Last edit by: rustykettel
PreCheck FAQ:
What is PreCheck?
TSA Pre✓™ allows select frequent flyers of participating airlines, members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs, or randomly selected passengers to receive expedited screening benefits during domestic travel. Eligible participants use dedicated screening lanes for screening benefits which include leaving on shoes, light outerwear and belts, as well as leaving laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags. (from http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-pre%E2%9C%93%E2%84%A2)
What do I need to do to enroll in PreCheck?
There are two ways to enroll in PreCheck:
1. Be invited by Alaska Airlines, or
2. Sign up for a Trusted Traveler program
At this time, Alaska appears to have only invited a limited number of MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K flyers to use PreCheck. Anyone can sign up for a Trusted Traveler program, though.
See the Alaska Airlines PreCheck FAQ page for good, detailed information on how to ensure you are set to receive PreCheck benefits.
If you are relying on a Trusted Traveler program membership to grant PreCheck access, be sure your name in your "Personal Information" in your "Traveler Profile" (as specified in the link above) is an exact match with what is displayed in your online GOES profile. If it is not, then either contact Alaska to have your profile's name edited, or be sure to edit your SecureFlight data each time you book a new reservation so that your name is an exact match with your GOES profile. A mismatch is very likely to prevent you from being selected for PreCheck.
It is also possible that you have been randomly selected for PreCheck.
If you are randomly selected, you'll see the PreCheck logo displayed on your paper or mobile boarding pass. You'll have all the benefits of PreCheck status for that flight and can use the PreCheck lane in your city of departure.
Should I opt-in with AS or sign up for a Trusted Traveler program?
Opting in with AS is free.
The Trusted Traveler programs have an associated membership fee and interview process but grant additional benefits for international travelers Global Entry is $100 for a five-year membership, requires an interview at one of several enrollment centers across the US, and allows expedited re-entry into the U.S. NEXUS is $50 for a five-year membership, includes a complimentary Global Entry membership, requires an interview at one of a handful of selected enrollment centers near the Canadian border, and allows access to expedited lanes when crossing into Canada or the U.S. at a land crossing. SENTRI is similar to NEXUS but works for the Mexican border instead. Once you receive your approval letter, the numbers on the letter are your TSA PreCheck number. When scheduling your interview, it does not have to be the nearest center - so keep this in mind and consider your travels.
Reports are that those using a Trusted Traveler membership program tend to have higher PreCheck selection rates than those who simply opt in through AS. It's possible that elites who have opted in and provide a Known Traveler program number have the highest selection rates of all, although no method guarantees 100% selection for PreCheck.
How to Add Your PASSID to Existing Reservations
If you receive approval for PreCheck via Global Entry, Nexus or another Trusted Traveler program you will receive a card which (typically on the back) contains a PASSID number. For already existing AS reservations, go to the "My Trips" section of the Alaska website. Under each reservation, go to the "Traveler Information" section. On the right side is "Traveler Documentation." Click on the "Enter Required Documentation" link and select the traveler on the itinerary (if there is more than one traveler). Click the "Continue" button and then click on the "Enter Known Traveler/Redress Number" link. In the box for "Known Traveler Number" enter the PASSID that has been assigned. Click the "Continue" button and repeat as necessary until all the existing reservations have been populated with the PASSID.
What airports does AS participate in PreCheck?
See the map on TSA's site or download the PDF guide from TSA's site. Also note, though, if:
a) You are flying on AS, and
b) You have opted in to PreCheck, and
c) the airport has a PreCheck checkpoint (shown on the map or PDF), and
d) TSA doesn't randomly decide to deny you (hopefully not),
then (assuming you qualify for and have opted in to PreCheck) you will receive a PreCheck-enabled BP. Unless the PreCheck checkpoint leads to a concourse that is not attached to the concourse containing your departure gate, you can use PreCheck at that airport. It does not matter if TSA's map or PDF guide do not specify that Alaska participates at that particular airport.
