If you booked your flights on separate tickets and the first one is late, the second airline is not obliged to wait for you, rebook you or refund you. You can still limit the damage, but you have to act quickly and do the rebooking yourself.
Why separate tickets are different
On one ticket, the airline is responsible for the whole journey and rebooks you if you miss a connection. On separate tickets, each airline is only responsible for its own flight. The second airline sees a passenger who did not turn up. See one ticket or separate tickets for the full comparison.
As soon as you know you will be late
- Contact the second airline before its flight leaves. Call or use its app or chat. Explain that your earlier flight is delayed, and ask what they can do. Some airlines will move you to a later flight, sometimes for a fee, if you contact them before departure. Once the flight has gone and you are a no-show, your options shrink.
- Ask what happens to the rest of that booking. On many airlines, missing one flight cancels the remaining flights on the same reservation, including a return. Ask the airline to keep them, and get the answer in writing if you can.
- Look for alternatives yourself. Later flights on the second airline, other airlines on the same route, and nearby airports.
Check your rights on the first ticket
Your first airline does owe you something if its own flight is badly disrupted:
- If the first flight is cancelled, or delayed three hours or more (six on an international flight), and you choose not to travel, you can get that ticket refunded. That may be the better option if the connection is already lost. See refund or rebooking.
- If the delay was within its control, it may owe you meals or other commitments while you wait for its flight. See meal and hotel vouchers.
It does not owe you anything for the second flight you missed.
Your checked bags
Bags on separate tickets are not checked through. You collect them at the connecting airport and check them in again, so allow for baggage claim, the check-in desk and security. If you miss the second flight, your bags are with you, which at least gives you freedom to change plans.
Who pays
Usually you, unless you have cover. Check whether your travel insurance includes missed connection cover, and whether your credit card's trip delay benefit applies to the extra costs. Keep every receipt, and get the first airline's confirmation of its delay in writing. See trip delay cover.
If you are booking now
Allow several hours between separate tickets, or an overnight stop if the second flight really matters, travel with carry-on only if you can, and avoid making the second flight the last one of the day. See how long a layover should be.
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.