How to get student discount flight deals

Looking for ways to save on your next spring break trip or summer adventure? Here are a few of the best ways to save as a student: 

• Check out Canadian airlines that partner with student discount websites for discounted fares and deals.

• If you’re planning a getaway (European summer, anyone?) with a bunch of your friends, look into airlines that offer group discounts.

• Get your official ISIC Canada card to unlock student discounts on everything from retail and entertainment to select flights.

• Sign up for a student travel credit card to earn points on everyday purchases and turn them into reward miles.

• Scour the internet for the cheapest flights out there on discount flight websites. 

• Stay flexible with your travel dates. Shifting a day or two could save you a few hundred dollars.

Air Canada Student Flight Pass

Air Canada offers Student Flight Passes on select routes, helping full-time or part-time students save on airfare. These passes let you purchase a bundle of flight credits for a set period within specific regions. They come with benefits like prepaid pricing, advance seat selection, and added flexibility within the pass zone, making it easy to plan multiple trips without paying the full fare each time. 

American Airlines Group Discount

If you’re planning a group trip, like a study abroad with your crew or spring break getaway, American Airlines offers group travel options that make planning easier and more affordable. For groups of 10 or more travellers, you can work with American’s Group Meeting and Travel team to secure group pricing and benefits on flights to the same destination. 

With a group booking, you can block off space and hold a fare quote up to 11 months in advance, making it easy to plan ahead and coordinate your seats on the way there. You can also book travel where members leave from different locations, as long as everyone arrives at the same destination.

Top tools for student discount flights

One of the best ways to get student flight discounts in Canada and abroad is by signing up for the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Full-time students over 12 years old can use this card to get access to over 150,000 discounts, including savings on flights, accommodations, tickets, tours, and more.

If you’re a member of the Canadian Federation of Students (the CFS/FCEE), you can get your ISIC card for free. Simply head to your local student union to pick one up or sign up online. For more information about the benefits of being a CFS member, head to their website. 

Websites with student flight discounts

BYOjet

Once known as Student Universe, BYOjet is the go-to destination for student flight discounts and travel deals. You can search flights from many airlines in one convenient place, and unlock student discount air travel by verifying your age and student status. 

Once you complete verification, BYOjet will show you the discounted fares you’re eligible for and let you book them right on the site. You can even compare routes, filter results, and book multi-destination travel (how does island hopping during winter break sound?).

If you’re looking to earn travel rewards while building credit, check out the CIBC Aeroplan Visa for Students. With no annual fee and flexible approval for those with limited credit, it makes it easy to start collecting Aeroplan points on your everyday purchases. 

You’ll earn one point for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging, groceries, and Air Canada vacations, and one point for every $1.50 spent on all other purchases. Use those points for flights, hotels, travel perks, and you’ll be racking up rewards while planning your next adventure. You can even earn up to 10,000 points just for signing up for the card!

More tips for cheap flights and student deals

1. Be flexible

A little flexibility can go a long way when you’re searching for cheaper flights. Whether it’s shifting your travel dates or being open to flying out of an alternative airport, there are plenty of ways for students to save. Here’s what you can do:

• Flying out of or into a nearby airport can sometimes shave hundreds off your ticket price. For example, if your home airport is in Vancouver, flights out of nearby Abbotsford, Seattle, or Bellingham can be significantly cheaper.

• Choose off-peak times, such as mid-week, off-season, and overnight, rather than flying on weekends or during peak travel periods. 

• Keep an eye on fares using Skyscanner’s Price Alert to catch deals as soon as they pop up.

2. Fly with a budget airline

Budget airlines are a student’s best friend when it comes to affordable travel. They offer fares much lower than full-service carriers, making it easy to snag flights on a tight budget. Just keep in mind that they might sneak in some hidden costs for extra baggage, seat selection, or in-flight meals. But if you’re flexible and aren’t picky about those little extras, budget airlines can save you a lot.

Canadian budget airlines:

• Flair Airlines

• Air Canada Rouge

• Sunwing

• AirTransat

American budget airlines:

• Spirit Airlines

• Frontier Airlines

• Southwest Airlines

• JetBlue

• Allegiant Air

3. Set up a ‘price alert’ for the best deals

Skyscanner’s Price Alert is the easiest way to track flights over time. Simply set up an alert for your desired route, and you’ll get email notifications whenever the prices rise or drop. You can add or remove routes at any time, and the free Skyscanner app lets you manage alerts right from your phone. 

4. Check out our ‘best time to book’ tool

Finding the best flight deal doesn’t have to involve guesswork. Our month-by-month flight shows how much prices vary day by day, so you can find the cheapest day to head out on your dream trip. Explore this guide to learn how to best use this tool with the Skyscanner App or on your desktop computer. 

5. Look for hotels with student discounts

Before booking your hotel, always check whether it offers student discounts. If not, joining a hotel rewards program can still help you score discounts and member-only rates on your stay. A little research can help you save money, so you have more budget for that long-haul flight. 

Still looking for ways to find cheap flights?

Now you know all the tips and tricks to take advantage of your student status and score student rate flights for your next trip. Use Skyscanner to compare cheap flights, hotels, and car rentals, and remember, even on a budget, you can still take your dream vacation!