What Should I Do If I Missed My Flight? 5 Steps to Take
Missed your flight? Discover five steps to take immediately, understand rebooking and refund options, check connecting and return flights, and plan your next journey.
Read more
Flights74 articles in FlightsClear
Flight Canceled Refund Rights in the U.S., Explained
Your flight canceled refund rights come from U.S. DOT rules: when the airline cancels the flight, or changes it significantly, and you decline what it offers instead, the fare must be refunded to your original payment method, non-refundable tickets included. The refund is automatic once you turn the offer down.
Flying with an Infant: Lap, Paid Seat and Car Seat Rules
Flying with an infant comes down to one decision: hold the baby on your lap, which federal rules allow until the child's second birthday as long as no restraining device is used, or buy the baby a seat and use a car seat labeled for aircraft. Either way, the baby goes on the booking.
Carry-On vs Personal Item: What Goes Where
Carry-on vs personal item is a question of size and storage. A personal item is the smaller bag that must fit under the seat in front of you, and a carry-on is the larger bag that rides in the overhead bin. Each airline sets the dimensions for both, and your fare decides whether you get one of each.
What Happens If You Accidentally Miss a Flight?
Learn what happens if you accidentally miss a flight, what to do next, and how rebooking, refunds, connecting flights, and airline policies may affect your travel plans.
Best Time to Book Flights: What Actually Moves the Fare
The best time to book flights is not a fixed day or week. It is the moment a fare on your own route fits both your budget and your plans. Demand for that flight, the seats left at each fare level, the season, holidays, school breaks and local events all move the number.
The 24-Hour Flight Cancellation Rule, Explained
The 24-hour flight cancellation rule is a federal requirement in 14 CFR 259.5. When you buy a ticket directly from an airline at least seven days before departure, the airline must either refund you in full if you cancel within 24 hours or hold the quoted price for a day. Travel agency bookings sit outside it.
Basic Economy vs Main Cabin: What You Give Up and When It Pays Off
In the basic economy vs main cabin choice, both fares usually seat you in the same economy cabin; the rules are what differ. Basic economy usually gives up seat choice, changes, upgrades and an early boarding group, and on some airlines a full-size carry-on. Main cabin usually keeps those options open. Rules vary by airline.
Missed Connecting Flight: What Happens Next and What to Do
A missed connecting flight on a single ticket is normally the airline's problem to fix: it rebooks you on a later departure at no new fare. On separate tickets the second airline owes you nothing. Head for the transfer desk and the airline app at once, and keep every boarding pass and receipt.