Cac Cards: Airport Access Explained

Common Access Cards (CACs) are a federally-issued photo ID for contractors who work on federal installations. They are also issued to active and retired military personnel, their dependents, and DOD civilians. CACs are accepted by the TSA as a valid form of ID for domestic flights, but there have been reports of some TSA agents being unsure whether to accept them. For international flights, a valid passport is required.

CAC cards are a federally-issued photo ID for contractors working on federal installations

For individuals who are a part of the U.S. Armed Forces, including cadets and midshipmen at the U.S. service academies, and those serving in the Reserves and National Guard, their DoD identification number serves as their known traveller number (KTN). By entering this 10-digit number into the KTN field when making flight reservations, they can receive TSA Pre✓® benefits. It is recommended to also update the Defence Travel System profile with the KTN for official travel. In cases where the number is not present on the CAC card, it can be obtained from the milConnect website.

DoD civilians are also eligible for TSA Pre✓® benefits and can opt-in through their profile page on the milConnect site. Once enrolled, they will receive a KTN that can be used when booking travel to access the TSA Pre✓® screening line. It is important to note that individuals cannot go straight to the TSA Pre✓® line with their CAC card; they must enter their KTN when booking their travel to receive the benefits. Additionally, travellers do not need to be in uniform to utilise the TSA Pre✓® line, and they can keep their shoes, belt, and light jacket on during the screening process, while also keeping their laptop and liquids in their bag.

CAC cards are accepted by the TSA as a valid form of ID

While the TSA does accept the CAC as a valid form of ID, there have been reports of individual TSA agents or specific airports not accepting the CAC. This may be due to a lack of training or outdated information. In some cases, the issue may be with the scanner used by the TSA, which may not be able to read the chip on the CAC.

To avoid any potential issues, it is recommended to enter your DOD ID or CAC number in the known traveler number (KTN) field when booking your flight reservations. This will give you TSA Pre✓® benefits and a TSA Pre✓® indicator will appear on your boarding pass. You can also update your Defense Travel System profile with your KTN for official travel.

Additionally, you do not need to be in uniform to go through TSA screening using your CAC.

CAC cards can be used for TSA Pre✓® benefits

To receive TSA Pre✓® benefits, enter your 10-digit Department of Defense (DoD) identification number, located on the back of your CAC, into the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field when making flight reservations. This number serves as your KTN for all travel, both personal and official. You should also update your Defense Travel System profile with your KTN for official travel. If the number is not on your CAC, you can find it on milConnect.

Once you have added your KTN to your reservation, a TSA Pre✓® indicator will appear on your boarding pass, indicating that you can use the TSA Pre✓® screening line. It is important to note that you cannot go straight to the TSA Pre✓® line with your CAC; you must enter the KTN when booking your travel.

With TSA Pre✓®, you can leave your shoes, belt, and light jacket on during the screening process, and your laptop and liquids can remain in your bag. This helps you get through the line more efficiently, making your screening process more predictable and less stressful.

The CAC card number should be entered when booking travel to receive TSA Pre✓® benefits

The Common Access Card (CAC) is a federally-issued photo ID for contractors who work on federal installations. It is also used as a military ID.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accept the CAC as a valid form of ID for domestic flights. However, there have been reports of TSA agents refusing to accept the CAC, either due to lack of training or confusion over the type of card.

To avoid any issues, it is recommended that the CAC card number is entered when booking travel to receive TSA Pre✓® benefits. This is done by entering the 10-digit number on the back of the CAC into the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field when making flight reservations. This will result in a TSA Pre✓® indicator appearing on the boarding pass, allowing the traveller to use the TSA Pre✓® screening line.

It is important to note that the CAC cannot be used at the TSA Pre✓® line without entering the number when booking. Additionally, the CAC is not valid for international flights, where a passport is required.

CAC cards cannot be used at the TSA Pre✓® line without the number being entered during booking

CAC cards are accepted by the TSA as a valid form of ID. However, they cannot be used at the TSA Pre✓® line without the number being entered during booking. This is because the TSA uses a commercial scanner that can only read state driver's licenses and DoD CACs. If you are unable to scan your CAC, you must explain your situation and request a supervisor/manual check.

To receive TSA Pre✓® benefits, you must enter your 10-digit DoD identification number, located on the back of your CAC, into the KTN field when making flight reservations. This number serves as your known traveler number (KTN) for all your travel, both personal and official. You should also update your Defense Travel System profile with your KTN for official travel. If the number is not on your CAC, you can find it on milConnect.

Once you have entered your KTN when booking your travel, a TSA Pre✓® indicator will appear on your boarding pass, indicating that you can use the TSA Pre✓® screening line. It is important to note that you cannot go straight to the TSA Pre✓® line with your CAC; the number must be entered during the booking process.

While CAC cards are accepted as ID, there have been reports of TSA agents being unfamiliar with them or having issues with the scanner not recognising the chip in the card. In such cases, it is recommended to request a supervisor or manually check your ID.

Frequently asked questions