Travel Numbers: Passport Confusion Or Clarity?

A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a nine-digit code issued by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to individuals approved for TSA PreCheck expedited screening. It is not the same as your passport number, but you will need both when travelling. The KTN is your identification number that proves you're a member of a trusted traveller program and shows that you are eligible to use the TSA PreCheck lanes at US airports.

Known Traveler Number (KTN) and TSA PreCheck

A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a number issued by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or Department of Defense (DoD). This number indicates that you have undergone a pre-flight background check or other screening before checking in for a flight.

The easiest way to get a KTN is to enroll in either the PreCheck or Global Entry program. If your application is approved, you will receive a KTN. A Global Entry KTN is linked to your passport information, while a PreCheck KTN is connected only to the personal information you supplied when you enrolled.

If you received your KTN through the TSA's PreCheck program, you should add it to your reservation record every time you book a flight on a participating airline. If you make a flight reservation through a travel agent, give the agent your KTN. You can also add the KTN yourself if you reserve your flight online or by telephone.

Once you have been assigned a KTN, you must include this number in the 'KTN' field of each reservation you make with a participating airline. The KTN can also 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.

Participating airlines include:

• Cathay Pacific Airways
• InterCaribbean Airways
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• Miami Air International
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Southern Airways Express
• Sun Country Airlines
• Swiss International Air Lines

If you obtained your KTN through the Global Entry program or by virtue of your status as a US Armed Forces member, you should use it whenever you make an airline reservation, regardless of which airline you fly.

KTN and Global Entry

A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a number issued by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or Department of Defense (DoD). This number indicates that you have undergone a pre-flight background check or other screening before checking in for a flight.

The easiest way to get a KTN is to enrol in either the PreCheck or Global Entry program. If your application is approved, you will receive a KTN. A Global Entry KTN is linked to your passport information, while a PreCheck KTN is connected only to the personal information you supplied when you enrolled.

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

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.

If you received your KTN through the TSA's PreCheck program, you should add it to your reservation record every time you book a flight on a participating airline. If you make a flight reservation through a travel agent, give the agent your KTN. You can also add the KTN yourself if you reserve your flight online or by telephone.

If you obtained your KTN through the Global Entry program or by virtue of your status as a US Armed Forces member, you should use it whenever you make an airline reservation, regardless of which airline you fly.

KTN and expedited screening

A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is issued to individuals approved for TSA PreCheck expedited screening. The KTN must be added when booking travel reservations to have the TSA PreCheck indicator appear on your boarding pass. The TSA PreCheck program is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and legal permanent residents.

The KTN is 9 or 10 digits long and can be a combination of numbers and letters. It is typically issued 3-5 days after approval but can take up to 60 days. The KTN is valid for five years after approval.

The easiest way to get a KTN is to enroll in either the PreCheck or Global Entry program. If your application is approved, you will receive a KTN. A Global Entry KTN is linked to your passport information, while a PreCheck KTN is connected only to the personal information supplied when enrolling.

Adding your KTN to an airline reservation increases your chances of using the TSA's PreCheck security screening lanes at participating U.S. airports. Your KTN also permits you to take advantage of expedited customs processing at select airports if you are a Global Entry member.

If you obtained your KTN through the TSA's PreCheck program, you should add it to your reservation record every time you book a flight on a participating airline. If you make a flight reservation through a travel agent, give the agent your KTN. You can also add the KTN yourself if you reserve your flight online or by telephone.

If you obtained your KTN through the Global Entry program or by virtue of your status as a U.S. Armed Forces member, you should use it whenever you make an airline reservation, regardless of the airline.

It's important to note that the KTN must be added when booking your flight so that the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on your boarding pass.

KTN and CBP PASS ID

A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is a number issued by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or Department of Defense (DoD). This number indicates that you have undergone a pre-flight background check or other screening before checking in for a flight. The KTN must be added when booking airline travel reservations to have the TSA PreCheck® indicator appear on your boarding pass.

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.

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. The CBP PASS ID number is the KTN for members approved for Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI. 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.

The easiest way to get a KTN is to enroll in either the PreCheck or Global Entry program. If your application is approved, you will receive a KTN. A Global Entry KTN is linked to your passport information, while a PreCheck KTN is connected only to the personal information you supplied when you enrolled. Participating airlines may offer their frequent flyers PreCheck status. The airline will assign these travelers a KTN as part of that process. Active-duty military personnel may use their DoD identification number as their KTN.

KTN and NEXUS/SENTRI

A Known Traveler Number (KTN) is issued to individuals approved to receive TSA PreCheck® expedited screening. The KTN must be added when booking 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 and typically begins with TT, TE, or AC.

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. It 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.

The easiest way to get a KTN is to enroll in either the PreCheck or Global Entry program. If your application is approved, you will receive a KTN. A Global Entry KTN is linked to your passport information, while a PreCheck KTN is connected only to the personal information supplied when enrolling.

If you obtained your KTN through the Global Entry program, you should use it whenever you make an airline reservation, regardless of the airline. If you received your KTN through the TSA's PreCheck program, you should add it to your reservation record every time you book a flight on a participating airline.

If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, you 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.

Frequently asked questions