSA Contact Center with questions you have regarding TSA firearm regulations and for clarification on what you may or may not transport in your carry-on or checked baggage.

Rules for individually transporting firearms and ammunition .
Rules for transporting sharp objects and tool .
List of prohibited hazardous materials .

Injured, wounded service members, veterans and wounded warriors may contact TSA Cares to request assistance with the security screening process. TSA Cares is a helpline to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. Call TSA Cares 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint at (855) 787-2227 .

Wounded Warriors

TSA verifies the status of individuals identifying themselves as a wounded warrior through the appropriate military branch. Following verification, the travel information is provided to the departing/arriving U.S. airports where wounded warriors may experience expedited screening procedures.

Veterans

Injured service members/veterans requesting assistance will have their travel information and type of assistance required provided to the departing/arriving U.S. airports to ensure they receive proper assistance at the security checkpoint. Veterans who are not enrolled in TSA PreCheck™ will be screened in standard screening lanes.

Learn about the security screening procedures for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions .

Yes. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and DoD Federal civilians can use TSA PreCheck® benefits for both official and personal travel. Be sure to update all travel reservations with your DoD ID number listed as the Known Traveler Number (KTN) to enjoy benefits. The KTN also can be added when booking reservations online via a participating airline website, by phone with an airline reservation agent or with the travel management company making reservations. Save your KTN to any frequent flyer profiles, employer booking systems or online travel websites that you use.

Yes. Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Coast Guard Academy receive free TSA PreCheck® benefits. Add your DoD ID number in the "Known Traveler Number" (KTN) field when booking flight reservations.

No. All members of the U.S. Armed Forces must include their DoD ID number in the Known Traveler Number field when making flight reservations and a TSA PreCheck® indicator must be visible on your boarding pass. The airlines will print a TSA PreCheck® indicator (such as TSAPRECHK, TSA PRE, or TSA PreCheck®) on boarding passes to help you recognize when you are eligible for TSA PreCheck® on your flight.

You cannot access the TSA PreCheck® lane by presenting your CAC or other documentation.

Yes, U.S. citizens and/or lawful permanent resident cadets and students of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and six State Maritime Academies are eligible to receive free TSA PreCheck benefits through the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. Students enrolled at these academies are eligible to enroll for TWIC, and most U.S. Merchant Mariners are required to maintain a valid TWIC to obtain their Merchant Mariner Credential. When making an airline reservation, enter the Credential Identification Number (CIN) which is the eight-digit number printed under the bottom left of the barcode on the back of the TWIC® card in the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field. For cardholders with the newest version of the TWIC card, the CIN is also embossed on the front of the card.

No, TSA PreCheck® benefits do not continue after leaving DoD. Be sure to enroll upon retirement or leaving DoD to continue enjoying TSA PreCheck® benefits .

DoD federal civilian employees must opt-in to TSA PreCheck® by visiting the milConnect website. After selecting the “My Profile” and the “CIV” menu tab when logged into the website, users will be guided through the opt-in process for TSA PreCheck®. Civilian employees need to opt-in only once. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces do not need to opt-in.

Enter the DoD ID number from the back of your common access card (CAC) into the “Known Traveler Number” field of your flight reservations or when updating your Defense Travel System profile for official travel.

DoD federal civilian employees must opt-in via milConnect before using their Known Traveler Number.

The unit must declare weapons and ammunition to the aircraft operator.
Weapons must be unloaded.
Weapons must be collectively secured in a crate and banded or individually locked in a hard-sided case.
Ammunition must also be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
Firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition must be completely and securely enclosing any ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder or holster).
You may carry ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, if you pack it as described above.
A unit representative must submit the unit's official travel orders and an inventory of weapons and ammunition being transported.
The unit representative must certify to TSA in writing that the weapons are unloaded.
Contact us through X (Twitter @AskTSA) , Facebook Messenger ( http://www.fb.com/AskTSA ), Apple Business Chat or by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872) . You can also contact the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 or fill out an online form with questions you have regarding TSA firearm regulations and for clarification on what you may or may not transport in your carry-on or checked baggage.

TSA PreCheck® for Persons with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

No. Only travelers who have a valid boarding pass with the TSA PreCheck® indicator printed on the boarding pass will have access to the TSA PreCheck® lanes.

No. The application fee covers the cost of the background check and cannot be waived.

Electronic Baggage Screening Program

Projects previously funded for facility modification by the Electronic Baggage Screening Program through either another transaction agreement or memorandum of agreement are not eligible for additional funds.

Should projects previously funded by TSA require additional funds, the project sponsor should submit a request including a detailed cost estimate. TSA will not reimburse for anything outside of the existing scope or for cost incurred before it is executed. The project sponsor must contact the appropriate point of contact.

TSA will not provide funding for a checked baggage inspection system project that does not have an authorized funding agreement in place.

Airports may submit applications for more than one project; however, a separate application for each individually designed and constructed project is required for the following reasons:

To ensure a unique request identification number is included in each application in order to track the status of the project.
To avoid confusion regarding additional information requirements for a specific project.
To resolve design review comments for specific projects.
To allow for resolution of issues regarding one project without jeopardizing any other projects.

The TSA Funding of Checked Baggage Inspection System Project Costs Policy Memo contains additional information regarding allowable and allocable costs, up to the not-to-exceed value of each project, covered by design and facility modification applications.

Costs identified as allowable and allocable will be part of the project funding negotiations between TSA and the airport depending on the option selected from those included in the submitted alternatives analysis. The airport’s ability to fund future increases in annual operations and maintenance costs related to the operation of an in-line system is essential to the overall analysis of project viability. TSA recommends airports perform a thorough analysis of the costs associated with the implementation of an in-line system to identify potential increases in operational cost.

If the application package is deemed incomplete, the airport executive point of contact will be contacted via email and the missing information will be requested. The airport will then have the opportunity to submit the missing information in order for it to be included with the application.

Interested project sponsors must submit a completed application to the federal security director or designated representative. The current version of the design application or facility modification application must be used.

Prior to submission, the security director will submit a request via the equipment request interface, receiving a request identification number from the requirements management advisory group – this number must be included on the application. For submission, please email your application .

TSA reviews the application and contacts the airport executive point of contact if any information is missing. After review, a technical interchange meeting is held. If determined an in-line system is not suitable for a given screening zone, the airport will be notified the application will not be considered for funding.

Applications will be reviewed only after all requested documents and plans have been received. Applications failing to include all the required documentation are incomplete and may not be considered in the current funding cycle. Upon receipt, a funding application is:

Reviewed for compliance against submission information requirements.
If incomplete or non-conforming, email identifying the missing information is sent to the airport executive point of contact.
If project is outside the scope of the Electronic Baggage Screening Program, email communication is sent to the airport executive point of contact.
Some projects require design review for compliance. As part of the process, TSA coordinates between airport and airport’s baggage handling system designer to review and resolve any comments or outstanding issues.
Upon completion of the review process, TSA sends notification of current status to the airport.

Electronic submissions are preferred, please email your submission . If the airport encounters transmission problems due to file size limitations, please send two copies of the documents, with scalable drawings, on a CD via express mailing service to the following address:

EBSP RPC Point of Contact Mail Stop TSA TSIF - #32 Transportation Security Administration 3701 West Post Office Road Washington, D.C. 20528-6032

Documents should be provided in the file formats specified.

The Planning Guidelines and Design Standards outline the supporting documentation requirements for in-line and mini in-line system. The required deliverables for mini in-line and in-line systems can be found in the figure entitled “Deliverables Checklist for In-line CBIS.” The “Contents” section includes all figure titles in the document for easy reference. It is imperative that the airport complies with submission of all required and applicable documents in the checklist to prevent unnecessary delays during the design review process. Read the design standards for Checked Baggage Inspection Systems .

In addition, when submitting the Facility Modification OTA application, all supporting National Environmental Policy Act documents must be attached. Additional information can be found in the application guidance for the facility modification.

TSA funds new in-line projects based on its funding prioritization criteria. A project sponsor can proactively apply for design and construction funding related to building a new in-line checked baggage inspection system, a checked baggage resolution area upgrade, or an efficiency project for an existing inspection system. Only projects using qualified product list equipment are eligible for funding.

Non-eligible projects include any request not related to a new in-line baggage screening system including, but not limited to:

Stand-alone baggage screening systems.
Equipment decommission and/or removal.
Equipment relocation.
Ancillary and/or safety equipment.
Reimbursement of electronic detection projects that are already completed.
Equipment recapitalization.

The Design OTA application should be completed if the project sponsor is requesting funding for the design of an eligible checked baggage inspection system. The project sponsor must be prepared to provide its cost share for the design phase. Cost share and other financial information requirements are provided in the application guidance.

The facility modification application should be completed to request funding for construction of an eligible inspection system. As part of an application, the project sponsor must be prepared to provide its required cost share for the entire construction project.

Project sponsors are strongly encouraged to coordinate with local and headquarters TSA entities via project coordinators as early as possible when inspection system projects are being considered and conceptually planned.

The applicable version of the Planning Guidelines and Design Standards will be identified in the design application or facility modification.

Projects that have received an evaluated unfunded letter will be considered during the next funding cycle.

Additional information and data may be required or requested in order to meet the current funding process requirements. A request for this information will be sent to the airport executive point of contact identified on the initial application.

If project application details change, please email your updates . TSA will send a communication quarterly to solicit updates.

FOIA

TSA cannot process a request for “all records” on an individual or for “all communications” between TSA and a third party. You should include a date limitation, a particular topic, and if asking for correspondence, the relevant parties’ names and offices or airports, if known. You can contact the TSA FOIA Branch for assistance in writing a FOIA request. This will ensure we understand which materials you are seeking and help us respond to your request quickly.

Given the variety of programs at TSA and the multiple ways you might have a connection with TSA, we require this additional information about records you are seeking. As TSA operates at over 450 airports and screens on average more than 1.9 million passengers a day, it would be unduly burdensome to conduct a search at over 450 airports and TSA program offices using limited information. Please narrow or otherwise clarify your request by providing specific criteria regarding the records that you are seeking (e.g., time period, airport or other association with TSA, including employment) so that TSA can conduct a reasonable search.

You may request records about a third party, but such records may be protected by the Privacy Act and/or FOIA. You will receive greater access to records about a third party by submitting a notarized authorization signed by that individual; a declaration by that individual authorizing disclosure of the records; or proof that the individual is deceased (e.g., a copy of a death certificate or an obituary).

If you wish to submit a request for records about another individual on behalf of that individual, you must provide a statement from the subject or an Affirmation Declaration form verifying his or her identity and documenting their agreement that their records may be released to you. If we do not receive this authorization, access to the records will be limited.

You can submit FOIA and Privacy Act requests electronically via the DHS-TSA FOIA PA Request Form .

You may also submit requests directly to TSA by U.S. mail or email, using the contact information and instructions on the TSA FOIA Requests page . Verbal requests are not accepted.

Current TSA employees should access their records through the electronic OPF from a government computer. Access from non-government computers will be denied. Please work with your local management to request access to a government computer for your eOPF request.

In addition, you may request assistance from your facility’s Human Resource/Administrative Office. For additional information, please visit the Office of Personnel Management website .