Some airports have a version of PreCheck referred to as "PreCheck Lite." Those airports (either due to space or staffing limitations) modify the benefits of PreCheck --- you may need to remove your laptop and/or remove your liquids. Keep an eye out for signage in the PreCheck lane to see if modifications have been made to PreCheck at your departure airport. You may be able to leave your shoes on (unless they have metal shanks that will alarm) and you may be able to leave light coats and sweaters on.
Here is a list of airports and checkpoint locations confirmed by FlyerTalkers to work for AS flyers:
Others listed on TSA's site as PreCheck airports but that FlyerTalkers have not verified. If you are familiar with any of these, please edit this wiki and move them to the above category!
-IAH (terminal C south)
-LIH (main terminal)
-MSP (checkpoint 4)
Links to other PreCheck-related threads on FlyerTalk
Airports with no Pre whatsoever:
GST
What is PreCheck?
TSA Pre✓™ allows select frequent flyers of participating airlines, members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs, or randomly selected passengers to receive expedited screening benefits during domestic travel. Eligible participants use dedicated screening lanes for screening benefits which include leaving on shoes, light outerwear and belts, as well as leaving laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags. (from http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-pre%E2%9C%93%E2%84%A2)
What do I need to do to enroll in PreCheck?
There are two ways to enroll in PreCheck:
1. Be invited by Alaska Airlines, or
2. Sign up for a Trusted Traveler program
At this time, Alaska appears to have only invited a limited number of MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K flyers to use PreCheck. Anyone can sign up for a Trusted Traveler program, though.
See the Alaska Airlines PreCheck FAQ page for good, detailed information on how to ensure you are set to receive PreCheck benefits.
If you are relying on a Trusted Traveler program membership to grant PreCheck access, be sure your name in your "Personal Information" in your "Traveler Profile" (as specified in the link above) is an exact match with what is displayed in your online GOES profile. If it is not, then either contact Alaska to have your profile's name edited, or be sure to edit your SecureFlight data each time you book a new reservation so that your name is an exact match with your GOES profile. A mismatch is very likely to prevent you from being selected for PreCheck.
It is also possible that you have been randomly selected for PreCheck.
If you are randomly selected, you'll see the PreCheck logo displayed on your paper or mobile boarding pass. You'll have all the benefits of PreCheck status for that flight and can use the PreCheck lane in your city of departure.
Should I opt-in with AS or sign up for a Trusted Traveler program?
Opting in with AS is free.
The Trusted Traveler programs have an associated membership fee and interview process but grant additional benefits for international travelers Global Entry is $100 for a five-year membership, requires an interview at one of several enrollment centers across the US, and allows expedited re-entry into the U.S. NEXUS is $50 for a five-year membership, includes a complimentary Global Entry membership, requires an interview at one of a handful of selected enrollment centers near the Canadian border, and allows access to expedited lanes when crossing into Canada or the U.S. at a land crossing. SENTRI is similar to NEXUS but works for the Mexican border instead. Once you receive your approval letter, the numbers on the letter are your TSA PreCheck number. When scheduling your interview, it does not have to be the nearest center - so keep this in mind and consider your travels.
Reports are that those using a Trusted Traveler membership program tend to have higher PreCheck selection rates than those who simply opt in through AS. It's possible that elites who have opted in and provide a Known Traveler program number have the highest selection rates of all, although no method guarantees 100% selection for PreCheck.
How to Add Your PASSID to Existing Reservations
If you receive approval for PreCheck via Global Entry, Nexus or another Trusted Traveler program you will receive a card which (typically on the back) contains a PASSID number. For already existing AS reservations, go to the "My Trips" section of the Alaska website. Under each reservation, go to the "Traveler Information" section. On the right side is "Traveler Documentation." Click on the "Enter Required Documentation" link and select the traveler on the itinerary (if there is more than one traveler). Click the "Continue" button and then click on the "Enter Known Traveler/Redress Number" link. In the box for "Known Traveler Number" enter the PASSID that has been assigned. Click the "Continue" button and repeat as necessary until all the existing reservations have been populated with the PASSID.
What airports does AS participate in PreCheck?
