Study Abroad: Airfare

Purchasing your Airfare
Advice for On-line Purchase of Airfare

Purchasing airfare is the responsibility of the student. Some programs offer optional group flights. A few destinations require that students join the group flight. An airfare allowance is included in the budget submitted to financial aid and therefore the expense is included when financial need is determined. Students who purchase their ticket directly and whose financial aid exceeds program costs paid directly to the program sponsor by CMC may be eligible to receive a check for the balance remaining in their account. The check is disbursed by Student Accounts and must be requested in writing. Students who purchase their ticket directly and whose parents or guardians will owe money to CMC to cover program costs paid directly on the student's behalf, pay airfare with money coming from Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). This results in owing less money to CMC.

Sources for purchase of student airfare:
Claremont Travel: (909) 621-3947
Travelog: (909) 981-4937
Travel Cuts: http://www.travelcuts.com
Student Universe: http://www.studentuniverse.com
Travel Craft: (800) 777-CRAF

Note: We suggest students purchase tickets that allow (with a low fee such as $100) for changes to the return flight date.

Due to the current world climate, your airline ticket for study abroad must be a round trip ticket. Should you purchase a one way ticket, you can be denied a visa and/or denied entry upon arrival in your host country.

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Advice for On-line Purchase of Airfare:

• Know your Program Sponsor's recommended arrival airport.
• Always read the fine print; are the rules of purchase of deals clearly displayed?
• Make a tentative reservation and then call the airlines on which you plan to fly to inquire if they would recommend the web organization that you are using to book your flight.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau or look on the Thorn Tree which is Lonely Planet's chat area.
• Are transactions secure? Look for Verigisn or TrustE insignias, which assure users that privacy policies and SSL encryption are in place.
• Does the website clearly post a privacy policy and terms of use?
• Is there a customer service center that can be contacted in case of questions or emergency?
• What are the rules, restrictions and penalties for ticket cancellations or changes? Can these be made directly with the carrier?
• Can the organization produce references from known educational institutions?

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