Question re: European low cost airlines
 

This is my situation. We have FF miles to get to Europe but it has to be a round trip ticket. If I was to fly into say Frankfurt and wanted to take a low cost airline to Prague, if my flight from the US to Frankfurt is late, would I have any recourse on the flight to Prague? In other words, if I missed the Frankfurt to Prague flight because my original flight from the US was late(no relationship between carriers), would the low cost carrier book me on the next flight, or am I out of luck and would need to buy another ticket?

I am trying to avoid having to spend an extra night at my round trip destination, but don't want to get stuck with no flight to my next destination.

I guess I would also like to know the answer in reverse, if my low cost carrier from say Milan to Frankfurt is late would United (or whoever) book me on the next flight back to my US destination?

I think the answer is No...the airlines are not responsible if you miss your flights.

Be careful when booking the low cost airlines as they may not even fly out of the same airport. US to Frankfurt flights will land at the main Frankfurt Airport (FRA) but many low cost airlines use Frankfurt Hahn (HHN)which is 80 miles away.

Should have said "several" low cost airlines (not "many") use HHN.

I'm a bit confused about the statement that the FF award has to be "round trip." United (assuming that's the airline you're talking about) allows legal open jaw tickets on FF awards. You don't have to fly into/out of the same European city. Have you called to see if you can get Star Alliance open jaw awards (not available on website) in/out of the cities you want?

No, you're on your own if any of the flights are delayed making you miss your next flight.

You have 2 options:
1. give yourself plenty of "cushion" time between the 2 flights, or even consider staying overnight at your first destination
2. Buy travel insurance - but you'll have to find out which one will cover your situation.

Thanks for the info. That is what I suspected.
Ms go- our FF miles are actually on a Wells Fargo Business card that allows us to fly on any airline. For years they let us do open jaw, but about a year ago they started making it only round trips. A bit frustrating, although we did an Italy trip this summer flying in and out of Milan. Wasn't too big of a deal but this time we are thinking of doing Central Europe, just a bit more difficult to get back to our starting place!