Easy methods to Get Assist and Compensation

Some of the hectic components of journey is having a connecting flight—you simply by no means know what would possibly go flawed, whether or not it is dangerous climate, mechanical points, late inbound planes, or air visitors delays. Oftentimes, these components are out of the airways’ management, however that also leaves you having to determine what to do after lacking a flight connection. 

In line with the Division of Transportation, roughly 20 % of flights throughout all carriers in 2025 have been delayed by a minimum of quarter-hour or extra. So, what must you do if you miss a connecting flight? Is it finest to get in keeping with everybody else on the ticket counter or name the airline immediately? Are you entitled to compensation, which generally occurs (relying on the delay and state of affairs)? Right here’s tips on how to deal with a missed connection on account of a delay—and tips on how to get your cash for those who’re owed.

What to Do If You Miss a Connecting Flight Resulting from a Delay

First, it’s necessary to know why the delay occurred. Should you missed a flight on account of private causes, there isn’t something the airline can do, which means you’ll must rebook and get a brand new flight or alter your journey plans. Nonetheless, if the missed connection is brought on by the provider, that is after they can step in and assist. 

In October 2024, the Division of Transportation carried out the computerized refund rule, which requires airways to supply computerized money refunds to passengers when owed. It states that “passengers are entitled to a refund when their flight is canceled or considerably modified they usually not want to take that flight or be rebooked, when their checked baggage is considerably delayed, or when additional providers they paid for—like Wi-Fi—will not be supplied.” The refund have to be “computerized, immediate, within the unique type of cost, and within the full quantity paid.” 

“It’s also possible to ask the airline to rebook you on one other airline,” says Beth Rowan, founding father of Tapestry Journey. If they are going to endorse your ticket to the brand new provider, this might prevent a fare assortment, however there’s no rule requiring airways to do that. 

Rowan says the very first thing it is best to do if you’ve missed a flight connection is head to the provider’s customer support counter. “Whereas ready in line, name the airline on the identical time,” she provides. “Usually, a name goes via sooner than the service desk.” At that time, you may ask when the following doable flight to get rebooked on is departing, if there are further connections, and whether or not you’d fly in the identical class of service. 

Moreover, Rowan suggests asking for meal and lodge vouchers, if relevant. “If the flight will likely be delayed lengthy sufficient to require an in a single day keep or you’ll miss a meal, the airline should present vouchers,” she notes. “The lodge voucher will likely be at a lodge of their selecting, however they need to present this, if relevant.”

Lastly, Rowan encourages vacationers to stay affordable and calm. “Any worker will at all times be following the insurance policies of their airline employer,” she says. And for those who’ve booked your airline tickets via a journey advisor, name them instantly. “Ask them that will help you with the issue, no matter it could be. They’ll act in your behalf with the airline and resolve points whilst you calm down. That’s what they’re there for.”

Easy methods to Discover Out If You are Entitled to Compensation for a Missed Connecting Flight

Once more, the very first thing to think about in the case of receiving compensation for a missed connection is who is really at fault. Should you’re the one who’s accountable—which means you missed the flight on account of your personal tardiness or different private points—you aren’t entitled to compensation. Generally, an airline ticketing agent would possibly attempt that will help you guide one other flight, however that’s at their discretion. 

That stated, for those who miss a connection as a result of the flight earlier than yours was delayed, you might be entitled to compensation beneath the computerized refund rule talked about above. It states you might be entitled to a refund if “your flight is canceled and the airline doesn’t rebook you,” “your flight is canceled and you don’t settle for rebooking,” or “your flight is considerably modified and also you don’t settle for the brand new itinerary nor any affords for rebooking or different compensation.” 

Basically, you might be entitled to a refund if the airline cancels a flight, whatever the motive, and doesn’t rebook you on a brand new one, or for those who don’t settle for different compensation comparable to a flight voucher or miles. “Considerably modified” flights embrace home journeys that depart a minimum of three hours earlier or arrive a minimum of three hours later than scheduled, worldwide journeys that depart a minimum of six hours earlier or arrive a minimum of six hours later than scheduled, flights the place the origin or vacation spot airport is modified, flights with elevated connections, flights the place the passenger is downgraded to a decrease class of service, or flights with connections at totally different airports, and flights on totally different planes which are much less accessible or accommodating for these touring with disabilities. 

Further conditions that may result in a refund embrace considerably delayed baggage—that’s, for those who file a mishandled baggage report and your property will not be delivered inside 12 hours of touchdown (for home flights), or inside 15 to 30 hours of touchdown (for worldwide flights), relying on how lengthy your flight was.

Lastly, you’re entitled to a refund for any charges you paid for additional providers—suppose Wi-Fi, in-flight leisure, or seat choice—if they aren’t supplied by the provider throughout your journey. 

It’s value noting, nonetheless, that you’re not entitled to a refund for those who settle for a rebooked flight with the airline or proceed with a considerably modified itinerary. “Most U.S. airways have dedicated to offering advantages comparable to resorts for in a single day delays or meals for passengers throughout important delays and cancellations which are brought on by points inside the airline’s management,” the Division of Transportation’s web site states.

Easy methods to Declare Compensation for a Missed Connection

Below the automated refund rule, airways should present immediate, computerized refunds in the identical type of cost every time they’re owed. And people refunds have to be issued inside seven enterprise days for bank card purchases or 20 calendar days if different cost strategies have been used. 

Airways additionally can’t change money refunds owed to prospects with journey credit or vouchers, until the passenger chooses to just accept them. In that case, credit and/or vouchers should stay legitimate for a minimum of 5 years from the date they’re issued. 

Should you do find yourself accepting a meal, lodge, or transportation voucher, you’ll must get this from the airline customer support counter, as they’re sometimes not given out routinely. 

Journey Insurance coverage for a Missed Connection

A lot of journey rewards bank cards additionally provide help with journey delay reimbursement and bills accrued from a delay, like lodge stays and meals, as included advantages. These are among the finest with journey delay safety as a perk:

• Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• The Platinum Card from American Categorical
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Categorical Card

It’s also possible to buy separate journey insurance coverage to assist defend in opposition to delays, missed connections, and canceled journeys. And whereas it is an additional expense, it may be value each penny for the peace of thoughts ought to you find yourself needing reimbursement, meals, or a lodge in a pinch.