Former federal civilian employees (the person of record) may obtain copies of most civilian and personnel medical records on file at the National Personnel Records Center , including copies of the Standard Form 50 (Personnel Action) via written request. Different release procedures apply for archival civilian personnel records . Please note, OPFs are retired to the center within 120 days after separation from federal employment. If less than 120 days have elapsed since separation, write to the last employing federal office.

Federal law 5 USC 552a(b) requires that all requests for personnel records and information be submitted in writing. Each request must be signed in cursive and dated within the last year. Please identify the documents or information needed and explain the purpose of your request.

Certain basic information needed to locate civilian personnel records includes the full name used during federal employment, date of birth, Social Security Number, name and location of employing federal agency, and beginning and ending dates of federal service.

Written requests must be signed and dated. Mail or fax to:

National Personnel Records Center, Annex 1411 Boulder Boulevard Valmeyer, IL 62295

Fax: 618-935-3014

Current or former federal civilian employees seeking worker’s compensation file records may receive a more complete set of records by directly contacting the Department of Labor .

TSA processes requests on a first-come, first-served basis according to two tracks: simple and complex. The first response you receive is TSA’s acknowledgment of your request submission. TSA typically acknowledges requests within 10 days of receipt. The acknowledgment letter provides tracking numbers and informs a requester about whether additional information will be needed to process the request. The letter also provides instructions for checking the status of the request.

If you have not received an acknowledgment from TSA regarding your request within 10 days, you may contact us at 866-364-2872 or email at [email protected] to ensure we received your request. Most Internet providers impose a 25-megabyte limit on files sent through email servers. If your request includes attachments that exceed that limit, it may have been blocked.

How long it takes to receive materials from TSA depends on several factors. Our processing time will be determined by the nature of your request, including complexity, scope, and other factors. Requests are deemed complex for reasons that include, but are not limited to, those that require search within multiple offices or airport(s), consultation with multiple DHS components or other agencies, or review of voluminous records from multiple locations. Additionally, the size of TSA’s backlog can affect processing times.

TSA is diligently working through a backlog to more efficiently process all requests.

When you request records about yourself, TSA must verify your identity to ensure that your personal information is released only to you. You can meet this requirement by emailing or mailing the Affirmation Declaration form to TSA.

You may request any information that constitutes an existing TSA record in any format, including an electronic format. Examples of records that may be requested include documents, photographs, videos, sound recordings, drawings, computerized records, electronic mail, and agency policies and procedures.

TSA will conduct a search for records already in existence at the time of the request. Please note the FOIA does not require an agency to create new records, answer questions posed by requesters, complete questionnaires, or attempt to interpret a request that does not identify specific records.

If you request video recordings from airports, please note that the TSA is not the primary custodian of those records. TSA is unlikely to have airport videos unless we obtained them as a result of an alleged checkpoint incident or security breach. Therefore, we recommend that you request video recordings from the local airport authority. Also, be aware that airport authorities generally delete recordings after 30 days.

You may appeal FOIA actions including, but not limited to: denial of records, a no-records response, or agency redactions. Appeals must be in writing and sent to [email protected] or to:

Civil Rights & Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement 601 South 12th Street West Building, W3-110S Arlington, VA 20598-6033

Submit your appeal within 90 days from the date of the response letter. Please include the TSA-assigned FOIA request number, the reasons for your appeal, and mark your envelope “FOIA Appeal.” This information is also included in your final TSA FOIA response letter.

In order for TSA to provide you with exactly what you need, please include in your request details that will help us conduct a robust but targeted search. These details include date, title or name, author, recipient, names of offices, agencies and organizations, subject matter of the record, case number, file designation, and reference number. For requests regarding airport checkpoint experiences, include the name/location of airport, date and time of travel, checkpoint lane and any other details. For more information, please visit the FOIA requests page .

If a request does not provide sufficient descriptive information, we may not be able to identify the records sought. We may ask you for additional information (e.g., specific subject matter, topic, personnel, etc.) if we are unable to process your request. If we cannot contact you or you do not respond within 30 calendar days to our requests for clarification, we will close your request.

The FOIA request form also requires the following information:

Your full name (for a Privacy Act Request), address, telephone number, and, if available, email.
Indication of whether the request is a FOIA and/or a Privacy Act request (if known).
Specific information about the records sought as described above.
Delivery information for the responsive records, e.g., electronically or via mail.
A statement regarding your willingness to pay applicable fees, including any limitations.

Sensitive Security Information is information that, if publicly released, would be detrimental to transportation security, as defined by 49 CFR Part 1520. Sensitive Security Information is exempt from disclosure under the FOIA.

There is no fee to make a FOIA request. However, TSA may charge a fee for search, duplication, or review of records depending on the category of the requester.

Search fees will be charged for all requests except those made by academic institutions, noncommercial scientific institutions, or members of the press.

Review fees will be charged for all commercial use requests. You will be advised if the fees total more than $25. You may also seek a fee waiver in accordance with the DHS FOIA regulations.

Any type of record may be requested. Typically, incident reports at airports, complaints lodged against TSA, weapons surrendered at airports, contracts, and employment application results are requested. When making a request, please provide TSA with information on where the records may be held.

All citizens and non-citizens, private individuals, academic institutions, public interest groups, corporations, associations, non-profit groups, and state, local, and foreign governments can submit FOIA requests.

DHS regulations at 6 CFR Part 5 permit administrative closure for requests that are not reasonably described or not in compliance with published agency FOIA procedures. If TSA determines that your request is insufficient, we will notify you and work with you to reformulate your request. If you continue to have difficulties, you may opt for additional assistance from the Office of Government Information Services .

HAZMAT

Section 1978 of the TSA Modernization Act passed in October 2018 allows states to issue a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) on a state-issued commercial driver’s license (CDL) to a driver who holds a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential ( TWIC ®). This provision allows states to utilize the existing TWIC to verify the completion of the TSA security threat assessment. TSA has approved an exemption from certain portions of the current regulations. This exemption relieves states from requiring an additional HME application from individuals, and relieves them from having to submit certain information and fees to receive a state issued HME if they hold a valid TWIC. Per the approved exemption memo , the state must verify the validity of the TWIC using methods prescribed by TSA prior to issuing the HME. The expiration date of any HME issued through this process will not extend past the expiration date of the relevant TWIC. Check with your state for more details.

No. Applicants who apply for a TWIC do not have to pay the full price for the TWIC STA if they apply successful clearance results from their most recent HME STA, and as a result, the fee for the TWIC is reduced by $22.75. All TWIC applicants must pay the fees that cover the other components of the TWIC program, including enrollment and card issuance. Applicants are always offered the option to apply for a full-fee TWIC STA if they determine it is more cost effective to do so.

This rule applies only to drivers who hold a CDL issued by a state of the U.S. Generally, this would not include drivers from Canada and Mexico. There is a separate rule that addresses Canadian drivers hauling explosives into the U.S. Eventually, all drivers will have to meet threat assessment and eligibility standards that are comparable to the standards that now apply to Hazmat drivers in the U.S.

If you have completed a security threat assessment and you are transferring your HME to a new state, you may not have to go through a new threat assessment for the transfer, provided your new state can issue you an HME that expires within five years of your last assessment.

Generally, you must renew your HME every five years, although some states may require more frequent reviews based on shorter license cycles. You will be required to submit new fingerprints at the time of renewal of the endorsement. Per state requirements, you may be required to satisfactorily complete written competency tests as a prerequisite to the issuance of a new, renewed, or transferred HME.

Please contact the Vital Records department in the state you were born.

The HME will be issued with the same expiration date as the individual’s TWIC STA. Therefore, individuals should consider the expiration date of their current TWIC STA to determine if it is cost effective to apply for a comparable HME STA.

You are eligible to pay a reduced fee if you hold a TWIC security threat assessment at least one year remaining before expiration in the following states:

(Arizona, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming)

In addition, you are eligible to pay a reduced fee if you hold a TWIC security threat assessment at least four years remaining before expiration in the following states:

(Alabama, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Vermont)

Applicants in all States above, except Virginia, can confirm their eligibility online with TSA during the HME STA application process here . The State of Virginia will confirm the eligibility of applicants online with TSA.

CDL holders with an active HME security threat assessment, and who meet the eligibility requirements for the TSA PreCheck Application Program may be eligible for expedited screening.

In addition, CDL HME holders must:

Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national
Be approved for an HME outside TSA’s waiver process
Not be under investigation as a result of TSA’s recurrent vetting

In order to participate in TSA PreCheck, HME holders should use the two-letter State abbreviation followed by the CDL number printed on their state-issued CDL and enter it in the known traveler number field of airline reservations made with a participating airline or in airline profiles. Visit TSA PreCheck for HME for more information.

TSA’s goal is to provide you with the status of your application within 60 days of receiving the information you provided at enrollment. This may take longer if there was difficulty capturing your fingerprints during enrollment or any data is missing.

If your licensing state is on the list below you cannot check your status online:

Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. For these states, please check your application status with your state licensing agency or call 1-833-848-4759.

For other states, you may check the status of your application online. Go to TSA Enrollment and select Check My Service Status .

TSA does not send or issue approval letters. TSA sends official notification of your HME eligibility to your state of license only, and your state verifies your eligibility and provides your result when it issues you a CDL with HME. Please check with your state driver’s licensing agency on your CDL and HME issuance process and status.

The legal interpretation of the phrase “field of transportation” as it relates to fees covering the cost of vetting services can be found on the Federal Register as Docket ID Docket ID TSA-2016-0001 .

The rule is 49 CFR 1572. On May 5, 2003, TSA published the rule to secure the transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat), including explosives, by requiring threat assessments for all individuals who apply for, renew, or transfer a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) on their commercial driver’s license (CDL). On January 25, 2007, TSA modified this rule to include additional disqualifiers and appeal mechanisms.

According to fee statute (6 U.S.C. 469(a)), the field of transportation includes any individual, activity, entity, facility, owner or operator that is subject to regulation by TSA, the Department of Transportation or the U.S. Coast Guard. This also includes individuals applying for trusted traveler programs, such as TSA PreCheck®.

If TSA finds potentially disqualifying information, we will send you a letter with instructions on how to proceed.

If your application was approved, TSA will not send you an approval letter. TSA sends official notification of your HME eligibility to your state of license only. Please check with your state driver’s licensing agency on your application status.

MyTSA App

The MyTSA app is available in the iTunes and Google Play app stores and can be downloaded to your personal electronic devices.

Tap the search icon at the top right of the screen and type in the name of the airport. Tap the star next to the airport name to add it to your list of favorites.

To arrange your favorite airports, tap the Edit button at the top left of the My Airports screen. You can then drag and drop the airports into the order you prefer. Please note, if you have location services on, the closest airport to you will always be listed first.

For assistance with the app, please email your inquiry .

Passenger Fees Effective December 19, 2014

Air carriers must continue to fulfill the record keeping and reporting requirements as provided in 49 CFR § 1510.17.

If a passenger purchased air transportation from a public charter operator, which means paying the charter operator in full for air transportation, at any time prior to December 19, 2014, the public charter operator must collect the September 11 Security Fee in place prior to December 19, 2014. Conversely, if the passenger purchased public charter air transportation on or after December 19, 2014, the public charter operator must collect the revised September 11 Security Fee.