See the map on TSA's site or download the PDF guide from TSA's site. Also note, though, if:
a) You are flying on AS, and
b) You have opted in to PreCheck, and
c) the airport has a PreCheck checkpoint (shown on the map or PDF), and
d) TSA doesn't randomly decide to deny you (hopefully not),
then (assuming you qualify for and have opted in to PreCheck) you will receive a PreCheck-enabled BP. Unless the PreCheck checkpoint leads to a concourse that is not attached to the concourse containing your departure gate, you can use PreCheck at that airport. It does not matter if TSA's map or PDF guide do not specify that Alaska participates at that particular airport.
Some airports have a version of PreCheck referred to as "PreCheck Lite." Those airports (either due to space or staffing limitations) modify the benefits of PreCheck --- you may need to remove your laptop and/or remove your liquids. Keep an eye out for signage in the PreCheck lane to see if modifications have been made to PreCheck at your departure airport. You may be able to leave your shoes on (unless they have metal shanks that will alarm) and you may be able to leave light coats and sweaters on.
Here is a list of airports and checkpoint locations confirmed by FlyerTalkers to work for AS flyers:
- ANC (main [B/C] checkpoint)
- ATL (south checkpoint)
- AUS (central checkpoint to the left of the AS check-in counter)
- BLI (see post 1450 re removal of liquids)
- BNA (north checkpoint for concourses A/B)
- BOI (all passengers use one checkpoint)
- BOS (The C40-C42 area that AS now uses only has PreCheck Lite)
- BWI (C checkpoint, although A checkpoint also has it and it operates consistently throughout the day)
- BZN (single checkpoint, right side)
- DCA (south pier)
- DEN (both north and south checkpoints)
- DFW (Terminal E, near gate E15)
- EAT (PreCheck Lite at the only checkpoint)
- EUG (PreCheck Lite only)
- EWR (Terminal A3) Confirmed full-scale PreCheck, at least for the morning flight
- FAI (PreCheck Lite only)
- FLL (terminal 1, concourse C--open late afternoon to accommodate AS #33)
- GEG (Terminal C, left side of existing checkpoint, sporadic hours - see post 1403 for times)
- HNL (checkpoint 5-between Delta and United, lobbies 7 and 8)
- JNU (common upstairs checkpoint) PreCheck Lite.
- KOA Gate 7 - (AS) PreCheck Lite for the 11:55PM Redeye. Also had PreCheck Lite for the 3:00 ish flight to OAK.
- LAS (Terminal 3 (AS) next to F/elite line, Terminal 1 (AA/DL))
- LAX (T6 [where Alaska departs from]; it is also possible to use the PreCheck checkpoint in T4 [American], T5 [Delta], or T7 [United]; all are connected behind security)
- MCI (PreCheck Lite)
- MCO (Far side of terminal away from AS baggage claim/checkin counters)
- MFR (only one checkpoint in airport) PreCheck Lite. (Note: checkpoint completely closes at certain hours of the day. Very small airport.)
- MRY (PreCheck Lite)
- MSY (Concourse C)
- OAK (far right side, along exit pathway, well signed)
- OGG (right side as walking from AS check-in area)
- ORD (terminal 3, checkpoint 8)
- PDX (A/B/C checkpoint; PreCheck lane closes in evening, can use D/E PreCheck lane and airside walkway connector back to A/B/C)
- PHL (D/E checkpoint has TSA Pre✓; Pre✓ also typically available at B [far side of AA counters from AS gates] but not C [near side of AA counters]; all of PHL is connected behind security)
- PHX (First class TSA entrance in Terminal 2 is now for precheck and first)
- PSC (PreCheck Lite available at the central, and only, checkpoint)
- PSP (Left side of the TSA entry point. Note, they also send a lot of wheelchairs through there, so not always faster than the premium line.)
- RDU (Terminal 2)
- SAN (Terminal 1, far left lane)
- SEA (south checkpoint 2, central checkpoint 3 [the one leading to the central food court] and north checkpoint 5)
- SFO (International Terminal, A pier): enter at the center, the line dragon will point you to a separate line to the left if you have PreCheck on your boarding pass. Normal PreCheck.
