Tips for Booking your Flight
At this time you should have received your program arrival and departure dates from your CIS Abroad Program Enrollment Coordinator- these dates are located in your acceptance email. If you're unable to locate this information, speak with your Program Enrollment Coordinator.
Timeline: When you Need to Take Action
We will need to know what your itinerary is at least 4 weeks prior to arrival so our on-site staff can arrange your airport pick-up and be there to greet you. If you would like to be picked up at the airport by CIS Abroad staff, you will need to arrive during the airport pick-up window indicated in your acceptance email. Once you are accepted into your program, there is a form in your portal for uploading your flight details.
If you are unable to travel for any reason and need to change or cancel your flight itinerary, please note that CIS Abroad does not offer refunds on flights.
Booking Flights: How to Get the Best Deal
Booking Direct vs. Partner Websites or Travel Agencies
You will most likely get the best deal by purchasing directly from the airline, but partner websites can often put together itineraries that combine two or more airlines to create an itinerary that you may not have found yourself. You can utilize partner websites such as Momondo, Skyscanner, Kayak, or Kiwi to track when a “good deal” may come up or to search potential itineraries, but we recommend booking directly with the airline when possible. Doing so can make it easier if you need to make changes to your flight, and you'll often receive better alternative options if your flight is canceled or delayed.
Take Advantage of your Student Status
There are travel agencies geared specifically toward offering the best deals and booking options to students and we partner with one of the them- check out Student Universe for booking options that may be right for you.
Airline Policies: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Flexible & Refundable Fares
Sometimes the best deal isn’t the cheapest, but is the most secure. When purchasing your ticket, you should consider booking with an airline that allows flight changes for a nominal fee. Do your research to find out which airlines have the lowest change rate, keeping in mind that international change fees depend on your airline, the route and the length of flight. Generally these fees are displayed during the booking process.
You should also consider the price difference between a non-refundable and refundable ticket (if your airline offers the choice). Generally, flexible (or refundable) tickets are more expensive than a “saver” fare, but they offer an extra bit of assurance that you have options if you need to alter your travel plans later.
Cancellation Policies
Most airlines have strict cancellation policies, so it’s important to keep these in mind when you are deciding which airline(s) to travel with. While many airlines are updating their policies in light of the unprecedented travel situations, it’s important to do your research.
If you need to cancel a booking, it’s best to go directly to the airline rather than through website partners (like Kayak) for faster and better results. Please note that airline customer services lines often have long wait times, so we recommend also checking out what online options may be available for making changes to your booking to save yourself time and avoid frustration.
DID YOU KNOW?: The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has a “24-hour rule” in place for customers, which ensures that anyone who books a non-refundable flight at least seven days ahead of the scheduled departure direct from the airline on a flight going to or from the US can cancel or change that ticket free of charge within 24 hours of booking.
Travel Insurance: How to Protect your Travel Plans
Here’s a link to information about a Cancellation For Any Reason / Interruption For Any Reason plan on our website.
You've Booked your Flights? Awesome!
In order for your onsite CIS Abroad team to arrange your airport pick-up and welcome, we need your complete flight information. Please add your itinerary to your Student Portal, starting with your first flight and ending with the flight that lands you in your program destination. Don't have any connecting flights? Lucky you! Just check the box at the bottom of the page to let us know which flight is the last one on your itinerary. Double check to make sure all information has been entered correctly.
Please note that airport pick-ups can only be guaranteed for the arrival date and timeframe listed in your acceptance email, so if you are planning on arriving outside of that window, our team may reach out to discuss your arrival logistics in more detail.