Flights
Purchasing flights to Costa Rica
Your Flight Purchasing Options
We want to give you flexibility and control. When it comes to flights, you have two choices:
- Let Us Handle It: We can purchase group flights for you.
- Purchase On Your Own: We provide the flight details, and you handle the booking.
Let’s explore each option in detail so you can decide what’s best for your group.
Option 1: Group Flights (Purchased by Us)
For groups of ten or more travelers, we can arrange your flights directly with the airline. This involves us calling the airline to secure your reservation.
How it Works:
Because flight prices fluctuate, group ticket sales often take an average cost for the entire group. Once your reservation is made, we will request traveler information from you and then send the tickets directly to the lead teacher or chaperone.
Pros of Group Flights:
- Everyone Pays the Same Price: This makes budgeting simple and fair for all participants.
- Everyone on the Same Flight: Ensures your entire group travels together seamlessly, simplifying logistics for chaperones.
- Worry-Free Coordination: We handle the complex booking process directly with the airline, taking that burden off the teachers and organizers. You do not need to worry about individual participants missing booking deadlines or making errors.
- Flexible Payment Schedule: Airlines often allow a deposit to hold the seats, with final payment not due until closer to the departure date. This can be very helpful for collecting funds from participants.
- Up to a Certain Point, Name Changes are Easier: Group contracts often allow for a certain number of name changes or substitutions without fees, which is beneficial if your student roster shifts before travel.
Cons of Group Flights:
- Changes Can Be Difficult: Adjustments to flight details (like an incorrect passport number or a change in individual travel plans) can be harder to make once tickets are issued, and specific seat selection might be limited.
- Potentially Higher Cost: Group tickets tend to be about 30% more expensive than what you might find on public search engines like Google Flights or Kayak.
- Not Available for Smaller Groups: This option is only for groups of 10 or more.
Option 2: Flights Purchased On Your Own
If you prefer to have more control over the purchasing process or are looking for potentially lower prices, this option is for you.
How it Works:
We will send you the exact flight details (specific airlines, flight numbers, and dates) that we recommend. From there, your school or group can either purchase the tickets directly, or you can share the flight link with participants to purchase on their own.
Pros of Purchasing On Your Own:
- Usually More Affordable: You can often find more competitive pricing than with group tickets, especially if you book early or during sales.
- Greater Flight Choice: You have access to all available airlines, routes, and departure times to and from SJO, allowing for more flexibility in choosing flights that best fit individual preferences or schedules.
- Flexibility with Changes: Depending on the specific ticket type purchased (e.g., a flexible economy fare), individual tickets may offer more straightforward options for making changes or cancellations, though fees may still apply.
- Good Option for Smaller Groups: This is an excellent choice for groups with fewer than 10 travelers, where group flight options may not be available.
- Potential for Loyalty Benefits: Individual travelers can earn and redeem airline miles or status benefits with their preferred airline loyalty programs.
- Direct Control Over Booking Information: Each traveler or their parent/guardian directly enters their personal and passport information, which can reduce the chance of transcription errors.
Cons of Purchasing On Your Own:
- Risk of Different Flights/Itineraries: Despite clear instructions, individuals might accidentally book the wrong flight, different dates, or even a different airline, complicating arrival logistics.
- Risk of Sell-Outs: If participants do not purchase their tickets in a timely manner, flights can sell out, potentially leaving some behind or requiring them to book on different, more expensive flights.
- Dynamic Pricing Impact: Prices can change rapidly. Those who purchase later might end up paying significantly more than those who buy early, leading to inconsistent pricing within the group.
- Significant Coordination Burden: The school or group leader is responsible for ensuring all participants book the correct flights by the deadline, requiring continuous communication and follow-up.
