STA Travel

megsykins

Just a quick plug for STA Travel!!
I'm v chuffed, looking to fly Manchester - NY next May, STA = £390 - direct with BA. Same flights from BA are £520!! :j
Even after doing everything Martin suggests in his 'How to find a cheap flight' article, STA still cheapest by £30 and cheapest direct flights by over £100. :T

You need an ISIC / IYTC card (£8 from your Union) It's different to your NUS card as the ISIC is recognised abroad and so you'll get discounts everywhere - well worth it even just for a city break!

Moral of the story - check STA first!

student100

Incidentally, you can also buy your ISIC card from STA Travel...

hyperhailz

Can anyone share their expereinces with STA? We've looked there to go to NY next May but because I haven't heard much about them before I'm a bit cautious.

Most_Wanted

used them when I was a student and managed to fly to NY with BA direct in early December for £200. Even got a free antler suitcase from BA out of it cos they damaged my bag very slightly.

STA not always the cheapest though. Always worth a check for prices.

Would definitely recommend them.

Other Student Travel agency is CTS Travel who can at times be cheaper than STA.
Travelcuts now only operate from Canada and CIEE/Campus Travel have gone bust.

Don't forget its not just students..if you are under 26 you can also benefit from the fares.

hyperhailz

So theres STA and CTS - any other good places for students to look for? I want a good place to stay as well 3* not normal students places.

MDUK

hyperhailz wrote:

Can anyone share their expereinces with STA? We've looked there to go to NY next May but because I haven't heard much about them before I'm a bit cautious.

STA are probably the biggest global travel agent operating in the student/youth market. Originated in Auststralia (Student Travel Australia)The reason you probably haven't heard of them is that they are a niche player, they don't advertise in the way that say Thomas Cook does. You will only ever hear of them if you are looking for a flight or their spciality, RTW's (Round The World) trips. Customers are therefore predominantly students, U26's and backpackers.

The thing that used to make STA unique (not sure if it still applies) was that their tickets could be changed for a low fee. Most cheap tickets are fixed dates. So if you are going to take a year to travel round the world you can book flights for approximate dates but have the flexibility to change if you want to stay somewhere longer or leave somewhere early. May not be relevant on an MAN-NYC return flight but something most people don't(but should) take into account when booking a RTW.

They are a good company, not only did i travel round the world with them, when i came back i worked for them for 2 years.