Lost Your TSA PreCheck Number? A Comprehensive Guide to Finding It!

Traveling can be stressful, and the last thing you need is to be held up at airport security. TSA PreCheck can be a lifesaver, allowing you to breeze through security lines without removing your shoes, belt, or light jacket, and keeping your laptop and liquids in your bag. But what happens when you can’t remember or can’t find your Known Traveler Number (KTN)? This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the possible ways to retrieve your TSA PreCheck number and get back on the path to stress-free travel.

## What is a TSA PreCheck Number (KTN)?

Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a unique identifier assigned to you when you’re approved for trusted traveler programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI. It’s crucial for associating your airline reservations with your trusted traveler status, allowing you to access expedited security lanes at participating airports. Without it, you’ll have to go through the standard security screening process, which can be significantly longer and more cumbersome.

## Why You Might Need to Find Your TSA PreCheck Number

There are several reasons why you might need to find your TSA PreCheck number:

* **Forgotten Number:** Let’s face it, we all forget things. You might have applied for TSA PreCheck some time ago and simply can’t recall the number.
* **Lost Documentation:** You might have misplaced your approval letter, membership card, or any other document containing your KTN.
* **Changing Airlines or Travel Agents:** When booking flights through different airlines or travel agents, you need to ensure your KTN is accurately entered into your reservation.
* **Renewal Issues:** Sometimes, you might need your KTN to verify your identity or update your information during the renewal process.
* **Booking Errors:** A typo when entering your KTN during booking can prevent you from receiving TSA PreCheck benefits.

## Methods to Find Your TSA PreCheck Number

Here are several methods you can use to locate your TSA PreCheck number. We’ll start with the easiest and most common solutions and then move on to more involved options.

### 1. Check Your Airline Profile(s)

This is often the quickest and easiest way to find your KTN. Many frequent travelers store their TSA PreCheck number (KTN) in their airline profiles for easy booking. Here’s how to check the most common airlines:

* **United Airlines:**
1. Log in to your MileagePlus account on the United Airlines website or app.
2. Go to “My Account” or “Profile.”
3. Look for a section labeled “Known Traveler Number,” “Secure Flight Information,” or similar. Your KTN should be listed there.

* **American Airlines:**
1. Log in to your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website or app.
2. Go to “My Account” or “Profile.”
3. Look for “Secure Traveler” or a similar section. Your KTN should be listed there.

* **Delta Air Lines:**
1. Log in to your SkyMiles account on the Delta Air Lines website or app.
2. Go to “My Profile.”
3. Look for “Known Traveler Number” or “Secure Flight.”

* **Southwest Airlines:**
1. Log in to your Rapid Rewards account on the Southwest Airlines website or app.
2. Go to “My Account” or “Profile.”
3. Look for “Known Traveler Number” or a similar section under personal information.

* **Other Airlines:**
* The process is similar for other airlines. Log in to your frequent flyer account and look for a profile section where you can manage your personal information and travel preferences. The KTN is usually stored there.

**Why this works:** Airlines often prompt you to enter your KTN when you create or update your profile. They store this information to automatically apply your TSA PreCheck benefits to your bookings.

### 2. Review Past Airline Tickets or Boarding Passes

Your KTN is often printed on your boarding passes if you’ve added it to your reservation. Look closely at previous boarding passes, either printed or electronic. It’s usually located near your name or other personal information. It might be abbreviated as “KTN” or labeled as “TSA PreCheck.” If you use mobile boarding passes frequently, check your older screenshots or stored passes in your airline apps.

**Where to Look:** Scrutinize your boarding pass. Look for alphanumeric codes or numbers near your name. If you see “TSA PreCheck” printed on the pass, the adjacent code is likely your KTN.

### 3. Check Your Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI Card/Account

If you have Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, your TSA PreCheck benefits are included. Your PASSID (PASS ID), which is printed on your trusted traveler card, *is* your Known Traveler Number. If you’re a member of one of these programs, your card serves as proof of TSA PreCheck eligibility. You can also find your PASSID by logging into your Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) account on the Department of Homeland Security website.

