Students utilize travel options

Students hoping to get last minute holiday flights may have more trouble than they anticipate.

Most airlines advise that anyone flying during the holiday season order tickets three months ahead of their departure.

"We recommend three months, but students should at least try to book a flight one month in advance," said Tony Mihalic, a sales agent for Delta Airlines.

Although airlines encourage early bookings to avoid waits and rushes, some flights are still available.

Some airlines even have limited bookings for the Thanksgiving holiday. Delta Airlines offers a Thanksgiving package for travel on Nov. 24 or 27 and a return on the Nov. 27 or 28.

MARGARET MYERS/Daily After vacationing in Miami last year, Business junior Seth Hollander collects his luggage at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Students can also rent cars if they have a credit card and are more than 21 years old. Trains and buses are other options for students who don't want to drive.

The Greyhound bus system offers students a discount card, which gives a 10 percent discount for any fare all year.

University Express, a luxury bus service that runs students on routes between Grand Rapids, East Lansing and the University is active extra days before and after Thanksgiving.

"There will be additional runs to help students get home. I have been flooded with calls for Thanksgiving rides," said Daniel Ward, University Express owner.

Holiday fare specials and student rates can make the trip home by airplane more affordable.

A-1 Vacations, American Eagle Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines and US Airways offer various holiday discount packages. Most of these packages require passengers to travel on restricted days. These times tend to be one or two days before Christmas for departure and New Year's Eve or New Year's Day for return.

Southwest Airlines offers a five-percent discount on fares for people between the ages of 12 and 22. The only requirement is proof of age.

United Airlines has a domestic travel package deal for people under age 25. It is a $548 package of four coupons, which are good for any two round-trip flights to anywhere in the United States. The coupons must be used within a year of their purchase.

American Airlines offers a feature called "Student Saver Fares," an e-mail service that notifies students when their are any savings or information about flights that may pertain to them.

Western Pacific Airlines has a combination of holiday discounts.

"Fares start as low as $79 one way for off-peak or $99 peak for travel over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday. Students must be attending an accredited college or university and be between the ages of 17 and 28," said Elise Eberwein of Western Pacific Airlines.

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