Connecting flight cancelled or missed due to a delay? Your rights.
Your first flight was delayed or cancelled, and now you've missed your connection. Here's what the airline owes you, what to do right now, and the one distinction that changes everything.
The short answer
If you miss your connecting flight because the airline's first flight was delayed or cancelled, the airline MUST rebook you on the next available flight at no cost. If the delay exceeds 3 hours (domestic) or 6 hours (international), you can demand a full cash refund for the entire ticket — including the leg you already flew. This only applies when both flights are on the same ticket (one confirmation number). Separate tickets = you're on your own for the missed connection.
Same ticket vs. separate tickets — this changes everything
"Same ticket" means both flights were booked together under one confirmation number (one PNR). "Separate tickets" means you booked each leg independently with different confirmation numbers. This distinction determines whether the airline owes you anything for the missed connection.
Same ticket (one PNR / one confirmation)
✓Airline MUST rebook you on the next available flight — free
✓They must book you on partner airlines if their flights are full
✓Meal vouchers if you wait 2+ hours
✓Hotel + ground transport if overnight (controllable delays)
✓Full cash refund option if delay exceeds 3h domestic / 6h international
✓Refund covers the ENTIRE ticket — including the leg you already flew
Separate tickets (two confirmation numbers)
✗Airline only owes you a refund on the delayed/cancelled leg
✗You're on your own for the missed connection
✗No free rebooking on the second flight
✗You'll likely need to buy a new ticket
✗Travel insurance or credit card trip interruption may help
How to check: same ticket or separate?
Look at your confirmation emails. If both flights share one confirmation code (like "ABC123"), they're on the same ticket. If you got two separate emails with two different codes, they're separate tickets. Booking through a third-party site (Expedia, Google Flights) that shows one itinerary usually means one ticket — but always verify the confirmation number.
What is the airline required to do when you miss your connection?
When both flights are on the same ticket and the airline caused the missed connection (delay, cancellation, mechanical issue), here is exactly what they owe you:
1. Rebook you on the next available flight
The airline must put you on the next flight with available seats to your destination — on their airline or a partner. You should not pay a fare difference. If the only option is a higher fare class, they absorb the cost.
2. Provide meals if the wait exceeds 2 hours
Most airlines provide meal vouchers for delays over 2 hours caused by their operations. This isn't a strict federal mandate, but it's standard practice and part of most airlines' contracts of carriage. Always ask — they won't offer.
3. Provide hotel + ground transport if overnight
For controllable delays (mechanical, crew, operational), the airline should cover hotel and transportation to/from the hotel. For weather delays, this is not required — but always ask, and keep receipts if you pay out of pocket.
4. Offer a full cash refund if you choose not to fly
If the delay to your final destination exceeds 3 hours (domestic) or 6 hours (international), you have the right to cancel the entire trip and receive a full cash refund — to your original payment method, not vouchers. This includes refunding the leg you already completed. The airline must process the refund within 7 business days (credit card) or 20 calendar days (other).
Missed your connection? Do this right now.
Follow these steps at the airport. Speed matters — the sooner you act, the more rebooking options are available.
1
Don't leave the airport — go to the connecting airline's gate or service desk
Head to the gate of your missed connection or the nearest rebooking desk. If you leave the secure area, you'll need to go through security again, which wastes time. Stay airside if possible.
2
Call the airline while waiting in line
Phone agents can rebook you faster than the line at the desk. Call the number on the back of your boarding pass or credit card's travel concierge line (often shorter wait). Check the airline app too — some let you rebook yourself.
3
Ask for rebooking on ANY available flight, not just their airline
Say: 'What is the earliest flight on any airline to [destination]?' Airlines can endorse your ticket to competitors. Also ask about different connecting cities — a routing through Dallas instead of Denver might get you there 4 hours sooner.
4
Request meal vouchers if waiting 2+ hours
Most airlines provide meal vouchers for connections missed due to their delays. They won't offer unless you ask. Say: 'I'd like meal vouchers while I wait for the rebooking.' If they refuse, save your receipts for reimbursement.
5
If overnight: demand a hotel voucher before leaving the airport
If your rebooking is the next morning, ask for a hotel voucher and ground transportation before you leave the terminal. Once you leave without it, getting the airline to cover your hotel is much harder. Say: 'I need a hotel voucher for the overnight delay.'
Screenshot the delay notification, the departures board showing the missed connection, and your original itinerary. Keep all receipts (meals, hotel, rideshare). Photograph your boarding passes. You'll need all of this for compensation claims.
Stranded overnight? Who pays for the hotel?
