Flight Centre Travel Group-owned StudentUniverse’s inaugural student travel survey reveals:
- 65 per cent of students would take a flight with 1+ stops to save money
- 60 per cent would fly to a less convenient airport to save money
- 64 per cent are paying for their travel themselves
- Less than four per cent travel for nightlife
- Nearly half (41 per cent) want authentic, off the beaten track experiences
- Nearly a third (29 per cent) prefer solo travel
StudentUniverse, the world’s leading travel booking service for students and youth, have revealed 65 per cent of students would take a flight with one or more stops to save money when direct or non-stop options are available, while 60 per cent of students polled would fly to a less convenient airport to save money.
The findings, from the company’s inaugural student travel survey, also revealed students are willing to forego convenience for relatively modest savings; 71 per cent would do so for savings of around £40-£80 ($50-$100). This may be largely driven by the fact that students (64 per cent according to our survey respondents) are paying for their travel themselves. Price is the primary concern for more than 90 per cent of students when booking travel.
Rebecca Heidgerd, StudentUniverse’s Director of Marketing, said: “Students look for cost savings opportunities, but they don’t just book the cheapest flight full stop. Many students look at a number of other factors, including connection time, airline reputation/reviews and baggage fees. More than ever, educated travellers are looking closely at exactly what they will be getting for their money and expect full transparency around their flight prior to booking.”
Additional findings include:
Nightlife is a priority for less than 4 per cent of respondents; instead, nearly half (41 per cent) look for authentic, off the beaten track experiences
Given the focus on authenticity, it is no surprise that a quarter of students prefer to stay in Airbnbs while traveling. The lack of focus on nightlife may also be due in part to how students are travelling – nearly a third (29 per cent) actually prefer to travel solo to be on their own schedule and more than half (51 per cent) will travel solo if they can’t find friends to join them on their trip.
64 per cent of students book the cheapest fare they can find and would consider booking basic economy fares if they meet their criteria.
While 19 per cent of students had not heard of these fares, only 5 per cent of students found the restrictions (advanced seat selection, checked baggage, inability to cancel) unsuitable for their travel style. Students cite booking their travel 3-6 months prior to their trip.
While 22 per cent of students search on mobile, 72 per cent of students don’t end up booking on mobile.
International students are 2.5 times more likely to book on mobile or in-app as compared with US students. Mobile-specific offers do matter though, 42 per cent of students state that the most important consideration in downloading an app are the offers they will receive.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
* StudentUniverse polled nearly 5,000 US student travellers to learn more about their booking habits, the tradeoffs that would be willing to make for cost savings, usage of mobile in the booking process and habits in-destination.
For further press information, please contact:
Melissa Hobson/Natalie Garland/James Brooke
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8927
E: [email protected]
About StudentUniverse
StudentUniverse is the world’s leading travel booking site for students and youth. Through negotiations with a network of global partners, StudentUniverse offers discounted pricing and terms on flights, hotels and tours. Its Travel Services division also handles complex itineraries, custom designed gap year experiences and group travel requests. StudentUniverse also operates Journeys are Made @ GapYear.com, the world’s largest gap year inspiration travel platform.
StudentUniverse launched in the UK in 2013 and was acquired by Flight Centre Travel Group in 2015. StudentUniverse is headquartered in Boston with offices in London, Toronto, New York and the Philippines. StudentUniverse believes that travel is essential to a modern education. Millions of students use the service every year.
For more information go to www.studentuniverse.co.uk, www.facebook.com/StudentUniverseUK, www.twitter.com/studentu_uk or www.instagram.com/studentuniverseuk.
