6 point plan if you miss your flight

There's a fine line between making it across the check-in counter and reaching the airport just in time. The fact that you missed your flight and they closed the boarding gates just when you were nearing the depature terminal is quite common. Here's what you should keep as a mental checkpost if you're ever caught in such a situation.



' Stay calm. All that running around, after clearing all those security hurdles can leave you tired. Chances are you are either going to break down or have a yelling match. Instead, take a deep breath and eat a cupcake, if you have to. Just don't panic. It also helps you conserve energy and think of what to do next.

' Find an airline representative and get as much information as you can. Nine out of ten times, you will end up speaking to a person who will readily offer to bail you out of a messy situation, at a cost. Beware. It always helps to know more. Read the airline guidelines and refer to their terms and conditions section titled refund.

' If you missed your flight because your previous flight caused your delay, you have some recourse when it comes to getting on another flight expeditiously. As long as it was with the same airline, you should not be charged a change fee.

' Be nice to the staff. Everyone has a breaking point, but being nice can actually encourage someone to go out of their way for you. The airline employee appreciates this much more than being told they are useless.

' Always get travel insurance. What most travellers don't realise is that travel insurance doesn't only cover your luggage, but also works against flight cancellations, delays and the unlikely possibility of missing your flight. If you are booking through websites like makemytrip.com, try to avail of their travel insurance policies, which, at an additional cost, can help you save a major part of your ticket cost.u00a0

' Know your co-passengers. More often than not, at any airport, you will find harrowed passengers, who like you, might have missed their flights. Look for people travelling with a family (ideally) and approach them to offer and seek help. Figuring out a way in a group will help you travel faster, think better and stay calm.