| If you are a youth and want cheap air travel, you | | | | these times also) and as such, airlines are not likely to |
| should exploit at least the status fares in the airline | | | | be too generous on discounted fares then. |
| industry. | | | | Further, some thinking in the industry is that nice |
| Just like other so-called status fares in the airline | | | | parents are more likely happy to pay higher airfares |
| industry, student airfares are one way of getting a | | | | for their little darling children to go for their holiday |
| cheaper ticket airfare in the industry. | | | | breaks. |
| Typically, student airfares apply to student travellers | | | | All the above reasons partly explain why the market |
| under the age of 26 who are still enrolled in school. | | | | for discounted student airfares are served mainly by |
| This is one avenue of cheap air travel especially for | | | | travel agency specialists who use techniques such as |
| youths. For the airlines, they could offer such cheap | | | | bulk buying, charters and even consolidator tickets |
| air travel discounts without worrying that they would | | | | itself for such cheap air travel fares. |
| be abused by other passengers looking for | | | | Still, for a cheaper air travel bill, student airfares are |
| alternative way out to pay the normal high-published | | | | excellent value on their own although you should still |
| airfares in the industry, given the restrictions on age | | | | compare their fares with other types of cheap air |
| and student identification. | | | | travel options for the reasons given above. |
| Apart from the discounts which could be 20%-30% | | | | Here are some specialised places that you could start |
| cheaper, student airfares are also generally far more | | | | your student airfare searching and research |
| flexible than regular airfare tickets. | | | | from.These sites list special discounts and deals that |
| Still, if you are looking for cheap air travel tickets via | | | | are limited mostly to student airfares only. |
| this route, note that student or youth airfares tickets | | | | It is possible also to locate student airfares that are |
| may not typically be available from your regular travel | | | | discounted directly through the airline, or through a |
| agents. | | | | travel agent, but as mentioned earlier, the ones that |
| This is because such student fares are not usually | | | | are devoted solely to student airfares will often give |
| included in the computerised reservation systems | | | | you a lot more cheap air travel options on this |
| (CRS) used by the airlines. | | | | aspect. |
| As such, it is easier for you to search for such airfare | | | | Further, if as student and you are thinking of |
| options from those specialised travel agencies that | | | | travelling to Europe or other holiday breaks places for |
| deal only in student airfare markets. | | | | the summer, or for a full semester, or for just spring |
| Remember that not all airlines offer student fares as | | | | break, these specialised student airfare sites often |
| a cheaper air travel option, and also that their rules | | | | offer great cheap air travel deals on such itineraries. |
| and requirements varies from one another. | | | | These specialised student airfare sites also have |
| The most important requirement is normally proof of | | | | automated booking and ticketing of student and |
| age (identity card or driving license) and also that you | | | | youth fares on their site and are a good place to |
| must be holding a current and valid International | | | | start your search from. |
| Student Identify Card (ISIC) at the time of ticketing | | | | Alternatively, you can search more of these cheap |
| and when travelling on a student airfare ticket. | | | | student air travel options through the Internet search |
| Further note that student airfares will not necessarily | | | | engines:a) Council Travel ( - This is the travel agency |
| be the cheapest airfares option that you can find | | | | division of the Council on International Education and |
| even if you as a student can take advantage of it. | | | | Exchange ( and has long been the largest student |
| Nonetheless, for a cheaper air travel alternative, they | | | | travel specialist in the United States. |
| will still beat the usual regular published airfares hands | | | | College students will find here the biggest cheap air |
| down. | | | | travel bargains on international carriers, which typically |
| However, if you are looking at cheap air travel | | | | offer student fares to Europe on a standby basis. If |
| options for international travel, you may find that | | | | you're under 26, you can also take advantage of |
| consolidator airfares are often cheaper than student | | | | low-fare charter and consolidator flights that are |
| airfares, especially to a country serviced by | | | | made available by CIEE.b) STA Travel ( - This is one |
| ethnic-based travel agencies. | | | | of the world's largest student, youth and budget |
| Further, there are less student airfare options than | | | | travel organisation. STA Travel specialises in cheap |
| consolidator tickets, and the airlines are less likely to | | | | student airfares, hotels and hostels, student travel |
| offer cheaper student airfares if they can sell them | | | | insurance and international student identification cards |
| already under the radar as consolidator fares. | | | | and you are likely to find a host of options here and |
| If you are picky and a real cheap air travel fan, then | | | | their affiliated agencies.c) Student Universe ( - |
| note all the alternatives above. | | | | Student Universe is an online private travel service |
| For the airlines, to offer student airfares is good | | | | that specialises in students airfares. By negotiating |
| publicity gimmick at the least and also a way to at | | | | with the major airlines on their behalf, Student |
| least sell these status fares at whatever higher fare | | | | Universe is able to provide students with exclusive |
| they could. | | | | and significantly cheap air travel fares catering to |
| Further, much of students travel is non-discretionary | | | | them. |
| and also time-limited and predictable or in other words | | | | At the end of the day, remember that irregardless |
| around their holiday semester break. | | | | of which cheap air travel options you choose, always |
| Some of these periods like during the year-end and | | | | compare prices between sites and their requirements |
| summer period are high-demand period (you won't | | | | before deciding on the final choice. |
| get other cheap air travel tickets options much during | | | | |