Your first flight was late, you missed your connection, and now you need a new flight and possibly a bed for the night. Who pays depends on two questions: were your flights on one ticket, and was the delay the airline's fault?
The short answer
| Delay within the airline's control | Weather or air traffic control | |
|---|---|---|
| One ticket: rebooking | Airline, at no charge | Airline, at no charge |
| One ticket: hotel and meals overnight | Most large airlines commit to it | Usually you, or your own cover |
| Separate tickets: new flight | Usually you | Usually you |
| Separate tickets: hotel and meals | Usually you, or your own cover | Usually you, or your own cover |
One ticket: the rebooking is covered
If both flights are on one ticket, the airline rebooks you on its next available flight at no extra charge, whatever caused the delay. You should not be asked to pay a change fee or a fare difference. See what happens if you miss a connecting flight.
One ticket: the night depends on the cause
If the next flight is tomorrow, and the delay that made you miss the connection was within the airline's control, such as maintenance or crew, most large US airlines commit in their customer service plans to:
- a hotel room and transport to it
- meal vouchers or credits
If the delay was caused by weather or air traffic control, airlines generally do not commit to either, though many can offer discounted hotel rates. Ask.
The cause that counts is the one behind your first flight's delay. If you were told "weather" and are not sure, see is it really a weather delay? and controllable vs. uncontrollable delays. To check what your airline promises, see how to check your airline's delay policy.
Separate tickets: mostly on you
The second airline has no obligation to rebook you, and the first airline is responsible only for its own flight. You will usually have to pay for a new flight and any hotel yourself, unless you have cover. See missed connection on separate tickets.
Your own cover
Trip delay cover from a credit card, or missed connection cover in a travel insurance policy, often pays for reasonable meals, hotels and transport when the airline does not, including for weather. Check the waiting period and conditions. See trip delay cover.
Cash compensation
There is no US rule that pays you cash for a missed connection or the delay that caused it. You may be offered miles or a voucher as a goodwill gesture, especially if you ask. See flight delay compensation in the US.
If the airline will not pay what it committed to
- Book a reasonable hotel and meals yourself, and keep every receipt.
- Screenshot the delay notices and the reason given.
- After the trip, write to the airline quoting its customer service plan. If it refuses, file a complaint with the DOT (here is how to file one).
The same steps apply after a cancellation. See hotel and meals after a cancelled flight.
This guide is general information for US travelers, not legal advice. Rules and airline commitments change; check with your airline or the US Department of Transportation for your specific situation.