Welcome to the Air Travel

Advising Session!

Overview of CIE

• Comprehensive international office• Academic Programs

• Global Studies degree program, international certificates, culture café

• International Student & Scholar Services• International degree-seeking student advising; visas

for all international students

• Institute of World Affairs• K-16 outreach to schools, TV program, Great Decisions,

Kennan Forum, Mock UN for High School students

• Overseas Programs & Partnerships• STUDY ABROAD!, inter-institutional exchanges, help

incoming exchange students

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First Things First• Get your passport! (http://travel.state.gov/passport)• Contact other students in your program (reflector email, set up

facebook group)

• Know your dates of travel • Be aware of time and date changes!

• Book Early• More selection and better prices!

• Research your destination• How many airports are in (or near) your destination city?

• Check for fares and ground transportation to pick your best option.

• Pay close attention to your connecting flights• Do your flights arrive/depart from the same airport!• Check how long you have between flights

• We recommend travel insurance!• Some options: www.travelguard.com or www.statravel.com

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Travel Agents• A good travel agent is an expert. He or she

can save you considerable time and money• List of travel agents in Milwaukee

• http://www.milwaukee.com/travel-agents/business-directory

• http://www.angieslist.com/companylist/milwaukee/travel-agencies.htm (with reviews!)

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Online Options

• Travel Websites or buy from the airline directly:

Travel Websites Airline Websiteswww.studentuniverse.com www.aa.comwww.orbitz.com www.delta.comwww.hotwire.com www.ba.comwww.edtravel.com www.jal.comwww.travelocity.com www.united.comwww.expedia.com www.southwest.comwww.kayak.com www.ryanair.comwww.statravel.com www.lufthansa.com

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Booking your ticket

• Try Different Options*• Try different dates

• Fly Midweek (Friday, Sunday and Monday tend to be the heaviest travel days)

• Fly on a different day (some destinations might not have daily flights – particularly more remote destinations)

• Try different departure cities• Try different destinations

• Fly into one city (e.g. Rome) and return from another city (e.g. Florence) Note: this may be more expensive, and you may run the risk of losing your luggage.

• Try alternative airports near your departure or destination city

*Consider how this may change your other costs like local transportation or housing if you change dates!

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Ticket Types

• What does it mean if a ticket is non-refundable?• You will not get a refund if you don’t use your ticket. (Policies

vary by airline, so check with them for your specific policy.)• You MAY be able to use your non-refundable ticket at

another time, but you will generally have to pay a change fee to change the destination, date or any other parts of the ticket.

• PLEASE NOTE: If you are using a travel consolidator (like Priceline or Orbitz), remember that they can sign agreements with the airline that will eliminate some of your protections, so in their case non-refundable may mean use it or lose it.

• What about refundable tickets?• One way tickets?

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Advice to help avoid flight delays• Fly non-stop or with minimal connections (every time you

take off or land it adds to your chance of delay.)

• Make sure your flights have ample time to make a connection. (If you are booking through a travel agent, an airline or website, they will give you minimum connecting time.)

• Take early morning flights if possible. They are usually on time. Plus, if there is a delay, you will have more time during the day to make it to your destination. (Please note, non-stop flights to Europe generally leave at night!)

• Avoid flying between Milwaukee and Chicago, these flights are very frequently delayed! (Especially in the winter.)

• Check the flight status before leaving the airport – arrive at the airport early even if the flight is delayed.

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Booking your ticket

• Go to a travel website

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Booking your ticket

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• Look at flight options

Booking your ticket

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• Select your Flight

Booking your ticket

• Select your flight option

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Booking your ticket• Travel Insurance (may be available to purchase with your ticket!

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Booking your ticket• Investigate Airline website (sometimes cheaper rates!)

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Booking your ticket

• Continue with the website instructions to purchase your flight, you may need to create an account on the website.

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Booking your ticket

• Note any preferences (can usually select seats, order special meals or other services after the flight reservation is complete):

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Before Departure/Day of Departure

• Before Departure • Early check-in via carrier website is an option –

generally up to 24 hours before the flight. You still need to check bags on arrival to the airport.

• Day of Departure• Arrive early! Airports require you to check in at

least 2 hours before international flights – some airports/airlines request you be there up to 4 hours before the flight.

• Check the Transportation Security Administration website for any updates before traveling: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm

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Checked Baggage

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Carry-on Baggage and Check in• Carry on Limitations

• Size and weight – airlines have specific size and weight allowances for carry on baggage. You are generally safe with a small rolling bag that is 22ins x 18ins x 10ins dimension and less than 13 lbs.

• Take any medications or other critical items (including travel documents) in your carry-on, no fresh fruit or vegetables (not usually allowed).

• Suggestion – bring a change of clothes and necessary toiletry items in case of lost luggage!

• Make sure you verify your medications are acceptable in your destination!

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Flight Disruptions

What should I do if I miss my connecting flight?• Go to the airline personnel, explain your situation and

they will help you rebook your flight. • If you miss the connection because of your error, the

airline may charge additional fees. If it is the airline’s fault, they will generally make arrangements for you at no charge.

• If the next available flight is the following day, you may have additional expenses for hotel and meals.

• If the airline causes the delay they will usually provide vouchers for you. Ask the airline personnel.

• Call airline reservations. (Keep numbers for Airline in your carry on!)

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Flight Disruptions

What should I do if my flight is delayed or cancelled?• Work with the airline personnel to get your flight

rebooked. • In the US this will usually happen at the ticket counter or

at a service area. In other countries the staff will direct you to where you need to go for rebooking.

• Stay Calm• Being nice and working with the agent will usually help you

resolve the problem more quickly than losing your temper.

• Call Reservations• If the delay or cancellation happens before your first flight,

you may be able to take care of rebooking before going to the airport

• If you are in line to speak with an agent, call to see if you can get a seat on a different flight.

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Flight Disruptions

What should I do if my luggage is lost?• File a claim for the lost luggage with the airline at the airport

• Some airlines will only honor the claim if you make it on arrival

• Leave a good description of your bag and its contents• Many bags look alike, so know the bag’s brand name, know the

style, how many pockets, have something distinctive in the outer pocket or tie something to your handle.

• Leave complete itinerary and contact information with the airline

• Find out who you should call, and when you should call to follow up on your claim

• Find out the airline’s policy on lost baggage • Will they reimburse you for items you need to purchase? How long

must your bag be missing before they will reimburse you?

• Note – airlines will not cover lost jewelry, money or other valuables.

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Questions?

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Be smart, be safe, have a great time!

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness—all foes to real understanding” --Mark Twain