Cheap Student Airfares

Increasing Airfare Prices

A simple, nonstop plane ticket between two relatively close destinations and major airports can cost well over $150 today, whereas years ago the same airfare may have been advertised as a super saver rate for less than $50. Several factors have contributed to the drastic increases in air travel costs, including:

• Security: Increased security precautions, including more security staff at airports and new technology to detect potential threats, creates higher prices for consumers.
• Fuel: As the price of oil escalates, aircraft fuel also becomes more expensive. Many airlines have begun adding fuel surcharges to their fares in recent years.
• Fewer Airlines: As smaller regional airlines go bankrupt because of escalating costs, passengers must pay premium prices for their travel plans on larger carriers.

Whether a student is interested in going home from an out-of-state college during an extended break, taking an exotic spring break vacation, studying abroad as part of their university career, or just traveling in between semesters, flight costs can add up quickly.

Finding Cheap Student Airfares

Students don’t have to give up traveling just because airfare costs are on the rise. Many websites and travel agencies offer discount airfares for students, whether they are traveling for school or vacation. While investigating online travel agencies and discount airfare providers such as Travelocity or Orbitz can result in some lower price fares, the following websites specialize in cheap student airfares:

• StaTravel
• Student Universe
• Airfare Store
• Flights First
• Smarter Travel
• Travelosophy
• ISTravel.com
• Air Values

Warnings and Restrictions

The prices students can find on discount travel websites can seem too good to be true, and all travelers need to be aware of common restrictions and limitations of these discounted fares, such as:

• Travel Plan Flexibility: Some student airfares can easily be changed for very low fees, while others have stiff penalties if itineraries need to be altered.
• Trip Type: To qualify for the lowest rates, either one-way or roundtrip travel may be required.
• Refunds: Not all student airfares are refundable if the trip needs to be cancelled.
• Length of Stay: Cheap student airfares may have either minimum or maximum limitations on travel dates to help screen out program abuse.
• Blackout Dates: If a company specializes in educational travel, blackout dates may exist around school holiday periods.
• Student Identification Requirements: To qualify for the cheapest rates, students may need to provide college identification cards, proof of enrollment, or other documentation of their student status.
• Age Limitations: To prevent misuse of programs intended for students, age limits may be imposed on individuals hoping to qualify for student airfare discounts.

International Student Exchange Cards

The international student exchange card is a vital piece of documentation that can open up dozens of discounts around the world for traveling students. While at first glance this program appears valuable only for students traveling to foreign countries, there are many discounts available locally that can be had with this internationally recognized student ID card. In addition to saving on airfare, students can also obtain discounts and coupons for museums, car rentals, bus tickets, hotels, cheap health insurance, hostels, rail tickets, and other items to make traveling as a student more affordable, even if the airfare isn’t always as cheap as possible.

For more information on these ID cards, visit ISECard.com.

More Tips for Flying Cheap

Not every student will be able to find cheap airfares that fit their travel plans and destinations, but there are other ways to save money while flying.

• Standby Tickets: Passengers who don’t mind waiting for an available seat and who have flexible travel plans can find substantial savings by flying standby instead of on a confirmed reservation.
• Adjusting Travel Times: Flying during off peak times, such as during the middle of the week or on redeye flights, can be cheaper than more popular travel times.

Save on all flights.

• Itinerary Flexibility: Passengers who don’t mind longer layovers, multiple stops, or switching airlines can find cheaper flights by being flexible with their travel plans.
• Alternative Airports: Particularly in larger metropolitan areas, different airports may have different fares for similar flights.
• Pack Light: Students who pack light can avoid excessive fees for overweight or awkward sized luggage.
• Book Early: Booking a flight as early as possible will give students to greatest amount of choice for fares, travel times, airlines, and itineraries.
• Shop Around: Comparison shopping is a smart way to find the best deals offered by different airlines, websites, or travel agencies.
• College Discounts: While there may not be student-specific discounts available, students may be able to find cheaper fares through their university, particularly through study abroad or tour programs.
• Group Rates: If multiple students are interested in the same destination, group rates can be a great way to save.

Cheap student airfares can make a spring break in Florida, semester in London, or graduation trip to the Caribbean much more affordable. While airfares today are higher than they were just a few years ago, students can still find discounted rates to see the world outside their classrooms.