- SIT (Central checkpoint, Gate 1: PreCheck Lite)
- SJC (terminal B)
- SLC (use Terminal 2 checkpoint, All connected airside)
- SMF (far left, terminals A and B)
- SNA (terminal 1, lane 1)
- STL (Alaska Terminal & Checkpoint, Right side)
- TPA (Airside A)
Others listed on TSA's site as PreCheck airports but that FlyerTalkers have not verified. If you are familiar with any of these, please edit this wiki and move them to the above category!
-IAH (terminal C south)
-LIH (main terminal)
-MSP (checkpoint 4)
Links to other PreCheck-related threads on FlyerTalk
- The United PreCheck Thread (the most extensive wiki and discussion on the topic)
- The Delta PreCheck Thread
- The AA PreCheck Thread
- Questions about Global Entry are best served in the Practical Travel Safety Issues forum
- The Air Canada NEXUS thread
Airports with no Pre whatsoever:
GST
TSA Pre✓™ (PreCheck) on Alaska Airlines - Questions and Experiences (2012-21)
#1981
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MM, MVPGold100k, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,475
Have Pre-check but it did not go through flying yesterday. Tried to re-enter KTN but still couldn't get it to work. Had flown a few days prior on WN and it went through fine. Didn't both calling or investigating more b/c was going out of PAE. Not sure if it was a fluke or glitch in the system. First time it didn't work for me.
#1982
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 608
Anyone have recent experience with MCI? I’ve never flown out of KC before, and got an email this morning from Alaska that says to arrive early because of long lines and no Precheck. The wiki here says it’s Precheck lite. TSA claims to have full Precheck at MCI, but some old news articles say it’s only for certain carriers/gates.
What’s currently available for AS gates? Is it possible to go through a different screening area with Precheck and walk to the AS gate airside? Any insights or suggestions are appreciated.
What’s currently available for AS gates? Is it possible to go through a different screening area with Precheck and walk to the AS gate airside? Any insights or suggestions are appreciated.
#1983
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: London, UK
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 601
I flew Friday SEA-SJC with TSA Pre-check.
One of the lines (the one I ended up in) was trialing a new machine/process. As I have a Washington license, the TSA agent said I didn't need to provide a copy of my ID. I just scanned my BP, he looked at the screen, and then I went through. The lady in front of me had a Colorado license and he noted he had to check hers because of that.
Anyone know when this started or whether this will roll out to other states/IDs?
Worth noting I did need my ID for flying back from California.
One of the lines (the one I ended up in) was trialing a new machine/process. As I have a Washington license, the TSA agent said I didn't need to provide a copy of my ID. I just scanned my BP, he looked at the screen, and then I went through. The lady in front of me had a Colorado license and he noted he had to check hers because of that.
Anyone know when this started or whether this will roll out to other states/IDs?
Worth noting I did need my ID for flying back from California.
#1984
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
Are there any process that must be followed on AS to get Pre on BP?
First time flying AS transcon roundtrip. Ticket is Saver booked with agency. I checked on AS website that my KTN is on this itinerary and SecureFlight info is correct. Didn't get Pre on either outbound or return. Wasn't SSSS.. Thinking of moving some spend over to AS but not if Pre doesn't' really work.
Been NEXUS member for about 10 years and out of 250-300 Pre-eligible segments, only didn't get it on one due to SSSS. No issue with Pre on AA/AC/AF/B6/CX/DL/UA/US.
First time flying AS transcon roundtrip. Ticket is Saver booked with agency. I checked on AS website that my KTN is on this itinerary and SecureFlight info is correct. Didn't get Pre on either outbound or return. Wasn't SSSS.. Thinking of moving some spend over to AS but not if Pre doesn't' really work.
Been NEXUS member for about 10 years and out of 250-300 Pre-eligible segments, only didn't get it on one due to SSSS. No issue with Pre on AA/AC/AF/B6/CX/DL/UA/US.
