Yep, this happens with the lowcosts in Europe. You either get money back or flight the same time tomorrow. Only other option is to go to a window of another airline that has flight soon and book with them. Usually you can get yourself on a flight in the next couple hours. It will cost more.
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Yeah, I tried but there’s not a whole lot of supply on outbound from Madeira. Everything was booked. Problem is this was flight 1 of 4.
Yeah, if there are no spaces, then you will have to cut your losses in this situation. The connecting flights are not happening unless you rebook the whole trip through different cities (.e.g Porto -> Florida...) and you will have to pay all this again.
Sorry man. It will suck for a day or two.
Try calling the airlines from the connecting flights. There may be some options for rebooking without paying. Say that the previous flight got cancelled.