If you miss a lfight that has non-refundable tickets, are they willing to book you on a later one?

Stupid question probably, but, what the heck.

I'd call the airline and ask for its specific policy. It may differ from carrier to carrier.

I just asked this question of United earlier this week and was told that if you miss a flight, they will allow you to stand by for the next flight that day.

I think a lot depends on who you talk to at the airline. One time I was flying on Christmas Day. I made the stupid assumption that everyone flies the day before or after, but nobody flies on Christmas day. I got to the airport an hour before my flight and the lines were so long I missed my flight. They were very nice and put me on the next one without charging me any change fees. But I'm not saying that happens all the time.

Yeah, I'm asking this because my soon-to-be going off to college son has not got a lot of experience flying alone, and will be flying home for holidays. He asked me yesterday, "Well what if I miss my flight?" My response was, DON'T! But you never know...

What the 2 posters above are describing is the same day standby. Most if not all airlines do have this policy, but always remember that it is just a standby, not a guarantee. Once the clock goes past midnight your non-refundable ticket is worthless.

Most if not all airlines do have a policy about non-refundable tickets. They are non-refundable only. If you call the airline before your scheduled flight they will, for a fee retain the remaining value for future use. The fees range from $25 and as high as $200 depending on the airline and the routing.

If you don't call before, then standby for the same day is the only option available to you. There may be an exception or 2 with some airlines, but what I described above applies to most case scenarios.

I wanted to say:

Once the clock strikes midnight and you did not get on any of the following flights, your non-refundable ticket becomes worthless unless you called before your scheduled flight departure.

Just advise your son to get to the airport 3 hours early. That may sound silly to seasoned flyers, but for a newbie it will take the pressure off. Send him some cash to buy a meal and magazine while he hangs out in the terminal.

I have had the impression that if you miss a flight your ticket is still your ticket, but you have to pay the $75 or $100 or whatever they are charging these days for a change. I believe the ticket is good for a year. (I agree with everyone else - tell him to get there early and bring a book!).

The non-refundable part means you can't get your $$$ back.