#1985
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,259
Are there any process that must be followed on AS to get Pre on BP?
First time flying AS transcon roundtrip. Ticket is Saver booked with agency. I checked on AS website that my KTN is on this itinerary and SecureFlight info is correct. Didn't get Pre on either outbound or return. Wasn't SSSS.. Thinking of moving some spend over to AS but not if Pre doesn't' really work.
Been NEXUS member for about 10 years and out of 250-300 Pre-eligible segments, only didn't get it on one due to SSSS. No issue with Pre on AA/AC/AF/B6/CX/DL/UA/US.
First time flying AS transcon roundtrip. Ticket is Saver booked with agency. I checked on AS website that my KTN is on this itinerary and SecureFlight info is correct. Didn't get Pre on either outbound or return. Wasn't SSSS.. Thinking of moving some spend over to AS but not if Pre doesn't' really work.
Been NEXUS member for about 10 years and out of 250-300 Pre-eligible segments, only didn't get it on one due to SSSS. No issue with Pre on AA/AC/AF/B6/CX/DL/UA/US.
#1986
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
Been using a NEXUS KTN with AS since 2012 (as well as with AA/DL/WN/UA/VX/CX). Zero issues, it's been there all the time. It even worked when booked through an employer/Concur.
#1987
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: London, UK
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 601
The first time after I got TSA PRE, I put my Number on the current reservation I had, but when I checked online, it didn’t do the Pre check. I went to the check in desk and they said since it wasn’t on when I made the reservation, I needed to get them to add it. I have the desk my number and had no problem from there out.
Did you try asking the desk?
Did you try asking the desk?
#1989
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
Constantly have this issue with Pre Check not showing up on boarding pass. Have re-entered info in AS account, MVP CS re-enter into account and AS check in agent re-add into account. Still have issues when checking in online. 1 out of 3 times have to re-enter KTN into PNR.
#1992
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: sometimes, strangely, I find myself at home
Programs: I need to do better in managing my affiliations. Oops, I overshot the runway for status next year.
Posts: 651
Even if you have a KTN, you may not get Precheckmark on your boarding pass. This is something that can be Googled. Here is a recent mention of it:
https://millionmilesecrets.com/guide...0-of-the-time/
https://millionmilesecrets.com/guide...0-of-the-time/
#1994
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 200
Constantly have this issue with Pre Check not showing up on boarding pass. Have re-entered info in AS account, MVP CS re-enter into account and AS check in agent re-add into account. Still have issues when checking in online. 1 out of 3 times have to re-enter KTN into PNR.
#1995
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 659
+1 to spotty precheck possibly being related to a name mismatch issue. My last name technically has an apostrophe in it - sometimes it's the bane of my existence
Some systems take it, some don't. Some official government systems show it, some don't. And before I had TSA precheck, I had the apostrophe in as part of my AS profile and even though I put it on the TSA form - they apparently dropped it.
This would lead to a situation as you've described @pcoll - sometimes there, most times not, always had to check and add it last minute, then it would work.
Once I removed the apostrophe from my Alaska profile (like, including my FF account, had to contact AS) - I've been 100% for last 3+ years.
So if you have an apostrophe, a hyphen, a space, etc - anything "interesting" with your name - or if you have a formal/casual first name - it's possible something it just a little off and tricking the system. Or it may be something was miskeyed and there's a typo on TSA's end.
Some systems take it, some don't. Some official government systems show it, some don't. And before I had TSA precheck, I had the apostrophe in as part of my AS profile and even though I put it on the TSA form - they apparently dropped it.
This would lead to a situation as you've described @pcoll - sometimes there, most times not, always had to check and add it last minute, then it would work.
Once I removed the apostrophe from my Alaska profile (like, including my FF account, had to contact AS) - I've been 100% for last 3+ years.
So if you have an apostrophe, a hyphen, a space, etc - anything "interesting" with your name - or if you have a formal/casual first name - it's possible something it just a little off and tricking the system. Or it may be something was miskeyed and there's a typo on TSA's end.