If you miss a TAP Air Portugal flight, the airline’s policies, as outlined in their Conditions of Carriage and applicable regulations such as EU Regulation 261/2004, will apply. TAP Air Portugal, the national carrier of Portugal and a Star Alliance member, operates from its hub in Lisbon. Below is an overview of what happens and your options when you miss a flight, based on available information.
No-Show Policy
If you miss your flight without notifying TAP Air Portugal at least one hour before departure, you are considered a "no-show." This may result in the forfeiture of the ticket value, and subsequent flights in your itinerary, such as return or onward flights, may be canceled, as the airline treats the itinerary as a single contract.
- Notification: To avoid no-show penalties, contact TAP Air Portugal at least one hour before departure via their Contact Center, website, mobile app, or airport counter. Prompt notification may allow rebooking or preserve the validity of remaining flight segments.
- Fees: For non-refundable fares like Discount or Basic, a no-show typically results in the loss of the ticket value. Rebooking may incur a no-show fee, which varies by fare type and route, plus any fare difference. Flexible fares like Plus or Top Executive may allow changes with a fee.
- Impact on Itinerary: Missing a flight may lead to the cancellation of the entire reservation, including connecting or return flights, as per the airline’s policy.
Rebooking Options
If you miss a flight due to reasons within your control, rebooking is possible but subject to availability and fare rules. You can manage changes through the TAP Air Portugal website under Manage Booking, mobile app, Contact Center, or airport counter. Additional charges may include:
- Change Fee: Non-refundable fares like Discount or Basic may require purchasing a new ticket, while flexible fares like Plus or Top Executive may allow changes with a fee, which varies by route and fare conditions.
- Fare Difference: You must pay any difference between the original fare and the new flight’s fare. No refund is provided if the new fare is lower.
- Self-Service Tool: TAP offers a Self-Service feature in the Booking Management area or via a link sent by email, text, or app notification, allowing you to rebook TAP-operated flights if you miss a connection due to a delay. Rebooking with partner airlines requires contacting TAP agents or the Contact Center.
If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay caused by TAP Air Portugal, and both flights are on the same booking, the airline will rebook you on the next available TAP-operated flight at no additional cost, as required by EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU or operated by an EU carrier. They may also provide meals, accommodation, or transport for significant delays. For separate bookings, TAP is not responsible for missed connections, and you may need to purchase a new ticket.
Compensation and Refunds
Refunds or compensation for missed flights depend on the fare type and circumstances:
- Non-Refundable Tickets: Discount and Basic fares are non-refundable if you miss the flight, resulting in the loss of the ticket value. Classic and Executive fares may allow cancellations with a fee.
- Refundable Tickets: Plus and Top Executive fares may be eligible for refunds if canceled before departure, subject to fare rules and a fee. Refunds are processed to the original payment method.
- 24-Hour Cancellation Rule: For bookings to or from the U.S., you can cancel within twenty-four hours of purchase for a full refund, regardless of fare type, if booked at least seven days before departure. Online cancellations within this period are fee-free; Contact Center or counter requests incur a service fee per ticket.
- Airline-Caused Delays: If you miss a connecting flight due to a TAP-caused delay within their control (e.g., technical issues) and arrive three or more hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU or operated by TAP, ranging from one hundred twenty-five euros to six hundred euros, depending on flight distance. You may also request a refund for the unused ticket portion or rebooking without fees. Submit claims via the TAP website’s requests and claims form.
- Airport Taxes and Fees: If you miss a flight, you may request a refund for taxes and fees, free of charge, via the TAP website.
- Miles Tickets: For TAP Miles&Go tickets, a no-show incurs a penalty and refund fee per passenger. Airport taxes are refunded free of charge, but miles refunds must be requested through the Contact Center.
Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight
If you miss your flight, follow these steps:
- Contact TAP Air Portugal immediately via their Contact Center, Manage Booking portal, mobile app, or airport counter to explore rebooking options or confirm travel on subsequent flights.
- Review your ticket’s fare rules on the TAP website under Manage Booking to understand applicable fees and refund eligibility.
- If the missed flight was due to an airline-caused delay, submit a compensation or refund request via the TAP website’s requests and claims form, providing your booking reference and supporting documents like receipts or boarding passes.
- For tickets purchased through a travel agent, contact the agent directly for changes or refunds, as verification may be required.
- Check in online twenty-four hours to one hour before departure, as check-in counters close one hour before international flights, to avoid missing deadlines.
Additional Information
For flights departing from the EU or operated by TAP arriving in the EU, if you miss a connecting flight due to an airline-caused delay and arrive three or more hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, provided the delay was within TAP’s control (e.g., technical issues or staffing). Compensation is not provided for extraordinary circumstances, such as weather or air traffic control issues. Customer reviews on platforms like Reddit and Tripadvisor highlight challenges with TAP’s customer service, including slow refund processing and inconsistent responses, which may affect missed flight resolutions. For example, passengers report difficulties with voucher-based refunds within the twenty-four-hour cancellation period, with some needing to file chargebacks or complaints with the U.S. Department of Transportation. TAP’s Self-Service tool allows rebooking for TAP-operated flights but not partner airlines.
