What to Do If You Miss Your Connecting Flight—and How to Get Compensated

One of the most stressful elements of travel is having a connecting flight, as you never know what might go wrong, whether it be bad weather, mechanical issues, late inbound planes, or air traffic delays. Oftentimes, these factors are out of the airlines’ control, but that still leaves you to figure out what to do after missing a connection. 

Last year, 20 percent of flights across all carriers were delayed by at least 15 minutes or more, according to the Department of Transportation. So, what do you do when you miss a connecting flight due to a delay? Do you get in line with everyone else at the ticket counter or call the airline directly? Sometimes, you’re entitled to compensation, depending on the delay and situation. Here’s how to handle a missed connecting flight due to a delay—and how to get your money if you’re owed.

What to Do If You Miss a Connecting Flight Due to a Delay

First, it’s important to understand why the delay occurred. If you missed a flight due to personal reasons, there isn’t anything an airline can do, meaning you’ll need to rebook and get a new flight or alter your plans. However, if the missed connection is caused by the airline, this is when they can step in and help. 

As of October 2024, the Department of Transportation has implemented the automatic refund rule, which requires airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed. The rule states that passengers are entitled to a refund when their flight is canceled or significantly changed and they no longer wish to take that flight or be rebooked, when their checked baggage is significantly delayed, or when extra services they paid for, like Wi-Fi, are not provided. The refund must be “automatic, prompt, in the original form of payment, and in the full amount paid.” 

“You can also ask the airline to rebook you on another airline,” says Beth Rowan, founder of Tapestry Travel. If they will endorse your ticket to the new carrier, this could save you a fare collection, but there’s no rule requiring airlines to do this. 

Rowan says the first thing you should do when you’ve missed a connection is head to the airline customer service counter. “While waiting in line, call the airline at the same time,” she adds. “Often, a call goes through faster than the service desk.” She says you can ask when the next possible flight to get rebooked on is departing, if there are additional connections, and whether it’s the same class of service. 

Further, Rowan suggests asking for meal and hotel vouchers, if applicable. “If the flight will be delayed long enough to require an overnight stay or you will miss a meal, the airline must provide vouchers,” she notes. “The hotel voucher will be at a hotel of their choosing, but they must provide this, if applicable. 

Lastly, Rowan encourages travelers to remain reasonable and calm. “Any employee will always be following the policies of their airline employer,” she says. If you’ve booked your airline tickets through a travel advisor, call them immediately. “Ask them to help you with the problem, whatever it may be. They can act on your behalf with the airline and resolve issues while you relax. That’s what they’re there for.”

How to Find Out If You’re Entitled to Compensation for a Missed Connecting Flight

Again, the first thing to consider when it comes to compensation for a missed connection is who is at fault. If you’re the one responsible, meaning you missed the flight due to your own tardiness or personal issues, you are not entitled to compensation. Sometimes, an airline might help you book another flight, but that is at their discretion. 

However, if you miss a connection because the flight before was delayed, you are entitled to compensation under the automatic refund rule mentioned above. The rule states you are entitled to a refund if your flight is canceled and the airline does not rebook you, your flight is canceled and you do not accept rebooking, or your flight is significantly changed and you don’t accept the new itinerary nor any offers for rebooking. 

You are entitled to a refund if the airline cancels a flight, regardless of the reason, and doesn’t rebook you on a new one or you don’t accept alternative compensation such as a flight voucher or miles. “Significantly changed” flights include domestic trips that depart three-plus hours earlier or arrive three-plus hours later than scheduled, international flights that depart six-plus hours earlier or arrive six-plus hours later than scheduled, flights where the origin or destination airport is changed, flights with increased connections, flights where the passenger is downgraded to a lower class of service, and flights with connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating if you have a disability. 

Other situations that lead to a refund include significantly delayed baggage—that is, if you file a mishandled baggage report and your bag is not delivered within 12 hours of a domestic flight arriving at the gate, or within 15 to 30 hours of an international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.

Lastly, you’re entitled to a refund for the fee you paid for extra services if they are not provided, including Wi-Fi, seat selection, or in-flight entertainment. 

It’s worth noting, however, that you are not entitled to a refund if you accept a rebooked flight with the airline or continue with a significantly changed itinerary. “Most U.S. airlines have committed to providing benefits such as hotels for overnight delays or meals for passengers during significant delays and cancellations that are caused by issues within the airline’s control,” according to the Department of Transportation.

How to Claim Compensation for a Missed Connection

Under the automatic refund rule, airlines must provide prompt, automatic refunds in the same form of payment when owed. Refunds must be issued within seven business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. 

Airlines also cannot substitute cash refunds owed to customers with travel credits or vouchers, unless the passenger chooses to accept alternative compensation. If the customer accepts a travel voucher or credit, it must be valid for at least five years from the date of issuance. 

If you do end up accepting a meal, hotel, or transportation voucher, you’ll need to get this from the airline customer service counter, as they’re typically not given out automatically. 

Flight Insurance for a Missed Connection

There are several travel insurance options that help with missed connections. It’s an extra expense, but can help in the event you need reimbursement, meals, or a hotel. 

Lots of credit cards also offer assistance with trip delay reimbursement and expenses accrued from a delay, like hotel stays and meals. These are some of the best with trip delay protection:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• The Platinum Card from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

You can also purchase separate flight insurance to help protect against delays, missed connections, and canceled trips.