India-based Airlines - Indian airlines for an exchange student in CCU

Hi everyone,

I am going to spend 3 and a half months in India for a university exchange (I will be in Kolkata) and obviously I plan to visit a lot of places.

I was wondering if you guys had some piece of advice to save money when booking flights in India? Are there student discounts? Are there important things to know about airlines in India?

Thank you very much

jctflyer

Best airlines for you are Indigo and Spicejet. CCU is well connected with these two airlines to several cities and you can use their websites or online websites - cleartrip, makemytrip. These two do not have any student discounts.

Jet Airways and Air India are the other alternatives, AI may have an India pass for students, but I am not sure it is cheaper than booking separate tickets.

Or you can mix and match and book the least expensive ticket based on the timings.

and obviously I plan to visit a lot of places.

how often do you think you would be flying????stick to indigo, goair & spicejet for the cheapest fares....

AI has an amazing student discount (50% off base fare, plus Rs200 rupee flat refund/change fee), but you have to go to the city ticketing office to avail of it... However, I think the trip is a small price for some great savings...

Edit: I just noticed that you are not in India for a full academic year, so you won't qualify for the student discount. Assuming that you are under 25 years of age (IIRC), you still qualify for the youth discount, which is 25% off and same ticket flexibility. Once again, you have to trek down to the CTO though....

Edit #2: If the university you attend in India provides you a student ID, I think you could probably get away with taking the student discount even if you aren't spending a full year in India... Probably worth a try before you settle for the 25% discount.

AI has an amazing student discount (50% off base fare, plus Rs200 rupee flat refund/change fee), but you have to go to the city ticketing office to avail of it... However, I think the trip is a small price for some great savings...

Edit: I just noticed that you are not in India for a full academic year, so you won't qualify for the student discount. Assuming that you are under 25 years of age (IIRC), you still qualify for the youth discount, which is 25% off and same ticket flexibility. Once again, you have to trek down to the CTO though....

Edit #2: If the university you attend in India provides you a student ID, I think you could probably get away with taking the student discount even if you aren't spending a full year in India... Probably worth a try before you settle for the 25% discount.

That discount on base fare is on full fare tickets only I think, which at the end of the day come to the same thing, with the only advantage of flexibility maybe.

AI has an amazing student discount

i've often noticed that the amazing student discount is often higher or the same as the cheapest fare offered online....

AI has an amazing student discount (50% off base fare, plus Rs200 rupee flat refund/change fee), but you have to go to the city ticketing office to avail of it... However, I think the trip is a small price for some great savings...



your amazing discount is available only between the 'home town' and the location of your college/institution and you need paperwork from the institution to be able to avail it. also, there is an age limit.

and oh just in case you did not notice, this amazing fare scheme is also available on Jet Airways, and Kingfisher as well. So lets not paint a rosy AI picture here.

That discount on base fare is on full fare tickets only I think, which at the end of the day come to the same thing, with the only advantage of flexibility maybe.

It's on L and above, which still is usually decent savings.
your amazing discount is available only between the 'home town' and the location of your college/institution and you need paperwork from the institution to be able to avail it. also, there is an age limit. My institution is in HYD, and I was permitted to change my "hometown" as much as I wanted... I've flown all over the country using the student concession.


and oh just in case you did not notice, this amazing fare scheme is also available on Jet Airways, and Kingfisher as well. So lets not paint a rosy AI picture here.
I did not know about IT, but 9W's only applies to Indian residents...

My institution is in HYD, and I was permitted to change my "hometown" as much as I wanted... I've flown all over the country using the student concession.

The rules state otherwise though. (link below.) I would be more cautious in my advice, and not assume that the OP would get the same leeway/courtesy you apparently did.

http://www.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/students_concession.aspx?MID=23

Date/Flight change:
Change permitted up to 1 hr before scheduled departure of the flight against a change fee of Rs.500 per coupon. Revalidation of No-show ticket, permitted against change fee of Rs.1000 per coupon.

Refund:
If ticket cancelled up to 1 hr before scheduled departure of the flight, refund fee of Rs.500 per coupon applies.
For No-show ticket, refund fee of Rs.1500 per coupon applies.

The fees also seem to be somewhat different from the flat Rs 200 you mention.

The rules state otherwise though. (link below.) I would be more cautious in my advice, and not assume that the OP would get the same leeway/courtesy you apparently did. Ah, good point...

http://www.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/students_concession.aspx?MID=23

The fees also seem to be somewhat different from the flat Rs 200 you mention.

I think I got the student/youth change fees mixed up :o

I would consider a rail pass

thank you all for your answers, I am sorry I have been busy so I only reply now

how often do you think you would be flying???

I think I'll be flying once or twice a month (probably more in october and december as I am in vacations)


Edit: I just noticed that you are not in India for a full academic year, so you won't qualify for the student discount. Assuming that you are under 25 years of age (IIRC), you still qualify for the youth discount, which is 25% off and same ticket flexibility. Once again, you have to trek down to the CTO though....

25% is already a nice saving! I hope I will get a student card with my India University

I would consider a rail pass
I will also take the train quite frequently I think. How does the railpass work? Is it a discount scheme?

jctflyer

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:D:D:D

:D:D:D

i think i know what you mean to say "..."

i think i know what you mean to say "..."

Hahah! O I meant exactly this : :D :D :D

The other three said everything else.

thank you all for your answers, I am sorry I have been busy so I only reply now



I think I'll be flying once or twice a month (probably more in october and december as I am in vacations)




25% is already a nice saving! I hope I will get a student card with my India University


I will also take the train quite frequently I think. How does the railpass work? Is it a discount scheme?

jctflyer
I would be careful about suggesting a railpass unless the OP is going to travel a You still have to reserve a seat when you want to travel. For a few trips, spread over months, individual tickets is your best bet.