How to Get Help and Compensation

One of the most stressful elements of travel is the connecting flight — you never know what could go wrong, whether it’s bad weather, mechanical problems, late planes, or air traffic delays. Oftentimes, these factors are beyond the control of the airlines, but you still need to figure out what to do after missing a flight connection.

According to the Department of Transportation, nearly 20 percent of all carriers’ flights will be delayed at least 15 minutes or more in 2025. So, what should you do when you miss your connecting flight? Is it better to stand in line with everyone at the ticket counter or call the airline directly? Are you entitled to compensation, which is sometimes the case (depending on the delay and circumstances)? Here’s how to handle missed connections due to delays and how to get paid if you’re owed.

What to do if you miss your connecting flight due to a delay

First, it is important to understand why the delay occurred. If you miss your flight for personal reasons, there is nothing the airline can do, meaning you will need to rebook and take a new flight or change your travel plans. However, if the missed connection is due to the carrier, this is when they can step in and help.

In October 2024, the Department of Transportation implemented the automatic refund rule, which requires airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when they become due. “Passengers are entitled to a refund when their flight is canceled or significantly changed and they no longer wish to take or rebook the flight, when their checked baggage is significantly delayed, or when additional services they have paid for — such as Wi-Fi — are not provided,” it said. Refunds must be “automatic, prompt, in the original form of payment, and in the full amount paid.”

“You can also ask the airline to rebook on another airline,” says Beth Rowan, founder of Tapestry Travel. “If they’ll validate your ticket for the new carrier, it might save you a fare recovery, but there’s no rule that requires airlines to do that.”

The first thing you should do when you miss your flight connection is go to the carrier’s customer service counter, Rowan says. “While waiting in line, call the airline at the same time,” she adds. “Often, a call goes through the service desk faster.” At that point, you can ask when the next possible flight to rebook is departing, if there are additional connections, and if you’ll be flying the same class of service.

Additionally, Rowan recommends asking for dining and hotel vouchers if applicable. “The airline should provide vouchers if the flight will be delayed enough to require an overnight stay or you won’t get a meal,” she notes. “The hotel voucher will be at the hotel of their choice, but they have to provide it if applicable.”

Finally, Rowan encourages travelers to be reasonable and calm. “Any employee will always follow the policies of their airline employer,” she says. And if you booked your airline tickets through Trip Advisor, call them right away. “Ask them to help you with the problem, whatever it is. They can work on your behalf with the airline and solve problems while you relax. That’s what they’re there for.”

How to find out if you are entitled to compensation for a missed connecting flight

Again, the first thing to consider when it comes to receiving compensation for a lost connection is who is really at fault. If you are at fault—that is, you missed the flight because of laziness or other personal problems—you are not entitled to compensation. Sometimes, an airline ticketing agent may try to help you book another flight, but this is at their discretion.

That said, if your connection is missed because the flight before your flight was delayed, you are entitled to compensation under the automatic refund rule described above. It states that 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 a rebooking,” or “your flight is significantly changed and you do not accept a new itinerary or an offer for a rebooking or other compensation.”

Basically, you’re entitled to a refund if the airline cancels the flight, regardless of reason, and doesn’t rebook you, or if you don’t accept alternative compensation like flight vouchers or miles. “Significantly changed” flights include domestic trips that depart at least three hours earlier or arrive at least three hours later than scheduled, international trips that depart at least six hours earlier or arrive at least six hours later than scheduled, flights where the airport of origin or destination changes, flights with incremental connections, flights where passengers are downgraded, or different flights serviced at different airports. Flights with accessibility or accommodation for travelers with disabilities.

Additional circumstances that may lead to a refund include significantly delayed baggage—that is, if you incorrectly filed a baggage report and your property was not delivered within 12 hours of landing (for domestic flights) or 15 to 30 hours of landing (for international flights), depending on how long your flight was.

Finally, you’re entitled to a refund of any fees you paid for extra services — think Wi-Fi, in-flight entertainment, or seat selection — if they’re not provided by the carrier during your trip.

However, it is worth noting that you are not entitled to a refund if you accept a rebooked flight with the airline or continue with a significantly changed itinerary. The Department of Transportation’s website states, “Most U.S. airlines have committed to providing overnight delay benefits, such as hotel or meal accommodations, to passengers during significant delays and cancellations caused by issues within the airline’s control.”

How to claim compensation for lost connection

Under the automatic refund rule, airlines are required to provide prompt, automatic refunds in the same form of payment whenever due. And that refund must be issued within seven business days for credit card purchases or within 20 calendar days if other payment methods were used.

Airlines also cannot replace cash refunds owed to customers with travel credits or vouchers, unless the passenger chooses to accept them. In this case, credits and/or vouchers must remain valid for at least five years from the date of issue.

If you accept a meal, hotel or transportation voucher, you must obtain it from the airline’s customer service counter, as they are usually not automatically issued.

Travel insurance for missed connections

Many travel rewards credit cards also offer benefits including travel delay compensation and late-accrual expenses, such as hotel stays and meals. Here are some of the best with travel delay protection as a benefit:

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

You can also purchase separate travel insurance to help protect against delays, missed connections, and canceled trips. And while it’s an added expense, it can be worth every penny for the peace of mind you need if you need reimbursement, food, or a hotel in a pinch.