The time the direct or foreign air carrier received funds from the public charter escrow account; or
The date the direct or foreign air carrier operated the flight.

Note that the direct and foreign air carrier remittance date to TSA has no effect on the amount of the fee that should be collected from the passenger. The remittance amount is based on when the passenger purchased public charter air transportation from the public charter operator.

In the case of prepaid air transportation, if the passenger fully prepaid air transportation prior to December 19, 2014, and the carrier issued a ticket against the prepaid amount on or after December 19, 2014, the carrier must collect the September 11 Security Fee in effect prior to December 19, 2014, for that ticket because TSA considers the air transportation to have been purchased prior to December 19, 2014.

The imposition and collection of the September 11 Security Fee will remain at $5.60 per one-way trip on air transportation sold on or after 12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time December 19, 2014, except that the fee imposed per round trip shall not exceed $11.20.

See the chart below for further itinerary examples that detail imposition of the fee prior from July 21, 2014 to December 18, 2014 and on and after December 19, 2014.

Example 1: Air transportation from Washington to Chicago to Los Angeles with a stopover only in Los Angeles that returns via the same route purchased before December 19, 2014, is charged a $11.20 fee for two one-way trips. If the passenger changed the itinerary to Washington to Los Angeles with only a stopover in Los Angeles and returns via the same route and the ticket is re-priced on or after December 19, 2014, the carrier must continue to charge the September 11 Security Fee of $11.20 for one round trip.

Example 2: Air transportation from Washington to Chicago to Los Angeles purchased before December 19, 2014, is charged a $5.60 fee. If the passenger changed the itinerary to Washington to Los Angeles with a stopover in Los Angeles and returns via the same route and the ticket is re-priced on or after December 19, 2014, the carrier must charge the revised September 11 Security Fee of $11.20.

Example 3: Air transportation from Washington to Chicago to Los Angeles purchased before December 19, 2014, is charged a $5.60 fee. If the air carrier changed the itinerary to Washington to Los Angeles on or after December 19, 2014, neither the carrier nor the passenger is liable for a revised September 11 Security Fee. The fee remains $5.60.

If a direct or foreign air carrier does not properly collect the fee from the passenger, the direct or foreign air carrier is still solely liable to TSA for the fee.

If a passenger purchased a ticket before December 19, 2014, and changed the original itinerary and the ticket changed in price December 19, 2014, the carrier must treat the itinerary change as a new purchase and charge the revised September 11 Security Fee.

If however, a passenger purchased a ticket before December 19, 2014, and changed the amenities of that ticket on or after December 19, 2014, the carrier must not treat the transaction as a new purchase of air transportation and continue to collect the fee as in effect prior to December 19, 2014. Amenities include seating changes, meals or other items not related to air transportation.

TSA modified the definition of “stopover” to make a distinction not only between domestic and foreign travel, but to recognize that non-continental U.S. air transportation (outside the contiguous 48 states) is more like foreign air transportation than continental air transportation. Stopover means a break in travel of more than:

four hours (4) for continental interstate and intrastate air transportation
twelve hours (12) for non-continental interstate and intrastate air transportation as well as foreign air transportation.

Under 49 CFR § 1510.13(a), direct and foreign air carriers must remit all September 11 Security Fees imposed each calendar month to TSA by the last calendar day of the month following the imposition of the fee. Therefore, direct and foreign air carriers must remit any September 11 Security Fees imposed on air transportation sold during the month of December 2014, no later than January 31, 2015.

Effective December 19, 2014, TSA adjusted the fee in accordance with H.R.5462 , which limits the maximum fee for round trips to $11.20.

Passenger Fees Effective July 21, 2014

A public charter operator must collect the September 11 Security Fee in place prior to July 21, 2014, if air transportation was purchased from a public charter operator in full at any time prior to July 21, 2014. Conversely, if the passenger purchases public charter air transportation after July 21, 2014, the public charter operator must collect the revised September 11 Security Fee.

The direct or foreign air carrier operating the public charter flight must then collect the September 11 Security Fee from the public charter operator and remit the security fees to TSA the earlier of: the time the direct or foreign air carrier receives funds from the public charter escrow account; or the date the direct or foreign air carrier operates the flight.

Note that the direct and foreign air carrier remittance date to TSA has no effect on the amount of the fee that should be collected from the passenger. The remittance amount is based on when the passenger purchases public charter air transportation from the public charter operator.

If the passenger fully prepaid air transportation prior to July 21, 2014, and the carrier issued a ticket against the prepaid amount after July 21, 2014, the carrier must collect the September 11 Security Fee in effect prior to July 21, 2014. The air transportation is considered to have been purchased prior to July 21, 2014.

The imposition and collection of the September 11 Security Fee will change from $2.50 per enplanement, with a maximum of $5.00 per one-way and maximum of $10.00 per round trip to $5.60 per one-way trip on air transportation sold on or after 12:00AM Eastern Standard Time July 21, 2014.

See the chart below for further itinerary examples that detail imposition of the fee prior to July 21st and after July 21st.

Example 1: Air transportation from Washington to Chicago to Los Angeles with a stopover only in Los Angeles and returns via the same route purchased before July 21, 2014, is charged a $10 fee. If the passenger changed the itinerary to Washington to Los Angeles with only a stopover in Los Angeles and returned via the same route and the ticket is re-priced after July 21, 2014, the carrier must charge the revised September 11 Security Fee of $11.20.

Example 2 : Air transportation from Washington to Chicago to Los Angeles purchased before July 21, 2014, is charged a $5 fee. If the passenger changed the itinerary to Washington to Los Angeles and the ticket is re-priced after July 21, 2014, the carrier must charge the revised September 11 Security Fee of $5.60.

Example 3: Air transportation from Washington to Chicago to Los Angeles purchased before July 21, 2014, is charged a $5 fee. If the air carrier changes the itinerary to Washington to Los Angeles after July 21, 2014, due to an involuntary re-route, neither the carrier nor the passenger is liable for a revised September 11 Security Fee. The fee remains $5.00.

If a direct or foreign air carrier does not properly collect the fee form the passenger, the air direct or foreign air carrier is still solely liable to TSA for the fee.

If a passenger purchased a ticket before July 21, 2014, and the air carrier changed the original itinerary after July 21, 2014, due to an involuntary re-route, neither the passenger nor the air carrier are liable to TSA for the difference in the imposition of the revised fee.

If a passenger purchased a ticket before July 21, 2014, changed the original itinerary and the ticket was re-priced after July 21, 2014, the carrier must treat the itinerary change as a new purchase and charge the revised September 11 Security Fee.

If a passenger purchased a ticket before July 21, 2014, and changed the amenities of that ticket after July 21, 2014, the carrier must not treat the transaction as a new purchase. The carrier will continue to collect the fee as in effect prior to July 21, 2014. Amenities include seating changes, meals, or other items not related to air transportation.

TSA changed the definition of stopover to make a distinction between domestic and foreign travel, and to recognize that non-continental U.S. air transportation (outside the contiguous 48 states) is more like foreign air transportation. Stopover means a break in travel of more than: four hours for continental interstate and intrastate air transportation; twelve hours for non-continental interstate and intrastate air transportation as well as foreign air transportation.

Effective, July 21 2014, TSA adjusted the fee in accordance with Public Law 113-67, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013.

Screening Partnership Program

Yes, If the airport operator meets the qualification criteria identified by 49 U.S.C. § 44920, as amended, it may compete for the contract to provide screening services at that airport. This does not guarantee they will be awarded the contract for security screening services. The airport will be required to compete in the normal procurement process.

The TSA Screening Partnership Program (SPP) currently fulfills all of its screening requirements via task orders from an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) multiple-award contract vehicle. Only companies that have an SPP IDIQ contract may submit a proposal for task order requirements. TSA advertised for companies to be a part of the IDIQ contract vehicle in 2015, and again in 2020. TSA reserves the right to add more vendors to the SPP IDIQ contract, but at this time no further vendor additions are anticipated.

The contract screening company is contracted by TSA to provide the security screening services. TSA monitors vendor performance according to their contract. The vendor must comply with all TSA standard operating procedures and operational directives. The airport operator has no new role or impact on the screening operations as a result of the program.

The airport operator may be part of the selection process. TSA has developed a process that allows airport operators to participate in the evaluation of proposals in accordance with chapter 21 of title 41 and all relevant statutes and regulations.

If the airport operator wishes to contract directly with a vendor to provide non-regulatory or non-certified positions, TSA will not object. Any such work would of course have to follow all standard operating procedures and other pertinent regulations. The work would also have to be coordinated through the Federal Security Director to assure proper supervision.

The private company providing security screening services ultimately determines the number of contract screeners hired. TSA seeks to provide flexibility to the contractor to manage the operations as efficiently as possible while meeting security and customer service standards.

Private security screening companies are subject to the same security screener hiring restrictions and challenges as the federal government. Contract screener candidates receive the same security background check and must meet the same medical requirements as prospective federal security screeners. In addition, hiring and retention are affected by the airport’s local economy and all contract screeners must attend all TSA provided training to include training at the TSA Academy.

Interested airport authorities can submit an application to their local Federal Security Director. Follow instructions provided on the Screening Partnership Program web page.

Under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, TSA is required to make a determination on an application within 60 days of application receipt. TSA is required to enter into a contract with a private screening company for the provision of screening at the airport no later than 120 days, as practicable, after the date of application approval.

Due to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, TSA is required to make a determination on an application within sixty (60) days of application receipt. TSA is required to enter into a contract with a private screening company for the provision of screening at the airport not later than 120 days, as practicable, after the date of application approval.

On October 5, 2018, the President signed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018, which directed the TSA administrator to approve SPP applications if the administrator determines that “the approval would not compromise security or detrimentally affect the cost-efficiency or the effectiveness of the screening of passengers or property at the airport”. This modifies existing application processing timelines and provides additional Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements related to the 49 CFR §44920 Security Partnership Program (SPP).

As stipulated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, if an application is denied, TSA must inform the airport operator in writing, within sixty (60) days, and explain the findings that served as the basis for the denial. TSA must also provide the results of any cost or security analysis conducted in considering the application, and recommendations on how the airport operator can address the reasons for the denial. The airport can reapply to participate in SPP at any time.

The program application process is open to all federally staffed airports in the United States that require security screening services.

TWIC®

No. The TWIC card is the property of TSA.

Exception: an employer must retrieve a TWIC card from an applicant when their work visa expires and return it to TSA. Law enforcement, TSA or U.S. Coast Guard personnel may also confiscate a TWIC if used in conjunction with a crime.

Yes, TSA is committed to promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people, including LGBTQIA+. Individuals who apply for TWIC, including persons utilizing a non-binary and gender non-conforming identity document, may self-select Male, Female, or Another Gender as their gender when applying for TWIC.

Yes. You may renew your TWIC card online or in-person at an enrollment center. If you renew in-person, we recommend you schedule an appointment . If appointments are not immediately available at the enrollment center of your choice, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at one of the alternate enrollment centers in the area. Appointments are encouraged to save you time but are not required as most enrollment centers will accept walk-ins for TWIC applicants.

You may make an appointment online through the TSA Enrollment website or by calling (855) 347-8371 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. If pre-enrollment is available, you may make an appointment online during the pre-enrollment process.

