American Airlines is, in 2010, the only airline in the United States that offers a student discount, regardless of any discount programs or travel agency affiliations. American Airlines gives college students currently attending specific schools, such as New York University, up to a 10 percent discount on any airfare, domestic or international. If you book a vacation package through American Airlines, they also offer an additional 5 percent discount to college students on the package, as of October 2010. To get a discount on an American Airlines fare, you have to provide your name, student ID number and the college you attend at the time you book the flight or vacation.
If you want to get a student discount on a flight but can't or won't fly American, try a student travel agency. Although student travel agencies, like STA Travel, do not represent a specific airline, they typically work with a variety of airlines to get the best price they can for student travelers. The student discount on a flight through a student travel agency can range from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars, depending on where you're planning to travel. Student travel agencies usually offer mostly international flights.
For discounts on a variety of transportation options, a student discount card may provide more long-term savings for your budget. Student discount cards, like the one offered by Student Advantage, feature a wide range of discounts from book stores to travel plans. The Student Advantage discount card offers cardholders a 10 percent discount on travel with American Airlines, $50 off qualifying flights booked through Orbitz, 15 percent off Amtrak rail fares and 20 percent off Greyhound bus walk-up and online fares.
