Tips for handling a missed flight

❚ Know the rules. Keep a copy of your airline’s contract of carriage (available from its website) or EU Regulation 261 on your smartphone for quick access. You can find a full copy of EU Regulation 261 on the EU website: eur-lex.europa.eu.

❚ Hire a travel agent. A trusted travel adviser can help you schedule your ground transportation to ensure you get to the terminal on time. In-theknow agents can also quickly find the next available flight and use their connections to rebook you with a minimum of fuss.

❚ Think outside the box. There’s more than one way to get to your final destination. When David Nico missed a flight from Washington to Norfolk, Va., he rented a car and made the four-hour drive home. Problem solved. Lesson learned? “Consider other travel options if there is going to be a long delay to get to your final destination,” says Nico, a professional speaker and author.