U.S. Coast Guard policy allows workers who meet certain requirements to continue to have access to a regulated facility while waiting for their replacement card. One of the conditions is to have a receipt showing you ordered a replacement card. Please contact the U.S. Coast Guard for further details on their policy.

TSA, pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, Title 5, United States Code, Section 552a, is not permitted to disclose information about someone other than to the applicant without that applicant’s written consent.

If you seek to support a person applying for one of TSA’s vetting programs, please have them complete the DHS Form 590- Authorization to Release Information to Another Person. Fax the signed form to (540) 710-2763.

Individuals with an active TWIC may call (855) 347-8371 weekdays, between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET, to request a gender data update with the TWIC Program. Please note, updating your gender will not impact your TWIC status.

TWIC card holders may renew their TWIC card online up to one year prior to the expiration date printed on their card and up to one year after their card expires. After one year, you will be considered a new enrollee, subject to the standard in-person enrollment process. To be eligible for online renewal, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident.

If you have changed your name since enrollment, you must contact the TSA Help Center at 855-DHS-UES1 (855-347-8371) to update your name before renewing online. If you are not eligible for online renewal, you can follow the same steps as a new applicant to renew your TWIC card in person at an enrollment center.

To report a card lost or missing, please contact 1-855-347-8371 weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET or by replacing your card online .

TSA’s goal is to provide you with a response within 60 days of receiving the information you provided at enrollment. This may take longer if there was difficulty capturing your fingerprints during enrollment. You can check your status online at any time. After an application is approved, you will receive a phone or email notification.

After notification, your TWIC card should arrive at the address provided during enrollment or at an enrollment center within 10 days. If it is not received within the 10-day period, applicants have 60 days to report non-receipt of the card by visiting the TSA Enrollment website or calling (855) 347-8371 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Failure to report non-receipt of the card within 60 days will result in a $60 fee to replace the lost card.

A TWIC card is valid for five years from the date it is issued to an applicant.

No. If you find your card after ordering a replacement, then you should destroy the old card or return it directly to TSA to the address on the back of the card.

Many TWIC cardholders meet the criteria for the TSA PreCheck Application Program and may be eligible for expedited screening. In addition to having a valid TWIC card, the TWIC holder must:

Be approved for a TWIC outside TSA’s waiver process

In order to participate TWIC cardholders should take the CIN on the back of their TWIC card and enter it in the known traveler number field of airline reservations made with a participating airline or in airline profiles. Visit TSA PreCheck for TWIC for more information.

Protect your card by keeping it in the hard plastic case provided with your TWIC.
Do not place or hang in direct sunlight (for example, do not place on dashboard, visor, or hang from rear view mirror of car).
Do not flex, bend, or punch a hole in the card.
Do not carry the TWIC in your wallet, as it is subject to bending.
Do not laminate or apply any tape or labels to the TWIC.
Do not punch a hole in the card to wear it on a string; use the card holder.
Do not place the card near a magnet or in a strong magnetic field. Industrial magnets (e.g. scrap yards, container lifters, etc.) may damage a TWIC if it is in close proximity to the magnetic source.

You can select gender on your TWIC application that is most appropriate for you - Male, Female, or Another Gender. The gender on your identification document does not have to match the gender you select on your TWIC application. Medical certification or a physician's letter is not required when enrolling with a gender that does not match the gender on your identification documents.

You must report the disqualifying condition to TSA and surrender your TWIC to TSA by mailing the card to the address on the back or by returning it to an enrollment center.

If TSA finds potentially disqualifying information, TSA will send you a letter with instructions on how to proceed. Review each potential disqualifying offense on the letter to determine if it is accurate as shown. As part of your redress, you may request an Appeal, a Waiver, or both.

TSA considers the following five criteria when determining whether to grant a waiver for a disqualifying criminal offense, as applicable:

Circumstances of the disqualifying act or offense,
Restitution made by the applicant,
Any federal or state mitigation remedies (such as certificates showing completion of court-ordered substance abuse or other treatment programs),
Court records or official medical release documents indicating the applicant no longer lacks mental capacity, and
Any other factors that indicate the applicant does not pose a security threat, including evidence of rehabilitation.

You will have 60 days from receipt of the letter to submit your response to TSA or request additional time to respond. You may also contact 1-855-347-8371 weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET for assistance.

The legal interpretation of the phrase “field of transportation” as it relates to fees covering the cost of vetting services can be found on the Federal Register as Docket ID TSA-2016-0001 .

Foreign nationals who perform maritime services in the United States and require access to secure areas of facilities and vessels can apply for this type of B-1 visa, specifically designed for the TWIC program. These individuals are required to meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the Department of State for a B-1 visa (“Temporary Visitor for Business”) and are required to provide an official letter from their employer stating a TWIC is required to perform the individual’s job in the maritime industry.

This letter must be provided to the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate as part of the individual’s visa application. The employer letter must contain details such as the type of work performed by the individual, the location and duration of the work, as well as employer contact information if additional information or follow up is necessary.

Your full name, expiration date, digital photo and two fingerprints will be stored on your TWIC card. To ensure your privacy is protected, your data is encrypted, stored and transmitted securely using methods that protect the information from unauthorized retrieval or use.

Information about TWIC readers can be found on the U.S. Coast Guard Homeport website .

According to fee statute (6 U.S.C. 469(a)), the field of transportation includes any individual, activity, entity, facility, owner or operator subject to regulation by TSA, the Department of Transportation or the U.S. Coast Guard. This also includes individuals applying for trusted traveler programs, such as TSA PreCheck.

The .gov means it's official.

Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

This site is secure.

The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Apply for TSA PreCheck®

When approved to travel with TSA PreCheck®, low-risk travelers will have a smoother experience at the airport security checkpoint. The fastest and easiest way to enroll in TSA PreCheck® is to start the application online.

You do not need to get TSA PreCheck® if you already have Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or hold an active TWIC® or Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with an HME. Children 17 and under can join an adult with TSA PreCheck® when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass. For TSA PreCheck® eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions about TSA PreCheck®, visit the Help Center .

New Enrollment

Cost: $78 for 5 Years

Cost Online: $70 for 5 Years

Cost In Person: $78 for 5 Years

Learn about which documents to bring to complete your in-person enrollment.

Complete the application for TSA PreCheck® in person at an enrollment center near you. Schedule a new appointment or change/cancel an existing appointment.

Look up your KTN (Known Traveler Number) and its expiration date if you have already enrolled in TSA PreCheck® through IDEMIA.

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TSA PreCheck ® is an expedited security initiative designed to help travelers enjoy a more convenient journey through the airport. If you apply and are selected by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to participate, you'll be directed to a dedicated screening lane where you may not need to remove your shoes, jacket or belt, or laptop from its bag.

With TSA PreCheck, you don’t need to remove:

3-1-1 Liquids

How to Get TSA Pre✓

When you’re ready to breeze through security and apply for TSA PreCheck, there’s a few steps you will need to take. You must be a United States citizen or permanent resident to apply.

1. Fill out your online application 2. Pay a $78.00 application fee 3. Make an appointment for a 10-minute in-person background check 4. If approved, enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits for 5 years

Choose Between Global Entry or TSA Pre✓

Adding tsa pre✓ to my profile.

If selected for TSA PreCheck, your digital or paper boarding pass will include a TSA PreCheck indicator. When you’re approved for TSA PreCheck, be sure to follow the steps and add your TSA-assigned Known Traveler ID to your profile.

1. Log in to My Profile 2. Under Personal Details, update/add your Secure Flight Passenger Data, and if applicable, your Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or TSA-assigned Known Traveler ID

Find More TSA PreCheck Information

Updates to your profile name can only be made by filling out the Identity Verification Form on delta.com. Your profile information must match exactly what is listed on your passport, driver’s license or other government-issued ID.

TSA Pre✓ Frequently Asked Questions

All passengers are eligible for expedited screening based on the secure flight passenger data (SFPD) that airlines are required to send to the TSA. Your profile information must match exactly what is listed on your TSA PreCheck/CBP Trusted Traveler application, driver’s license or other government-issued ID. The TSA is responsible for selecting participants on a per-flight-segment basis.

You may increase your likelihood of being selected for PreCheck by signing up for a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler Program, including Global Entry , SENTRI and NEXUS , or by completing the PreCheck application program at a TSA Application Center.

Although participants in the CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs (Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI) and PreCheck application program are eligible for expedited screening, no one is guaranteed it.

Passengers can increase their likelihood of being selected by participating in a CBP Trusted Traveler Program or completing the PreCheck application program. Ensure that your profile information matches exactly what is listed on your passport, driver’s license or other government-issued ID, and PreCheck or CBP Trusted Traveler Program enrollment (including your middle name, if applicable).

Please note that the TSA, not Delta, selects individuals for expedited screening, and no individual can be guaranteed expedited screening.

Yes. Customers will be able to find the pre-notification indicator “TSA PRECHK” on the boarding pass underneath the passenger name field. On mobile boarding passes, the PreCheck logo will appear at the top-right corner above the barcode. Please note that if you are eligible for PreCheck the logo will appear on boarding passes throughout your itinerary, regardless of whether pre-screening lanes are available at your departure airport(s).

In addition, the eligibility status will be embedded in the barcode of the boarding pass. The TSA will scan the barcode at PreCheck checkpoints as a final determination of the customer’s eligibility status.

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Trusted Traveler Programs

TSA PreCheck®

What is tsa precheck ® .

The TSA PreCheck ® program expedites traveler screening through participating TSA security checkpoints (for a complete list of participating airports, visit the TSA PreCheck® Airports and Airlines page 1-866-289-9673 -->). No need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, or light jackets.

Are You Eligible?

U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and citizens of partner countries enrolled in Global Entry , NEXUS or SENTRI are eligible to participate in TSA PreCheck ® , as well as Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS.

How It Works

If you are an eligible Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI member, enter your membership number (PASS ID) in the “Known Traveler Number” field when booking reservations, or enter it into your frequent flyer profile with the airline. The membership number enables Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight System to verify that you are a legitimate CBP Trusted Traveler and eligible to participate in TSA PreCheck ® .

Where You Can Find Your Membership Number

You can find your Trusted Traveler member number by logging into your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account. Your membership number is listed toward the bottom of the page. Your membership number is also located on the back of your Trusted Traveler card in the upper-left corner.

The TSA PreCheck ® program expedites traveler screening through TSA security checkpoints. For a complete list of participating airports in TSA PreCheck ® or for more information, visit www.tsa.gov or call the TSA Contact Center at 1-866-289-9673 .

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI are eligible to participate in TSA PreCheck ® , as well as Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS.

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At the airport
Security checkpoints

TSA PreCheck

Breeze through security.

TSA PreCheck ® is an expedited security program allowing eligible travelers to speed up their screening process at participating U.S. airports and for most international trips. To participate, you must apply and get approval from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

If you have TSA PreCheck, you’ll go through a dedicated screening lane at the airport where you may not need to remove your shoes, jacket, belt or laptop from your bag.

TSA PreCheck is also available if you’re enrolled in a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler program, including Global Entry, SENTRI, or NEXUS.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Mastercard®

Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Executive Mastercard ® card members receive an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, up to $100 every 4 years. To receive reimbursement, you must charge the application fee to your Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Executive Mastercard ® .

