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What is a redress number for travel? How to get and use one
Who needs a redress number, how to apply via DHS TRIP, and how it differs from a Known Traveler Number.
A redress number for travel (also called a Redress Control Number) is a seven-digit number the Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) issues to travelers who apply for help after security screening issues. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) uses it to match you with the results of your case, so the delays or extra screening you reported are less likely to happen again.
Most travelers don’t have a redress number or need one. If an airline or travel site asks for it and you don’t have one, you can leave the field blank.
This guide contains:
- How to get a redress number
- How to use your redress number
If your team travels internationally, Holafly for Business keeps employees online with secure mobile data.
Business travel made easy
How a redress number works
A redress number links you to the outcome of your DHS TRIP case. TSA’s Secure Flight program, a behind-the-scenes system that simplifies watch list matching, uses it to recognize you when you book a flight.
This matters if your name is similar to someone’s on a government watch list. Once your case is on file, the redress number helps prevent the same false match from recurring on future trips.
Here’s what else to know about the number:
- Format: Seven digits
- Cost: Free
- Who has one: Only travelers who have applied to DHS TRIP
Do you need a redress number for travel?
Most travelers don’t. The redress field is optional and irrelevant to most travelers, and you can make reservations and travel as normal without it.
Still, you may want to apply if you’ve run into any of these problems:
- Trouble printing a boarding pass online or at a kiosk
- Delayed or denied boarding
- Word from an airline agent that the federal government isn’t authorizing you to travel
- Repeated referrals to secondary screening at the airport or when clearing US Customs
- Denied or delayed entry into, or exit from, the US
DHS TRIP can also help if US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) told you your fingerprints need to be corrected, you need to amend a traveler record after an overstay caused by not submitting your I-94 when leaving the US, you believe you were incorrectly denied ESTA authorization (the online approval some visitors need to travel to the US), or a government agent inappropriately exposed or shared your personal information.
Note for travel admins: Only employees who’ve had these screening problems need to apply, so there’s no reason to enroll your whole team.
How to get a redress number
You apply for a redress number online, and the application only takes a few minutes to complete:
- Sign in to the DHS TRIP portal.
- Answer the screening questions to determine whether DHS TRIP is the right place for your issue.
- Provide legible copies of your identity documents (see the table below).
- Submit the traveler inquiry form. DHS TRIP automatically assigns your redress number, which you can use to track your case.
The documents you need depend on your citizenship:
| Traveler | Accepted documents |
|---|---|
| US citizens | The biographical page of an unexpired US passport, or an unexpired government-issued photo ID if you don’t have a passport |
| Non-US citizens | The biographical page of an unexpired passport, and/or US government-issued ID (e.g., a passport card, driver’s license, visa, I-94, or NEXUS card) |
| Minors under 18 | A birth certificate or a passport |
Note that a parent or legal guardian can apply on behalf of a minor child.
What happens after you apply for a redress number
You can track your case under My Cases in the DHS TRIP portal. The status shows whether DHS TRIP is reviewing your case, needs more information, or has closed it. If your status changes to Info Needed, respond as soon as possible, as DHS TRIP closes applications after 30 days without a response.
DHS doesn’t publish a set processing time, as the length of the review varies with the concerns raised in your application.
Once the review is complete, you’ll receive a final determination letter in the portal. If you believe your request was resolved incorrectly, follow the instructions in that letter.
How to use your redress number
Your redress number only helps if it’s attached to your flight reservation.
You can add it in three places:
- During booking: Airline websites, online travel agencies, and travel agents let you enter it with your passenger details.
- In your frequent flyer profile: This is the most convenient option, as the number then applies to all your reservations. Delta, for example, has a Secure Flight Info section, while Southwest uses a “Travel related info” panel.
- At airport check-in: Ticketing agents can add it if you forgot to during booking or booked through a group tour package.
If you book trips for employees, store each traveler’s redress number in their travel profile with their loyalty numbers and passport details, so it carries over to every booking (see our guide to a business trip plan).
Getting ready for a work trip? Check our business travel checklist, business trip packing list, and guide to travel and expense reporting.
Give traveling employees secure data with Holafly for Business
Once your team’s travel documents are in order, secure mobile data is the next thing to plan for.
Holafly for Business is a business eSIM provider available in 160+ destinations, activating on your team’s devices so they don’t have to worry about local SIM cards or roaming charges. You also get access to our centralized management platform, the Holafly Business Center, where you can manage individual eSIMs, invoices, and data usage.
Holafly Plans for Business come in four tiers, all featuring hotspot, 4G/5G, and 24/7 multilingual support:
- Daily: Unlimited data with pay-per-day flexibility, built for short business trips under 16 days a month.
- Monthly: Unlimited data for teams traveling more than 16 days a month, a fit for frequent travelers and long-term remote staff.
- Annual: Unlimited data for ultra-frequent travelers, suited to long-term global operations and predictable annual budgets.
- Enterprise: Bespoke plans for companies managing travel for 20+ employees a year, with volume discounts, a dedicated account manager, priority support, and custom integrations, built to optimize costs, streamline operations, and ensure seamless global connectivity across teams.
Not sure which plan is right for your team? Book a demo.
Business travel made easy
FAQ
A redress number is issued by DHS TRIP to reduce repeat watch list misidentification, while a Known Traveler Number (KTN) provides expedited screening in TSA PreCheck lanes after an in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting and a background check. They go in separate booking fields and aren’t interchangeable.
The No Fly List is a small subset of the Terrorist Screening Database maintained by the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, and the TSA applies it via Secure Flight to prevent listed individuals from boarding flights within, to, from, or over the US. A redress number addresses name similarities with watch-listed identities, helping travelers who are wrongly matched to the list.
If you lose your redress number, email DHS TRIP at TRIP@tsa.dhs.gov with your full name, date of birth, gender, and city and state of residence, and you’ll receive the number by email. You can also find your redress number by signing in to the DHS TRIP portal.
I’m a writer with over eight years of experience in digital content. My work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Business Insider, and the BBC. At Holafly, I write clear, practical guides to help travelers stay connected with eSIM technology. In my spare time, I enjoy car detailing, biking around Warsaw, and capturing portraits.
