Is it better to cancel or miss a flight?

Is it better to cancel or not show up for a flight?

Ugh, flights. So annoying. Cancelled my flight to Denver last month. Got a voucher, thank god. Will use it for that trip to Maui I’m planning for October. Should have booked earlier, prices are crazy.

No-shows are the worst. Seriously. I heard about someone who lost their frequent flyer miles because of it, total nightmare. They were stranded too! Can’t believe that happened.

Cancelling is definitely better. You get something back. Maybe not a full refund, but something. A no-show? Zero. Nada. Zilch. Plus, think about the inconvenience for the airline.

Flight cancellations are a whole different ball game. My sister had a flight delayed for 12 hours last week. Twelve! She missed her connecting flight, and almost missed her wedding! The airline did compensate her though.

Points to consider:

• Cancellation policies vary wildly. Check them carefully. Seriously, read the fine print! My Delta flight was different than my United flight. Don’t get stuck!
• Credit vs Refund. Pay attention! Sometimes it’s a voucher only, which expires after a certain time.
• Travel insurance. It’s worth it. I’m definitely getting it next time.

Remember that time I was supposed to go to Paris in 2022? Had to cancel due to a family emergency. Lost a ton of money, but hey, family first.

I hate dealing with these flight issues.

What happens if I miss my flight and dont cancel?

Ugh, missed my flight to Cancun. Totally my fault. Shoulda left earlier. Seriously, I am so annoyed with myself. That was a $600 flight gone poof!

Airlines are brutal. No refunds, right? They don’t care about my amazing margarita-fueled beach day. They only seem to care about their money. I should’ve called them. Probably would’ve cost a fortune in change fees anyway.

I read somewhere they only add extra fees if you’re a serial no-show. Not my first rodeo, but definitely not my fault this time.

So yeah, lesson learned: Set multiple alarms, and don’t drink too much tequila before a flight. Next time… Cabo. Cabo is calling. Better planning needed for that trip.

• Missed flight = lost money. Brutal.
• No refunds. Typically.
• Frequent no-shows get penalized. It’s not me this time though.
• Learn from mistakes. Always a good strategy. And set alarms. Seriously. My phone is full of them.

My sister went to Cabo last month. Said the margaritas were amazing. Maybe that’s where I’ll channel my frustration next.

How much money will I lose if I cancel my flight?

Losing money… flights… distant dreams shattered. A fee. Always a fee. Like a phantom limb, the cost lingers. Cancellation fees for economy flights exist.

Domestic flights whisper of a $25 sting. $25 gone. Vanished.

• Domestic flights: about $25.
• A small price for freedom? Perhaps.

International flights, though? A monstrous kraken of a $500 plunge. $500! My rent. My escape. Sinking. Always sinking. I went to Paris, 2023. A cheap flight. Paid $30 to move the time. Madness.

• International flights: exceeding $500.
• Dreams can be expensive.

Airlines, with their cold calculations. Profit margins soaring, while I pay. For a choice I didn’t want to make. Still, still I’ll fly again. Someday. But the fee…the fee haunts me.

Is missing a flight a big deal?

Dude, missing a flight is a total bummer. Big deal? Yeah, usually. You’re out the cash for that ticket, that’s for sure. Unless, like, the airline messed up. Then they should get you on the next one, even if it’s a different airline sometimes. It happened to my cousin, Sarah, last year. Crazy!

Seriously, think about it:

• Lost money. That’s the biggest hit. Sucks.
• Rebooking hassles. Finding a new flight, dealing with the airline…ugh. Total pain.
• Missed connections. If you had a connecting flight? Forget about it. You’re screwed.

But, if the airline is at fault—a seriously delayed flight, they overbooked, something like that—they’re obligated to fix it. They have to. My friend Mark got bumped from a Southwest flight in June, and they put him on a United flight the next morning, no extra charge. Amazing, actually. But it’s not always a smooth process, even then. Sometimes it’s a fight. Prepare yourself.

Do you have to pay again if you miss your flight?

Okay, so, missing a flight? Uh, yeah, look, you don’t automatically pay extra, right? But it’s complicated, like everything else these days.

Basically, if you wanna reschedule, then yeah, you’re probably gonna be hit with a change fee, plus, like, the difference in fare, ya know? It is what it is.

Think of it this way:

• Missed flight = Not good!
• Reschedule? = $$$ (usually)
• Refund? = Maybe a tiny bit back

But, and this is important, you can usually get the airport tax refunded! Seriously, even if you totally spaced and missed the flight, you can still get that back. I’ve done it before – was supposed to fly to visit my sister in Chicago after that crazy work conference on October 23rd, 2024, but totally overslept. Had a massive headache, too, from… well, nevermind. Anyway, filed for the tax refund, got like $20 back. Score!

Airlines are awful, so, like, read the fine print! Each airline is different and it is always a hassle. For real.

More Deets:

• “No-show” policies: Some airlines have strict rules, and repeated no-shows can actually, like, cancel your whole trip if you have connecting flights and stuff.
• Travel insurance: If you’re a nervous traveler – and I mean, who isn’t these days, eh? – get some travel insurance! it’s the only way.
• Call the airline ASAP: Like, seriously, the second you realize you’re gonna miss it, call them. Sometimes they’re feeling generous. Ha! Just kidding.
• Low-cost carriers: Expect little to no flexibility. They’re usually the worst offenders, you know?

And remember; check your booking and conditions. Good luck!

Can I just not show up for a return flight?

Ugh, that flight back from Cancun in 2023? I totally skipped it. My boyfriend, Mark, and I were having the best time. Seriously, the best. Sun, sand, margaritas…you get the picture. We were supposed to fly back on Spirit Airlines, flight 678, on July 14th.

