I am flying soon and have a connecting flight with a 5 hour layover. I know there is an earlier flight to my destination. When I land, I would like to see if I could get on that flight. How would I do that? Do they charge a fee?

Which airline? Domestic or international flight? Generally most airlines do charge a fee for this these days.

If you have not checked any bags, just go to the gate for the departing flight you want and ask if you can be accommodated. They may or may not, and may or may not charge a fee. If you have checked anything the chances of getting on board approach nil.

I just tried that Tuesday and was told by American Airlines that my class of ticket didn't permit me to get on the earlier flight.

Sad fact of airline travel: More convenience equals more money. Often, not always. You can see what you can negotiate with the gate agent at the point of departure, but not so much at the connecting gate unless, as mentioned, you do not have luggage to transfer. A lesson learned?

Is the earlier flight on the same airline? I would call them with your question. I don't believe there is a universal answer for the situation.

I have had luck doing this while I was checking in for the first flight, but have almost always paid a fee.

Occasionally my layover in MIA would go so smoothly that I'd find I had time to catch an earlier connection, but I always had checked bags and the answer was a categorical NO. Ask when you check in.

I actually was able to do this on a Delta flight some time in the last year. I forget exactly when, though.

It did not cost me any extra. I have the lowest level elite status with their frequent flyer program, but I don't know whether that played a role in either being allowed to switch or the no fee part.

I was able to do this even with checked bags. They told me straight up that they would not switch my bags to the earlier flight and that they would not deliver them to me; I would have to return to the airport for them myself (which was no problem in this case).

Thanks for all your help. Its the same carrier but I do have checked luggage and realize now that it would not work. But, thanks!