Planning to Study Spanish Abroad Part 5 of 5: Getting Your Plane Tickets

In our series of articles assisting students who seek to learn Spanish abroad, so far we have discussed how to select a location (or locations), how long to study, whether to live with a host or with other students, and even the benefits of adding a sport component to your studies.

Now we would like to cover another important that most people will find imperative. The topic of this article centers on how to find a good deal on your plane ticket. By following these guidelines, you can potentially avoid wasting hundreds of dollars on high cost flights!

When you are planning your trip it is key to realize that flexibility is important. Hence, you do not want to lock yourself into flights. After you arrive in Latin America, you want to have your schedule open. You may very well find that your itinerary changes, as you will invariably find that you like certain locations more or less than you anticipated. Further, you might find that you want to stay longer in a certain city to stay with someone that you have met during your travels.

If you are planning an itinerary of more than one month and you have a flexible end-date, it is best to get a one-way ticket. Because of its modern infrastructure and moderate regional accent, we recommend Buenos Aires as a good starting point for beginning Spanish speakers. If you are a frequent flyer of American Airlines, you can fly one-way to Buenos Aires for only 20,000 points. It is no longer necessary to book round-trip. Delta and United also have flights to Argentina. However, currently their frequent flyer programs do not match what American Airlines offers.

If you are purchasing your flight tickets rather than using frequent flyer miles, consider arriving in Buenos Aires and flying out of Lima or another northern point. The ticket will cost less, and the airline will always let you upgrade to a Buenos Aires or Santiago return flight.

Another excellent starting point for your travels is Lima. This fact is especially true for those students who plan to learn Spanish in Peru. Additionally, this country's residents speak a form of Spanish, which is generally easier to understand. Another benefit of flying into Lima is that you can reach this city for only 15,000 frequent flyer miles.

Unique to American carriers, Spirit Airlines offers low one-way fares. Expect to pay about $500 for a one-way ticket. Remember to wait to buy a return ticket until you know your final destination. It is crucial to note the fact that many students who study Spanish abroad think they have a great itinerary set up. Yet, frequently students meet someone special sometime during their journey, and then their intended travel plan changes.

Many students who plan to travel to Latin America to learn Spanish in Peru, Buenos Aires or Santiago, actually end up getting a job teaching English. As a result, they decide to stay in the country long-term. After all, native speakers are always in high demand. As a result, many travelers end up capitalizing on job opportunities that allow them to stay and explore different countries. By not booking a return ticket, you will leave yourself open to these sorts of possibilities.

When booking tickets to study Spanish abroad, remember that often spending a little advance time researching various options can save you money. A few hours on the computer exploring flights can be well worth it. For example, often students have also had great luck finding low cost tickets on priceline.com. Our next article in the series will contain recommendations for travel within South America for those considering multi-country programs.