Due to a major accident, I once arrived at DFW too late to check my bag for an international AA flight. The TA said I could either fly without my baggage or go the next day for no charge. Because I was delivering items overseas and had to have the luggage...and because I had a day's lee way...I took the flight the next day. (She even rebooked me on the onward partner airline flights also in my reservation.)
Did this have to do with the fact that I could still have flown on my original flight(s)? Or was I just damn lucky to get the next day option for free? It's still the only flight I've ever "missed"...but I technically didn't (have to) miss it. (This was 2005.)
During the snow event on January 17, I seem to recall an FTer getting stuck in slow traffic and missing the earlier DFW-NRT flight. Said FTer was rebooked on the later midday flight (with upgrade), I think for no extra charge.