Travel Documents ·feb 16, 2024

What Is A Known Traveller Number And How To Get It?

It is apparent that as long as the covid pandemic persists, the requirements for checking in at airports will grow progressively more stringent and procedural. Although travel has resumed and limitations have been lifted, many passengers are still encountering new travel requirements that must be obeyed, such as PCR testing, location tracking applications, and stay-at-home orders. Quarantine is required in some areas. As a result, many passengers nowadays will go to any length to make their journey easy. As a result, one of the things that might assist travellers in making their journey smoother is the "Known traveller Number".

CabinZero will elaborate further about having a TSA Known Traveller Number (KTN) in this article, which will hopefully help you comprehend what it is and how to utilise it as a strong tool when flying.

What Is a Known traveller Number?

Your membership in the Trusted traveller Program is represented by your Known traveller Number. This TSA Precheck number allows you to use the TSA PreCheck secure lane as well as the Global Entry lane (depending on which Trusted traveller Program you join). All passengers who have been authorised for TSA PreCheck® fast screening are given a Known traveller Number (KTN number). KTN must be entered into the KTN field when making an airline reservation for the TSA PreCheck® indication to display on your boarding pass.

For TSA PreCheck® Enrollment Program participants, the number is 9 digits long, can be a combination of numbers and letters, and commonly begins with TT. When you are approved for one of these programmes, you will be given a number.

Consider KTN a new-fangled Passport code. Photo by photobyphotoboy - stock.adobe.com

The KTN is referred to as CBP PASSID for members who have been accepted for Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI. This number, which commonly begins with 15, 98, or 99 and can be found on the back of your NEXUS, SENTRI, or Global Entry card, acts similarly to a KTN. You can also get to it by visiting the Trusted traveller Program website. When you sign up for the Trusted traveller Program and link your KTN to your airline ticket, you'll have access to the TSA's PreCheck secure check-in lanes. If you simply have TSA Precheck, KTN does not provide you access to Global Entry. Having KTN contributes to a better travel experience by resulting in less invasive checks and reduced queue time.

How To Get A Known traveller Number

The Known traveller Number on a global entry card shows that the individual has undertaken a pre-flight background check before checking in for their trip and is qualified for the expedited customs process. First of all, you have to apply for TSA Pre-Test, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI to obtain KTN.

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are by far the most popular options for tourists in the United States. Known traveller Numbers are also provided via the NEXUS and SENTRI systems, albeit they are far less regularly utilised in the United States.

KTN can be obtained in a variety of methods through the many Trusted traveller schemes, each of which requires an application. Visitors must also schedule an in-person interview at the enrollment centre or participating airport for all programmes. Each programme costs money and is only active for five years. Many credit cards also give Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credits.

Global Entry is a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) programme that permits passengers who have been classified as low-risk by the US government to utilise shorter customs lines upon their return to the US. Foreign countries. However, you should be aware that the application price for this programme is $100 and is good for five years.

While TSA Precheck helps you to clear customs faster while flying within the US, Global Entry allows you to clear customs both within the US and overseas. If you are a US citizen or lawful permanent resident who travels outside the nation, you can obtain your KTN through Global Entry.

If you are an Indian citizen, a Colombian citizen, a UK citizen, a German citizen, a Panamanian citizen, a Singaporean citizen, a Korean citizen, a Swiss citizen, or a Mexican citizen, you can also apply for Universal Entry.

If you often travel to Canada, sign up for NEXUS. NEXUS is comparable to Global Entry, however, it only allows you to get through customs faster while travelling within the United States or across the US-Canada border. If you are a Canadian citizen/lawful permanent residence or a US citizen/lawful permanent resident who often crosses borders, you should consider this program. NEXUS allows travellers to be pre-screened using expedited processing upon entry into Canada or the United States. NEXUS kiosks are available for air entrance into Canada, and members can also obtain speedier check-in when arriving by sea at select locations.

An Global Entry card example. Photo by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Through NEXUS participation, Canadian citizens and residents are eligible for Global Entry privileges. This programme has a $50 application fee.

SENTRI is a programme that allows passengers from Mexico to enter the United States through a pre-approved membership screening procedure. The advantages of becoming a SENTRI member are limited to border crossings between the United States and Mexico. If you are a lawful US citizen who travels to Mexico frequently, you can enrol in this programme to get KTN. Furthermore, SENTRI members are permitted to use the NEXUS lane while entering the United States by land from Canada. This programme has a registration fee of $122.25.

How to Find Your Known traveller Number

If you just have TSA Precheck, you can retrieve your PASSID/Known traveller Number by logging into the Trusted traveller Program website. Once you have received a KTN, you must put it into your frequent flyer account profile or enter it while purchasing tickets. This is the reference number for your airline reservation. If you forget your Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI card, you can look up the number on the Trusted traveller Program website.

When you fly, check your boarding pass to determine if you can utilise the Global Entry, NEXUS, TSA PreCheck, or SENTRI lanes. If you don't see it listed, you can inquire if your KTN is linked to your reservation. You can purchase it at the airport to gain access to expedited routes.

You can enjoy TSA PreCheck expedited screening with a KTN. Photo by Kaspars Grinvalds - stock.adobe.com

If you are a TSA Pre-Test programme participant, you can check up on your KTN online. You can find your KTN for another programme indicated above by logging into the Trusted traveller Program website. Global Entry members can also discover their KTN (also known as CBP PASSID) on the back of their CBP-issued Global Entry card, in the top left corner. The number has nine digits and typically starts with 15, 98, or 99.

Once your application has been granted, you should receive your KTN within 3 to 5 days, while some applications can take up to 90 days. Candidates can receive application status updates through email, phone, text, or online check.