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Travel with TSA PreCheck

If you apply directly through TSA, you’ll receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). If you’re registered with a CBP program, you’ll receive a 9-digit PASS ID, which is the same number for all CBP programs.

Update your KTN or PASS ID in your AAdvantage ® account before you travel so your information is saved for every trip. If you’re not an AAdvantage ® member, you must add your KTN or PASS ID to each reservation when you book.

If you can’t find your KTN or PASS ID, you can get them online.

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Update your AAdvantage® profile

Log in to your AAdvantage ® account
Add your KTN or PASS ID in the ‘Secure traveler’ section
Save your changes
Update your profile
Not an AAdvantage ® member? Join for free

Update an existing trip

Find your trip on aa.com or the American app
Select ‘Edit’ in the passenger information section
Go to ‘Security information’
Add your KTN or PASS ID

Find your trip

Boarding passes

If you’re eligible for TSA PreCheck, your boarding pass will show TSA PreCheck. If you add your KTN after checking in, you’ll need to get a new boarding pass.

Known Traveler Number: Here’s What You Need To Know [2024]

Spencer Howard

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Known Traveler Number: Here’s What You Need To Know [2024]

What is a known traveler number, how to get a known traveler number, credit cards that reimburse for global entry, tsa precheck, and/or nexus application fees, how to find your known traveler number, how to add your known traveler number to bookings, global entry or tsa precheck: which one is right for you, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

If you’re new to TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, you may be wondering what a Known Traveler Number (KTN) is, how it works, and why there’s a KTN box when booking flights, but there isn’t one for your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry number. Here’s what you should know about your KTN.

Your Known Traveler Number is your membership number with a Trusted Traveler Program. This number is what allows you to access TSA PreCheck security lanes and Global Entry lanes (depending on which Trusted Traveler Program you join).

To acquire a Known Traveler Number, you must participate in one of the Trusted Traveler Programs. These are:

Global Entry
TSA PreCheck

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are by far the most popular options in the U.S. The NEXUS and SENTRI programs also provide a Known Traveler Number, though these programs are much less commonly used in the U.S.

Many premium credit cards will reimburse you for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (including American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Citi, which all provide cards that offer an application fee reimbursement).

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact.

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
$695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card ® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
$189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: CLEAR ® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck ® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck ® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.
APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

American Express Membership Rewards

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges , along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
High annual fee of $695 ( rates & fees )
Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
5X Membership Rewards ® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card ® , here.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
$189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR ® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card ® .
The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
$695 Annual Fee.
APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
$550 annual fee
Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Member FDIC
APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
$95 annual fee ( rates & fees )
Limited elite benefits
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Capital One Miles

Since several cards offer this benefit, consider the other benefits of your credit card options before you choose one. Look at the points they earn, trip delay protection, purchase protection, elite status, or airport lounge access.

If your priority is earning tons of valuable (and transferable!) points, you might choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve card . It earns 5x points on air travel and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel, 10x points on Lyft (through March 2025), 3x points on all other travel, and it comes with a Priority Pass Select membership for lounge access. You’ll also receive a $300 travel credit that is automatically applied to your first $300 in travel purchases each cardmember year (this includes taxis, Uber , Lyft , train tickets, flights, hotels, and more).

If airport lounge access and elite status are your top priorities, the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card provide world-class lounge access , including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), on top of a Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment. Cardholders also receive elite status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy upon enrollment. To top it off, you’ll earn 5x Membership Rewards points when booking flights directly with an airline.

And for travelers who value simplicity in earning and redeeming their rewards along with a reasonable annual fee, consider the Capital One Venture X card . It earns 2x Capital One miles on all purchases and comes with the lowest annual fee among the most popular premium credit cards.

Whichever card you choose, all you have to do is use it to pay for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, and you’ll automatically be reimbursed.

Hot Tip: You can find your PASSID (also known as your Known Traveler Number) on the back of your Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI card.

If you only have TSA PreCheck, log in to the Trusted Traveler Program website to access your PASSID/Known Traveler Number. If you lose your Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI card, you can use the Trusted Traveler Program site to find the number.

While it might not be apparent at first, you’ll be happy to know that your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry number is, in fact, your Known Traveler Number. Simply enter your Known Traveler Number in the appropriate field when booking your flight. This can also be done later — even at the check-in desk at the airport.

The vast majority of the time, you do not need to carry your Global Entry card to access the airport’s TSA PreCheck or Global Entry lanes. That said, there have been some recent reports of travelers being asked to show their physical card. This appears to happen most at airports that allow travelers with Global Entry to preclear security, especially for flights departing from Canada. It also may happen when entering the U.S. by car via NEXUS or SENTRI lanes.

Hot Tip: Unlike when returning from most countries, if you want to access Global Entry lanes when returning from Canada, you will need your physical Global Entry card with you.

As anyone who’s been through airport security knows, it can be a frustrating hassle. To expedite the screening process at many U.S. airports, TSA PreCheck access provides a much better experience. If you are returning to the U.S. from an international destination, Global Entry can make getting through customs a breeze.

If you mainly travel within the U.S., you might think that you only need to get TSA PreCheck — this is understandable, considering the fee is $78 compared to $100 for Global Entry.

However, a Global Entry membership also provides access to TSA PreCheck. When you account for the application fee reimbursement offered by several credit cards, why wouldn’t you go ahead and get Global Entry? With the right card, the impact on your wallet is the same — neither should cost you a dime!

By getting Global Entry, you can enjoy a quicker security experience when boarding flights in the U.S. If you decide to travel abroad, you can take comfort in the fact that returning to the U.S. will be easy.

Hot Tip: If you have additional questions, don’t miss our piece on the top Global Entry FAQs and TSA PreCheck FAQs .

Airports are becoming busier by the year, so having access to TSA PreCheck and Global Entry is vital for quicker and smoother security screenings. With so many credit cards offering to reimburse you for the application fee, there is no excuse not to have a Known Traveler Number.

Whether you get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, you’ll be all set for a better airport experience — just enter your PASSID/Known Traveler Number when booking your flight.

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The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i know if i have a known traveler number.

If you have applied for and been approved for Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or TSA PreCheck, you have a Known Traveler Number. It is your membership number from one of these Trusted Traveler Programs.

Can you add a Known Traveler Number after booking your flight?

Yes. If you forget to add your Known Traveler Number at the time of booking, you can add it later. This can be done online or at the check-in desk at the airport. We recommend doing it online before checking in.

Why isn't my Known Traveler Number working?

If your Known Traveler Number isn’t working, the likely causes are:

You, a travel agent, or reservations agent entered the number incorrectly
Your name doesn’t match what is on your Trusted Traveler Program profile

Where do I find my Known Traveler Number on my Global Entry card?

Your Known Traveler Number can be found on the back of your Global Entry card. It is your PASSID number.

If you have NEXUS or SENTRI, your PASSID number will also be found on the back of your card.

How long is a Known Traveler Number good for?

Your membership with a Trusted Traveler Program lasts 5 years. At that point, you will need to renew your membership and pay another fee. Don’t forget to use a credit card that will reimburse you for the fee!

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About Spencer Howard

Always a fan of flying, it was only natural that Spencer was drawn to finding a way to improve the travel experience.

Like many, he started this journey searching for cheap flights to take him around the world. This was fun for a while, but Spencer was intrigued by the idea of flying in business and first class!

Throwing himself into what became an extensive research project, Spencer spent 3-4 hours per night learning everything he could about frequent flyer miles over the course of several months (he thinks this is normal). He runs Straight to the Points, an award-seat alert platform.

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5 Min Read | Published: March 5, 2024

Redress Number vs. Known Traveler Number: Understanding the Difference

Redress numbers are issued by the Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program. A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is for TSA PreCheck ® .

This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.

At-A-Glance

A redress number is issued by the Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) and is designed to help resolve travel issues that arise from mistaken identity or security concerns. 1

A Known Traveler Number, or KTN, is issued to those who are approved for TSA PreCheck ® , a program that allows travelers to access expedited security lines. 2

A redress number and a Known Traveler Number can both assist with airport screening and security, but they are very different from each other.

What Is a Redress Number?

When passengers are screened by the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program, there’s a chance that someone could be misidentified as high risk. A Redress Control Number, also known as a redress number is something that may be given to people who are mistakenly identified as threats to help them avoid similar security issues in the future.

The redress number is a seven-digit code that is issued by the Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) and is used by the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program to match a traveler with the results of their redress case. 3

Why and When Do You Need a Redress Number?

The primary purpose of a Redress Number is to resolve travel-related problems that might arise due to mistaken identity or other security concerns. If you consistently face issues such as being misidentified on the No-Fly List or experiencing delays during security screenings, obtaining a Redress Number may help.

The Department of Homeland Security’s website states that DHS TRIP can assist in resolving travel-related issues, such as:

You were unable to print a boarding pass from an airline ticketing kiosk or from the Internet;
You were delayed or denied boarding an aircraft;
The airline ticket agent informed you that the Federal Government was not authorizing you to travel;
You are repeatedly referred for secondary screening when clearing U.S. Customs or were denied entry into the United States;
You were told by CBP at a U.S. port of entry that your fingerprints need to be corrected;
You wish to amend a traveler record because of an overstay as a result of not submitting the required I-94 when exiting the United States;
You believe you were incorrectly denied ESTA authorization; or
You believe your personal information was inappropriately exposed or shared by a government agent. (Source: Department of Homeland Security website )

What Is a Known Traveler Number?

A Known Traveler Number , on the other hand, is a unique identification number assigned to those approved to participate in expedited security screening programs, such as TSA PreCheck ® . TSA PreCheck allows eligible travelers to experience faster and more convenient security screening at participating airports.

What Are the Benefits of a Known Traveler Number?

Known Traveler Numbers have an array of benefits that may include:

Expedited Security Screening: You may be able to enjoy shorter lines and faster security checks at participating airports, saving valuable time before your flight.
Keep Shoes and Belts On: TSA PreCheck may allow you to keep your shoes and belts on during security screening, eliminating the need for time-consuming removal and reapplication.
Leave Laptops and Liquids in Carry-On: Approved travelers can leave laptops and compliant liquids in their carry-on bags, streamlining the security process and reducing the hassle of unpacking and repacking.
Efficient Screening Process: With a Known Traveler Number, you can experience a more efficient and less invasive screening process, contributing to an overall smoother travel experience.

How to Apply for a Known Traveler Number

To apply for a Known Traveler Number, visit the official TSA website. Navigate to the TSA PreCheck section and complete the online application form, providing accurate personal details, including your full name, date of birth, address, and citizenship information. Have a valid form of identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, ready for submission.

Following the online application, schedule an in-person appointment at one of the enrollment centers for a short interview and fingerprinting. Ensure you bring all necessary documents to the appointment, including proof of identity and citizenship.

Upon completing the application process and a satisfactory background check, you will be issued a unique Known Traveler Number. Use this alphanumeric code when booking flights to enjoy expedited security screening benefits through TSA PreCheck, making your travel experience more efficient.

Differences Between a Redress Number and a Known Traveler Number?

While both the Redress Number and Known Traveler Number aim to address travel-related issues, they are both very different and serve different purposes.

The Redress Number is designed to assist individuals facing consistent problems during security screenings, providing a means to resolve identity-related issues. On the other hand, the Known Traveler Number is linked to the TSA PreCheck program, offering a faster and more convenient security screening process for low-risk travelers.