When a missed connection turns into an overnight stay, who covers the cost depends on why the first flight was delayed. "Controllable delay" means the airline caused it. "Uncontrollable delay" means weather, ATC, or security.
The airline should provide a hotel voucher, ground transportation, and meal vouchers. Ask at the gate or service desk before leaving the airport.
You pay — but your credit card may cover it (uncontrollable delays)
—Severe weather (thunderstorms, snow, hurricanes)
—Air traffic control delays or ground stops
—FAA-mandated closures
—Security incidents
Airlines are not federally required to provide hotels for weather delays. However, many do voluntarily — always ask. If they refuse, pay out of pocket, keep every receipt, and check your credit card trip delay insurance.
Keep ALL receipts
Whether the airline covers the hotel or not, save every receipt — hotel, rideshare, meals, anything. You'll need them for airline reimbursement claims, DOT complaints, credit card trip delay insurance, or travel insurance. No receipt = no reimbursement.
How the October 2026 DOT rule affects missed connections
The DOT's October 2026 rule expanded the definition of "uncontrollable" delays. More situations now fall outside the airline's responsibility, which means fewer cases where they must provide hotels and meals during missed-connection overnights. However, the core refund right is unchanged: if your delay to your final destination exceeds 3 hours (domestic) or 6 hours (international), you can still demand a full cash refund regardless of the cause.
What changed specifically for connections: airlines now have more leeway to classify cascading delays (where your first flight's delay was originally caused by weather at another airport) as "uncontrollable" — even if the weather wasn't at your departure or arrival airport. We'll update this page as enforcement guidance is issued.
Your credit card may cover what the airline won't
Many travel credit cards include trip delay and trip interruption insurance. These cover meals, hotel, and transportation during a missed connection — even for weather delays where the airline refuses to help. This is especially valuable if you booked separate tickets.
Chase Sapphire Reserve / Preferred
6 hours
Up to $500/ticket for meals, hotel, and transport during delay
Citi Strata (formerly Prestige)
3 hours
Up to $500/ticket — lowest trigger among major cards
Capital One Venture X
6 hours
Up to $500/ticket for delay expenses
Amex Platinum
6 hours
Up to $500 for delays; trip interruption covers separate-ticket gaps
To file a claim: call the number on the back of your card (not the airline). You'll need receipts for expenses during the delay, proof of the delay (screenshot the airline app), and your original itinerary. Claims typically process in 7-14 days.
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Frequently asked questions
What happens if I miss my connecting flight because the first flight was delayed?
If both flights are on the same ticket (one confirmation number / one PNR), the airline is fully responsible. They must rebook you on the next available flight at no cost — including on partner airlines if needed. If the resulting delay to your final destination exceeds 3 hours (domestic) or 6 hours (international), you can demand a full cash refund for the entire ticket, including the leg you already flew. You do not have to accept vouchers.
Does the airline have to rebook me if I miss my connection?
Yes — if both flights were booked on the same ticket. The airline must put you on the next available flight to your destination at no additional cost. They can rebook you on their own flights or endorse your ticket to a partner airline. If you booked two separate tickets (two different confirmation numbers), the airline that delayed you is only responsible for that leg — not the second flight.
Can I get a refund if I miss my connecting flight?
Yes. Under DOT rules (14 CFR Part 260), if the missed connection results in a delay of 3 or more hours to your final destination (domestic) or 6 or more hours (international), you have the right to a full cash refund of the entire ticket — including the leg you already completed. The airline must refund to your original payment method within 7 business days (credit card) or 20 calendar days (other methods). You do not have to accept rebooking.
Who pays for the hotel if I'm stranded overnight on a connection?
If the missed connection was caused by the airline (mechanical issue, crew problem, operational decision) and both flights are on the same ticket, the airline should provide hotel accommodation and ground transportation. For weather delays, airlines are not federally required to provide hotels, though many do voluntarily. If the airline refuses, pay out of pocket, keep all receipts, and file for reimbursement. Your travel credit card may also cover overnight expenses.
What if I booked my flights on separate tickets?
This is the critical distinction. If you booked separate tickets (two different confirmation numbers — common with budget airlines or when booking legs independently), the airline that delayed your first flight is only responsible for that leg. They owe you nothing for the second flight you missed. You would need to buy a new ticket for the onward flight. Travel insurance or credit card trip interruption coverage may help, but the airline won't.
How long does the airline have to rebook me?
There is no specific federal time limit on how long the airline has to rebook you. However, they must put you on the next available flight with open seats. If they can't get you out within a reasonable time, you always have the option to take a full refund instead (once the delay exceeds 3 hours domestic / 6 hours international). Airlines cannot indefinitely strand you without offering the refund option.