**Steps to find your KTN on the TTP website:**

1. Go to the Trusted Traveler Program website: [https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/](https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/)
2. Click on “Check Application Status.”
3. Log in to your account using your Login.gov credentials (email address and password).
4. Once logged in, you should see your membership information, including your PASSID (KTN).

**Important Note:** Your KTN is *not* the same as your Redress Number. A Redress Number is assigned to individuals who have experienced difficulties with airline screening due to having a name similar to someone on a watch list. If you have a Redress Number, it’s separate from your KTN and won’t grant you TSA PreCheck benefits.

### 4. Contact the Universal Enrollment Services (UES) Help Desk

If you applied for TSA PreCheck through Idemia (formerly MorphoTrust USA), the authorized enrollment provider, you can contact their Universal Enrollment Services (UES) help desk for assistance. This is a viable option if you’ve exhausted other methods and can’t locate your KTN.

**How to Contact the UES Help Desk:**

* **Phone:** Call the UES Help Desk at 1-855-347-8371. They are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM ET.
* **Online:** Visit the Idemia TSA PreCheck website (search for “Idemia TSA PreCheck”) and look for a contact form or help section. You may be able to submit a request for assistance online.

**What Information You’ll Need:**

When contacting the UES Help Desk, be prepared to provide identifying information to verify your identity. This might include:

* Full Name
* Date of Birth
* Address
* Place of Birth
* Application Date (if known)

**Important Considerations:**

* **Wait Times:** Be prepared for potential wait times when calling the UES Help Desk, especially during peak hours.
* **Security Questions:** They may ask you security questions to verify your identity.
* **Privacy:** The UES Help Desk will only provide your KTN to you directly to protect your personal information.

### 5. Check Your Email Account for Approval Notifications

When you were initially approved for TSA PreCheck, you likely received an email notification containing your KTN. Search your email inbox (and spam/junk folders) for emails from:

* TSA
* Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
* Idemia (formerly MorphoTrust USA)
* Universal Enrollment Services (UES)

Use keywords like “TSA PreCheck,” “Known Traveler Number,” “Approval,” or “Enrollment” to filter your search results. Once you find the email, your KTN should be clearly stated within the message.

**Tips for Effective Email Searching:**

* **Date Range:** If you remember approximately when you applied for TSA PreCheck, narrow your search by specifying a date range.
* **Multiple Email Accounts:** If you have multiple email accounts, check each one. You might have used a different email address when you initially applied.
* **Archived Emails:** Don’t forget to check your archived emails. You might have accidentally archived the approval notification.

### 6. Re-Check Your Application Paperwork (If Available)

If you still have any of the paperwork from your TSA PreCheck application process, carefully review it. Your KTN might be printed on the application form, receipt, or any other documentation you received during enrollment.

**What to Look For:**

* **Application Form:** Check the top or bottom of the form for a dedicated section for the KTN.
* **Receipt:** The KTN might be printed on the receipt you received after completing the application and fingerprinting process.
* **Approval Letter:** If you received a physical approval letter, your KTN should be prominently displayed on it.

### 7. Contact TSA Directly (As a Last Resort – and Expect Delays)

While not the most efficient method, you can try contacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) directly for assistance. However, be aware that they may have limited capabilities to retrieve your KTN and that response times can be slow.

**How to Contact TSA:**

* **TSA Contact Form:** Visit the TSA website ([https://www.tsa.gov/](https://www.tsa.gov/)) and look for a contact form or a “Contact Us” section. Submit your inquiry through the online form.
* **TSA Twitter:** You can try reaching out to TSA via their official Twitter account (@AskTSA). However, keep in mind that they may not be able to provide specific personal information through social media for security reasons. It’s more appropriate for general inquiries.

