Adding a flight to your digital wallet takes three to five minutes and requires your confirmation email from the airline
Most airlines let you add a boarding pass to Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet directly from their app or website. You need your confirmation number (usually starts with letters), your last name, and the email address you used to book. The airline sends you a link or a barcode that your phone recognizes as a wallet-compatible file — you tap it, choose which wallet to add it to, and the boarding pass appears on your lock screen or in your wallet app.
The process works the same way whether you booked through the airline directly, through a travel site like Kayak or Expedia, or through a third-party app. If you booked through a travel site, you may need to go to the airline's website or app to add the pass — the travel site itself usually cannot generate a wallet-ready file. Some airlines let you add the pass weeks before your flight; others only let you do it within 24 hours of departure.
Key Takeaways
- You need your airline confirmation number, last name, and booking email address to add a flight to your wallet.
- Most major airlines support Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet, but some regional carriers do not.
- If you booked through a travel website, you usually add the pass through the airline's app or website, not through the booking site.
- Your boarding pass appears on your lock screen once added, so you can show it to gate agents without unlocking your phone.
- The pass updates automatically if the airline changes your gate, seat, or boarding time.
How to add a flight through your airline's app
Open the airline's app and sign in with the email address you used to book. Go to your upcoming trips or reservations — the exact name varies by airline. Find the flight you want to add and look for a button that says "Add to Wallet," "Add Boarding Pass," or a wallet icon. Tap it, review the pass details to make sure they are correct, and choose which wallet app to add it to. The pass should appear in your wallet app within seconds.
If you do not see an "Add to Wallet" button, the airline may not support wallet passes yet, or the button may only appear within 24 hours of departure. Check the airline's website or contact their customer service to confirm whether they offer this feature. Some airlines, particularly smaller regional carriers, still issue boarding passes only at the airport or through email.
Adding a flight through the airline's website
Go to the airline's website and log in with your booking email. Find your reservation and look for the same "Add to Wallet" or wallet icon button. The process is identical to the app — tap it, confirm the details, and select your wallet. Some airlines make the button more prominent on mobile browsers than on desktop, so if you cannot find it on your computer, try opening the website on your phone instead.
If the airline's website does not have a wallet option, try their app instead. Some carriers prioritize the app and do not offer the feature on their website. You can also look for a link in your confirmation email — many airlines include an "Add to Wallet" link that takes you directly to the pass.
What to do if you booked through a travel website
If you booked through Expedia, Kayak, Google Flights, or another travel site, you cannot add the pass directly from that site's app. Instead, go to the airline's website or app using your confirmation number and last name. Most airlines let you look up your reservation without logging in — you enter these two pieces of information and the airline shows you your booking. From there, you can add the pass to your wallet using the same process as above.
Some travel sites send you a direct link to the airline's reservation page in your confirmation email. If you see a link that says "View on [Airline Name]" or "Manage Your Booking," click it — this usually takes you to the airline's system where you can add the pass. If you cannot find the link, search your email for the airline's name and look for a message from them directly, separate from the travel site's confirmation.
How your boarding pass updates automatically
Once the pass is in your wallet, the airline can push updates to it without you doing anything. If the airline changes your gate, seat assignment, or boarding time, your wallet pass updates automatically — you do not need to refresh it or add it again. The update usually happens within a few minutes of the change. You can check your pass at any time by opening your wallet app or looking at your lock screen.
Some wallets let you see a notification when the pass updates. On Apple Wallet, you can set notifications for gate changes and boarding time changes in the wallet app settings. On Google Wallet, updates appear as notifications on your phone. Check your wallet app's settings if you want to turn notifications on or off.
Troubleshooting when the pass will not add
If you tap "Add to Wallet" and nothing happens, try these steps in order: first, make sure you are using the most recent version of your wallet app and your airline's app. Second, try adding the pass through the airline's website instead of the app, or vice versa. Third, check that your phone's date and time are set correctly — wallet passes sometimes refuse to add if your phone's clock is wrong. Fourth, try restarting your phone and trying again.
If the pass still will not add, the airline may not support wallet passes for your specific flight or route. Call the airline's customer service line or use their chat feature to confirm. You can also ask them to email you a mobile boarding pass, which you can show to gate agents on your phone even if it is not in your wallet app. Having the pass in your email is a reliable backup if the wallet feature is not available.
What happens if your phone dies or loses service
Your boarding pass stays on your phone even if the battery dies or you have no cell service. The pass is stored locally on your device, so gate agents can scan it from your lock screen without any internet connection. This is one of the main reasons airlines encourage wallet passes — they work in airports where service is spotty and you may not have time to unlock your phone and find an email.
If your phone is completely dead and you cannot turn it on, you will need a backup. Before your flight, take a screenshot of your boarding pass and email it to yourself, or ask the airline to email you a mobile boarding pass. You can show either of these on another device at the gate. Most airlines also let you print a boarding pass at a kiosk or counter if you arrive early enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a flight to my wallet if I booked it months ago?
Most airlines let you add the pass anytime after you book, but some only allow it within 24 hours of departure. Check your airline's app or website to see if the "Add to Wallet" button is available. If it is not there yet, try again the day before your flight.
What if my airline does not support wallet passes?
Ask the airline to email you a mobile boarding pass, which you can open on your phone at the gate. You can also print a boarding pass at an airport kiosk or counter. Neither option is as convenient as a wallet pass, but both work for checking in.
Do I need to show my ID along with the boarding pass?
Yes. Gate agents will scan your boarding pass and ask to see a photo ID that matches the name on the pass. The wallet pass itself does not contain your ID, so you still need to carry your driver's license or passport.
Can I add a flight for someone else to my wallet?
No. Each person needs to add their own boarding pass to their own phone using their own wallet app. If you are traveling with children or elderly relatives, help them add their passes to their devices, or print passes for them at the airport.
What if I change my seat after adding the pass to my wallet?
The pass updates automatically once the airline processes the change. If you change your seat through the airline's app or website, check your wallet pass a few minutes later — it should show your new seat number.