If you plan to check in online for a Lufthansa flight out of the U.S. after Nov. 15, you will need a Lufthansa Travel ID, and you will need it just as Thanksgiving travel peaks. The airline group made the login mandatory in stages, and departures from the United States, Canada and Mexico switch over on Nov. 16, 2026. That covers Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and more. Below is who needs the login, who is exempt, how to create it in a few minutes, how it works for families and groups, and a date table that includes your return flight, which may be on a different schedule than your outbound one.
Key Takeaways
- From Nov. 16, 2026, a Travel ID is required for web and app check-in on Lufthansa Group flights departing the USA, Canada and Mexico, according to Lufthansa Group.
- The requirement covers Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss and Discover Airlines.
- You do not need one at an airport check-in counter or self-service kiosk, on group bookings, or if your ticket was issued by another airline.
- Travel ID is free, uses an email address and password, and the activation link in your email expires after 24 hours.
- Your return flight may have a different start date. Frankfurt departures do not switch until Nov. 30, while Munich and Zurich switch on Nov. 16.
What the Lufthansa Travel ID Rule Actually Says
Lufthansa Group's announcement, "Travel ID now required for online check-in", says a Travel ID is "gradually becoming a requirement" for check-in through the websites and apps of seven airlines: Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss and Discover Airlines. Eurowings is not on that list, although Travel ID can be used with it.
The company describes Travel ID as one login for the digital services of its airlines. According to its Travel ID overview, the profile can store personal details, payment details and travel documents, and it pre-fills forms for booking and check-in. Once you are signed in, you also get access to the Travel Cockpit, a page that collects your bookings and trip information. The overview adds that "a Travel ID is required to check in through the Lufthansa Group airlines' apps," and the same applies to online check-in through the airlines' websites.
Notice what the rule is not. It does not stop you from flying or from checking in at the airport. It changes one thing: the online and app route to your boarding pass. Lufthansa Group says travelers will be told about the requirement by email before departure, in the check-in invitation, and on the check-in page.
The rollout is in stages, and the date that matters depends on where your flight leaves from.
Travel ID Online Check-In Dates: Check Your Outbound and Return Flights
Lufthansa Group is switching regions on four dates, based on the departure airport. For Americans heading to Europe, the first flight is covered on Nov. 16. The return can fall under a different date, so check both legs.
| Departure from | Travel ID required from |
|---|---|
| Schengen Area, except Germany, Austria and Switzerland (for example Brussels) | Oct. 20, 2026 (already in effect) |
| European non-Schengen countries; Germany except Frankfurt and Munich; Austria; Switzerland except Zurich | Nov. 2, 2026 (already in effect) |
| USA, Canada and Mexico; Munich and Zurich | Nov. 16, 2026 |
| All other regions; Frankfurt | Nov. 30, 2026 |
Source: Lufthansa Group, "Travel ID now required for online check-in."
Here is how that plays out. Suppose you fly from New York to Frankfurt on Nov. 24 and return from Frankfurt on Nov. 29. The outbound flight needs a Travel ID for online check-in, but the return does not yet, because Frankfurt departures start on Nov. 30. Fly home from Vienna instead, and the Nov. 2 date means you already need it. Flights from Munich and Zurich join the U.S. date on Nov. 16.
One practical point: Lufthansa says you can check in online from 30 hours before departure. For an evening departure on Wednesday, Nov. 25, that window opens on Tuesday, Nov. 24. If the holiday crowds at the airport worry you, our Thanksgiving travel guide lists the busiest days. Set up the login before then and not at the gate.
Travel ID Online Check-In: Who Needs It and Who Doesn't
The announcement lists the exceptions clearly. You do not need a Travel ID if you are:
- checking in at an airport counter or self-service kiosk;
- traveling on a ticket issued by another airline;
- flying on a flight operated by another airline with a ticket issued by a Lufthansa Group airline;
- on a group booking; or
- on a selected tour operator or charter booking where online check-in uses booking details supplied by the travel agency or tour operator.
The airport option matters most for people who dislike creating accounts. Lufthansa's check-in page also describes a bag drop route: if you already have a boarding pass on your phone, online or from a counter, you can check bags at a self-service bag drop kiosk. The photo above shows the kind of self-service machines used at Munich Airport. Self-service hardware is not the same at every airport, and counters may be busier on holiday weekends, so give yourself extra time.
The tour operator exception has a built-in path. The check-in page offers a separate link, "Online check-in with tour operator details," for travelers who only have the booking information from a travel agency or tour operator.
Do you already have one?
Possibly. According to Miles & More, if you can already log in with an email address and password on Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian or Brussels, you have a Travel ID. Miles & More members can also switch their profile when prompted after logging in. The older "Lufthansa iD" is different: Lufthansa's FAQ says it was taken offline on Jan. 31, 2023, and you need to register again for Travel ID if you missed that change.
If you do need one, creating it is quick. A few small details can slow you down.
