What Happens if I Miss The Last Connecting Flight of The Day?

SnowDragon on 27/07/2022 - 11:34

I'm travelling from Hobart to Darwin with Virgin in October and after I booked I realized that there's a layover of only 45 minutes between arriving in Melbourne and the flight to Darwin.

The flight to Darwin is the last one departing Melbourne that day and the flight history of the trip to Melbourne has me worried as it's often delayed.

Should I tentatively book a hotel in Melbourne as I may end up staying the night to get on a flight to Darwin the next morning? Does Virgin reimburse me for the costs of the hotel?
Or should I just cancel the flights (for a fee) and re-book with a longer layover?

Poll Options

  • 2
    Cancel and re-book, this time don't be a dumbass
  • 26
    Don't do anything and hope the flight is on time
  • 0
    Hedge your bets with accommodation in Melbourne
Travel

Comments

  • boomramada on 27/07/2022 - 11:36
    +4

    I assume they all from the single ticket, check with the airline first, usually connecting flight get delayed as well with the same airline.

    • SnowDragon on 27/07/2022 - 11:36

      Yep all same booking

    • trustnoone on 27/07/2022 - 11:45
      +2

      Definitely this and definitely check. One time my flight was delayed for an hour, which delayed the next flight by an hour. Everyone was pissed lol but its not always the case, for eg Jetstar and Qantas won't wait (won't even transfer luggage) AFAIK even on same ticket?

  • USER DC on 27/07/2022 - 11:39

    should have had booked with a CC dude and claimed insurance in case of delay

    • boomramada on 27/07/2022 - 11:43
      +1

      Not many CC covers domestic travel issues

      • USER DC on 27/07/2022 - 11:50

        lots do Primarily regarding FLIGHT delays/cancellations etc.

        usually called like

        Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance https://www.westpac.com.au/personal-banking/credit-cards/man…
        Domestic Travel Insurance https://www.anz.com.au/personal/credit-cards/using/premium-i…

        • boomramada on 27/07/2022 - 11:56
          +1

          I got three and none has. I noticed, only in few banks with premium cards does.
          Then again one of the card I got, I don't even need to buy the ticket to get international travel insurance. So I'm good in that sense :)

      • meowsers on 27/07/2022 - 12:30

        Amex platinum charge does. If you get delayed overnight you can pretty much book a $1000 a night hotel room + some incidentals which is nice.

        Domestic Return Trips
        3. You are going on a Domestic Return Trip and You either:
        a. spend $500 or more on accommodation; or
        b. Pay the full amount of Your outbound ticket for a
        Scheduled Flight, Scheduled Cruise, bus or train to Your
        scheduled outbound destination,
        on Your:
        i. American Express Card Account;

        For a situation like this you would receive the following:

        1. Delayed, cancelled, overbooked or missed
          onward Scheduled Flight

        Up to $700
        after 4 hours

        Provides cover if:
        • Your Scheduled Flight departure is delayed by 4 hours or more;
        • Your Scheduled Flight is cancelled;
        • You are denied Scheduled Flight boarding;
        • You miss a Scheduled Flight connection; or
        • Your checked luggage is delayed by 6 hours or more.

        After 4 hours an additional $500 per
        24-hour period
        to a maximum
        of $2,000

  • JimB on 27/07/2022 - 11:46
    +1

    Wouldn't the airline be responsible for your accommodation if it was a single ticket?

    I'd pack my undies and toothbrush on the carry on if you were worried.

  • Donaldhump on 27/07/2022 - 11:47
    +1

    If on the same booking it would be the airlines issue to find you accomodation (imho)

  • Eatslikeacat on 27/07/2022 - 11:54

    You'd throw an adult temper tantrum of course Link 1

    Do first, think later.

  • apu on 27/07/2022 - 11:58

    If it's a single ticket, then it's the airline's problem, not yours. They purposely sell the ticket as a connecting flight, so they will either delay departure of the second flight or will put you up in a room (at this discretion of the duty supervisor I suppose).

  • AndyC1 on 27/07/2022 - 12:08

    What did Virgin say when you asked them what they do/re-reimburse you for etc if you miss the flights due to delays or cancellations?

    • SnowDragon on 27/07/2022 - 12:16
      +7

      They said they have no idea and to ask the wise people of OzBargain.

      • AndyC1 on 27/07/2022 - 15:38

        In that case holiday overseas as it's cheaper.

  • tsunamisurfer on 27/07/2022 - 12:42
    +1

    There is no such thing as after I booked I realised.

    You check everything before pressing book.

  • jjjaar on 27/07/2022 - 14:33
    +1

    Depends on the reason for delay or cancellation. If they can get away with blaming weather, they will still transfer you to the next flight, but won’t likely provide you with any compensation.

  • Mechz on 27/07/2022 - 21:20

    Do you really think there would be no available hotel rooms in Melbourne on that particular day if you are inconvenienced?

    • SnowDragon on 27/07/2022 - 22:39

      Not necessarily about the availability, more the cost of a walk in.

      • Mechz on 28/07/2022 - 15:09
        +1

        Just book something on Expedia or Booking.com while you wait for an Uber or Taxi.

  • Peachout on 28/07/2022 - 23:25

    Dunno about Virgin but my friend missed a connecting flight around Easter maddness time with Qantas due to flight delays and they booked her into a hotel room for free. They also gave her a taxi voucher and meal vouchers which she couldn't use because the kitchen was closed when she got there and didn't open until after she left in the morning. She raided the mini bar. They also lost her bag. But she had planned for that and packed undies and toothbrush in carry on. Bag reappeared next morning and flight was on time. It was a continuous booking.

  • SnowDragon on 08/11/2022 - 21:50
    +1

    FYI I ended up making it to Melbourne in time with about 10 minutes before we started boarding the next flight. It was still nerve wracking and I wouldn't recommend it.

    Our flight from Darwin to Sydney was delayed by 2h so we missed our 8am connecting flight back to Hobart but luckily there was a 9:55am flight that Virgin people rebooked us onto. We landed in Sydney and I had a text + email with our new flight details.

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