Missed Connection Rights & Rebooking Rules
When an airline's delay causes you to miss your connection, they are responsible for getting you to your destination — at no extra cost.
What the DOT Requires
Your rights are protected by the US Department of Transportation. Use this information to escalate your case.
If your flights are on the same booking record (same PNR/ticket) and the airline's delay causes you to miss your connection, they must rebook you at no charge.
If the missed connection results in an overnight delay, most major carriers' Customer Service Plans commit to providing hotel accommodations and meal vouchers when the disruption is within their control.
If your tickets were booked separately, the airline operating the first flight has no legal obligation to accommodate you on the second.
What to say to the airline
Knowing exactly what to say to the customer service agent increases your chances of immediate resolution.
Confirm all flights are on the same booking record (PNR) before asserting your rights — ask the agent to pull up your full itinerary.
Ask to be rebooked on the next available flight, including on partner or codeshare airlines, if your carrier has no availability.
If you are stranded overnight due to a carrier-controllable cause, ask specifically for a hotel voucher and meal credit under their Customer Service Plan.
Avoid: Do not agree to a rebooking that arrives significantly later than your original arrival without first asking about alternatives on other carriers.
Avoid: Do not discard your original boarding passes — they are evidence of the missed connection and may be required for an expense claim.
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