If you’re delayed on your way to the airport because of a summer thunderstorm, you might think you’re out of luck. Most airlines now gladly charge you a full walk-up fare for the next flight when you don’t get to the gate on time — even if it’s for a reason beyond your control.
Here’s a secret: The so-called “flat tire” rule still exists in some places, notably Southwest Airlines. You just have to remind the ticket agent that it’s still there. And in some cases, you need to know what it’s called.
For example, at US Airways, it isn’t called a “flat tire” rule. It’s referred to as the “two-hour” rule.
This is from a US Airways insider, who retrieved the text of the two-hour policy from its reservation system:
A passenger who has missed their schedule flight based on unforeseen causes ie. flat tire, accident, traffic delays may standby without penalty or charges provided:
1. The passenger arrives at airport no later than two hours after departure of their confirmed flight, except if it’s the last flight of the day, in which case, they can standby on first flight next morning.
2. The passenger must standby on flights of same airline as their ticketed flightThe 2-hour rule is not to be solicited or referred as part of fare rule to circumvent voluntary changes. In-house exception made only when passenger has made an attempt to make originally scheduled flight.
In other words, US Airways employees must not advertise the rule to their customers. But they can, at their discretion, waive the fare rules and rebook a passenger on the next flight at no charge.
At a time like now, when summer thunderstorms are likely to cause massive flight delays, it’s good to know that airlines will cut you a little slack.
What’s not so good is that you need to know the secret password. Otherwise, you may have to pay for a new ticket.
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And we all know how the airlines react to SAPS like you and I when THEY are 2+ hours late…they laugh at us and spit in our faces. Joseph Stalin was born too soon…he would have been warmly welcomed into the cozy coterie of overpaid IATA carrier CEOs.
It’s not a secret. Frontier Airlines usually advises their “two hour rule” policy if you miss your flight, AND, you can pay a flat fee to confirm a seat on the next flight. If you bought a Classic Plus ticket, you won’t have to pay a penny to confirm a later flight the same day.
American airlines has a far more generous rule. Unless forbidden by the fare rules, you can stand by for any flight later or earlier in the same day that travels to your destination without penalty.
I onced booked a 7am flight but due to unforeseen work issues,ended up taking the 6pm flight. No drama at all.
American Airlines really came through for me 2 Fridays ago when I overslept and missed a flight to a cruise. I woke up as my first flight was supposed to be landing at DFW. They reinstated my ticket with no fees, extremely lucky since I was flying on frequent flyer miles. The only issue is all the flights to anywhere out my local airport were sold out/overbooked for the next 3 days, except one Southwest flight to Dallas. American agreed to let me start my journey at DFW, and I took the Southwest flight to Love Field then took a taxi to DFW.
The only cost to me for the entire mistake – the last minute one way ticket on Southwest, the taxi from Love Field to DFW, and the time I lost sightseeing in Vancouver. Thank you American (and my travel agent who came up with the Southwest flight) for coming to my rescue.
So what is the password if one just misses a Continental flight?
Please?
Kidding aside, the passenger ought to either go straight to the airline counter or call them ASAP despite missing the flight due to thunderstorms. The sooner it’s brought to their attention, the sooner some can check if the passenger can still be put on the next flight or so without necessarily paying extra fees.
Of course, there’s always the risk you might get a rather unsympathetic agent. But in my experience dealing with some airlines, especially U.S.-based ones, many are willing to help if there’s especially room for one more.
I remember the nightmare I had when I missed a United flight and it was their fault. It was a connecting flight and the agent at the counter didn’t want any part of it. I felt like I was being lectured on how important it is to be on time although my transportation to the airport in question was another United flight. I asked for a supervisor and he called the TSA. Luckily I was able to speak with a supervisor and the supervisor apologized for my inconvenience and put me on the next flight that was 8 hours later. I asked for a food voucher or something so I could grab a bite to eat and I was offered nothing. After that I decided I would never go through Dulles again.
In my experience *calling* the airline is not something you should do if you are just about to miss your flight; it will very likely result in them charging you, while just showing up at the airport will very likely result in being put on the next available flight for free.
Contacting the reservation desk is the best option