What Is a Redress Number? Airport Screening Explained
Quick answer
A redress number is a case identifier from the US Department of Homeland Security's traveller redress program (DHS TRIP), given to people who are repeatedly delayed or misidentified during airport or border screening. Added to a booking, it helps airlines and screeners tell you apart from a similarly named person on a watch list. Most travellers never need one — it is only for those regularly flagged by mistake.
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Who a redress number is for
Occasionally a traveller shares a name, or a similar name, with someone on a security list. That can lead to repeated delays: being pulled aside every trip, being unable to check in online, or always drawing extra screening. A redress number exists to reduce those mix-ups by tying a resolved case to your identity, so systems recognise you as already reviewed.
If none of that has happened to you, you do not need one. The vast majority of passengers fly for years without ever encountering the situation a redress number is designed to fix.
Redress number vs Known Traveler Number
These two numbers are easy to confuse because both go into a booking and both relate to screening, but they do different jobs.
| Redress number | Known Traveler Number (KTN) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Fix repeated misidentification | Speed you through security |
| Comes from | DHS TRIP redress process | TSA PreCheck / Global Entry etc. |
| Who needs it | Travellers wrongly flagged | Anyone wanting faster screening |
| Where it goes | Redress field at booking | Known Traveler field at booking |
You can hold both at once. A KTN gets you the expedited lane; a redress number helps ensure you are not confused with someone else in the first place.
How to request one
The process runs through the official DHS TRIP channel. In outline:
- Start an inquiry on the official government website and describe the screening problem you keep having.
- Provide the identity documents requested to confirm who you are.
- If a case is opened, you are issued a redress control number.
- Add that number to the redress field whenever you book or update a reservation.
Use only the official government site. No legitimate third party can guarantee a redress number, and you should never pay a company that claims otherwise.
Where to enter it when booking
When you book a flight or manage a reservation, passenger details usually include separate optional fields for a Known Traveler Number and a redress number. Enter the redress number exactly as issued, matching the name on your travel document. Keeping your traveller profile accurate — name, date of birth and these numbers — is what makes the system recognise you smoothly.
What it does not do
A redress number is not a fast-track pass and does not guarantee you skip screening. It also does not replace a passport, visa or any entry requirement. Its single job is to reduce repeated misidentification. For faster lanes you still want a trusted-traveller program, and for entry you still need the correct travel documents.
Frequently asked questions
What is a redress number?
A DHS TRIP case identifier for travellers repeatedly delayed or misidentified at screening, used to tell them apart from a similarly named person.
Is it the same as a Known Traveler Number?
No. A KTN speeds you through security via programs like PreCheck or Global Entry; a redress number addresses mistaken flagging. They go in different fields.
Do I need one?
Only if you are regularly held up or told you cannot check in online in a way that suggests a mix-up. Most travellers do not.
How do I get one?
Apply through the official DHS TRIP process with your identity documents. Never pay a third party promising to secure one.
The bottom line
A redress number is a niche but useful tool for the small group of travellers who keep getting confused with someone else at screening. If that is not you, skip it; if it is, apply through the official channel and add the number to your bookings. Meanwhile, compare fares on ScanFlyGo, check the popular routes, and track your flight on travel day.
Some links on ScanFlyGo are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Screening rules are set by government authorities and can change; always confirm on official sites.