**What Information You’ll Need:**

When contacting TSA, provide as much information as possible to help them locate your KTN. This includes:

* Full Name
* Date of Birth
* Address
* Place of Birth
* Application Date (if known)
* Any other relevant details about your application.

**Important Considerations:**

* **Response Times:** Expect potentially long response times when contacting TSA directly. They handle a high volume of inquiries.
* **Limited Assistance:** TSA may not be able to directly provide your KTN due to privacy and security concerns. They might direct you to other resources or suggest reapplying.

## What to Do if You Still Can’t Find Your TSA PreCheck Number

If you’ve tried all the methods above and still can’t locate your TSA PreCheck number, your options are limited. You might need to consider reapplying for TSA PreCheck.

**Reapplying for TSA PreCheck:**

* **Start a New Application:** Visit the TSA PreCheck website ([https://www.tsa.gov/precheck](https://www.tsa.gov/precheck)) and start a new application.
* **Pay the Fee:** You’ll need to pay the application fee again, even if you were previously approved.
* **Complete the Enrollment Process:** Follow the instructions to complete the enrollment process, including providing your personal information and undergoing fingerprinting.

**Preventing Future Issues:**

To avoid losing your TSA PreCheck number again, take the following precautions:

* **Store Your KTN Securely:** Save your KTN in a secure location, such as a password manager or a protected document on your computer.
* **Add Your KTN to Airline Profiles:** Add your KTN to your frequent flyer profiles with all the airlines you use regularly.
* **Keep a Copy of Your Approval Letter:** Store a physical or digital copy of your TSA PreCheck approval letter in a safe place.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid When Entering Your TSA PreCheck Number

Even if you know your KTN, entering it incorrectly can prevent you from receiving TSA PreCheck benefits. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

* **Typos:** Double-check for typos when entering your KTN online or when providing it to a travel agent.
* **Incorrect Number of Characters:** A KTN is typically a specific number of characters. Make sure you’re entering the correct number of digits.
* **Mixing Up Letters and Numbers:** Be careful not to confuse similar-looking letters and numbers, such as “O” and “0” or “I” and “1.”
* **Using Your Redress Number Instead:** Remember that your Redress Number is different from your KTN. Make sure you’re entering the correct identifier.
* **Entering the KTN in the Wrong Field:** Some booking systems have separate fields for your KTN and other personal information. Ensure you’re entering the KTN in the designated field.

## Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with a valid KTN, you might sometimes encounter issues with TSA PreCheck. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

* **TSA PreCheck Not Showing Up on Your Boarding Pass:**
* **Check Your Reservation:** Make sure your KTN is correctly entered in your airline reservation.
* **Wait 24 Hours:** Sometimes, it can take up to 24 hours for the TSA PreCheck indicator to appear on your boarding pass after you’ve added your KTN to your reservation.
* **Contact the Airline:** If the issue persists, contact the airline to verify that your KTN is properly associated with your booking.
* **Denied TSA PreCheck Despite Having a KTN:**
* **Random Security Screening:** Even with TSA PreCheck, you might occasionally be subject to standard security screening due to random security protocols.
* **System Issues:** Technical glitches in the TSA system can sometimes prevent your KTN from being recognized.
* **Expired Membership:** Ensure your TSA PreCheck membership is still valid and hasn’t expired.
* **Name Mismatch:**
* **Ensure Consistency:** Make sure the name on your airline ticket exactly matches the name on your TSA PreCheck application. Discrepancies can cause issues.
* **Update Information:** If you’ve legally changed your name, update your information with TSA to reflect the change.

## Conclusion

Losing your TSA PreCheck number can be frustrating, but with the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to retrieve it. Remember to check your airline profiles, past boarding passes, and trusted traveler program accounts first. If those methods fail, contacting the UES Help Desk or TSA directly are options. And, if all else fails, you can reapply for TSA PreCheck. By taking proactive steps to safeguard your KTN, you can ensure a smoother and more efficient travel experience in the future. Safe travels!