There are some airline computer programs and apps — even though well intentioned — that can hinder more than they help.

Consider this: your first of two flights is late, and when you land at your connecting airport, you must run to your gate to make your flight.

American Airlines has a computer program that, in theory, is designed to rebook passengers who misconnect. But if that program determines you won’t make it to the gate, it automatically puts you on a later flight and gives away your confirmed seat on your original onward flight.

In many cases, connecting passengers have made it to their departure gates only to discover they lost their seats.

But then, there is some good news.

United Airlines now has a computer program that will switch your seats for free — not on another flight, but on your original flight.

Just designate your seating preference on the airline’s app — window, aisle, or exit row — and then if one of those seats opens, United automatically moves your seat.