Missed Your Connecting Flight? Here’s How to Get Compensation

One of the vital disturbing 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 site 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. 

In keeping with the Division of Transportation, roughly 20 p.c of flights throughout all carriers in 2025 have been delayed by not less than quarter-hour or extra. So, what must you do whenever you miss a connecting flight? Is it finest to get in step with everybody else on the ticket counter or name the airline immediately? Are you entitled to compensation, which typically occurs (relying on the delay and state of affairs)? Right here’s tips on how to deal with a missed connection as a consequence of a delay—and tips on how to get your cash in case you’re owed.

What to Do If You Miss a Connecting Flight Because of a Delay

First, it’s vital to know why the delay occurred. For those who missed a flight as a consequence 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 attributable to the service, that is once they can step in and assist. 

In October 2024, the Division of Transportation applied the automated refund rule, which requires airways to supply automated 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 companies they paid for—like Wi-Fi—will not be supplied.” The refund should be “automated, immediate, within the authentic type of cost, and within the full quantity paid.” 

“You too can ask the airline to rebook you on one other airline,” says Beth Rowan, founding father of Tapestry Journey. If they’ll endorse your ticket to the brand new service, 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 service’s customer support counter. “Whereas ready in line, name the airline on the identical time,” she provides. “Typically, a name goes by means of sooner than the service desk.” At that time, you may ask when the following 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 resort vouchers, if relevant. “If the flight shall 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 resort voucher shall be at a resort 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 in case you’ve booked your airline tickets by means of a journey advisor, name them instantly. “Ask them that can assist you with the issue, no matter it could be. They’ll act in your behalf with the airline and resolve points whilst you chill out. That’s what they’re there for.”

The best way to Discover Out If You are Entitled to Compensation for a Missed Connecting Flight

Once more, the very first thing to contemplate on the subject of receiving compensation for a missed connection is who is really at fault. For those who’re the one who’s accountable—which means you missed the flight as a consequence of your personal tardiness or different private points—you aren’t entitled to compensation. Typically, an airline ticketing agent would possibly attempt that can assist you ebook one other flight, however that’s at their discretion. 

That mentioned, in case you miss a connection as a result of the flight earlier than yours was delayed, you might be entitled to compensation beneath the automated 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 presents for rebooking or different compensation.” 

Primarily, you might be entitled to a refund if the airline cancels a flight, whatever the purpose, and doesn’t rebook you on a brand new one, or in case you don’t settle for different compensation resembling a flight voucher or miles. “Considerably modified” flights embrace home journeys that depart not less than three hours earlier or arrive not less than three hours later than scheduled, worldwide journeys that depart not less than six hours earlier or arrive not less than 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 completely different airports, and flights on completely different planes which can be much less accessible or accommodating for these touring with disabilities. 

Further conditions that may result in a refund embrace considerably delayed baggage—that’s, in case you file a mishandled baggage report and your property just isn’t 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 aren’t supplied by the service throughout your journey. 

It’s value noting, nevertheless, that you’re not entitled to a refund in case you 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 can be attributable to points throughout the airline’s management,” the Division of Transportation’s web site states.

The best way to Declare Compensation for a Missed Connection

Beneath the automated refund rule, airways should present immediate, automated refunds in the identical type of cost every time they’re owed. And people refunds should 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, except the passenger chooses to simply accept them. In that case, credit and/or vouchers should stay legitimate for not less than 5 years from the date they’re issued. 

For those who do find yourself accepting a meal, resort, 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 number of journey rewards bank cards additionally provide help with journey delay reimbursement and bills accrued from a delay, like resort 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 CardChase Sapphire ReserveThe Platinum Card from American ExpressDelta SkyMiles Reserve American Categorical Card

You too can 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 resort in a pinch.