Set your alarms for the best boarding call of the season.
The end of the fall semester can be stressful for students as they balance final exams, extracurricular obligations, and arranging travel plans to get home for the holidays. A few weeks after the busy Thanksgiving travel weekend, going home for Christmas can financially strain some families. Domestically, round-trip flights average about $400 during Christmas, according to the booking platform Hopper. Although this may seem relatively manageable for some, students are worried about the cost of holiday travel.
Students Want to Travel
Even with the concerns of rising costs, students are making a way. In an article shared by Amazon, 79% of students are saving up for some kind of travel. Pending adventure seekers are so dedicated to making their trips happen that 42% will opt to sleep in their vehicles, and 51% are willing to sleep in a motel over other travel lodging like hotels or vacation home rentals. That’s some serious commitment.
Amazon Wants to Ease the Financial Burden of Holiday Travel
Prime memberships have delivered incredible savings for users like overnight or two-day shipping, money-saving subscriptions for recurring product orders, in-store discounts at local grocers, and now they are introducing reduced flights. But you’ll have to move fast to unwrap the savings.
Amazon has partnered with Student Universe to offer $25 domestic flights for its Prime student members. The caveat? Only 3,000 flights are available over three days, dropping in 1,000 increments. You’ll want to set your alarm because the first wave of flights is available starting at 6:00 am PST on December 5th and ending on December 7th. You’ll log onto the Prime Student x StudentUniverse page to activate the promotion, browse, and purchase flights. On December 6th and 7th, you can check the page at midnight PST for eligible routes.
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Students who secure flights at the promotional rate must select outbound travel dates between December 8-25 and a return date between December 8- January 14. The maximum discount for airfare is $500. Amazon also notes the following in the terms and conditions of the promotion: Maximum of 1 ticket per verified Amazon Prime Student Member and only 1 passenger per booking. Only current and valid members of Amazon Prime Student, who have activated the StudentUniverse Prime Student Exclusive offer will be eligible to participate in the Promotion.
If you can not snag a discounted flight, there are still opportunities to save. Student Universe will run a secondary promotion to offer $25 off the price of a domestic flight using the promo code “PRIME25”. The promotion code will be valid until 11:59 pm PST on December 8th.
While this is a first-time offer, the Amazon x Student Universe partnership offers regular travel deals for enrolled account holders. Prime Student members save up to 10% off already discounted flights plus receive 10% back on hotels as an Amazon Gift Card post-trip.
In a statement, Carmen Nestares, Vice President of U.S. Prime and Marketing Tech at Amazon, said, “And as travel costs continue to rise, we’re happy to help make flying more affordable for Prime Students who want to spend this important time with family and friends. It’s another way we’re delivering incredible savings, value, and convenience to our Prime Student members each year.”
Have a Game Plan in Mind
Trying to land a $25 flight can feel like the Hunger Games. For a better chance of securing a flight, try these tips:
1. Be sure your Amazon account is active and up-to-date. You’ll also want to store your payment information ahead of time.
2. Be flexible in your plans, including travel dates and airports. Jot down the airport code for your closest and any nearby airports. Your primary airport of choice may not have an eligible route whereas a nearby one could. Search all available options.
Who Is Eligible for a Prime Student Membership?
Signing up for an Amazon Student Prime account is quick and easy. By using your .edu email address (or providing other proof of enrollment such as class schedule), anyone between 18-24 years old or those enrolled in a two or four-year college is eligible for a Prime Student account.
Students will receive a free six-month trial. Afterward, the monthly membership rate is $7.49.
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