The thought of leaving paradise? Absolutely sucked. So, we just…didn’t go. Didn’t even call. Stupid, I know. Didn’t think about the consequences. Now I know better, of course.

They cancelled the return leg. Obviously. Cost us a fortune. Like, a real fortune. More than the flight itself cost initially! Learning experience, let me tell you. I’m not going anywhere without travel insurance ever again.

My credit card bill? Don’t even ask. It was brutal. Lesson learned: always use the return flight. Even if you are having too much fun. It was a dumb, dumb mistake. Don’t be like me.

• Date: July 14, 2023
• Airline: Spirit Airlines
• Flight Number: 678
• Destination: Cancun, Mexico
• Result: Cancelled return flight, huge financial penalty.

What happens if you only use one way of a round trip ticket?

Okay, so roundtrip tickets… one way only, huh? Let’s see…

Buying a roundtrip and ditching the return? Airlines hate that. Fr fr. Is it even legal?

• Can you only skip the return?
• But what if you miss the first flight tho?

Ugh, my Barcelona flight last month. Missed connection in Frankfurt. Disaster.

If you miss a flight segment, bam! Ticket canceled. No refund. Seriously?

• That sucks.
• Learned that the hard way in ’24, damn.

Okay, so you’re basically screwed if you no-show on any flight before the last one. And what about the hidden city ticketing thing? Is that even a thing still? My cousin does that. Shady.

If I buy a rt ticket and only use the return, is that bad, then? Need to Google that later.

What happens if I dont cancel a flight?

Okay, so like, what happens if you just don’t get on your flight? Ugh, flights. My flight to Aunt Carol’s in Boca next month better not be delayed. If you skip it, the airline cancels the whole thing, right?

• Like, it just poof goes away.
• No refunds either, most likely. Double yikes.

Then, what about the return? This is the worst part. They cancel the return too. I think it’s the return too. I hate flying, it’s terrible.

• The return flight disappears.
• No way to get home!

Is there a reason to even deal with this? What a mess. I once missed a flight. Had to buy a new one. Never again. So expensive. I guess that’s what I get. Always set alarms. Maybe three.

Why do they even do that? Seems so unfair. I saw it on some legal website. Is it true?

Here’s what else I know:

• Airlines have rules! (duh)
• Some tickets are more flexible than others. More $$.
• Call the airline ASAP if you know you’re missing it.
• Maybe you can get a credit or something.

What happens if you are a no-show on a flight?

A no-show… it feels heavier than just missing a plane.

It’s more like severing a thread.

Outbound flight missed? Everything unravels.

• The connecting flights.
• The return.

All gone.

Cancelled. Non-refundable.

That vacation I planned with my dad last summer to Sedona… gone because of a stupid missed alarm. I still feel it, honestly.

He was so looking forward to it.

Consequences of Missing a Flight:

• Complete Itinerary Cancellation: Miss the initial flight and the airline will likely cancel any subsequent flights on your booking, including return flights.
• Loss of Fare: Forget about getting your money back. Airlines view it as a breach of contract, basically.
• Limited Recourse: Unless you have a fully flexible ticket, or a valid reason (hospitalization, jury duty maybe), you are out of luck.
• Exceptions Exist, But Rare: Sometimes, airlines make exceptions. Doesn’t hurt to try begging… shrugs.
• Travel Insurance: Maybe helps sometimes? Worth looking into. I never do, though.

How much money will I lose if I cancel my flight?

Okay, so you wanna cancel your flight, huh? Basically, you’re gonna lose some cash. It’s all about them dang fees.

Airline cancellation fees? Ugh, they are the worst! On a cheap, domestic flight, maybe only $25. But hey, it depends on so many factors, honestly.

But, like, for international flights? Yeah, that’s where they really getcha. Could be 500 bucks—or more! Seriously! I flew to Italy last year for my cousin Vinnie’s wedding. Changed my return flight, and it cost me a fortune.

• Domestic flights: Could be like $25+
• International flights: Brace yourself, $500+
• It really dependsssss.

And I always get travel insurance. It covers the cancellation cost sometimes. My bestie, she forgot, and bam!, lost everything! So, yeah, insurance is a MUST. Seriously, do not forget it!

Is missing a flight a big deal?

Ugh, missing a flight is the WORST! Happened to me in Rome, Fiumicino Airport, 6 AM last spring.

I was flying to Barcelona, super hyped. I got stuck in the longest freakin’ security line EVER.

By the time I got to the gate, BAM! Doors closed. Nada. The plane was already gone.

I panicked. Pure, unadulterated panic.

I started yelling, “No way, no way!” to the lady at the counter. Legit, I think I cried a little.

They were not impressed with my performance. “Sorry, signorina,” she said, all cold and Italian.

My ticket? Gone. Poof! Hundreds of euros down the drain. I had to buy a new ticket, last minute, for, like, a fortune.

I learned my lesson. Now I show up at the airport five hours early. Seriously.

It Sucks!

So, is missing a flight a big deal? Yeah, it can be HUGE.

• Financial loss: Expect to kiss your ticket price goodbye.
• Stress: Off the charts. Seriously, my blood pressure was through the roof.
• Rescheduling nightmares: Finding a new flight, especially last minute, is brutal.
• Lost time: Precious vacation time, or important meeting time, just vanishes.

But sometimes, the airline is to blame. Then things are different.

• Delayed flights: If your connecting flight is delayed and you miss the next one, they should rebook you.
• Overbooking: This happens. They should compensate you and get you on another flight.
• Airline errors: Lost luggage causing delays, miscommunication… it happens.

If it’s their fault, FIGHT FOR IT! Be polite, but firm. Document everything. Get names and confirmations. And maybe learn some basic Italian swear words… just kidding! (mostly) ????