Travelling can get bumpy. Take, for example, when I missed my flight to Los Angeles a few years ago because I was stuck in gridlock Houston traffic.
The loss of money, time, and convenience added frustration to an already hectic schedule. However, I later learned there were a few simple steps I could have taken to make a bad situation better.
What happens if you miss your flight? Trust me. There might just be some hope. You can actually end up not losing a penny if you play it right! Take a look below for our honest low-down on what happens when you miss your flight.
What should you do if you expect missing your flight?
If you are in a situation where you expect that you will miss your flight, you should call your airlines as soon as possible. The earlier they know, the more options they will have to solve it.
Not only will you have the possibility of getting rebooked to a later flight with the same airline without added charges, but the airline will also have the opportunity to prevent a loss of revenue by reselling your seat. Typically, airlines will charge you for a missed flight, but there are exceptions. You need to act fast to take advantage of that.
READ MORE: Are plane tickets refundable?
What to do if you miss your flight?
Sometimes, you can anticipate a late arrival. At other times, emergencies crop up and you arrive at the airport only to find that the gate has closed or the plane has already taken off. In such cases, follow these steps:
First, take a quick look at the flight schedule board. Look specifically for a flight to your destination at a later time with the same airline. This may help avoid extra fees.
Next, speak to your airline counter and explain your situation politely. Politeness and respect can take you far, especially with a representative who probably deals with stressed-out flyers all day.
At times, airlines will reject a poor excuse, but in some urgent situations, airlines may follow a “flat tire rule”. The “flat tire rule” just means that if you have a legitimate reason for your missed flight, such as a medical emergency or a car accident, you can get rebooked to a later flight and just pay a rebooking fee.
In such cases, the airline may put you on the next flight to the same destination, provided there are available seats. Just be sure to present yourself at the airport or contact your airline no more than two hours after the departure of your missed flight to give you the best chance of securing the next available flight.
However, an excuse such as sleeping through your alarm will likely not convince anyone to help you out. So think through and be prepared, so you’ll be able to handle what happens when you miss your flight.
READ MORE: Should you check-in online for your flight?
What happens if you miss a connecting flight?
There is something called a contract of carriage that can be found on most airlines’ websites. Basically, this means that if you miss a connecting flight, you will be protected.
The airline should rebook you for the next flight without charge. Sometimes, this may mean you will need to stay overnight at the airport. But, no worries, the airline should cover your hotel expenses as part of the contract.
Should your connecting flight be on a separate airline, you will have to contact that airline yourself. Call them as early as possible so that they can put you on a later connecting flight at a minimal cost.
For a missed flight on connecting international flights to Europe, you will have even better luck. European consumer regulations will give you up to 600 euros for certain missed connections. In addition, they will cover a rerouting flight or even a flight back to the city you departed from.
What happens to your luggage if you missed your flight?
What happens if you miss your flight but your luggage is still on its way to your destination? What do you need to do to secure it and minimize loss?
Contact your airline representative right away. They will track it and make sure to hold it until you reach your destination or ship it to you, which may take several days of waiting.
This may sound simple to do, but is an important step to take that is essential. Knowing what happens when you miss your flight and how to deal with each issue that crops up can save you both money and effort.
What to do if I missed my flight after checking in?
If you missed your boarding time due to inconveniences on your end, contact the airline immediately. Depending on the airline’s policies and procedures, you may get a refund, rebooking or none at all.
If you missed the flight due to bad weather or technical issues through no fault of your own, you’ll most likely be refunded or rebooked onto another flight heading to the same destination through similar routes.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about airport security
What happens to my return flight if I missed my departing flight?
While it might seem unreasonable, your return flight might have been cancelled automatically if you’ve missed your departing flight because you were late.
Tips for avoiding missing your flight
- Study the traffic trends to your airport before your departure date. Several applications, such as Google Maps, offer average traffic expectations for each day and time. Being familiar with how long it will take you to get to the airport will give you a better idea of scheduling.
- Set up your alarm so that it is impossible to miss. I have a friend who has 20 separate alarms, each set up at 5-minute intervals, to make sure he cannot snooze. A little funny, but quite effective. You can also set your alarm and place it far away from your bed, which will force you to get out of bed, making it more difficult to snooze and fall back asleep.
- Study the contract of carriage. Your airline’s website will have it. This contract states many of your rights as a passenger, and what the policies are for a missed flight.
- Hire a travel agent. A good travel agent can make sure you arrive at your terminal on time by scheduling your ground transportation. Additionally, they may have more connections at their disposal to help you get rebooked with less hassle.
Our low-down of what happens if you miss your flight should make your trip much easier and with less headache.
In the end, there is more you can do than you think. Just breathe, think calmly, and act quickly. You will get where you need to be.
