Lori Meadows
International travel can be expensive, especially for students. Luckily, there are many ways to save money when booking international flights as a student. From using platforms like StudentUniverse to taking advantage of seasonal discounts, students can find great deals on international flights. Additionally, signing up for frequent flyer programs and keeping an eye out for sales can also help students snag affordable tickets. Let's explore some of the best strategies for booking international flight tickets on a student budget.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Websites | KAYAK, StudentUniverse, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, MakeMyTrip India |
| Discounts | StudentUniverse offers exclusive student discounts on airfare to top destinations. Emirates offers exclusive student fares and extras. Cathay Pacific offers student fares and benefits. MakeMyTrip India offers student discounts on all domestic flights. |
| Alerts | StudentUniverse allows you to set up an alert to monitor the cost of your preferred itinerary and notify you via email of any changes. |
| Payment options | Cathay Pacific offers a range of payment options including Alipay and WeChat Pay. |
| Frequent flyer programs | Joining a frequent flyer program can help secure low-priced airfare. Emirates Skywards members can earn Skywards Miles to spend on future flights, upgrades, etc. |
| Timing | For international flights departing from the UK, Friday is the cheapest day to fly. The cheapest month to fly internationally is January, while July is the most expensive. |
| Luggage | Some airlines offer exclusive student luggage pricing, such as free checked bags. |
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What You'll Learn
Student discounts and airfare deals
Several airlines offer student discounts and airfare deals, although these vary by location and airline. Here are some tips for availing of these discounts:
Student Discounts
Some airlines offer exclusive discounts for students, such as IndiGo, which offers a 10% discount on base fares for students above the age of 12 with a valid student ID. Similarly, Etihad Airways offers international students exclusive discounts of 10% off in Economy and 5% off in Business, but this is only applicable if you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the country in which you are studying. Emirates also offers student discounts, with an extra 5% off Economy Class fares for students between 16 and 31 years old.
Student Fares
Some airlines offer 'Student Fares', which are special discounted rates for students. These fares are available for both domestic and international flights, with extra baggage allowances. In India, Student Fares are available for IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa, and Air India Express bookings for travellers aged 12 and above who are currently enrolled in school, college, or university.
StudentUniverse
StudentUniverse is a platform that allows students to set up alerts to monitor the cost of their preferred itinerary and be notified of any changes. This can help students stay on top of pricing and be notified when prices drop.
General Tips
Students can also take advantage of general sales and discounts offered by airlines. This includes keeping an eye out for sales on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other holidays, as well as following airlines on social media, where they sometimes offer exclusive deals. Joining a frequent flyer program can also pay off in the long run, even for those who don't travel frequently.
ID Cards
It is important to note that many student discounts require a valid student ID card, so be sure to have one before booking your flight. Some airlines may also require additional documentation, such as a student visa for international flights.
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Payment options and frequent flyer programs
When it comes to payment options for international flights, students have a variety of choices. Firstly, it is beneficial to sign up for email and social media alerts from your preferred airlines and travel providers, such as StudentUniverse, to stay informed about sales and specials. StudentUniverse, for instance, offers exclusive student discounts on airfare to top destinations, allowing for affordable travel. They also provide flexible search dates and the option to set preferred departure and arrival times. Additionally, they offer exclusive luggage pricing for students, including free checked bags.
Another payment option for students is to take advantage of frequent flyer programs. These are loyalty programs offered by airlines that allow members to accumulate points or miles when purchasing flights or using the services of partner companies. While it may take some time to accumulate enough miles, this strategy can result in significant savings on airfare. For instance, American Airlines' AAdvantage program allows members to earn miles through flights or other services, and these miles can be redeemed for benefits such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to preferred seats. Similarly, Emirates Skywards, the frequent flyer program of Emirates and flydubai, offers benefits such as earning Skywards Miles and Tier Miles, redeeming miles for reward flights, and accessing free onboard messaging.
Some airlines also offer specific student discounts, such as IndiGo, which offers a 10% discount on base fares for students, and Air India, which provides a 25% discount on domestic flights for students. These discounts can be combined with other offers, such as choosing UPI as the payment method and using a promo code for additional savings.
To maximize savings, students can also consider travelling during the shoulder season, which is the time between peak and off-peak travel times. This typically results in lower demand and, consequently, lower fares. For example, flying to a European city during spring or fall instead of summer can result in significant savings.
