| Being a student is not just about studying but also | | | | not always have access to the airlines' cheapest |
| entails considerable lessons in life of how to manage | | | | fares, and all add a booking fee to each purchase. So, |
| on a budget and how to travel when broke. Finding a | | | | these sites can be used just get an idea of what's |
| frugal and affordable airfare for transportation is a big | | | | accessible and then go to airlines' websites to book. |
| challenge for any student. | | | | SHOP All over: Never make a choice as soon as |
| But do not lose heart. There are methods for you, as | | | | possible. Shop around and compare all options around |
| a student, to get inexpensive airfares and commute to | | | | before making a decision. As a student you should |
| all those exotic locales you always wanted to. Just | | | | consult with one or more of the student-travel |
| follow the points given here, and you might find the | | | | agencies to check the prices of student fares and |
| airfare just right for you. | | | | then do an online search of the airline websites and |
| KNOW YOUR OPTIONS: As a full-time student you | | | | online travel-booking sites to find regular fares. |
| have the option of booking student-only fares. You do | | | | Remember that being flexible is the key to the game. |
| not have to book the same tickets as everyone else. | | | | The more flexible you are about when you fly and |
| Generally speaking, student fares are often cheaper | | | | which airport you use, the better your chances of |
| for intercontinental travel while regular fares tend to be | | | | finding a low cost ticket. When searching for the right |
| lower for national travel. | | | | fare for you, try looking for flights on various dates; |
| Do recollect that student fares are usually more | | | | sometimes flying even a day earlier or later than your |
| flexible, allowing you to change your travel dates or | | | | original travel dates. |
| cancel your flight at a small fee. You can also and | | | | This can save you a lot of cash. You can also |
| stay in your destination for up to a year before | | | | consider searching for fares from other airports or |
| returning. Regular tickets, on the other hand, are | | | | smaller secondary airports. While secondary airports |
| nonrefundable and non-changeable, and require you to | | | | may take a bit of travel to get to, you'll often pay |
| return within 30 days. | | | | much less to fly to or from these places. |
| BUYING SPREE: Dont expect to book your student | | | | POPULARITY DOESNT PAY: You can find cheaper |
| tickets anywhere. The finest places are student | | | | flights by flying to a country during a less busy time of |
| commute agencies, the airlines, and online | | | | the year and less busy times of the day. Do |
| travel-booking sites. | | | | remember that popular destinations such as Europe |
| The student travel agencies allow you to speak | | | | and Australia have distinct high seasons for travelers. It |
| directly with their travel agents and they will counsel | | | | is at times like these that the prices of the air tickets |
| you on the rock bottom fares, the different options, | | | | go up If you can commute to a place when it's less |
| and even help you finalize your itinerary. | | | | well-known to visit, you may be able save over half |
| The cheapest regular fares are often sold directly | | | | the cost of the ticket or even more!! |
| through the airlines' own websites, where you can | | | | Similarly, which days of the week you choose to fly |
| access sale fares that might not be available through | | | | and when you choose to travel within the day can |
| other providers. Several low-cost airlines offer lower | | | | also make a difference? Midweek flights Monday |
| fares than the regular airlines. However, the downside | | | | through Thursday are apt to be cheaper, and red-eye |
| to low-cost carriers is that most have more strict flight | | | | or midday flights can also cost a reduced amount of. |
| networks and may not offer the destinations you | | | | Web-only fares are an additional category of special |
| want. | | | | deal fares available only through the Internet. For even |
| As a student you can also compare fares on a | | | | deeper discounts, look for Weekend Web Fares. |
| multitude of airlines at the same time by using an online | | | | Airlines trying to unload inventory release these fares |
| travel-booking site such as Orbitz, Expedia, or | | | | early Wednesday morning for travel beginning |
| Travelocity. These sites are good because they help | | | | Thursday, Friday or Saturday and coming back |
| you to set a price benchmark for your itinerary. They | | | | Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. |
| will help you choose the cheapest days to fly. Orbitz, | | | | EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM: Being an early |
| for example, has partnered with Student Universe, an | | | | bird does pay. Flights on well-known routes fill up |
| online travel site for college students and faculty. | | | | rapidly. If you book early, you may be able to lock in a |
| Students or teachers register with a ".edu" e-mail | | | | fare with a lower surcharge. For general domestic |
| address, which is confirmed before they qualify to | | | | travel, it's a good idea to book at least 21 days ahead |
| receive travel discounts. Choices of airline or departure | | | | of time. |
| time may be strict, but the savings can be worth it. | | | | By mastering these basic lessons you, as a student, |
| They also have useful tools that can help you | | | | will be able to plan low-priced air trips over the years, |
| determine the cheapest days to fly. | | | | without having to bother about your financial state of |
| These types of sites are fairly limiting in that they do | | | | affairs. |