Missed your flight? Here’s what you can do

Despite being seasoned travelers, even TPG reporters occasionally miss their flights. That's why having a contingency plan is crucial.

Regardless of whether it's you or the airline that cancels, there are steps to take to lessen the impact.

What should I do if I believe I will miss my flight?

Notify the airline to give them a heads-up. While they can’t hold the plane, this may improve your chances of getting rebooked on a different flight.

I missed my flight. What should my next steps be?

After missing your flight, check with the airline about rebooking options by asking:

• Is there a rebooking fee for a new flight?
• Will I need to cover any fare difference for the new reservation?

You might be able to rebook your flight without a fee, thanks to the "flat-tire rule," which differs by airline:

• American Airlines: A passenger who arrives within two hours of their scheduled departure can be rebooked as a standby traveler on the next flight without incurring change fees or fare differences, according to an AA representative.
• Delta Air Lines: Delta assesses these situations individually, so customers should talk to an agent at the airport to explain their circumstances. Delta will then decide if rebooking is possible, as stated by a Delta spokesperson.
• JetBlue: JetBlue indicates that if you miss your flight, you will lose the nonrefundable portion of your ticket. However, the airline usually allows passengers who miss their flights to wait on standby for the next available flight at no charge.
• Southwest Airlines: Southwest allows passengers to change or cancel their flights without penalties prior to departure, though fare differences will apply. Their flat-tire rule lets passengers who arrive within two hours of scheduled departure board the next available flight.
• United Airlines: United passengers can rebook their flights if they contact the airline or arrive at the airport within 30 minutes of the scheduled departure.

After identifying any rebooking fees, locate the next available flight to your destination and check if there are confirmed seats left.

If seats aren't available, request to be added to the standby list. Many airlines permit passengers who missed their flight to wait for a later flight for free. It's always beneficial to explain your situation and ask the gate agent to include you on the waitlist.

Here are the standby policies for major U.S. airlines:

• American: AA's standby policy allows customers to standby for an earlier flight at no cost, though only AAdvantage members can standby for a later flight on the same day. The new flight must comply with certain criteria, such as departing on the same day, following the same route as your original flight, and having the same number of stops.
• Delta: According to Delta's policy, passengers can standby for earlier flights free of charge if they cannot confirm a same-day seat on a new flight.
• JetBlue: For $75, JetBlue passengers can request a same-day standby spot on any sold-out flights between the same cities on the same day as their original flight, based on seat availability.
• Southwest: There are no same-day standby fees for any Southwest fares, except for Wanna Get Away fares; passengers with these fares must pay any fare difference. Additionally, requests can be made up to 10 minutes before the originally scheduled departure time.
• United: United passengers can standby for an earlier flight within 24 hours without any charge.

While most of the airlines listed above allow free standby, the fees for making same-day changes can differ by airline and might be waived for elite status members.

What are my alternatives if I can't rebook with my original airline?

Consider rebooking with a budget airline

If the airline is unable or unwilling to assist you, think about purchasing an inexpensive ticket from a low-cost carrier like Spirit or Frontier. This approach may lead you to find cheaper, last-minute one-way flights.

If you've booked two one-way tickets, your return flight will still be valid. However, verify whether your original airline will cancel the entire itinerary if you miss the first flight. In such cases, it might be wise to book two separate one-way tickets.

Consider using airline miles for a last-minute ticket

If you have airline miles, attempt to secure a last-minute award flight. Most airlines have removed close-in booking fees, and certain carriers are known for offering last-minute award seats that would otherwise remain empty.

Look for affordable options through loyalty programs with dynamic pricing, like United MileagePlus, Delta SkyMiles, and American AAdvantage.

Alternatively, quickly check programs with award charts to see if saver award availability exists. If you missed a short-haul domestic flight, consider booking United flights using Avianca LifeMiles or American and Alaska flights with British Airways Avios.

Be aware that some partner programs may restrict you from booking day-of award tickets. For instance, Etihad Guest mandates that all partner award tickets be issued at least 24 hours prior to departure.

Choose a later flight

If the previous options aren't feasible, consider rescheduling your flight for a different date.

What should I do if the airline cancels my flight?

An airline might cancel or delay your flight for various reasons, such as staffing issues or adverse weather, leading you to miss your original flight and any subsequent connections.

Here are five steps to follow in such situations:

Contact the airline as soon as possible

If your flight is delayed or canceled, talk to an airline representative (preferably a gate agent) about rebooking you on another flight. If there are many passengers in the same situation, consider rebooking through the airline's mobile app.

If the first two options don’t work, you can call the airline; however, you might encounter similar delays. One way to avoid long wait times is to contact the airline's customer service team in another country, as their call volume is usually lower than that of local agents. If you're concerned about international calling fees, consider using Google Voice.

Lastly, you might find assistance at an airline lounge, where agents are sometimes available to help with your travel needs.

Verify your credit card perks

Many travel credit cards offer trip delay, interruption, and cancellation benefits to provide coverage in such situations. Reach out to the issuer of the card used to purchase the ticket to find out if and when your benefits apply.

Typically, your flight must be delayed by a specific number of hours to qualify for this protection. However, it's wise to contact your credit card company beforehand to understand what, if any, reimbursements you may receive.

For instance, if one of the benefits allows your credit card to cover a hotel stay near the airport, you might be more open to the airline rescheduling your flight for the following day.

What happens to my baggage if I miss my flight?

Each airline has its own rules regarding how and when passengers can retrieve their checked luggage if they miss their flights.

Airlines will attempt to redirect your bag to the final destination of your new flight.

If you or the airline cancel a flight, or if you miss a connecting flight, your checked luggage will be sent back to the airline's baggage claim, where you can collect it.

Certain airlines, such as Delta and United, offer real-time tracking of your luggage through their apps, so make sure to download them.

For added peace of mind, consider buying and using Apple AirTags to monitor your luggage through Bluetooth tracking.

Am I eligible for a refund?

If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed due to factors beyond your control, like weather or operational issues, request compensation from the airline. Check out our guide for tips on how to claim any additional expenses you might incur.

However, U.S. federal law mandates that airlines must compensate passengers only when they completely cancel their trip due to a flight cancellation. The U.S. Department of Transportation evaluates whether a delayed flight justifies a refund on a case-by-case basis.

In summary

While missing your flight is certainly not ideal, there may still be a chance to rebook for a new flight on the same day.

Upon missing your flight, your top priority should be securing a spot on a new one. You can either reach out to the airline for assistance or manage it yourself through the airline's app or customer service site. If a confirmed seat isn't available on the next flight, request to be placed on the standby list. Most airlines allow free standby for later flights.

If you're unable to rebook with your original airline, explore alternative options with a budget carrier or consider using airline miles to secure a last-minute ticket.

Whether you miss your flight or your airline cancels it, the carrier will make every effort to reroute any checked baggage to your final destination or return it to the baggage claim at your departure airport, depending on the circumstances.

In any situation, acting swiftly can help rescue your trip and secure the next available seat on an upcoming flight.