--- title: "Lufthansa Group Travel ID check-in rule: what you need before you fly" description: "A booking reference is no longer enough to check in online for many Lufthansa Group flights, and the rule reaches US departures on November 16." url: https://travel.skoop.news/bizarre-lufthansa-group-now-requires-travel-id-for-online-ch-8c7514/ published: 2026-11-06T04:09:40.672707-05:00 modified: 2026-11-06T04:09:40.672718-05:00 section: "Travel" publisher: "skoop.news" language: en keywords: ["Travel ID", "Lufthansa Group", "Miles & More", "Air Dolomiti", "Austrian Airlines", "Brussels Airlines", "Austria", "Frankfurt", "Germany", "Munich"] hashtags: ["#TravelID", "#LufthansaGroup", "#MilesMore", "#Travel", "#travelnews"] image: https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Lufthansa_Group_passenger_fleet_size.png/1280px-Lufthansa_Group_passenger_fleet_size.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail --- # Lufthansa Group Travel ID check-in rule: what you need before you fly > A booking reference is no longer enough to check in online for many Lufthansa Group flights, and the rule reaches US departures on November 16. Published 2026-11-06 · Updated 2026-11-06 · Travel, [skoop.news](https://skoop.news/) ## In brief - Buying a ticket and having a booking confirmation is no longer enough to check in online for many Lufthansa Group flights. [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) - Travel ID is a single account that customers can use to log in across digital platforms of all Lufthansa Group carriers. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) - According to Lufthansa Group's notice to travel partners, the requirement applies to check-in through the websites and apps of Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss, and Discover Airlines. [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) ## A new requirement for online check-in Buying a ticket and having a booking confirmation is no longer enough to check in online for many Lufthansa Group flights. [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) Lufthansa Group is requiring customers to have a Travel ID account in order to check in online via the website or app. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) The group is expanding the mandatory requirement throughout November, including US departures beginning November 16. [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) This piece covers what Travel ID is, when the rule reaches each region and who is exempt. [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) ## What Travel ID is Travel ID is a single account that customers can use to log in across digital platforms of all Lufthansa Group carriers. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) It is separate from the Miles & More loyalty program. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) Lufthansa presents Travel ID as a way to use one login across its airlines, with stored information, fewer forms to complete, and personalized offers. [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) Previously, a booking reference and surname were enough to retrieve a reservation and begin online check-in. [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) Lufthansa Group is implementing a policy that makes online check-in more difficult. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) ## Which airlines and dates According to Lufthansa Group's notice to travel partners, the requirement applies to check-in through the websites and apps of Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss, and Discover Airlines. [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) The rollout is gradual. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) It starts October 20, 2026 for departures from the Schengen Area, except departures from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) From November 2, 2026, the requirement applies to departures from the European non-Schengen area, from Germany (excluding Frankfurt and Munich), and from Austria and Switzerland (excluding Zurich). [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) From November 16, 2026, it applies to departures from the USA, Canada, and Mexico, as well as from Munich and Zurich. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) From November 30, 2026, it applies to departures from all other regions, as well as from Frankfurt. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) ## Who is exempt Travelers do not need a Travel ID if they check in at the airport counter or machine, travel on a ticket issued by another airline, or fly on a flight operated by another airline with a ticket issued by Lufthansa Group. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) Exceptions also cover group bookings and selected tour operator and charter bookings that use agency-provided booking details. [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) ## Why airlines want the login Online check-in is arguably something that helps the airline more than the customer, unlike loyalty-linked perks such as free Wi-Fi. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) Airlines use data and marketing access as a reason for loyalty and log-in incentives. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) The article expects the requirement to be a compelling reason for people to register for a Travel ID. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) ## What it means for you If you plan to check in online on a Lufthansa Group flight, you need a Travel ID account, and a booking reference and surname no longer cover many of these flights. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) The date that applies to you depends on where you depart. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) If you travel with others, one person can check in multiple travelers using their own Travel ID. [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) If you do not want an account, you can still check in at the airport. [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) Check whether your ticket was issued by another airline or comes through a group, tour operator or charter booking, because those cases are exempt. [[2]](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) [[1]](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) ## Sources 1. [Lufthansa Now Requires An Account Just To Check In Online](https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-online-check-in-account-required/) — Live and Let's Fly 2. [Bizarre: Lufthansa Group Now Requires Travel ID For Online Check-In](https://onemileatatime.com/news/lufthansa-group-requires-travel-id-online-check-in/) — One Mile at a Time Image: Photo: SCZMGE / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lufthansa_Group_passenger_fleet_size.png) --- Written from the sources above and checked twice (rules and an independent model) before publishing. How we work: https://skoop.news/how-we-work/ · Corrections: https://skoop.news/corrections/