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Best time to book
The best time to book an international flight depends on several factors, including the destination, seasonality, and demand. Here are some guidelines to help you secure the best deals on your international flight bookings:
Booking in Advance
Booking international flights two to eight months in advance is generally recommended. This allows you to take advantage of lower prices before any potential price surges closer to the departure date. According to Google Flights' 2023 insights, booking 71 days in advance is the best time to secure a mid-December holiday flight.
Off-Peak Days and Seasons
Flying during off-peak days, such as Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, can often result in significant savings. Additionally, booking travel during off-peak seasons can also reduce costs. For example, delaying a summer trip to late August instead of early July can lead to substantial savings.
Major Holidays
Holidays like Thanksgiving are excellent opportunities to find international flight deals. Since most travellers opt for domestic flights during the holiday season, you can take advantage of lower prices on international routes.
Flexibility and Alerts
Flexibility is key when searching for the best flight deals. Use price alerts and features like "everywhere" or "explore" to find the lowest fares. Signing up for these alerts will notify you when prices drop for your desired routes.
Days of the Week
While there isn't a significant difference in prices across the days of the week for most international routes, Sundays are generally the best days to book, according to Expedia's 2025 Air Travel Hacks Report. However, keep in mind that Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are also good options for finding modest savings.
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Travel seasons and peak times
When it comes to booking international flights, it's important to be aware of travel seasons and peak times, as these can significantly impact pricing and availability. Peak season generally occurs during the summer months of June to August in the northern hemisphere and December to February in the southern hemisphere. This is when schools and universities are typically on break, leading to higher demand and prices for flights.
In addition to the summer months, peak season can also occur around major holidays like Christmas and New Year, as well as during local festivals, special events, or microclimates in specific regions. For example, peak season in Japan is during the cherry blossom season (late March to early April), Golden Week (late April to early May), and the autumn foliage season (November). Europe also experiences peak travel during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
To find cheaper flights, consider travelling during the shoulder season, which is the time between peak and off-peak seasons. This is when there is typically less demand for flights, and you can take advantage of lower fares. For instance, you can save money by visiting European cities during spring or autumn instead of summer.
Another strategy is to book your flights in advance. According to experts, international flights should ideally be booked at least three months or 90 days before departure. However, it's important not to book too far in advance (more than 10 months) or too last-minute (less than three weeks before departure) to avoid overpaying. Additionally, flying on off-peak days like Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays can also result in significant savings.
Lastly, major holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Thanksgiving can offer great opportunities to score international flight deals. Many airlines offer sales during these periods, allowing students to take advantage of discounted rates. By combining these strategies and staying flexible with travel dates, students can optimise their chances of finding affordable international flight tickets.
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Student eligibility and identification
The specific requirements for student identification vary across airlines and countries. However, commonly accepted forms of student identification include:
- A valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC). The ISIC is widely recognised internationally and can be used as proof of student status. Some airlines, like Cathay Pacific, accept this as a valid form of identification for student fares.
- Student visa: For international travel, a student visa is often required to verify student status. This is especially important when travelling to and from the country of study.
- Student identification card: Many airlines, such as ixigo, require students to present a valid ID card issued by their school, college, or university. This helps confirm their enrolment and active student status.
- Admission letter or acceptance confirmation: In some cases, an official admission letter or acceptance confirmation from the educational institution may be sufficient proof of student status.
It is important to note that eligibility criteria and identification requirements may differ based on the airline, country of departure, and destination country. Students should always review the specific guidelines provided by the airline or travel provider before booking their tickets to ensure they meet the necessary criteria and have the required documentation.
Additionally, student travellers should be aware of any age restrictions that may apply. For example, ixigo's student fares are available for travellers aged 12 and above, while Yatra offers student discounts to individuals aged 18-29.
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Frequently asked questions
The best month to find low-priced plane tickets for international flights is January, whereas July and August are the most expensive. Friday is the cheapest day to fly internationally.
StudentUniverse offers exclusive student discounts on airfare. You can set up an alert on their website to monitor the cost of your preferred itinerary and notify you via email of any changes. You can also use a platform such as KAYAK to compare flight deals.
You will need to provide valid proof of your student identity, which could include an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), a student visa, a valid student ID card, or other relevant documents issued by your educational institution, such as an acceptance letter.
It's a good idea to follow airlines on social media and sign up for email alerts to stay notified of sales and specials. You can also join a frequent flyer program to take advantage of perks such as free flights and discounted prices.
