Booking Travel on a Budget

This is your presentation title Agenda

● Tips for Finding Lower Cost Airfare ● STA Travel - Student Airfare ● Avoiding Pitfalls ● Helpful Apps / Websites ● Upcoming Events Tips for Finding Lower Cost Airfare

● Flight Prices based on … ○ Inventory and ○ Advanced purchase ○ Day of week? Time of day?

● Decide if price or flexibility is more important ○ Consider change and cancellation penalties

● Consider an open jaw - get creative with routing! ○ Example: DTW to London, then Paris to DTW

● Get the most bang for your buck with free stopovers! ○ Iceland Air - Layover in Reykjavik ○ TapAir Portugal - Layover in Lisbon ○ Iberia Airlines - Layover in Madrid ○ Other airlines Tips for Finding Lower Cost Airfare

● Date of Flight: ○ Flying on Mon-Thurs. can be cheaper

● Flying out of a different airport ○ Instead of DTW: , Toronto, sometimes even Windsor!

● Look for the cheapest flight to a country/region ○ : Search “Detroit to Anywhere” ■ and Flights do this too

● Look for a student airfare (STA Travel and Student Universe) Found Cheap Airfare? Avoiding Pitfalls

● Avoid mixed carrier tickets

● Cheaper ≠ Better

● Look closely at TOTAL travel times and itinerary

● Layovers ○ Make sure you have enough time to make connecting flights ○ The cheapest flights can have very long layovers ○ Look up layout of connecting airport

● DIRECT ≠ NONSTOP

Avoiding Pitfalls, continued ... ● Research hidden fees ○ Examples: baggage costs, seat selection, cost of checking-in at the airport

● Only book your flight AFTER final program plans have been determined

● Read all of the fine print!

● Avoid lost luggage catastrophe: pack an extra set of clothes in carry-on When you realize that your luggage isn’t coming out …. ● Check to see what food options will be on flight

● Make sure name and passport info are correct Helpful Websites, Apps, Newsletters

● Skyscanner, , , Kayak, and ○ Don’t have student-specific discounts ● StudentUniverse and STA Travel: student travel companies ● Hopper - app that tells the best times to buy flights ● Scott’s Cheap Flights - gives you email alerts when there are cheap international flights STA Travel

● Student-oriented ● Student airfare (“Blue Tickets”) ○ Multi-FLEX Flight Pass available for some flights ● Rail Passes ○ Official vendor for Eurail in the US ● ISIC - International Student ID Card ● Book Now, Pay Later ○ Unique to STA!

Why look into a Student Travel Agency?

● A student-oriented travel agency ● Focus on budget-oriented travelers ● Helpful website, though STA recommends calling for service Visas/Passports

● Assume you need a visa ○ Travisa, Abriggs, or consulate/embassy website for documents needed ● When in doubt, contact the consulate or embassy ○ Calling is better, but limited hours. Email responses can take a while. ● Some countries offer visa on arrival, so look up costs and currencies ● Make sure passport is valid at least six months after going abroad ● Make copies & send yourself a scan of your … ○ Visa and passport ○ Passport picture ○ Flight information Upcoming Events

● Staying Safe & Healthy While Abroad ● Managing Money & Budgeting While Abroad ● Survival Language & Culture with the Language Resource Center ● Travel Basics Series (travel tips by region!) ● Exploring Culture & Respectful Community Engagement ● Making the Most of your International Experience: Career Competencies Employers Look For & How to Get Them with the University Career Center Click here for more info about the “Additional Support Track.” Why Attend ILS?

● Increase your awareness of the impact of culture on communication styles; ● Gain skills necessary for Apply by Sunday, February 23rd at 11:55 PM! effective intercultural communication; ● Discover your own leadership potential; and More Info + Application: ● Develop and enhance your https://internationalcenter.umich.edu/events/ils intercultural competence. Thank you!

Any Questions?