The Takeaway

Whether you need a Redress Number to resolve previous travel issues or are considering a Known Traveler Number for a smoother airport experience, understanding the purpose and benefits of each is essential. By familiarizing yourself with these identification systems, you can make informed decisions that enhance the efficiency and comfort of your future travels.

Show Article Sources

1,3 “ Redress Control Numbers ,” Department of Homeland Security

2 “ What is a Known Traveler Number (KTN)? ,” TSA.gov

Amanda Fancourt is a writer, editor, and content strategist. She covers finance, investment, and real estate. Her work has been featured in a range of publications, including Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fortune, and Realtor.com.

All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.

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Understanding The Difference Between Known Traveler Number And Tsa Precheck

Last updated May 31, 2024
Difficulty Beginner

Category Travel

is known traveler number the same as tsa precheck

For frequent travelers and jet-setters, navigating airport security can be a major hassle. But there are two programs that aim to make the process a bit smoother: the Known Traveler Number (KTN) and TSA PreCheck. While they may sound similar, there are some key differences between the two that every traveler should know. So buckle up and get ready to unpack the complexities of these travel programs, because understanding the difference between a KTN and TSA PreCheck can save you time, stress, and maybe even a little bit of money.

What You'll Learn

What is the known traveler number, understanding tsa precheck and its benefits.

How to Obtain a Known Traveler Number?

Differences Between Known Traveler Number and TSA PreCheck

If you frequently travel within the United States, you may have come across the terms "Known Traveler Number" and "TSA PreCheck." While these two terms are related to expedited security screening at airports, they are not the same thing. In this article, we will dive into what the Known Traveler Number is and how it can benefit you.

The Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a unique identification number that is assigned to individuals who have enrolled in a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) trusted traveler program. These programs include TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI. The KTN allows travelers to enjoy the benefits of expedited security screening when flying.

To obtain a Known Traveler Number, you need to apply for one of the DHS trusted traveler programs mentioned above. Each program has its own specific requirements and application process, but they generally involve completing an online application, paying a fee, and attending an in-person interview. Once approved, you will receive a KTN that is valid for a certain period of time, typically five years.

Now, let's address the question at hand: Is the Known Traveler Number the same as TSA PreCheck?

The answer is no, the Known Traveler Number is not the same thing as TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck is a program that allows eligible travelers to enjoy expedited security screening at participating airports in the United States. This program is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and certain international travelers. TSA PreCheck members do not need to remove their shoes, belts, or light jackets during screening, and they can keep their laptops and liquids inside their bags.

While TSA PreCheck is one of the programs that can grant you a Known Traveler Number, having a KTN does not automatically qualify you for TSA PreCheck. To enjoy the benefits of TSA PreCheck, you must either be invited by a participating airline or apply directly and meet the eligibility criteria.

To summarize, the Known Traveler Number is a unique identification number that is provided to individuals who enroll in a DHS trusted traveler program. It grants you access to expedited security screening at airports. While TSA PreCheck is one of the programs that can grant you a Known Traveler Number, the two are not the same thing. TSA PreCheck is a specific program that offers its own benefits and requirements.

If you travel frequently within the United States and value convenience and efficiency at the airport, applying for a trusted traveler program and obtaining a Known Traveler Number can be a worthwhile investment. It not only saves you time but also provides a more seamless and enjoyable travel experience.

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Traveling through airports can often be a stressful experience, particularly when it comes to long lines and extensive security procedures. However, with the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) PreCheck program, eligible passengers can enjoy a more streamlined and hassle-free journey through airport security. In this blog post, we will delve into what TSA PreCheck is, how to enroll, and the benefits it offers to travelers.

TSA PreCheck is a program developed by the Transportation Security Administration to expedite the security screening process for domestic and international travelers at participating airports in the United States. It allows eligible passengers to bypass the standard security screening lines and enjoy a more efficient and convenient travel experience.

How to Enroll in TSA PreCheck:

Enrolling in TSA PreCheck is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:

Application: Start by completing an online application on the official TSA PreCheck website. The application will require you to provide personal information, including your full name, date of birth, and contact details.
Schedule an Appointment: After submitting your application, you will need to schedule an appointment at an enrollment center. These centers are located throughout the country and offer flexible appointment times to accommodate your schedule.
In-Person Interview: During your appointment, you will be required to undergo an in-person interview. This is an opportunity for TSA personnel to verify your identity and review your application.
Background Check and Approval: Following the interview, the TSA will conduct a background check to ensure that you meet all eligibility criteria. Once approved, you will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN).

While the terms "Known Traveler Number" (KTN) and "TSA PreCheck" are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. The Known Traveler Number is a unique identification code that is assigned to individuals who have been approved for various trusted traveler programs, including TSA PreCheck. It allows the TSA to identify qualified travelers and streamline their security screening process.

Benefits of TSA PreCheck:

Participating in the TSA PreCheck program offers numerous benefits to travelers, including:

Expedited Security Screening: With TSA PreCheck, you can bypass the regular security lines and proceed to a designated PreCheck lane. This means you can keep your shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and leave your laptops and liquids in your carry-on bag.
Shorter Wait Times: PreCheck passengers typically experience shorter wait times, allowing them to move through security checkpoints more quickly.
Enhanced Travel Experience: By avoiding the hassle of removing clothing items and unpacking laptops, TSA PreCheck passengers can enjoy a more convenient, stress-free travel experience.
Access to Global Entry: TSA PreCheck members are also eligible for Global Entry, a program that expedites the customs process for travelers returning to the United States from abroad.

In conclusion, TSA PreCheck is a valuable program for travelers looking to avoid the long lines and cumbersome security procedures typically associated with air travel. By enrolling in the program, passengers can enjoy expedited screening, shorter wait times, and an overall enhanced travel experience. So if you're a frequent traveler or simply want to make your journey through the airport more efficient, TSA PreCheck is definitely worth considering.

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How to obtain a known traveler number.

If you are a frequent traveler, you have probably heard of TSA PreCheck, a program that allows you to go through expedited security screening at airports in the United States. One of the ways to participate in TSA PreCheck is by obtaining a Known Traveler Number (KTN). In this blog post, we will explain what a Known Traveler Number is and how you can obtain one.

A Known Traveler Number is a unique identifier assigned to individuals who have been approved for TSA PreCheck or other trusted traveler programs, such as Global Entry or NEXUS. By providing your KTN when making a flight reservation, you are indicating to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that you have completed the necessary background checks and are eligible for expedited screening.

To obtain a Known Traveler Number, you must first apply for a trusted traveler program. The most popular program is TSA PreCheck. Here are the steps you need to follow to apply for TSA PreCheck and obtain a Known Traveler Number:

Pre-Enrollment: Start by completing the pre-enrollment process online. Visit the official TSA PreCheck website and fill out the application form. This includes providing personal information, such as your full name, date of birth, address, and employment details.
Schedule an Appointment: After completing the pre-enrollment process, you will need to schedule an appointment at an enrollment center. The website will guide you through the available locations and times. Select a convenient date and time that works for you.
Attend the Appointment: On the day of your appointment, visit the enrollment center you selected. Bring your valid passport or driver's license and any other required documents, such as proof of citizenship or immigration status. During the appointment, you will have your fingerprints taken and be interviewed by a TSA officer.
Pay the Fee: To complete the application process, you will need to pay the non-refundable application fee. As of 2021, the fee for TSA PreCheck is $85. You can pay by credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier's check.
Background Check: Once your application and fee have been processed, the TSA will conduct a comprehensive background check. This includes verifying your identity, checking for criminal records, and reviewing any previous immigration or customs violations.
Approval and Known Traveler Number: If your application is approved, you will receive a Known Traveler Number. This number will be used to identify you as a trusted traveler and provide access to expedited screening at airports. You can find your KTN on your TSA PreCheck membership card or by logging into your online account.

It is important to note that the application process for a Known Traveler Number may take several weeks, so it is recommended to apply well in advance of any planned travel. Once you have obtained your Known Traveler Number, make sure to provide it to the airline when making your reservations so that you can take advantage of the TSA PreCheck benefits.

In conclusion, a Known Traveler Number is not the same as TSA PreCheck, but rather a unique identifier assigned to individuals who have been approved for trusted traveler programs. To obtain a Known Traveler Number, apply for a trusted traveler program such as TSA PreCheck, complete the required steps, and wait for approval. Once you have your KTN, be sure to provide it when making flight reservations to enjoy the benefits of expedited security screening. Safe travels!

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If you're a frequent traveler, you may have come across terms like Known Traveler Number (KTN) and TSA PreCheck. While both can help expedite your travel experience, they are not the same thing. In this article, we'll outline the differences between the two and explain how they can benefit you.

A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a unique identification number assigned to individuals who have been approved for a trusted traveler program. These programs, run by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), provide expedited screening at select airports in the United States.

There are several trusted traveler programs that issue a KTN, including:

TSA PreCheck: This program allows low-risk travelers to enjoy expedited screening at participating U.S. airports. PreCheck members do not need to remove their shoes, belts, or jackets, and they can keep their laptops and liquids in their bags.
Global Entry: This program is designed for international travelers. It allows expedited clearance when entering the United States. Global Entry members are also eligible for TSA PreCheck benefits.
NEXUS: The NEXUS program is a joint initiative between the U.S. and Canadian governments. It provides expedited processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers crossing the U.S.-Canada border.
SENTRI: The SENTRI program is specifically for travelers crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. It allows expedited processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.

TSA PreCheck is a domestic program that provides expedited screening for eligible travelers at select U.S. airports. Members of this program can enjoy a more efficient and convenient airport security experience. TSA PreCheck members do not have to remove their shoes, belts, or light jackets, and they can keep their laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags.

The main difference between a KTN and TSA PreCheck is that a KTN is the identification number issued to an individual who has been approved for a trusted traveler program, while TSA PreCheck is a specific program that provides expedited screening for eligible travelers.

Having a KTN does not guarantee access to TSA PreCheck benefits. However, TSA PreCheck members are assigned a KTN, which they can use to enjoy expedited screening both domestically and internationally.

To obtain a KTN, you need to apply and get approved for a trusted traveler program. The application process requires you to provide personal and travel information, undergo a background check, and pay the appropriate fee.

For TSA PreCheck specifically, you can apply online through the TSA PreCheck enrollment website. The application process involves completing an online form, scheduling an appointment at an enrollment center, and attending an in-person interview. After successful completion, you will be issued a KTN and enjoy the benefits of TSA PreCheck.

In summary, a Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a unique identification number issued to individuals approved for a trusted traveler program, such as TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI. TSA PreCheck is a specific program that offers expedited screening for eligible travelers at select U.S. airports. While having a KTN is necessary to enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits, not all KTN holders are automatically enrolled in TSA PreCheck. If you want to enroll in TSA PreCheck, you can apply online and complete the necessary steps to obtain a KTN.

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How to Renew TSA PreCheck

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Table of Contents

When to renew TSA PreCheck

Steps to renew tsa precheck, how to renew tsa precheck after it expires, tsa precheck renewal payment, other ways to renew tsa precheck, if you’re looking to renew your tsa precheck.

