It is a fact that air travel is expensive. It may be alright for business people or those who are employed but when it comes to students, it is a different matter altogether.  With hefty college fees and several miscellaneous expenses to bear, college students hesitate to spend huge amounts on air travel. However, it is impossible to avoid commuting by plane altogether. Several students study in colleges that are thousand of miles away from home. Then there are those who choose to study abroad and those who go on exchange programs. There are also students whose vacation plans involve lots of travel. Whichever category you may fall into, the question is, how can you get cheap airline fares?

Remember, airline fares are highest during peak seasons like Christmas. Just about everyone seems to be traveling at the same time and getting a good bargain looks impossible. But a few adjustments in your plans can work wonders for your budget. Try to fly during the week instead of waiting for weekends. You may be able to get low rates since there is less rush on week days. The problem is that you may have to fly on dates which are not convenient for you. For example, you may have to fly on Easter Sunday or New Years Eve.

You can save a couple of dollars by choosing flights which depart at odd hours. Most people avoid flights that leave at 6am or late at night. By choosing to fly at such odd times, you may be able to avail lower air fares. You can also check out the rates for flights to and from nearby destinations. Sometimes, airlines flying in and out of smaller cities can give you lower fares and better flight hours. For instance, if you are flying to Miami, check out the flight rates to Fort Lauderdale. It is bound to be cheaper and Fort Lauderdale is less than an hour from Miami.

Sometimes, you can get cheap tickets directly from the airlines websites. Airlines prefer to have their flights full. However, they may not always be able to do so. Leftover seats are sold at a fraction of their original price. Make it a point to check the websites of several different airlines and see which one offers the best bargain. Airlines come up with promotional fares from time to time. You can find advertisements on such offers in newspapers. You can set alerts in travel sites like Orbitz to inform you when the fares between two destinations have fallen below a certain amount.

Another option is to approach discount student travel sellers like STA Travel and StudentUniverse that offer great student discounts. They have agreements with different airlines and offer discounted fares on their websites.  STA requires students and teachers to pay $22 for a one-year membership. Students will be issued an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). You will need to submit a valid student ID, a current class schedule or a tuition receipt so that the company can verify your student status. You can then use this card to avail discounts on airfares. This card is also useful for study abroad programs.  Student Universe does not require you to purchase an ISIC card. You can use their website to book tickets airline tickets, hostel rooms and even travel insurance. StudentUniverse has agreements with several airlines , including some of the biggest in the world, like American, Air France-KLM SA, United, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, British Airways PLC etc.

The price of tickets and the availability of low fares and good discounts depend to a great extent on the economic climate. When business is at a peak, there is sure to be an increased demand for flight tickets since businessmen and executives and marketing agents travel a lot at this time. However, when there is an economic slowdown, like at present, there is less demand for tickets and it is easier to get cheap air fares.

In conclusion, getting cheap airfares for students is certainly not easy. It takes plenty of adjustment and lots of research to find the best bargain. Nevertheless, it is not an impossible task either.