How to Get Help and Compensation

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

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

What to Do If You Miss a Connecting Flight As a consequence of a Delay

First, it’s essential to know why the delay occurred. When you missed a flight because 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 applied the automatic 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 and so they now not want to take that flight or be rebooked, when their checked baggage is considerably delayed, or when additional companies they paid for—like Wi-Fi—are usually not supplied.” The refund should be “computerized, immediate, within the unique type of fee, and within the full quantity paid.” 

“You may as well ask the airline to rebook you on one other airline,” says Beth Rowan, founding father of Tapestry Travel. If they may 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’s best to do whenever you’ve missed a flight connection is head to the provider’s customer support counter. “Whereas ready in line, name the airline on the similar time,” she provides. “Usually, a name goes by quicker than the service desk.” At that time, you possibly can ask when the subsequent attainable flight to get rebooked on is departing, if there are extra 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 have to present this, if relevant.”

Lastly, Rowan encourages vacationers to stay cheap 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 by a journey advisor, name them instantly. “Ask them that can assist you with the issue, no matter it might be. They’ll act in your behalf with the airline and resolve points whilst you loosen up. That’s what they’re there for.”

How you can Discover Out If You are Entitled to Compensation for a Missed Connecting Flight

Once more, the very first thing to contemplate in the case of receiving compensation for a missed connection is who is really at fault. When you’re the one who’s accountable—which means you missed the flight because of your personal tardiness or different private points—you aren’t entitled to compensation. Generally, an airline ticketing agent may attempt that can assist you guide one other flight, however that’s at their discretion. 

That mentioned, for those who miss a connection as a result of the flight earlier than yours was delayed, you’re entitled to compensation below the automatic refund rule talked about above. It states you’re 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 provides for rebooking or different compensation.” 

Basically, you’re entitled to a refund if the airline cancels a flight, whatever the cause, and doesn’t rebook you on a brand new one, or for those who don’t settle for different compensation resembling 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 significantly delayed baggage—that’s, for those who file a mishandled baggage report and your property shouldn’t 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 companies—assume Wi-Fi, in-flight leisure, or seat choice—if they don’t seem to be supplied by the provider throughout your journey. 

It’s price 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 resembling resorts for in a single day delays or meals for passengers throughout vital delays and cancellations which are brought on by points throughout the airline’s management,” the Division of Transportation’s web site states.

How you can Declare Compensation for a Missed Connection

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

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

When 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 usually not given out robotically. 

Journey Insurance coverage for a Missed Connection

Plenty of journey rewards bank cards additionally supply help with journey delay reimbursement and bills accrued from a delay, like lodge stays and meals, as included advantages. These are a number of 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

You may as well buy separate travel insurance to assist defend towards delays, missed connections, and canceled journeys. And whereas it is an additional expense, it may be price each penny for the peace of thoughts ought to you find yourself needing reimbursement, meals, or a lodge in a pinch.