If you already have TSA PreCheck , you likely can’t imagine traveling without it. Membership often means shorter wait times in airport security lines, even at crowded airports with large numbers of travelers. In fact, in June 2022, 94% of the TSA PreCheck program members waited less than five minutes to pass through airport security, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

However, TSA PreCheck membership doesn’t last forever. How often do you have to renew TSA PreCheck? Well, membership is valid for a maximum of five years, and it must be renewed before its expiry to avoid any lapses. Thankfully, the application for renewal is quick and straightforward.

Let’s look at when you should renew TSA PreCheck, how to complete a renewal application and how much it costs.

TSA recommends renewing your membership at least 60 days prior to its expiration, though you can apply for renewal up to six months in advance. Whether you end up renewing six months or six days out (not recommended), your new membership will not begin until the old one ends.

If you’re not sure when your membership expires, you can easily find out by checking your membership status online.

Go to the TSA PreCheck website , select the tab that says “Renewal,” and enter your Known Traveler Number, date of birth and legal last name into the appropriate fields.

Most likely though, you won’t have to do this if you have a valid email on record with TSA PreCheck. At six months, three months, one month and two weeks prior to expiration, you'll receive reminder emails from “Universal Enroll” about the upcoming expiration until your renewal is completed.

» Learn more: Known Traveler Number — what you need to know

Current TSA PreCheck members can renew online easily.

Go to the TSA PreCheck website and select the tab that says “Renewal” to begin the process.

Provide your KTN, date of birth and legal last name.

You’ll then be guided through a series of screens that will ask you to confirm your address and passport information and answer some security questions. (Those found to have violated federal security regulations may have their TSA PreCheck enrollment revoked or suspended.)

Await approval.

In most cases, you will get an approval notification three to five days after submitting a renewal application. Your KTN will remain the same, and it will be valid for another five years after the current expiry date.

If your name has changed, you must contact the TSA Help Center at 855-347-8371 to update your name prior to going through the steps above. Name changes can take up to three months to complete.

In more complicated cases, application approval can take up to 60 days, which is why TSA suggests renewing your membership at least 60 days prior to expiry to avoid a lapse in benefits.

It’s also possible to renew TSA PreCheck in person at one of more than 500 enrollment centers across the country. Be sure to check the hours of operation before heading to the airport.

TSA makes it clear that you will not receive any PreCheck benefits after your membership expires. This means that you will not be able to use the TSA PreCheck lane, even if your flight was booked prior to expiration.

If your membership has expired before you were able to renew it, TSA states that you will need to submit a new application. If it’s approved, you’ll receive a new KTN. If you find yourself among those who let their membership lapse, consider re-upping your membership for free by paying for it with the right credit card (more on this next).

» Learn more: How to get TSA PreCheck

Renewing TSA PreCheck requires payment of a nonrefundable fee. You’ll pay $70 if you renew online or $78 if you renew in person at an enrollment center. You can pay by credit card, money order, company check or with a certified/cashier’s check.

Several card issuers reimburse certain cardholders for the cost of the application fee. Pay for your renewal with one of these cards, and you can expect a refund in the form of a statement credit in a few weeks, essentially waiving the application fee.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

on Bank of America's website

Chase United Airlines Mileage Plus Credit Card

on Chase's website

$0 intro for the first year, then $95 .

Statement credit of up to $100 as reimbursement when you charge the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry to the card. Available once every 4 years.

Statement credit of up to $100 as reimbursement when you charge the application fee for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS to the card. Available once every 4 years.

For more cards that include TSA PreCheck benefits, check out this list:

Aeroplan® Credit Card .

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card .

Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® .

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card .

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card .

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card .

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card .

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card .

The Platinum Card® from American Express .

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card .

United Club℠ Infinite Card .

United℠ Explorer Card .

United Quest℠ Card .

U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card .

Terms apply.

Several other government programs offer TSA PreCheck renewal without going through the process described above.

Global Entry

All travelers renewed for Global Entry are automatically renewed for TSA PreCheck: no need to complete both applications. Your PASS ID on the back of your Global Entry card is also your KTN.

NEXUS and SENTRI

U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and foreign nationals approved for NEXUS or SENTRI are also automatically renewed for TSA PreCheck when renewing NEXUS or SENTRI. Similar to Global Entry, your PASS ID serves as your KTN.

Military personnel

If you are an active member of the U.S. armed forces, you can get TSA PreCheck benefits by entering your Department of Defense ID number from the back of your Common Access Card as the KTN. This benefit also extends to those attending a military academy, and it remains valid as long as you are active military personnel.

» Learn more: TSA PreCheck or Global Entry — which is right for you?

To avoid any lapse in benefits or losing your current KTN, renew your TSA PreCheck membership as soon as possible — up to six months prior to expiry. It’s a short online application that will save you hassle at the airport for another five years.

And if you already hold a travel credit card , you may not have to pay anything out of pocket for your renewal.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

TSA PreCheck - What You Need to Know and How to Apply (2024)

I f you haven’t heard, TSA PreCheck for kids has gotten easier! We’ve been using it now for several years and see the benefit. I’ve certainly noticed the uptick in passengers using the expedited security lines at the airport. We feel it’s been worth the investment for the amount of time we spend at airports.

But what is TSA PreCheck, and how do you get it? And how does it work with minors, especially with the new policy? I’ll answer all your questions on TSA PreCheck for minors in this post. If you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet, here’s what you need to know about TSA PreCheck.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

What is TSA PreCheck?

TSA stands for the Transportation Security Administration. TSA PreCheck is a Trusted Traveler program that allows pre-screened individuals to use special security lanes at US airports, called the TSA PreCheck lanes. It’s a must for frequent travelers.

With your 5-year membership, you’ll enjoy the benefit of avoiding regular security lines and getting to your gate faster! That means you don’t have to remove items such as belts, shoes, and light jackets. You can also leave laptops and travel-sized liquids inside carry-on bags.

Where can I enroll for TSA Precheck?

TSA PreCheck isn’t available at every airport, but it is available at 250 U.S. airports and counting. Click here to find a location near you.

How does the TSA application process work?

The process has a couple of steps. To start, you apply on the TSA website using this form . The whole online application process is fairly self-explanatory. Once it’s complete, you’ll be able to schedule an in-person appointment.

Within 45 days of completing your online pre-enrollment form, you’re required to visit an application center (locations can be found here ).

You will need to provide your biographic information including your name, date of birth, and address. You’ll also be fingerprinted and have your photo taken.

What are the necessary documents for TSA PreCheck?

Wondering what to bring to a TSA PreCheck appointment? You can find out about all the required documents needed for TSA PreCheck here . But it’s pretty straightforward:

Valid ID : Make sure to bring a government-issued ID, such as a passport, or a driver’s license and birth certificate. Double-check the IDs are not expired.
Appointment Confirmation : Bring the appointment confirmation with you.
Payment : You’ll need to pay for your TSA PreCheck application during the appointment. This is good for 5 years.
Proof of Citizenship/Immigration Status : If you’re not a US citizen, you’ll need to bring the necessary documentation to prove your immigration status or a permanent resident.

The non-refundable application processing fee of $78 can be paid through these acceptable forms of payment:

credit card
money order
certified/cashier’s check

Cash and personal checks aren’t accepted.

What is a KTN?

After completing the application process, successful PreCheck applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) via US mail in approximately 2-3 weeks.

You may also check the status of your application on the TSA PreCheck website by clicking on “Check My Service Status.”

Once issued, your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is valid for 5 years. You won’t receive a card to carry, but simply a letter with your KTN. Moving forward, you’ll need to provide this number when booking travel reservations.

How to Get TSA Precheck and Global Entry for Free

Several travel credit cards will reimburse your TSA PreCheck fees (and even Global Entry fees). For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, and Capital One Venture Card all offer reimbursement via a statement credit for TSA fees.

Now that you have your Known Traveler Number (KTN), what happens next?

When you travel, you’ll want to make sure the airline you’re flying has your KTN in advance. It must be printed on your travel documents. If you belong to a frequent flier program, go on the airline’s website and enter your KTN in their system.

Note that this doesn’t automatically populate every time you book a reservation. So, you’ll want to make sure that it is documented going forward each and every time.

What about TSA Precheck for minors?

So, let’s get to why you’re really here: TSA precheck for kids. It’s pretty straightforward but with a few caveats.

Do children need a TSA PreCheck membership?

Previously, if the whole family wanted to go through TSA PreCheck, those 13 years old and older needed to have their own membership. Thankfully, TSA PreCheck with teens has just gotten easier.

As of May 2023, the TSA PreCheck age has increased to include children of all ages (up to 18 years). That is, as long as they’re accompanied by an eligible parent or guardian. That means your five-year membership applies to all of your kids too!

Just like before, children between 2- and 12-years-old just have to be accompanied by a legal guardian enrolled in the program, no matter what. Kids between 13 and 17 years old just need to be on the same reservation as the accompanying adult.

For teens, just double-check to confirm that the TSA PreCheck indicator shows up on both your boarding pass and your teen’s boarding pass.

This new policy has really streamlined the process since most children don’t have a government photo unless it’s on a passport or a state-issued ID. Our children have passports, so we never had an issue.

Can my child use my TSA PreCheck for international travel?

You can use TSA PreCheck from any participating airlines at over 250 airports across the country, and this includes for international travel.

However, if you’re a frequent traveler abroad, you might want to also consider getting G lobal Entry . You’re eligible if you fly internationally at least 4 times a year. It gives you the benefit of expedited customs when coming back to the US.

As frequent international travelers, we invested in getting each of our kids their own membership, which has a similar policy to TSA Pre-Check.

TSA PreCheck is just one of four Trusted Traveler programs offered by the Department of Homeland Security. To find more information about the other programs such as Global Entry, you can read this comparison chart .

But what about an unaccompanied minor?

All minors traveling without TSA PreCheck-enrolled parents or guardians will need to apply for themselves.

Can I use my TSA PreCheck membership to take my child to their departure gate?

Let’s say your minor is a first-time traveler and you want to take them all the way to their departure gate. First, you’ll need to pick up a gate pass at the ticket counter when you arrive at the airport. But something to keep in mind is that gate passes cancel out TSA PreCheck benefits.

So, even if you’re a gate pass holder with your own TSA PreCheck membership, you’ll have to go through standard security lines. Your child will be able to go through TSA PreCheck screening, but you’ll still have to go through standard security screening.

Have you thought about TSA PreCheck for kids? Do you think it’s worth it?

So, now you know all the details about the updated policy on TSA PreCheck for kids and how to get your own membership. You’ll love the TSA PreCheck benefits! A faster precheck line means less of a headache on your way to your family vacation.

Especially during a busy summer season, the last thing you and your kids want to worry about is congested airport security checkpoints! As TSA PreCheck passengers, you can skip the frustration of standard screening and get right to enjoying your travels!

If you still have more questions, you can find a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers here: T SA PreCheck SaveSave

If you have ever considered getting TSA PreCheck, now is the time to do it! Here's what you need to know about the process for adults and kids.

Watch CBS News

TSA sets new record for number of travelers screened in a single day

By Lucia Suarez Sang

Updated on: May 25, 2024 / 8:10 PM EDT / CBS News

The Transportation Security Administration announced it screened more than 2.95 million airline passengers on Friday, setting a new record for a single day.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the agency said Saturday that it screened 2,951,163 individuals at airport checkpoints nationwide on Friday, surpassing the previous record of 2,907,378 set on the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year.

