How to Add a KTN to United Airlines

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Add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in the “KTN” field of the specific United reservation, then save it to your MileagePlus profile for future travel. Updating your profile is useful, but an already booked trip needs its own reservation update before the indicator can appear on the boarding pass.

TSA PreCheck benefits are not automatic. Your KTN, name, and date of birth must match the information associated with your enrollment.

What a KTN Does on a United Ticket

A Known Traveler Number links your airline reservation to your TSA PreCheck or Trusted Traveler Program membership. When the information matches, TSA may place a TSA PreCheck indicator, often shown as “TSA PRE” or a TSA PreCheck logo, near your name on the boarding pass.

A KTN is still essential because it gives TSA the information needed to match your reservation with your membership.

Use the correct identifier for the program you joined:

Your Program What to Enter in United’s “KTN” Field Where to Confirm It
TSA PreCheck through CLEAR, IDEMIA, or Telos Your KTN, which starts with AC, TT, or TE and is listed by TSA as 9 to 10 digits long Your TSA PreCheck enrollment provider account
Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI Your 9-digit PASS ID Upper-left corner on the back of your card or your Trusted Traveler Programs profile
TSA PreCheck through an employer The KTN supplied by your employer Your employer, since these numbers do not follow one standard format
CDL holder with an eligible HME assessment Two-letter issuing-state abbreviation followed by the CDL number Your CDL and state abbreviation
Eligible TWIC cardholder Your TWIC Credential Identification Number Your TWIC card or account

How to Add a KTN to a United Reservation

Step 1: Identify the Number You Need to Enter

  1. Find the identifier that belongs to your enrollment program.
  2. Copy it carefully rather than entering a card number or membership number that is not designated as your KTN.
  3. If you have Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, use the 9-digit PASS ID rather than looking for a separate TSA PreCheck number.
  4. Check every character before submitting. A single incorrect digit can keep the TSA PreCheck indicator off the boarding pass.

Step 2: Update an Existing United Trip

  1. Sign in to your account in the app or on the website.
  2. Open the reservation you want to update.
  3. Look for the area to edit passenger, traveler, or Secure Flight information.
  4. Enter the traveler’s number in the “KTN” field and save the change.
  5. Reopen the reservation after saving to make sure the KTN is still attached to that traveler.

If the reservation does not show an editable KTN field, contact United and ask it to add the KTN to the existing reservation.

Update every relevant United reservation separately. Adding a KTN to an existing flight reservation can cause TSA PreCheck to appear on the boarding pass, even if the ticket was already issued.

Step 3: Save the KTN in Your MileagePlus Profile

In the United app, go to Account > TSA PreCheck and travel documents. Add your KTN and save it to your MileagePlus profile.

After saving the profile information, return to your current reservation and confirm that its traveler details still show the KTN. A profile entry alone is not a substitute for placing the number on an existing ticket.

Add a KTN During Booking and for Other Travelers

Enter each eligible traveler’s own KTN during booking, with matching reservation name and correct date of birth.

New United Bookings

When making a new booking, enter each eligible traveler’s KTN in that traveler’s “KTN” field during the passenger-information portion of the reservation. Do not assume that adding a MileagePlus number automatically adds the KTN to the ticket.

Before paying, review the traveler information carefully. The reservation name must match the name used during TSA PreCheck or Trusted Traveler Program enrollment, including a middle name or middle initial if it was included on the application.

Also confirm that the date of birth on the United reservation is correct. TSA PreCheck instructions identify both the matching name and correct date of birth as separate requirements for receiving the indicator.

Family Members and Companions

Each person should have their own KTN entered under their own traveler details. Do not enter one adult’s KTN for a spouse, friend, or child.

An airline app’s traveler-editing screen may not provide a visible field for adding another passenger’s KTN. If you cannot edit that person’s traveler details, contact United to have the number added to the reservation.

