Unexpected events can put a break on your travel plans. Airline carriers also understand this, leading to the formulation of specific guidelines to assist you in rebooking your flights. You can easily make your flight reservations to catch up with your itinerary schedule if you know the missed flight policy of your journey partner. Whatever the reason for missing your flight, the Airline gives you the flexibility to continue your trip. However, there are certain caveats to rebooking your missed flights. Do not panic! We have detailed the complete process of rebooking your missed flights on this page. After reading this informative blog, you won’t have to face any problem in the future for rebooking a ticket for the flight you failed to board.
An Overview of Ticket Reservation after a Missed Flight
You can miss your flight due to multiple reasons (bad weather/ high traffic / urgent work / Long queues at the airport). All major airlines offer rebooking options for flights that are missed, depending on the circumstances.
- Travelers can rebook their flight tickets after a missed flight, as per the Airlines missed flight policy.
- The terms and conditions of your missed flight rebooking depend on your ticket type/travel class/reason of missing your flight (your fault ot theirs).
- You must have a valid ticket purchased through official channels to apply for a new reservation.
- Non-refundable ticket fares do not offer free rebooking options, whereas refundable fare types typically provide discounted or free rebooking for missed flights.
- You must inform the Airline about your missed flight (as soon as possible) to avoid a “no-show”.
- Missed a Flight? You can rebook again either online or offline (by contacting the customer support number).
- You can rebook your missed flight tickets at a limited discount (even free on some airlines) if the circumstances were beyond your control (flat tire rule).
- You cannot be fined for missing your flights. However, some air carriers may impose penalties.
Note: In extreme cases of missing your flight (habitual offender), some airlines can ban you from traveling on their flights for a certain period.
What is the First Step You should take after a Missed Flight?
The Airlines do not like people who miss their flight without informing them. They declare such travelers a “no-show”. So, the first thing you should do is to inform your airline staff about your missing flight (the prospect of missing it if you know that you will be late). It will prevent you from being a “no-show” and help you to get alternative solutions. You can then ask for the next available flight to your destination. Being a no-show results in the cancellation of your entire itinerary. Travelers lose the ticket value for even connecting flights or return journeys they may have planned.
Options Available after you Missed a Flight
After missing your flight, you will have the following options if you inform the Airline within the specified time limit.
- Rebook the ticket on a later flight to your destination.
- Join the standby list (if no reservations are available currently).
- Opt for automatic rebooking through the Airline (available for specific classes/fare types/circumstances).
- You can also continue your journey with a different airline.
Ticket Refund Rules in Case of Flight Missed?
The refund policy on missed Flights is among the trickiest parts of the Aviation industry. The main factors deciding the refund on your missed flight tickets are:
- Ticket Fare Type
- Travel Class
- Member of Loyalty Programs/ Elite Status
- Cause of Missing Your Flight
- Ariline’s Policy
Cases Eligible for Partial or a Total Refund
You can receive a refund (full or partial) for premium travel classes. Refundable fare types offer you the flexibility to rebook after a missed flight at discounted prices. Frequent flyers of the Airline (with high credit miles) also get flexible options for rebooking after missing their flights.
If passengers are members of a loyalty program or have Elite Status offered by the Airline, they may be eligible for a full or partial refund. Flights missed due to natural disasters and emergency medical conditions typically receive a full refund on almost all airlines. You can also get a full refund for flights missed due to the Airline’s fault.
Circumstances Not Eligible for a Refund
- The Airline’s flight, which you missed entirely due to your own fault (late sleep/forgot boarding time), is non-refundable.
- Certain fare types (non-refundable ones) cannot be refunded if you miss your flights.
- You are also barred from your entire itinerary (connecting and return flights) when you do not inform the Airline about your missed flight.
Rebooking Fees for Missed Flights
How much you will have to pay after missing your flight depends on the Airline’s policies and related circumstances.
- Airlines charge a rebooking fee for flights that have been missed.
- Travelers with Elite status and flexible fare types are exempt from the flight rebooking fee.
- You will not incur rebooking fees if you have purchased special fare tickets.
- All major airlines charge the fare difference for most types of reservations.
- Travelers are rebooked on a new flight free of cost if the cause of missing a flight is from the Airline’s side.
We have presented the rebooking charges for several airline carriers below for the benefit of passengers.
| Type of Airline | Rebooking Rules | Additional Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Prime U.S. Airlines (e.g., United, Delta, American) | Rebooking allowed on the next available flight (subject to availability of the seats in the desired flight). | Generally free if within policy |
| Budget U.S. Airlines (e.g., Spirit, Frontier) | Rebooking incurs a fee, typically between $50–$100, plus any fare difference. | Yes, additional charges apply |
| European Budget Airlines (e.g., Ryanair, EasyJet) | No rebooking; requires purchase of a new ticket. | Full fare for a new ticket |
| International/Full-Service Airlines (e.g., Emirates, Lufthansa) | Free rebooking or provided vouchers for hotel and meals if caused by airline fault (e.g., cancellations). | Typically covered by the airline |
Be sure to purchase higher-tier tickets to avoid additional charges while rebooking your flight tickets. Trippers should carefully review the terms and conditions of the Airline’s missed flight guideline (which you were planning to board).
Luggage Retrieval Process after a Missed Flight
If your luggage is already loaded onto the aircraft when you miss your flight, the Airline will make every effort to ensure that it is redirected to follow you on your new travel plans. Travelers’ luggage will be re-tagged with the updated information and transferred accordingly in the event of an automatic booking. Your luggage may also be securely stored at the airport until a new flight is assigned to you. This system is available for passengers when the rebooking process is not near. You can also get your bags secured at the airport if you do not receive a new ticket promptly.
Missed Flight Ticket Rebooking In Case of the Airline’s Fault
Travelers can also miss their flights due to the Airline’s fault (airport issues/earlier flight delays, or overbooking caused by technical faults). In all cases of flights missed due to the Airline, travelers will receive automatic rebooking at no additional cost. You are also allowed to change your flight dates at your discretion for a flight missed due to the Airline’s responsibility.
How to Avoid Missing a Flight?
While there are remedies available in case you miss a flight, you should always try to avoid missing a flight. We have shared some tips that will help you board your flight on time.
| Time | Useful Tips |
| Before Reaching the Airport | Fix multiple alarms: You can set one alarm for rousing up, one for departing from your house/office on time, and the final one for “last call” boarding.
Review maps of your boarding airport: Understand security and check-in gate distances (e.g., some airport has a 15-minute tram ride for the boarding process). |
| At the Airport | Arrive 2 hrs early for domestic flights and 3 hrs for international. Add 1 hr for peak seasons.
Wear slip-on shoes to speed through security. Download the official app of the airline for real-time gate change warnings. |
| For Connecting Flights | Lowest layover: 1.5 hrs+ for domestic flights / 2.5 hrs+ for international flights.
Book protected connections like a same airline reservation (to get free ticket rebooking due to their responsibility). |
Wrap Up
You can never predict an unfavorable situation that can lead to the cancellation of your flight booking. However, you can rebook your flight ticket after a missed flight on all Airlines. You should be familiar with the relevant rules to rebook your flight ticket easily. Take personalized support from experts at gethumandesk.com by dialing Call Us : +1-833-923-5122 for flight ticket bookings. You can get solutions for all your flight reservation-related problems 24/7.
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