Missed Flight Connection? 5 Steps to Get Moving

You just landed at O'Hare, but your connection to Boston left from B12 while you were stuck on the tarmac at B47. The airline's app shows the next available seat is tomorrow morning. Your client expects you in three hours. What you do in the next ten minutes determines whether you make that meeting or spend the night explaining why you didn't.

These five steps cover exactly what to do when you miss a connection.

Step 1: Triple-Track Your Rebooking Request

First passengers to request rebooking get the best alternatives. Open your airline app while still seated on your delayed flight AND call customer service AND head to the gate agent, all at the same time.

• App rebooking: 2-5 minutes with no wait
• Phone agents: Access routing options you won't see in the app
• Gate agents: Can hold flights for 5-10 minutes if you get there before the door closes

Otto the Agent monitors your flight status continuously from the moment you book and shows you rebooking options before you even deplane. When your connection becomes impossible, Otto surfaces alternative flights while you're still figuring out which gate you're at.

Twenty-two percent of flights get delayed or cancelled. That's your baseline risk for every connection. Elite status holders should call dedicated premier lines to skip the 20-30 minute hold times.

Step 2: Ask for Same-Day Flights

Airlines push their next direct flight on you because it's convenient for them, not you. Request same-day alternatives through different hubs instead. Same-day changes let you rebook without waiting until tomorrow, though most carriers charge fees unless you have elite status.

Know alternative routings before the conversation starts so you can request specific flights. When you already know the options, agents confirm availability immediately instead of researching while you wait.

Same-Day Change Fees:

American

• Fee: $50-$75 (varies by route)
• Elite Waiver: Yes (Platinum Pro and above)
• Notes: Standby priority varies by status and fare

Delta

• Fee: $75
• Elite Waiver: Yes (Gold and above)
• Notes: No changes on Basic Economy

United

• Fee: $75
• Elite Waiver: Yes (Silver and above)
• Notes: Must stay in same cabin class

Southwest

• Fee: $0
• Elite Waiver: N/A
• Notes: Most flexible option

JetBlue

• Fee: $75
• Elite Waiver: Yes (Mosaic)
• Notes: Must change before original departure

Step 3: Request Flights on Partner Airlines

When your airline has no reasonable same-day options during a controllable delay or cancellation, ask agents to rebook you on a partner airline or another carrier they have an agreement with. This can get you there hours faster than waiting for your airline's next open seat. For controllable cancellations and significant delays, American, Delta, and United have committed in their customer service plans to rebook on partners at no additional cost when necessary.

Otto automatically searches partner airlines within your alliance when your carrier has nothing. You see routes the gate agent might not mention and every same-day alternative without asking which airlines codeshare.

When airlines cause delays (mechanical issues, crew scheduling problems, or operational disruptions), they rebook you on partners at no extra cost. When you book insufficient connection time or show up late, standard change fees apply. Document the delay cause and ask for explicit help from airline staff.

Step 4: Ask for Hotel and Meal Vouchers

When the delay is within the airline's control (mechanical issues, crew problems, or operational failures, not weather or air traffic control), ask for hotel and meal vouchers explicitly. US federal law only requires refunds, not accommodations. But American, Delta, and United have committed on the DOT's dashboard to book hotel rooms and provide ground transport for overnight controllable delays.

These airlines also typically provide meal vouchers when controllable delays keep you waiting at least three hours, though exact voucher amounts vary by airline and airport.

Ask the gate agent directly: "Is this delay due to reasons within the airline's control?" and "Can you provide a meal voucher?" Airlines won't offer vouchers unless you ask. You must request them at the gate or service desk before leaving the airport.

Document everything before leaving the airport:

• Keep boarding passes
• Save delay notifications
• Photograph departure boards showing delay times and causes
• Get written confirmation from the gate agent about what caused the delay
• Save all receipts with timestamps if you pay out-of-pocket for hotels or meals

Credit card trip delay benefits and travel insurance policies require carrier verification forms proving the delay was airline-caused.

Step 5: Request a Full Refund

When rebooking options won't get you to your client meeting on time and your flight has been canceled or significantly changed, you can decline the alternative and request a full refund instead. Under DOT rules, a "significant change" includes domestic delays of more than 3 hours, international delays over 6 hours, airport changes, extra connections, or cabin downgrades. Airlines must refund your ticket plus fees for services like baggage or seat selection that you didn't receive.

Refunds give you cash to book whatever gets you there, instead of accepting airline-convenient rebooking 24+ hours away. When you make proactive requests, you avoid settling for inadequate alternatives. Airlines must refund to your original payment method within 7 business days for credit card payments, or within 20 days for other payment methods.

Stop Missing Connections, Start Rebooking in Seconds

Flight disruptions cost $60 billion annually, with individual travelers eating an average of $512 in out-of-pocket costs. Missed connections don't have to derail your business trip. The five steps above work, but they force you to juggle multiple apps, wait on hold, and sprint to gate agents while processing flight options under pressure. That's exactly the chaos Otto eliminates.

Otto monitors your flights continuously from the moment you book. When delays threaten your connection, Otto alerts you with rebooking options before you even deplane, across your airline and all partner carriers. No waiting in customer service lines. No frantically comparing routes on multiple websites. No missing the best alternative because you didn't know it existed.

While other travelers accept the 24-hour delay the gate agent offers, you'll already have your seat confirmed on the flight that gets you to your presentation on time.

Start your free trial with Otto to turn missed connections from travel disasters into minor inconveniences.