For families using TSA PreCheck, United allows children 12 and younger to accompany a parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lane. Children ages 13 through 17 can accompany a parent or guardian when they are on the same reservation and have TSA PreCheck indicated on their own ticket.

Changes Close to Departure

Make the update as soon as you notice the missing KTN. United states that when you add or change Secure Flight information less than 72 hours before departure, the information is updated and sent immediately.

After saving the update, retrieve your boarding pass again and check whether the indicator has appeared.

Fix a Missing TSA PreCheck Indicator

Start with the reservation details, since a mismatch is more common than a problem with the membership itself.

  1. Check the KTN character by character. Make sure it is in the reservation’s “KTN” field, not merely stored in your MileagePlus profile.
  2. Match the passenger name to the enrollment name. Include the same middle name or middle initial used when you enrolled, if applicable.
  3. Confirm the date of birth. The date on the United reservation must match the date associated with your TSA enrollment.
  4. Refresh the boarding pass after saving. Open the current pass again or retrieve a newly updated version in the app.
  5. Contact the airline if the reservation cannot be edited. Ask the agent to add the KTN to the reservation.
  6. Contact TSA for membership or enrollment issues.

Do not use the TSA PreCheck lane unless your boarding pass displays the TSA PreCheck designation. Carrying a Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or TSA PreCheck card does not replace the boarding-pass indicator.

Confirm the KTN Worked and Keep It Current

After checking in, inspect each traveler’s boarding pass rather than relying on the account profile or reservation confirmation. Look for “TSA PRE” or a TSA PreCheck logo near the traveler’s name.

Use this quick check before leaving for the airport:

  • The traveler’s KTN is shown in the United reservation details.
  • The name matches the TSA enrollment record, including any enrolled middle name or initial.
  • The reservation date of birth is correct.
  • The boarding pass displays TSA PreCheck for the traveler who is eligible.
  • Each traveler with a membership has their own KTN attached to their own ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Add TSA PreCheck to an Already Booked United Ticket?

Yes, you can add a KTN to an already booked United ticket. Adding the KTN to the existing reservation can cause TSA PreCheck to appear on the boarding pass, even if the ticket was already issued. Your KTN, name, and date of birth must match the information associated with your enrollment. Open the United reservation, enter the number in the “KTN” field for the correct traveler, and save the update. If there is no editable traveler-information option, contact United and request that the KTN be added to the existing reservation.

How Do I Change My KTN on United?

Open the affected United reservation and replace the old number in the traveler’s “KTN” field, then save and confirm the change. Update the KTN in your MileagePlus profile as well so the account record stays current, but check each future reservation individually.

Is My Global Entry Number the Same as My KTN?

Your 9-digit Global Entry PASS ID is the number to enter as your KTN. The same rule applies to NEXUS and SENTRI members; find the PASS ID in the upper-left corner on the back of the card or in your Trusted Traveler Programs account.

Why Is TSA PRE Missing From My United Boarding Pass?

The most common causes are a missing or incorrect KTN, a reservation name that differs from your enrollment name, or an incorrect date of birth. TSA PreCheck is not automatic, and TSA determines whether the indicator is issued for a particular flight.

Can I Add My KTN at Check-In?

You can try to update the reservation during check-in, but do it as early as possible. United sends a Secure Flight update made less than 72 hours before departure immediately, but you should refresh the boarding pass afterward to check for the updated designation.

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Dale Richard

Dale, in his mid-thirties, embodies the spirit of adventure and the love for the great outdoors. With a background in environmental science and a heart that beats for exploring the unexplored, Dale has hiked through the lush trails of the Appalachian Mountains, camped under the starlit skies of the Mojave Desert, and kayaked through the serene waters of the Great Lakes.

His adventures are not just about conquering new terrains but also about embracing the ethos of sustainable and responsible travel. Dale’s experiences, from navigating through dense forests to scaling remote peaks, bring a rich tapestry of stories, insights, and practical tips to our blog.