Booking Tips for Students

1. After getting the visa, the first thing to do is to search for the cheapest ticket available. If the student is confident about getting a visa, then he/she can also block tickets in advance (before visa) from a travel agent of choice, which will not cost any money. Blocking in advance helps in getting the cheapest ticket. Currently Delta, Air France and Kuwait airways are some of the airlines offering the cheapest tickets. If buying tickets closer to travel date then Northwest, British airways, Lufthansa will usually have tickets available and will also offer student discounts. Buying tickets late means stretching your luck a little bit more!
   
   
2. A few days before the actual journey, call the airlines to confirm your reservation and to cross-check everything the travel agent may have told you.
   
   
3. Indicate whether you want Asian Vegetarian Meal (AVM), non-smoking section, etc. This can be done at the time of booking the tickets with the travel agent. 
   
   
4. Some airlines offer Frequent Flier programs (e.g. Air France, TWA, United Airlines. AA) implying that after a certain number of miles of flying with that airline you get a free ticket. Enroll in such programs. 
   
   
5. Insurance: Buying travel Insurance is a good idea for the first 15 days period. Companies like ICICI Lombard offer reasonable rates. It also gets you peace of mind. They charge like Rs.1500. 
   
   
6. Avoid transit of airline at airports. A direct flight is the best. If change of airline can't be avoided, make sure that there is at least 4-6 hours gap between the scheduled arrival of one flight and the scheduled departure of the connecting flight. 
   
   
7. Arrive at the airport at least 1 1/2 hour before the check in time. 
   
   
8. Drink lot of fluids on the flight. This will help you recover the jetlag very fast. 
   
   
9. Many airlines are fussy about the weight of your cabin baggage. The usual weight limit is 8 Kg but 10 kg generally admissible. However, it’s better to check with the airlines regarding this.
   
   
10. Always carry important documents with you all the time like your passport, tickets, I-20, contact info of Kansas State University and your temporary host in Manhattan. Carry one photocopy of these documents in the check-in-luggage. For information, the luggage which goes in the plane with you is called cabin bag and the luggage (two big suitcases) which goes in the plane is called check-in-luggage. 
    
    
11. Ideally, a student can bring $ 500/- in cash, $ 1000/- in travelers cheques and a personal draft of the amount equal to one semester's expenses. You may check your I-20 to determine this amount.