Options if I miss my flight?

[tims]

Hi

Wonder if anyone's got any suggestions for helping me get round a possible mistake I have made in booking a flight.
I've have booked a non refundable/non changable flight in the USA from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Washington DC in September - the problem is that I've been way too optimistic in thinking I can safely make it to the arport on time (I'm arriving back from a cruise at Miami port the same morning but now have realised it's going to be touch and go if I can make the flight on time after debarkation).
I'm thinking that (as I have to get to Washington on that day) an option could be to book another full fare flight later on that day (different airline) and cancel (and get a full refund) this ticket at the airport if I make it on time OK for my original flight. Any feedback or other ideas appreciated.

 

[MelUser]

I would turn up at the airport on the day and if too late for flight go to ticketing desk and give a reasonable excuse and ask if there is anything they can do.

I have found most airlines to be good at this on the day.

But you have to be prepared for anything including being asked to book and pay for a new seat.

 

[samh004]

I would turn up at the airport on the day and if too late for flight go to ticketing desk and give a reasonable excuse and ask if there is anything they can do.

I have found most airlines to be good at this on the day.

Not the same, as this happened to me in Shanghai, but I overslept, rushed to the airport, got there more than an hour late and they were happy to put me on the next available flight.

Things might be different there, but you never know. They're not all out to get you

 

[v8Statesman]

On one flight from PER-BNE I was driving up from Mandurah (100Km's south). Road works and other traffic issues turned this 1.5 hour trip into 2.5 hours. I knew I was not going to make it. I called QF from the car and they moved my S fare (and U upgrade!) to the next flight.

Good service all round. I just would never want to have to try this on a LCC. (Another reason for flying a legacy carrier.)

 

[tims]

OK, thanks for your replies -problem is there is only one flight per day with the airline I'm flying (Jetblue). I'll keeping checking out alternate flights on the same day and see if there is any refundable tickets...

 

[serfty]

In the USA they have this thing often referred to as "The Flat Tyre Rule".

Have the carrier's telephone number and your booking reference at hand and be prepared to call.

 

[uzza]

Does the "Flat Tyre Rule" apply when you are flying into the airport and that flight is delayed and you miss the next flight? I have an AA flight from MIA-LAX and a 2.5hr layover in LAX then LAX-AKL-MEL and it's all on one itinerary sold by Qantas. On the off chance that the AA flight is really late and I miss my AU bound flight is QF/AA responsible for getting me back to AUS? I'll have full travel insurance also so I'm conifident they would cover it but I'm curious where the responsiblity lies.

 

[JohnK]

In the USA they have this thing often referred to as "The Flat Tyre Rule".

Sounds like a good rule.

Have the carrier's telephone number and your booking reference at hand and be prepared to call.

You posted at the same time as the OP. It is a Jetblue flight and only one flight per day....

 

[Fifa]

I dont know if you are aware of the disembarkation options.

One is an early (unassisted) disembarkation where you get off before everyone else and take ALL your luggage with you. (As opposed to leaving it outside your cabin the night before and picking it up on the dock when your number is called!)

We have done it on two occasions in the US and one in Europe and have been off the ship by 8.30am each time.

 

[Blackadder]

Indee most cruise lines give priority disembarkation to those that have flights to catch, so a unassisted disembarkation may be the ideal option and then give you time to get from dockside to airside.

 

[tuapekastar]

Does the "Flat Tyre Rule" apply when you are flying into the airport and that flight is delayed and you miss the next flight? I have an AA flight from MIA-LAX and a 2.5hr layover in LAX then LAX-AKL-MEL and it's all on one itinerary sold by Qantas. On the off chance that the AA flight is really late and I miss my AU bound flight is QF/AA responsible for getting me back to AUS? I'll have full travel insurance also so I'm conifident they would cover it but I'm curious where the responsiblity lies.

AFAIK, you will be 'protected', as it is one itinerary. I don't even think flat tyre rules even enter into it in this case.

 

[tims]

I dont know if you are aware of the disembarkation options.

One is an early (unassisted) disembarkation where you get off before everyone else and take ALL your luggage with you. (As opposed to leaving it outside your cabin the night before and picking it up on the dock when your number is called!)

We have done it on two occasions in the US and one in Europe and have been off the ship by 8.30am each time.

Yes, thanks we are going to do this. If we are lucky and there are no delays with debarkation and customs then it should be OK and we can catch our shuttle.
I've asked the same question on cruisecritic dot com - some have had no delays and others have had to wait until midday!!
Anyway lesson learnt, - I should have checked this before booking the flight. Not that we can afford to go cruising again anytime soon!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I have an AA flight from MIA-LAX and a 2.5hr layover in LAX then LAX-AKL-MEL and it's all on one itinerary sold by Qantas

This is the best option when it's all in the one booking because QF has responsibility for the pnr . It's when you book flights in separate pnr's that some airlines wash their hands of you, sometimes even when it's the same airline.

Not sure whether at certain times of the day or night QF reservations in the US diverts back to Australia in which case they might be more helpful that if dealing with AA.