Or, you could have an "unfortunate" situation like I had my last trip.

I had an early morning flight out, so I planned to stop gambling at a reasonable hour. Unfortunately, I kept winning and couldn't even think of quitting till my luck cooled off. I rushed to the gate just in time to see my plane being pushed away without me. Since I won some money I was willling to pay for any change fee. I went to the service desk and told the truth.

Luck continued when the agent found a connection leaving in a about an hour and then booked me on a competitor's flight. To make matters worse, as I was walking away, she asked if I had missed breakfast and would I would like a meal voucher. All at no charge.