Travel agencies such as STA Travel specifically offer ticket discounts to students, those under a certain age and teachers. Teachers can receive discounts for trips withing the United States or to destinations around the world. When booking tickets, be sure that those people teaching at your academic level are included. For example, STA Travel offers the discount only to full-time teachers, professors and instructors at accredited institutions. Therefore, if you are a part-time teacher or a teacher at an unaccredited institution, you may not be eligible for the discount.
Even if your travel agency or airline does not offer discounts specific teachers discounts, you can obtain a reasonable fare to your destination. For example, airlines often offer discounts to senior citizens. Teachers who have reached the minimum age, as set by airlines, can take advantage of those rates. You can also secure a reasonable fare by booking your travel well in advance. Many airlines raise their prices dramatically within a few weeks of the departure date. Try to book your ticket months in advance. Also, check airline websites regularly for posted discounts.
If you cannot receive discounts directly from an airline or travel agency, you are not out of luck. Consider holding a fundraiser on campus to raise money that will defray the costs of your academic travel within the United States or abroad. You could travel alone for research, to give a speech or to take your students on a trip. Many community members, including the leadership of local corporations, are willing to donate to educational causes. Approach those community members and corporate leadership that are actively involved with the school. Then consider approaching people who do not have those preexisting relationships.
If you and your students are taking a trip, try to negotiate with an airline to secure a discount. Although you are less likely to secure discounts if they are not specifically offered by the airlines, it may be possible to do so. Call the airline's office to explain that you will be taking your students on an academic trip and you would like to negotiate a group rate for the tickets. Because you will pitch an academic trip, you may be able to persuade airline staff to offer discounts. They may require a concession, such as the requirement that each student purchase her ticket within a specific amount of time.
