Originally Posted by SuperG1955

You need to plan ahead of time.
... prepare for the worst. If you have a mis-connect, have your alternative routes and flight numbers written down for a mis-connect at each stop so that while others are scrambling to try to figure out what to do, you can call the elite desk an get protected.

When planning your alternates, you can take other routes. If you give a CSR reasons and options, you make their job easier and they're usually glad to help you out.