At TPG, we encourage all frequent travelers to get TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. With PreCheck, you can zoom past travelers waiting in the regular security checkpoint line, avoid removing your shoes and taking out your laptop and liquids. After going through the application and screening process in order to get Global Entry, which comes with PreCheck, you’ll get your own Known Traveler Number (KTN).
Your KTN is essential information and once you have it, you’ll be granted access to the quicker PreCheck security lanes (most of the time). However, the TSA can’t permanently associate your number with your name for every flight reservation. Instead, you have to input your KTN with the airline before flying. So if you’ve just been approved for PreCheck, you should remember to first add your KTN to your frequent flyer accounts to ensure it’s automatically added to all of your reservations.
To add your KTN to your frequent flyer accounts, log in to your account with each of the airlines your frequently travel with, go to the section with your personal information and add your KTN to the account. Just save it and you’re all set. Remember that you can get Global Entry and TSA PreCheck for free with fee credits from select credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum and the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card.
Keep in mind that not all airlines participate in PreCheck. As of this writing, there are 19 airlines: Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Cape Air, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Lufthansa, OneJet, Seaborne Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin America and WestJet.
Read more on how and why to add your KTN to your frequent flyer accounts in JT Genter’s post.
Featured image courtesy of John Greim via Getty Images.
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