How to Set Up Travel ID Online Check-In, Step by Step
Lufthansa's online check-in page breaks the process into four steps. You can create the Travel ID as part of step two.
- Find your booking. Enter your name and the 6-digit booking reference or ticket number.
- Sign in with Travel ID, or create one. Use "Create Travel ID," and register with an email address.
- Complete your travel details. Provide the travel information and documents needed for your flight and destination.
- Personalize your flight. Choose a seat for yourself and anyone traveling with you, and add services such as baggage or upgrades if available.
Password and activation rules
The Travel ID FAQ sets the following rules for your password. It must differ from your user ID and from any password you have used before, and it needs at least eight characters, including one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one special character. After you register, Lufthansa emails an activation link. You must click it before you can log in, and it is valid for only 24 hours. If it does not arrive, check your spam folder, then register again.
If the system says your email address is already in use, you probably already have an account. An email address cannot be used for more than one Travel ID, so reset your password instead of registering again.
Do it before your trip
Create the account a few days before your flight so any activation email problem does not land at the same moment as check-in. Once it works, add your booking: the FAQ explains that bookings made while you are logged in or using the Lufthansa app appear automatically, and you can add others later under "My bookings."
One more tip from the FAQ: even when you are logged in, you may get a one-time password if you change sensitive details, such as your email, phone number or frequent traveler number. That happens when the email in the booking does not match your Travel ID email. If a travel agent booked your ticket, make sure your personal email is in the booking.
Travel ID Online Check-In for Groups, Families and Helping Others
Many people checking in over the holidays are doing it for a spouse, a parent or a family of five. Lufthansa Group's rules cover that.
- One person checking in everyone: if one traveler checks in an entire multi-person booking, only that person needs a Travel ID.
- Helping someone who cannot check in: another person can use their own Travel ID to assist. The airline says this is intended for personal assistance only.
- Large group bookings: group bookings are on the exemption list.
The FAQ also says your Travel ID is personal and that you should not share your login details. So if a relative needs a hand, they should use their own Travel ID, not yours. Family trips will usually be simplest if one organized adult creates a Travel ID and checks everyone in from the same booking.
If you spent time on Christmas flight prices and booked a long trip, it is worth confirming how many passengers are on the booking and who will check in the group.
Travel ID and Miles & More: What Happens to Your Miles
Travel ID and Miles & More are linked but they are not the same thing. According to Lufthansa Group, a Travel ID can be connected to a Miles & More account, so you earn miles when you fly, travel and shop. Here are the official rules:
- If you have both: log in with your Travel ID on a participating airline channel and link the accounts in the "Frequent Flyer Program" section of your profile.
- If you have Miles & More only: when you log in, you will be prompted to switch to Travel ID by setting an email and password. Logging in with service card number and PIN is still possible.
- How miles are earned: you earn when you book with your Travel ID or when you enter your service card number during booking.
- One program only: the FAQ says you can add only one frequent flyer program to your profile.
Another perk: Lufthansa Group says Travel ID users can use free Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi powered by Starlink in all travel classes. The rollout is gradual across the fleet through the end of 2029, so it is available only on eligible flights.
Other Airline Check-In Changes to Know Before You Fly
Lufthansa is not the only airline moving the goalposts on check-in. Ryanair reminded passengers on Oct. 27 that, from Tuesday, Nov. 10, bag drop at all its airports closes 60 minutes before departure, instead of 40 minutes. The airline says about 20% of its passengers check a bag and the other 80% are unaffected.
The two changes are different. Ryanair's is a deadline at the airport, while Lufthansa's is a login for the online route. But the lesson is the same: check-in rules are shifting, and the details are in your confirmation email. If you are planning a European trip, our guide to new nonstop flights for winter 2026 shows routes that are opening up. Travelers shopping for gear can look at our gifts for travelers list.
FAQ: Lufthansa Travel ID
When does Travel ID become required for flights from the U.S.?
On Nov. 16, 2026, for departures from the USA, Canada and Mexico, according to Lufthansa Group. Munich and Zurich departures switch on the same date.
Which airlines require a Travel ID for online check-in?
Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss and Discover Airlines.
Can I still check in at the airport without a Travel ID?
Yes. Lufthansa Group lists airport counters and self-service kiosks as exceptions.
Does everyone on my booking need a Travel ID?
No. If one person checks in the whole group, only that person needs one.
Does Travel ID cost anything?
No. The Travel ID terms describe it as a free customer profile.
Your Quick Pre-Flight Plan
Create your Travel ID a few days before departure, click the activation link within 24 hours, add your booking, and make sure the email on the ticket matches the one on your profile. Then note your check-in window, which opens 30 hours before takeoff, and keep the airport kiosk in mind as a backup. A short bit of setup now beats a confusing login at midnight before a holiday flight.
Editor at Trend Ranker covering US trends, tech, travel and deals. We research from primary sources (official sites, press releases, data) and update posts when facts change. Editorial policy