"If you flew yesterday, congratulations, you were part of a record-setting day!" said Lisa Farbstein, a spokesperson for the TSA, in a separate post.

Ahead of the start of Memorial Day weekend, the TSA predicted that Friday would be the busiest day for air travel, with nearly 3 million people expected to pass through airport checkpoints.

TSA screened just under 2.9 million people Thursday, coming within about 11,000 from the previous record. Five of the 10 busiest-ever travel days have been since May 16, the agency said.

Memorial Day weekend travel is also expected to break records on the roads.

The American Automobile Association, or AAA, warned of potentially unprecedented congestion on roads this weekend, along with airports that could be even more crowded than in years past. The organization, which looks at various economic factors and partners with other groups to project travel conditions, announced earlier this month that an estimated 43.8 million people across the United States would likely travel at least 50 miles from Thursday to Monday. That would mark a 4% increase in overall travel compared with 2023, according to AAA.

"We haven't seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years," said Paula Twidale, the senior vice president of the travel division at AAA, in a statement. "We're projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we're exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead."

Emily Mae Czachor also contributed to this report.

Lucia Suarez Sang is an associate managing editor at CBSNews.com. Previously, Lucia was the director of digital content at FOX61 News in Connecticut and has previously written for outlets including FoxNews.com, Fox News Latino and the Rutland Herald.

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U.S. screens record 2.95 million airline passengers in single day

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it screened 2.95 million airline passengers on Friday, the highest number ever on a single day.

The record travel coincides with the Memorial Day weekend that marks the beginning of the U.S. summer travel season. Last week, a group representing major U.S. airlines forecast record summer travel with airlines expected to transport 271 million passengers, up 6.3% from last year.

The TSA said Friday’s travel broke a record set in November of nearly 2.91 million air passengers screened. Five of the 10 busiest ever travel days have been since May 16, the agency said.

Airlines for America said U.S carriers plan to fly more than 26,000 daily flights this summer, up nearly 1,400 over 2023, or 5.6%, when they carried 255 million passengers. The summer travel season forecast is for June 1 to Aug. 31.

American Airlines said it will boost flights by 10% this summer expects 10% higher passengers over the May 23-May 28 Memorial Day travel period -- nearly 3.9 million passengers on 36,000 flights.

United Airlines is forecasting it will handle 3 million travelers during the Memorial Day travel period, up nearly 10% and its highest number ever during the period.

Delta Air Lines said it expects a 5% jump in Memorial Day weekend customers to nearly 3 million customers between May 23-27.

The forecast comes as the Federal Aviation Administration is struggling to address a persistent shortage of air traffic controllers. Some airlines voluntarily trimmed New York flights last summer to address congestion issues and have raised new concerns about the lack of controllers .

Airlines can lose their takeoff and landing slots at congested airports if they do not use them enough.

The FAA extended cuts to these minimum flight requirements at New York City-area airports through October because of staffing issues, and major airlines last month asked for those cuts to be extended through October 2025.

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COMMENTS

TSA PreCheck®
Once approved, get your Known Traveler Number (KTN), add it to your airline reservations and start saving time in screening. New TSA PreCheck Enrollment Options. TSA has selected the following partners to help enroll travelers in TSA PreCheck. Applicants can pick any enrollment provider based on cost, locations, and additional benefits. Get ...
I forgot my Known Traveler Number (KTN). How do I find it?
If you are a member of the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, look up your Known Traveler Number (KTN) here. If you are a member of another trusted traveler program, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, log on to the Trusted Traveler Program website to obtain your PASSID, which is your KTN.. If your TSA PreCheck® benefits come through HME, TWIC®, or DoD, please visit these respective ...
What is a Known Traveler Number (KTN)?
A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is issued to all individuals approved to receive TSA PreCheck® expedited screening. The KTN must be added in the KTN field when booking airline travel reservations to have the TSA PreCheck® indicator appear on your boarding pass. For members approved for the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, this number is 9 or ...
TSA PreCheck® KTN Lookup
Please enter your information below (letters, spaces, hyphens (-), and apostrophes (') are allowed in name fields). Then click "Submit" to retrieve your KTN. This tool is for TSA PreCheck® Application Program members only. Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI members may retrieve their PASSID (which serves as the KTN) at the Trusted Traveler Program ...
TSA PreCheck® Renewals
TSA PreCheck Renewal Options. Complete your renewal through any provider below. ... for $70; RENEW. tsaprecheckbyclear.tsa.dhs.gov. Renew. Renew through CLEAR and you may qualify for discounts on other CLEAR travel products. Renew online for $68.95; Renew in-person for $77.95; ... Find Your TSA PreCheck Number. Need your Known Traveler Number ...
How do I use my Known Traveler Number or KTN?
Once you have been assigned a Known Traveler Number (KTN), you must include this number in the 'KTN' field of each reservation you make with a participating airline. The KTN also can be added when booking reservations online via a participating airline website, by phone with an airline reservation agent or with the travel management company making reservations.
TSA PreCheck Travel with Ease
Whether you are looking for your renewal date, your Known Traveler Number or which credit cards and loyalty programs cover your application fee. You can find it all at tsa.gov/precheck. Select Filter. TSA Digital ID Is Here. How to Use TSA Digital ID. TSA's Top 10 Best Catches 2023.
What is a Known Traveler Number, and how do you apply for 1?
A Known Traveler Number is a code that gets you into the TSA PreCheck lane. It's how the airline and government recognize a trusted traveler who is a member of TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or other similar programs. Keep your number handy and add it to your airline profile.
Official Trusted Traveler Program Website
3. Enjoy TSA PreCheck ® Once approved, add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your airline reservations to start saving time in screening and enjoying your benefits for 5 years. And when it's time to renew, the process is easy and most applications can be completed entirely online in as little as 5 minutes. Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is issued to all individuals approved to receive TSA PreCheck® expedited screening. The KTN must be added in the KTN field when booking airline travel reservations to have the TSA PreCheck® indicator appear on your boarding pass.
Apply for TSA PreCheck®
Look up your KTN (Known Traveler Number) and its expiration date if you have already enrolled in TSA PreCheck® through IDEMIA. Enroll in TSA PreCheck® by IDEMIA for expedited air travel security screening. Submit an application & set an appointment or renew your current membership.
TSA PreCheck Benefits
When you're approved for TSA PreCheck, be sure to follow the steps and add your TSA-assigned Known Traveler ID to your profile. 1. Log in to My Profile 2. Under Personal Details, update/add your Secure Flight Passenger Data, and if applicable, your Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or TSA-assigned Known Traveler ID. Find More TSA PreCheck ...
Official Trusted Traveler Program Website
Are you a frequent traveler who wants to enjoy faster and smoother entry into the U.S.? Visit the DHS website to learn more about the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) offered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You can compare the benefits, requirements, and fees of different programs, such as Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, SENTRI, NEXUS, and FAST, and apply online for the one that ...
TSA PreCheck®
The TSA PreCheck ® program expedites traveler screening through participating TSA security checkpoints (for a complete list of participating airports, visit the TSA PreCheck® Airports and Airlines page ). No need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, or light jackets. Apply Now!
What is a Known Traveler Number? and Other FAQs
TSA PreCheck members are identifiable through a Known Traveler Number. This number needs to be added to individual flight bookings to ensure access to expedited airport security screening; it can ...
TSA PreCheck − Travel information − American Airlines
Travel with TSA PreCheck. If you apply directly through TSA, you'll receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). If you're registered with a CBP program, you'll receive a 9-digit PASS ID, which is the same number for all CBP programs. Update your KTN or PASS ID in your AAdvantage ® account before you travel so your information is saved for ...
TSA PreCheck: Everything You Need to Know to Get & Use PreCheck
That's why you have to enter your Known Traveler Number individually with each airline. If you don't, you won't get PreCheck, period. But even when you're flying a TSA-approved airline, the security agency doesn't quite guarantee it will work for you. TSA takes pains to stress that it can vary, even for travelers who have paid for the service.
What Is TSA PreCheck? Requirements, Benefits, More
TSA PreCheck is a membership program that offers dedicated airport security lines and streamlined screening at a few hundred airports across the U.S. Upon approval, members receive a Known ...
How Long Does It Take to Get TSA PreCheck?
The application process isn't long but requires an in-person appointment. To get TSA PreCheck, you must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national or a lawful permanent resident. Enrollment costs $78 and ...
How to Add TSA PreCheck to Your Airline Ticket
The TSA PreCheck/Known Traveler ID field can be found under "Personal Details." Adding your Known Traveler Number to new Delta bookings. To add your PreCheck KTN to a new reservation, the best way ...
Known Traveler Number: Here's What You Need To Know
To acquire a Known Traveler Number, you must participate in one of the Trusted Traveler Programs. These are: Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are by far the most popular options in the U.S. The NEXUS and SENTRI programs also provide a Known Traveler Number, though these programs are much less commonly used in the U.S.
Security rules and TSA PreCheck information
A TSA PreCheck ® logo or "TSA PRE" must be printed on your boarding pass near your name for you to use TSA PreCheck. Book your flights using the name and date of birth listed on the ID you used to apply to a Trusted Traveler Program. Add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your United MileagePlus profile and existing reservations.
Redress Number vs. Known Traveler Number: Understanding the Difference
A redress number is issued by the Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) and is designed to help resolve travel issues that arise from mistaken identity or security concerns.1. A Known Traveler Number, or KTN, is issued to those who are approved for TSA PreCheck®, a program that allows travelers to access ...
Understanding The Difference Between Known Traveler Number And Tsa
The Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a unique identification number that is assigned to individuals who have enrolled in a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) trusted traveler program. These programs include TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI. The KTN allows travelers to enjoy the benefits of expedited security screening when flying.
How Do I Renew My TSA PreCheck?
Go to the TSA PreCheck website, select the tab that says "Renewal," and enter your Known Traveler Number, date of birth and legal last name into the appropriate fields.
TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck website. by clicking on "Check My Service Status.". Once issued, your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is valid for 5 years. You won't receive a card to carry, but simply a letter ...
TSA sets new record for number of travelers screened in a single day
The Transportation Security Administration announced it screened more than 2.95 million airline passengers on Friday, setting a new record for a single day. In a post on X, formerly known as ...
U.S. screens record 2.95 million airline passengers in single day
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it screened 2.95 million airline passengers on Friday, the highest number ever on a single day. The record travel coincides with the ...

Known Traveler Number program: What is it, and should you get 1?

Editor's Note

What is a Known Traveler Number?

Should you apply for a Known Traveler Number?

TSA PreCheck

Global Entry

Nexus and SENTRI

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What to do if you forgot to add a KTN to your flight

Where can you find your Known Traveler Number?

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Known Traveler Number: Here’s What You Need To Know [2024]

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Frequently Asked Questions

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About Spencer Howard

Redress Number vs. Known Traveler Number: Understanding the Difference

At-A-Glance

What Is a Redress Number?

Why and When Do You Need a Redress Number?

What Is a Known Traveler Number?

What Are the Benefits of a Known Traveler Number?

How to Apply for a Known Traveler Number

Differences Between a Redress Number and a Known Traveler Number?

The Takeaway

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