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If you (A) travel with any sort of regularity and (B) value your time, chances are good you have TSA PreCheck.

The program began in December, 2013 (holy crap, it’s almost a decade old!). Potential members are vetted by the U.S. government and once they’re deemed to be OK, they’re considered a “trusted traveler.” With that, they can go on the (usually shorter) TSA PreCheck queue at participating airports, and enjoy such luxuries as not having to take your shoes off, not having to remove your electronics and liquids from your bag, etc.

You can apply for TSA PreCheck by itself, or it’s an automatic inclusion if you get Global Entry (another Trusted Traveler program that helps you skip the line when re-entering the United States). The only downside of getting PreCheck

Each trusted traveler has a KTN (Known Traveler Number), which can be added to their airline reservation, if the airline participates in TSA PreCheck (the last time new airlines were added to PreCheck was in September 2023, bringing the number of participating airlines up to 90). However every once in a while someone who has TSA PreCheck status doesn’t have said status on their boarding pass. Here are some reasons why that could happen.

You won the TSA lottery

Instead of it saying TSA PRECHECK or TSA PRE or TSA PRECHK, you got this on your boarding pass instead.

Your KTN wasn’t on your reservation

Once it’s done the first time, the airline probably will keep your KTN in their files so it will then populate automatically. But it has to be done that first time for each airline you fly. So if you’re flying French Bee SAS for the first time since they began participating with TSA PreCheck, you’re going to have to remember to include your KTN. Otherwise French Bee’s system won’t know you have TSA PreCheck.

You’re not flying with a participating airline

There are 90 airlines that participate in TSA PreCheck. However if you’re flying, let’s say, Aer Lingus, Gol or Air Transat, for example, you won’t be able to go through PreCheck because those airlines don’t participate in the program at this time.

Spelling matters

If the name on your boarding pass is spelled differently from how it’s spelled in your TSA PreCheck account, the systems may not recognize that JAMIE PUBLIC and JAMIE Q. PUBLIC are the same person.

This tends to happen more often if someone else is making a reservation on your behalf. If your work makes your reservation, they may not notice that you’re Matthew with 2 Ts instead of 1, or that they know you as Chris but your PreCheck has you listed as Christina.

Your PreCheck membership expired

Regardless if you got it on its own or through your Global Entry, when you get PreCheck, it’s only good for 5 years. If you haven’t been paying attention, your PreCheck may have simply expired (now don’t you feel silly?).

Because the TSA says so

You’re not guaranteed to get TSA PreCheck status on your boarding pass, even if you have TSA PreCheck; it’s done purposely by the TSA to keep everybody guessing.

So NOW what do I do?

What to do will depend on the reason why your status wasn’t on your boarding pass.

• TSA Lottery win – you’re out of luck. Suck it up and do what they tell you.
• KTN wasn’t on your reservation – Log into your airline’s website, key in your KTN and reprint your boarding pass (note: if it’s too close to your flight time, this might not work. In which case, try the next option). OR go to your airline’s desk agent, with KTN in hand. They may be able to do whatever magic on their computer.
• Not a participating airline – whomp whomp. Maybe they’ll participate in the future.
• Spelling – See if the airline’s desk agent can help you. For the future, double check the spelling and/or tell work how it needs to be.
• It expired – can’t do anything about it right now. Renew as soon as you can.
• Because they said so – you’re out of luck. Suck it up and do what they tell you.

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