I assume many of us have had this issue. I always like to get TSA pre check when I fly, but the number on my TWIC isn’t valid for most bookings. I always get the error that the known traveler number should have nine digits but the number on the TWIC only has 8. Tried adding a zero to the front or the back, but it seems like for most of my flights the only way is I have to get in line at check-in and have an agent manually add it, which kind of defeats the purpose of expedited security. Just wondering if anybody here has figured out a workaround for that issue?
I’m in it for the convenience so I just pay the $70 or whatever for a separate Pre-check account and am done with it.
Should we have to? Do we really have to?
By the time that gets sorted my plane is already at the destination and I still have cleared security.
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There are two numbers on the back of your TWIC. One is your CIN aka KTN and the other is the other one.
Should be the one on the left. I have never had a problem adding it to the KTN section of my mileage account and from then on it just shows up.
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The correct number is also the one embossed on the front of the card.
Aye, the number on the left, but it isn’t accepted when I make a reservation, I always get an error code saying it needs to be 9 digits. The only way I ever got it to be accepted is by having it get manually entered by a check in agent. Who do you book with? I’ve had this problem every time I fly, so I usually don’t even bother anymore unless I have lots of time to kill and feel like taking longer than standard security just to keep my shoes on.
I just used my TWIC number on both JetBlue and Delta last month and got TSA Precheck status no problems. In the past couple years I’ve used it on Avelo and SWA also without issue.
The company does the booking through Egencia. I just entered all my personals into their website and it autofills straight to my boarding pass.
For my personal stuff I have ended up with frequent flyer numbers for most of the majors. On my account page under personal information there is a spot. I have it with Alaska, United, AA, Jet Blue, Southwest maybe a couple more over the years. All worked like a charm.
It’s been a good while since I got a new TWIC, but when I updated the usually used accounts I didn’t have a problem with the 8 numbers. If you fly one or two airlines make an account and get a mileage number. Then you can add your TWIC the one time. Then when your company books you a flight you just need to add your mileage number to the ticket. That brings your KTN along with it. Then check in on your phone and you should have a PreCheck sign on your eticket.
Ok, sounds like I have to look in to linking them to loyalty programs. Hopefully that resolves the issue. Surprised it’s not a more common thing, it’s a real pain not being able to just directly book with the KTN, but maybe I’m the dummy for not keeping up with frequent flyer miles in the first place.
How else would you even do it?
How do I fly without frequent flyer miles? I book through a site like Priceline or directly from the airlines. When they ask for passenger info and it asks for known traveler number, I would enter the TWIC number but it’s not accepted because it’s not a 9 digit number, and doing anything like adding a zero doesn’t work. When I asked a check in agent about it they said it’s a known issue and the only way to get pre check is to have the agent manually enter it at the airport, that it can’t be done at booking. I’ve had this issue with, I wanna say, American and United, maybe others, I don’t stick to any particular airline which is why I haven’t bothered keeping up with multiple loyalty programs. But in any case I think my question has been answered, I just have to sign up and get frequent flyer accounts with all of the airlines and get someone to link the pre check to them. Which is a pain but at least I get to keep my shoes on…
For reference, this is what happens if I try to book a flight using Priceline. The 8 digit number on the TWIC is rejected. But at the airport the agent can enter it on their computer and it works fine.
The same 8 digit problem occurs if you try to enter it at the check in kiosk at the airport or with some airlines online booking websites. I can’t say I’ve tested it with every airline but it’s most of the ones I’ve tried to fly with.
I’ve had similar experiences with the 8 digit number and complained about it to TSA, the airlines, and on gcaptain.
When even the agent couldn’t fix it at the airline counter by manual entry or adding a zero, on a smaller airline that I fly frequently, I gave up.
Now, I only use a Global Entry card. It works perfectly every time, and I breeze through US and Canadian Customs with it, even when its very busy.
I’ll also say that US Customs at airports has improved dramatically over the last few years.
The US Customs agents on the Canadian land border have too much authority, no accountability, and too often bad attitudes.
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I’ve seen the same. Using the MPC app helps a lot. A few weeks aqo at Dulles, the line for MPC was virtually non-existent, and no longer than the Global Entry or diplomat lines. Wait was less than 5 minutes.
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For a long time, the predecessor to MPC (forget what they called it) used the same line as the airline crews at ATL. Made for some very confused pilots and flight attendants when a passenger would be following them to that line.