Running late to the airport comes in many forms, some more stressful than others. Waited until the last minute to pack? That’s on you. Can’t find your passport? Happens to the best of us. But then there are the circumstances truly beyond our control that make us miss our flight: road closures, striking airport workers, or even a flat tire. The last of these lends its name to a semi-obscure loophole you might not know about when it comes to airline rules. Here’s how the flat-tire rule might just save you a lot of trouble — and money — should you ever need to make use of it.

Unofficial Policy

Here’s the tricky part: Because the flat-tire rule isn’t an official policy, your results will vary depending on the airline you’re flying with. In general, if you miss your flight due to truly unforeseen circumstances, once you arrive at the airport and explain the situation, you’ll be placed on a later flight for no additional cost — either a confirmed seat (if one is available) or on the standby list. If you can provide proof or official documentation (such as a police report or mechanic’s receipt) that the reason you missed your flight was due to reasons outside of your control rather than just poor time management, it can help your case with the agent. 

The policy may also also extend to passengers who missed their original flight after forgetting their travel documents at home and even those with a valid ticket who arrived at the wrong airport. (There are probably many people who have gone to JFK when they meant to go to LaGuardia, after all.) 

According to a guide published by The Points Guy, who reached out to the major U.S. airlines to confirm their policies, your timing matters in this situation. American Airlines and Southwest, for instance, will place you on the next available flight at no additional cost if you show up within two hours after your originally scheduled departure time. Others, like United, provide a 30-minute window for free rebooking or standby on a later flight. 

Should you find yourself in a position where you may miss your flight, your best bet is to contact the airline while still en route so that you aren’t listed as a no-show. That’s easier said than done — airlines aren’t exactly known for having speedy customer service over the phone — but being considered a no-show drastically reduces your chances of a favorable outcome and should be avoided if at all possible. The airline might also cancel your entire itinerary, including your return flight, if you’re considered a no-show, which is why it’s important to speak with someone as soon as you can.

Better Late Than Never

Though far from a sure thing, the flat-tire policy is based on the same idea as a lot of other helpful tools: It never hurts to ask. You may be at the mercy of whoever’s working the ticket counter that day, but if whatever caused your delay was truly unavoidable — and, just as importantly, you can prove it — there’s a decent chance you’ll luck out and make the next flight without incurring any fees. 

Being delayed is never fun, but it beats having to buy another ticket (especially an expensive last-minute one) after already having a bad day before arriving at the airport. Unwritten rules are still rules, after all, and even major airlines may be sympathetic to your plight on occasion.

Featured image credit: © Liudmila Chernetska—iStock/Getty Images