<p>I am thinking about buying a RT ticket for my son for Thanksgiving. It looks like it will save at least $50 if I purchased through this site. I have never purchased airline tickets through them. Has anyone had a problem, if flight times were changed, or flights were cancelled? I am a bit nervous about the purchase since there was a recent thread about it being much easier if tickets are purchased directly from an airline vs. through an online site. Thoughts?
Also, if it lists, “tickets through major carrier”, when do you find out which airline you will be flying?</p>
<p>I have purchased airline tix through Student Universe for my D who studies overseas and for my S who attends an out of state college. One of the benefits was that the Student Universe tickets were fully refundable, and could be changed without triggering exorbitant fees. However, another time I purchased tickets for my overseas child through a very knowledgeable travel agent, and the travel agent was able to ‘beat’ even the Student Universe fares (this was for travel to the UK). With the travel agent, it was nice to talk to a live person and weigh various travel options - plus the travel agent offered some wonderful insight. These were both fairly recent purchases (within the last year). I can’t answer your last question about ‘tickets through major carrier’ as I wasn’t faced with that issue. But I guess my answer is that while Student Universe offers some great travel deals (for students only), a good travel agent can probably match or beat the Student Universe fares while providing advice, help in an emergency, etc. (especially in situations like the volcanic cloud which recently disrupted UK travel). Anyway, I hope this answer helps.</p>
<p>Just make sure you check the prices. We looked at Student Universe EVERY time we booked a ticket for DD from across the country and EVERY time…their prices were higher than from the airline directly…or Southwest. YMMV</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you.</p>
<p>Thumper, I have been shopping, and in our case, student universe is least expensive so far. It surprised me too, because I have looked at their fares before and I did not find them to be less expensive.</p>
<p>Great!!! It’s nice knowing those “student discount” sites are sometimes less expensive. I’ll have to check again (although as of June 12…I won’t have a college student anymore!!!)</p>
<p>I bought our son a ticket RT his first fall break from College from Student Universe and it was the lowest price that I could find. From what I remember, his flight out was canceled but the carrier just put him on the next one going out, no charge for changes. We had no problems.</p>
<p>Thanks Kathiep. Do you recall if you knew the name of the airline when you bought the tickets. I am seeing the lowest priced ticket does not state the name of the airline, but lists a flight number, airport, and time of departure/landing only. Is their version of what Hotwire does with hotels? Buy now, we notify you after you have purchased, which airline you will get? </p>
<p>Thumper, for one leg of the flight, I can find a similar fair elsewhere. On the return, over Thanksgiving weekend, Student Universe is cheaper, making the round trip cost AT LEAST $50 less.</p>
<p>Wonder if prices have changed within just the last 2 hours, but I can now get a flight through one of the other online sites (ie: Priceline, Kayak) for $42 more than through Student Universe if my son flies into one airport, but flies out of a different airport. Is there a downside to Student Universe, and is there a downside to flying into and out of different airports (we have never done that before)? We have not flown in years.</p>
<p>is there a downside to flying into and out of different airports?</p>
<p>Only if the ground transportation to one or the other is problematic.</p>
<p>happymomof1, thanks. Well, ground transportation are his parents on this end, so I guess it won’t be a problem!</p>
<p>Always look for a an online coupon before buying tickets from Student Universe. I have gotten an extra $10, and extra 10% and free travel insurance coupons when buying tickets for son to travel both domestically and internationally.</p>
<p>Just google “student universe coupon code”</p>
<p>lololu, THANK YOU!!! I have not purchased anything yet, so good to know. I want to make sure that I know my son’s schedule prior to buying a non-refundable ticket!!</p>
<p>I purchased my daughter’s tickets to study abroad in Europe through Student Universe. She ended up changing her return date and they were great! There was only a nominal charge. I definitely recommend them!</p>
<p>twinmom, that is good to know. I wonder how helpful they’d be if a flight got cancelled the airline referred one back to their “travel agent”. As far as a change, it spells out that prior to the flight one could switch flights at a cost of $175, which is close enough to the cost of the entire airfare! At least one is told up front and I suppose it is slightly better than a non-refundable purchase.</p>
<p>We have used it twice, both times when one-way tickets on studentuniverse were the cheapest option. It was fine.</p>