FAQs Section! We Answer Your Most Common Questions!

1. Why Are So Many Tourists Interested In Obtaining A Known traveller Number?

Simply said, when you enlist in the Trusted traveller Program and connect your KTN to an airline ticket, you'll have access to the TSA's PreCheck secure check-in lanes. If you simply have TSA Precheck, KTN does not provide you access to Global Entry. Having a KTN improves the travel experience for travellers by allowing for less invasive check-ins and less time spent queuing and other airport processes.

2. Who Is Allowed To Use A Known traveller Number?

It is simple to state that every traveller who has been authorised for TSA, CLEAR, NEXUS, or Global Entry will be given a KTN. You will pick which service is best for you based on your travel requirements and nationality. However, keep in mind that only US citizens, citizens, and permanent residents are eligible to apply for PreCheck. Nevertheless, certain foreign nationals are eligible to apply for Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI. You will need to pass a background check and supply personal information to the government, but after you have done so, your KTN will be mailed to you.

3. How To Find Your Known Traveller Number

If you just have TSA Precheck, you can retrieve your PASSID/Known traveller Number by logging into the Trusted traveller Program website. If you lose your Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI card, you can also look up the number on the Trusted traveller Program website.

Your TSA Precheck or Global Entry Number will be shown as your Known traveller Number. When booking your flight, simply provide your Known traveller Number in the relevant area. This can be done after, or even at, the airport check-in counter. The best part is that you don't need to have your Global Entry card with you to use the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry lanes at the airport.

4. Which Is Better For Me: Global Entry Or Tsa Precheck?

TSA Precheck and Global Entry both provide many of the same perks; in fact, Global Entry incorporates TSA Precheck features. The key distinction between the programmes is that Global Entry allows for speedier processing through both international and domestic security, whereas TSA Precheck is only available for domestic travel. TSA PreCheck access makes it considerably easier to speed up the screening procedure at many US airports. If you are returning to the United States following an international trip, Global Entry can help you through customs.

Choose wisely to have a good time. Photo by Yakobchuk Olena - stock.adobe.com

TSA Precheck advantages include faster security screenings at US airports. Although not every airport has a dedicated TSA Precheck route, most bigger airports have dedicated lanes that are generally speedier.

The advantages of Global Entry include substantially lower immigration wait times and the elimination of the requirement to fill out CBP paperwork. Instead of waiting in an immigration processing queue, you clear immigration using a self-service kiosk and your biometrics. TSA Precheck privileges are also included with Global Entry membership.

5. How Do I Use My Known Traveller Number?

If you obtained your KTN through the TSA's PreCheck programme, you should enter it into your reservation record whenever you book a ticket with a participating airline. Give your KTN to the travel agent if you book a ticket with them. If you book your ticket online or by phone, you can also add the KTN yourself.

Participating airlines include:

Aeromexico
Air Canada
Air France
Air India
Air Serbia
Alaska Airlines
Alitalia
All Nippon Airways
Allegiant Air
American Airlines
Aruba Airlines
Asiana Airlines
Austrian Airlines
Avianca
Azul Airlines
Boutique Airlines
British Airways
Brussels Airlines
Cape Air
Cathay Pacific Airways
China Airlines
Condor Airlines
Contour Aviation
Copa Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Eastern Airlines
Edelweiss Air
Elite Airways
Emirates
Etihad Airways
EVA Air
Finnair
Flycana
Frontier Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
Icelandair
InterCaribbean Airways
Interjet
Japan Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Key Lime Air
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Korean Air
Lufthansa
Miami Air International
Norwegian Air
PAL Express
Philippine Airlines
Porter Airlines
Qantas
Qatar Airways
Scandinavian Airlines
Seaborne Airlines
Silver Airways
Singapore Airlines
Southern Airways Express
Southwest Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Sun Country Airlines
Sunclass
Sunwing Airlines
Swift Air
Swiss International Air Lines
Swoop
TAP Air Portugal
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines
Virgin Atlantic
VivaAerobus
Volaris
WestJet
World Atlantic
Xtra Airways

If you received your KTN through the Global Entry programme or as a member of the US Armed Forces, you should utilise it anytime you make an aircraft reservation, regardless of the carrier.

6. Why Am I Occasionally Unable To Verify My Pre Checkout Status?

As part of its attempts to randomise security screening procedures, the TSA occasionally does not communicate Precheck status to registered travellers.

The information you provided when purchasing your ticket can differ from the information on file with the TSA, DHS, or DoD. Your last name, middle name, last name, and birth date must all be precisely the same. Or in case you input the incorrect KTN while purchasing the ticket.

Double-check your vital personal papers to ensure that your name and date of birth match the information you've submitted to TSA or DHS. Examine your frequent flyer account records to ensure that your KTN is still appropriately entered.

You can not have saved your KTN in your frequent flyer profile, or you can not have checked in to your frequent flyer account before purchasing tickets online.

Your KTN can not have been transferred to your airline if you booked your ticket through a travel agent or a third-party website. The easiest approach to resolve this is to contact your airline and ensure that your KTN is correctly put in your ticket. Make sure you do this before checking in for your flight.

You can have observed that while purchasing tickets online, you cannot input KTN. This occasionally occurs with online travel sites. When you check in to print your airline ticket, the words "TSA PRE" will appear in the upper left corner. These letters indicate that you have been chosen for Flight Precheck. If you signed up for PreCheck but your ticket does not mention "TSA PRE," contact your airline. If you have any issues, the booking agent will be able to assist you.

Whether you apply for TSA Precheck or Global Entry, the following information will provide you with a wealth of essential information for your future travel.

Vy Nguyen