Airline Reservations Cancelled If Late!

All your airline reservations will be cancelled if you miss a flight and do not contact the airline in advance. That's right! If you miss just one flight, your entire flight itinerary is cancelled and that could cost you dearly!

Let's say you have a flight from Bellingham, Washington to Phoenix, Arizona with a stopover and then a connecting flight in Seattle. You have a return flight home with the same itinerary. You've paid for your airline reservations and you're ready to go! Then, as luck has it, you get stuck in traffic and miss the first segment of your flight. You proceed to the check in counter of your selected airline and discover your entire itinerary has been cancelled. Your jaw drops and your heart skips a beat and you can't believe what you're hearing!

I hate to be the first to admit it, but it happened to me recently when heading to a NASCAR Race in Phoenix, Arizona. Driving across the border from Canada down to Bellingham, Washington to catch a cheaper flight, we were delayed 3 hours at the border crossing as it was a holiday. As a result, we missed the first segment of our flight. Without calling the airline, we drove down to Seattle, as we had time to catch segment 2 of our reservations. We rushed to the check in counter and discovered our entire flight reservations had been automatically cancelled. Luckily, the airline was able to accommodate us, putting the three of us on standby. Things worked for us, but it was a lesson well learned. Always read the fine print on your reservations!

Airlines Can and Will Cancel Your Entire Airline Reservations

Yes, the airlines can and will cancel your entire plane reservations if you are a 'no show' or do not call within a prescribed time limit prior to your departure. This is automatic and will happen, as we experienced first- hand. Do not assume if you miss your airline reservations for the first segment of your flights that you still hold reservations for the next segment and returning flights. It is important to read and be familiar with the policies for your selected airline prior to travel.

Have a look at any major airlines policy on missed airline reservations. For normal domestic flights, you need to be at the gate ready to board at least 30 minutes before departure. This is pretty standard with most airlines. For international flights you should be at the gate at least one hour before your flight. With tougher security measures in place and with the extra waits that are now standard to pass through security, it's even more important that you arrive extra early to get to your boarding gate.

Arrived Late And Missed Your Airline Reservations?

If you do arrive late and have missed your flight, you must immediately go to your airlines customer service desk or check in counter. Try to remain calm and do not get angry with the airline representative. They will do what they can to accommodate you. In most cases they will try to arrange to get you on the next available flight. You may have to be put on standby and perhaps pay a surcharge as well, depending on availability. This is standard for most airlines and it's certainly better than having to purchase new tickets at full fare.

The airlines are competing for business and they definitely want your repeat business, so if you remain calm and be as polite as you can with the airline employee, they will do their best for you. They will certainly do their best to assist you and if luck is on your side and your flight isn't sold out, you may just get back on your original reservation.

Just a word of caution to be as early as you can for your departing flight. In the event that you are going to be late, you must call the airline as soon as you can and make them aware of your situation. As well, should you carry a separate cancellation insurance policy and depending on the circumstances, you may be covered for your loss.

Happy travels!

Robert Tellier