What happens if you miss a flight?

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Hi all,

I am hoping that someone out there can answer this question for me... what happens if you miss a flight?

My friend has a bunch of Delta miles and wants to take a trip in conjunction with a cruise. The only thing is that the flight that requires the least amount of miles is at 7am and the cruise gets back to Miami around 7am. The other 6 flights of the day require more miles. So if she "buys" that flight and then misses it, what will happen? Will she go standby? Does she have to pay any money,etc? It's not during a holiday period or anything like that.

Thanks!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Hi all,

I am hoping that someone out there can answer this question for me... what happens if you miss a flight?

My friend has a bunch of Delta miles and wants to take a trip in conjunction with a cruise. The only thing is that the flight that requires the least amount of miles is at 7am and the cruise gets back to Miami around 7am. The other 6 flights of the day require more miles. So if she "buys" that flight and then misses it, what will happen? Will she go standby? Does she have to pay any money,etc? It's not during a holiday period or anything like that.

Most airlines have a rule that's commonly called the "flat tire" rule.

This rule applies to passengers who get to the airport a maximum of two hours after their scheduled departure and explain that they had an unexpected delay (such as a flat tire). The airline will typically allow the passenger to fly standby on a later flight and waive any standby fee. That standby flight could be the same day; it might be the next day. It depends on available seats and standby priority.

After two hours, the ticket becomes worthless if the passenger did not call the airline before the departure. The passenger would then have to buy a new one-way ticket, typically at the ridiculously high, full, undiscounted, walk-up fare.

I think it's a bad plan.

 

[safetymom]

That is a risky thing to do. Some airlines no longer have the flat tire rule. If their flights are full that day you could be out of luck.

 

[bavaria]

If I read this correctly, she is intentionally booking flight knowing in advance that she has no way of making that flight, correct? It can take up to several hours to disembark from a cruise ship.

As an example, I was on a cruise which arrived at 5am, I was one of the first to disembark and exited the cruise ship terminal around 930am; my flight was at 1pm (and I have the ability to bypass Customs and Immigration, and use the faster security line)

She has a few options

• book a flight which she expects to fly
• try for same day standby - I don't know if Delta allows this (Air Canada does NOT; United has a program to confirm a flight within 4 hours for $25 - there is no guarantee that she would get onto a later flight
• purchase the flight at 7am and continue to contact SkyMiles to see if it can be changed until the day of departure (I don't know if Delta charges for this)

I have booked a late flight and called United Mileage Plus or stood by at the airport for an earlier flight, but I would never intentionally purchase a flight (with money or miles) knowing full well that I had no intention of making that flight.

If these are risks that she is prepared to take, nothing is stopping her.

 

[bavaria]

and in case I was not clear, I am in full agreement with two of the posters I trust and respect the most here (the ones who posted while I was typing...)

 

[bavaria]

Here are Delta's rules for non-elite members (and I always suggest checking the airline website first, rather than taking information from this website as the final word)

Remember, she runs a risk that another flight MAY NOT be available. You talk about holidays, etc but may not realize that business travel may fill flights on weekdays, Sundays, etc. I fly almost weekly and almost every single seat on almost every single flight is full.

Same-day Confirmed Travel
The same-day confirmed option allows you to change your flight time on the same day of travel for a fee of $25. To use the same-day confirmed option, you must confirm your new flight within 3 hours of the scheduled departure time. If you have a flexible fare (usually a refundable ticket), you may be able to change your itinerary without a fee.

You can use the same-day confirmed option for travel within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Delta and Delta Connection® flights.

Limitations
This option is limited to specific flight routing and connection changes.

You can change from a connection flight to a nonstop/direct flight.
You will be booked in the same class of service you were originally ticketed.
If you are a Medallion member currently confirmed for an upgrade in V class, you will be rebooked in Coach class and need to request a an upgrade for your new flight.

The following are not permissible:

No changes between origin, destination, or co-terminals (such as New York’s LaGuardia and JFK airports).
No changes to routing for fares that are flight specific or require specific routing.
Service Charges
You can confirm your new flight for $25 within 3 hours of the departure time. If you are changing prior to 3 hours of the flight departure time, the standard rules of your fare will apply.

Example: If you are scheduled on a 9:00am flight and would like to take a 7:00pm flight on the same day, you can request the same-day confirm option as early as 4:00pm. If you request a change prior to 3 hours of the flight departure time, the standard rules of your fare will apply.

Award Ticket Applicability
The same-day confirmed option is available for Award Tickets. However, these rules do not apply if you are using Medallion unlimited complimentary upgrades or other upgrade products.

 

[seashoreCM]

How about booking the flight the next day. Any availability for the price/miles desired?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Thanks everyone. I spoke with my friend and gave her all your input. The cruise docks at 8am so she may not even get to the airport until 9am at the VERY earliest. She would definitely arrive after that "two hour window", even if all things went perfect (and how often does that happen?).

Anyway, to make a long story short, we are staying in Miami another day and she can catch the 7am flight the following morning (that is available, too). Oh bummer, we have to stay on vacation an extra day!

Thanks again!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

TAnyway, to make a long story short, we are staying in Miami another day and she can catch the 7am flight the following morning (that is available, too). Oh bummer, we have to stay on vacation an extra day!

That a good plan! Enjoy Miami. There's are all sorts of things to do there.