8 Min Read | Published: March 5, 2024
What’s a Known Traveler Number (KTN)?
Learn how you can obtain a Known Traveler Number (KTN) and see how it could benefit your travels by offering you expedited screening.
At-A-Glance
A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is issued to all individuals who are approved for TSA PreCheck® expedited screening,1 and similar services that allow for expedited screening.
Expedited screening services could help to reduce the amount of time that you have to wait in line.
It’s important to note that the KTN must be added to the KTN field when booking your flight so that the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on your boarding pass.2
A Known Traveler Number (KTN)3 is a number assigned to an individual who’s been approved for TSA PreCheck® or another expedited airport screening service. This number is nine digits long and is composed of a combination of numbers and letters. A KTN could help to reduce the amount of time that you’ll end up spending in line, and many travelers find that it’s a worthwhile investment.
How to Get a Known Traveler Number
You can obtain a KTN by applying for TSA PreCheck or another service that allows for expedited airport screening. This includes CLEAR® Plus, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI.
One way to apply for a Known Traveler Number is online on the TSA PreCheck page on the TSA website. If you go this route, you’ll be asked to provide your full legal name, Social Security number, address, phone number, and email address. Once the application is complete, you can book an appointment to do the in-person portion of TSA PreCheck.
You can find an in-person TSA PreCheck enrollment center by entering your zip code in the search box on the TSA website. You should be directed to that page after you submit your pre-enrollment application. The in-person portion takes about ten minutes. You’ll need to provide fingerprints, identity documents, and payment for your KTN.
The cost for TSA PreCheck can be found on the TSA PreCheck page on the TSA website, and it will typically be valid for five years after you’re approved. Don’t expect instant approval onsite when you do the in-person portion of the TSA PreCheck. That process takes anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on whether you have a criminal record or have moved frequently in the past.
Qualifications and Exceptions for Obtaining a KTN
The TSA PreCheck program is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and legal permanent residents. The initial application (pre-enrollment) can be done online at the TSA website, but the final approval will need to be done at an in-person enrollment center.
Individuals who have been approved for CLEAR Plus, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI do not need to go through TSA PreCheck. Children under seventeen are also exceptions because they can join an adult who’s already been approved by TSA PreCheck.
Benefits of Being a Known Traveler
Anyone who’s waited in a long line at TSA knows how beneficial a Known Traveler Number is. KTNs could allow you to bypass that long line and walk through the checkpoint with minimal interference. According to TSA numbers published by AAA4 in March of 2023, 89% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited in line for less than five minutes.
The amount of time saved by not waiting in line translates into increased productivity for business travelers. It eases the stress levels of recreational passengers, particularly those who are traveling with young children. It could significantly cut down on the hours frequent flyers spend in airports every year. For many people, this time-savings alone makes it worth the investment.
While this number could help to reduce the amount of time that you end up spending in line, it’s important to make sure you use it properly. When booking an airline flight, there’s a field to enter your Known Traveler Number. You’ll want to ensure that you enter it at that time so that the TSA PreCheck indicator will appear on your boarding pass. You could lose out on your benefits if you don’t enter this information in at the time of booking.
Certain Credit Cards May Offer Reimbursement
Some credit cards may offer a reimbursement of an expedited airport screening service as a cardholder benefit. This means if you have one of these cards, you could gain access to a KTN even easier.
Keep in mind that actual benefits, and terms and conditions will vary, depending on the card in question. While typical credit cards that may offer travel benefits include travel, hotel, and airline credit cards, the offerings will vary from card to card. You’ll want to check your credit card’s travel benefits to see what you may be eligible for. You’ll also want to note that enrollment is sometimes required in order to receive certain benefits, so be sure to check whether this is the case with your card. Finally, note that reimbursement may take the form of a statement credit. As always, check your card’s terms and conditions carefully to learn more.
Did you know? With the The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can receive up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year after you sign up and pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).5
Frequently Asked Questions
A KTN can be revoked. One way that it could be revoked is if the holder violates federal security regulations.6
It’s important to include your KTN in the “KTN” field of your reservation. If you don’t include your KTN in this field, then it will not appear on your boarding pass and you may lose out on this benefit when you get to the airport.
The Takeaway
A Known Traveler Number can help to make travel easier and more efficient, something that many travelers can appreciate. And remember: some credit cards offer reimbursement for a travel service that includes a KTN.
1,2,3 "What is a Known Traveler Number (KTN)?", Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
4 "What is a Known Traveler Number and Do You Need One?", AAA Club Alliance
5 For more on Offer & Benefit Terms for The Platinum Card®, click here.
6 "TSA PreCheck® FAQ", Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Kevin D. Flynn is a a financial services provider, business coach, and financial writer. He lives in Leominster, Massachusetts with his wife Evelyn, two cats, and ten wonderful grandchildren.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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