1)StudentUniverse is legit.

2)It's not really a consolidator. I'm not sure what you'd call it, but the fact that AA (and most other airlines) award credit for tickets purchased through them leads me to believe they are something else.

3)I flew to Australia on a combination of AA and Qantas services, booked through StudentUniverse. My flight, booked 6 days in advance, cost about $275 from DFW to LAX and about $1275 from LAX - SYD (both round trip). I promptly received credit from AA for the AA legs. I had to send in my boarding passes for the Qantas legs and am awaiting credit. I got a postcard from AA saying they have to check with Qantas to see if the ticket I purchased is eligible for FF credit, but I have evidence (which I printed, in case it changes) to back up my claim (see below).

For a list of airlines that award credit, see http://www.studentuniverse.com/aboutus/faq.jsp#13

4)AFAIK, there is no place on AA.com to book a student ticket and get the 1K bonus. Be happy that you found a mega-discounted ticket! My trip would have cost $4500 if booked through normal channels (AA or any travel site) when I booked it, instead I got it for about $1600. No complaints here.

-z

Edited to add: I looked back at my tickets. My AA ticket was booked in L class, my Qantas ticket was booked in O class. I'm confident that I'll get credit for the Qantas trip based on the policy on StudentUniverse's website. Glad I've printed it out though. Will keep the board posted if anyone is interested.

[This message has been edited by zski (edited 03-06-2003).]