When putting a big trip together, one of the hardest parts of the process is figuring out how you are going to get everyone there. One of the first questions you should ask is “Do I have enough people to qualify as a group?”. If you have 12 or more people who are looking for the same dates of travel and same routing, you do qualify for group airfares.
Simplify the Planning Process
The biggest benefit of group travel is that it keeps the planning process simple. With a group, you are guaranteeing that everyone is traveling together on the same flight and paying the same price. You also have the ability to pay only a group deposit up front. Usually, you do not have to provide any names or pay the balance until 35-45 days before departure. This gives you plenty of time to recruit participants without the worry of price fluctuations or lack of availability. Plus, it’s always nice to know ahead of time you will be flying with your friends, and making new ones along the way.
Understand the Costs
A common myth is that because you are in a group, the airfare will always be cheaper. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. While we negotiate the best deals possible with almost every major domestic and international airline, airplanes are limited in the amount of seats they can sell at discounted fares. We strive to offer the most competitive group airfares for students, youth, and faculty members.
Start Early
Whether traveling for fun or to volunteer, it also helps to do some homework ahead of time. If you are planning to travel during peak seasons such as Mexico in March or Europe in the summer, plan well in advance. If you aren’t sure of destinations or pricing, check StudentUniverse to compare prices all over the world.