Student Airfare Benefits and Tips for Air Travel

Posted by Gabe on Feb 1, 2008 |

Introduction

Student travelers are eligible for many travel discounts and should take advantage of this rare opportunity. The Internet provides endless options for reasonable student airfares, especially websites of many travel agencies and airlines that offer great discounts for students. Purchasing online tickets are a booming industry and both the consumer and the airlines are mutually benefited. The airlines can match their prices and availability according to the changing market and the students are mutually benefited because they can search available seats and prices at all times. Students can also access advice regarding traveling tips geared towards students on the internet. In time if the research is done thoroughly and effectively, the students can get great deals on airfare.

Cheap Student Airfare Facts

The students must follow certain guidelines while finding cheap airfares, as the task can become quite daunting with numerous operators to choose from. First and foremost, the availability of online tickets is limited and comes with many restrictions. Second, there are no cash refunds for the purchases of online tickets, although most airlines give credit that can be carried over to the next purchase of tickets with the same company.

Students have to be very careful when buying online tickets and it is crucial to type in the right date and time. Flexibility and planning ahead is key to getting the cheapest airfare possible. Search the sites of major airlines and use their price quotes as benchmark pricing for comparison with the prices offered by major travel companies online. Look out for last minute discounts given by airlines for discount trips. The students can also bid for cheap flights on Priceline.com, the restrictions being that the trip has to be roundtrip, coach class and the credit card number has to be given at the time of bidding. “Open jaw” tickets are also proven to be an extremely cheap option when it comes to student airfare.

Student Travel - Qualifications of a Student and Student ID

Qualifications of a Student

A person is qualified as a student by the travel industry, if he or she is 12 to 26 years of age. Student discounts are available to student travelers who are below 26 years old and enrolled in school. Student airfare is a guaranteed way to get travel discounts and benefit from greater flexibility than regular air tickets.

Student ID Cards

Students must make sure to carry the student ID card along with them at all times, as it provides significant travel discounts. Students can also purchase student travel ID cards that can be used to get specific discounts for sightseeing, hostels, travel and entertainment. Some popular student ID cards providers are companies such as International Student Identity Card (ISIC), International Youth Travel Card (IYTC), Student Advantage Card, Hostel Discount Cards and International Student Exchange Card (ISEC) that dramatically cut the costs for student travel. Make sure to show your student ID card at all tourist attractions even if there is no advertised discount, since they may still give student discounts if asked.

Student Friendly Websites

There are a host of student friendly websites that give excellent information and guidance regarding cheap student travel and airfare. The most popular websites specializing in student travel are STA Travel, Student Universe, Travelosophy, Travel Cuts, International Student, Premier Travel and Orbitz Student Airfare. All of these websites are specifically designed to cater towards students and have great search engines that make finding the cheapest student airfare effortless and convenient. These students discount sites also offer travel related advice as well. The site Priceline.com does not just target students in particular, but also offers travel deals to the general public.

Documentation for Student Travel

The documents that a student needs to carry with him are the student identification card, passport, visa, work visa or permit, record of travel immunization and international driver’s license. Identification that includes a photograph is very important and the student will need it for boarding planes, passing through immigration and customs, using traveler’s checks, renting cars, checking in at hotels, boarding trains or ships, using credit or debit cards and if they run into trouble with the law.

Passports can be used as universal photo identification. It is better to make a duplicate of the passport and keep the original in a different location then the copy for safety reasons. For visas the student must check the requirements for the countries that they are traveling to through the consulate or embassy office in person or search for information on the official website. The information on passport and visa guidelines are available on the official websites of every country. Students must check these guidelines thoroughly and make sure that they understand them completely to avoid potential fines.

Other Student Travel Tips

Learning Foreign Language

Students should learn the language of the country they are visiting and should also familiarized themselves with the numbers, so that a efficient judgment call can be made very quickly in that countries currency. It would be practical to keep a dictionary and/or an elementary language manual along with local maps. The student has to adapt to a foreign place and people, therefore knowing the local language would be of great help in familiarizing themselves within a foreign culture.

Packing and Safety Guidelines for Student Travel

The student must learn to travel light and right. As a tourist, you will be on the go a lot and traveling light will be much more convenient for mobility purposes and you will also have less to look after. Make sure to take care of your luggage and also your health during the trip and buy student’s health insurance.

One Response to “Student Airfare Benefits and Tips for Air Travel”

Posted by: Laura - 11/13/2008

Every student travel fare published has quoted me way more $$$ than going thru the carrier direct !!! It’s nothing more than a rip off

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Find Cheap Airfares