Any recommendations for a student looking for cheap airfare?

Hi!
I'm a broke highschool student planning a trip to NYC from Las Vegas this January. After looking all over the net for cheap plane tickets, etc, I came across this site. I was completely amazed that there are people who fly so much and who know so much about airlines, planes and everything that goes with it! So I figured that maybe somebody might be able to help me.. Does know of any airlines that offer discounts for students? Or perhaps just general tips for getting cheap tickets? I've looked at a fair amount of travel websites, but their information has been limited, and I know there must be _something_ out there! =) Any knowledge you can offer would be great...Thanks in advance!
-matt-

Are you intrested in miles or not? If not I could recommend www.priceline.com where you sometimes can find a realy deal. One problem though is that Priceline tickets does not earn miles(though many FT members have been able to collect miles on certain routes and airlines)

First, welcome to the board newwaveboy.

Ah, I remember the days of cheap student tix, and, alas, the concurrent lack of funds.

Try to find a Council Travel office. They specialise in student travel and can often find cheap fares.

Good luck,



------------------
I wish I were 1,000 miles away

For student travel
http://www.counciltravel.com/

Take it from me, a (recently) former student: there are few "student" deals out there, and the advertised "student" fares aren't always that great. During my years of undergrad and grad school, I _always_ ended up with a ticket directly from the airlines, that I would buy during a sale or promotion. No Council Travel//STA travel "student" fares, and no TWA Youth Travel Pack (although the pack is a good deal if you want to go to the Caribbean).

For Vegas to NYC, if you are flexible on the airport you go to and can fly to Islip on Long Island, most of the airlines have fares of $198 round trip now... these fares will be in the computer through early January, when Southwest will end its sale.


There's now a $228 fare on America West, Continental, Northwest, National Airlines, American, US Airways, and American Trans Air right into New York City-- different airlines serve different NYC airports, but this fare appears to work for any of them.

To compare, Council Travel lists a "student" fare of $278 or $283 round trip, and STA quotes a lowest "student" fare of $365.

As something to keep in the back of your mind, TWA's Youth Travel Pack gives you 4 one way tickets for about $560, and each ticket is good within the lower 48US, and to Canada and the Caribbean. You get max use by flying Las Vegas to Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic-- it ends up costing $280 round trip. American gives discount coupons to student Citibank credit card holders, and Continental gives discounts to students with an American Express card. Both of these discounts would cost more than $228 for your trip, though.

If you do use Priceline, be aware that they tack extra extra fees onto the price you bid.

I hope this gives you a few more ideas. Good luck.


[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 12-19-2000).]

Of course I would be only too glad to help, but since you state "...I'm a broke highschool student planning a trip to NYC from Las Vegas...". Ima curious why you would want do such. The last thing I would want to do in such a situation would be to spend money I dont have. You gotta some nice valid reasons for seeking help from the flying experts? Always remember, bus travel is quite cheap and most LV visitors lose more than they win (or so I am told) and Priceline users need a valid credit card.

MisterNice

First off, allow me to thank everyone who replied. =)

I've looked at PriceLine, but I dislike their system because I like to know what I'm buying before I pay for it =) I also checked out Council Travel, as a few of you recommended, but their fares were even higher than what I found everywhere else =(.

Viajero, could you point me to a website that has the $198 and $228 fares you mentioned? I looked around, but the cheapest I saw into Islip was $270..

And to MisterNice or anyone else, here are some more details: I'm flying to NYC to check out educational options, visit my family, and see a certain Broadway revival before it finishes it's run. =) Granted, any one of these reasons on it's own would not merit a trip, but when combined it gains a bit of validity. Oh, and bus travel isn't that cheap (at least not according to www.greyhound.com), but more importantly, it takes at least 2 days, which would require me to miss 2 more days of school, which is not an option.
Thanks again!
-matt-
PS: Yeah, a lot of people lose a little, but you'd be suprised how many people clean up.. =)

Try LAS to BWI (Baltimore) for $188 plus some taxes ( www.travelocity.com )and do the bus or Amtrak to NYC. BWI to NYC via Septa, Marta, Marc etc (ie the local commuter trains) should be less than $20. It would be rare to find LAS to the east coast less than $188. Good luck!

MisterNice

ps: IMHO the clean-up to clean-out ratio is 1:10

Although I didn't totally check out the site, try http://www.smarterliving.com/student/
where they claim to have special deals for student travel.

FYI to those who recommended Priceline, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase an airline ticket through Priceline. Of course, minors can be travelling companions whose tickets are purchased with an adult through Priceline.

One is http://www.southwest.com and likely http://www.usairways.com as well. Be sure to factor in the additional costs of getting to/from Manhattan if you fly into ISP. It's often not worth it unless the savings is at least $100.

I would also recommend checking http://www.ata.com. National Airlines serves LAS-JFK non-stop, but personally I wouldn't give my money to an airline that is in bankruptcy proceedings, especially if you wouldn't have the means to buy another ticket if they cease operations.

newwaveboy -
If you go to www.travelocity.com and click on the Dream Maps link (left hand side near the bottom) it will take you to a map. Type in Las Vegas.

It will show you half-a-dozen airlines that will take you into NYC for $228.

Have a good trip and Happy Holidays!

Not that I am necessarily endorsing credit cards, but American Express has a nice program for students.

Cheap tickets on Continental is one feature, as low as $119 within the U.S. And, with the green American Express card you have to pay your balance each month.
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif...641,727,00.asp

Thanks everybody for all your help. I now have my choice of a few low-price fares, all at least 50$ less than what I found on my own. THANKS!! =)

-matt-