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STA Travel is the world’s largest student travel organization helping students travel in over 90 countries. They offer real value and flexibility, as well as genuine advice and first-hand experience. They are dedicated to providing young people with products and services that make travel fun, affordable, and safe. Site features include flight booking, hotels, hostels, travel insurance, global rail as well land tour products. Information on activities and destinations. Special deals, both domestic and international. STA Travel has more than 200 stores around the world, helping more than 2 million students annually.

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STA Travel Refund - USA - has anyone actually received one? - Air Travel Forum

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STA Travel Refund - USA - has anyone actually received one?

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My niece booked flights ( flights booked in Jan 2020) to Europe on Icelandair via STA Travel for June 2020, but the flights were cancelled due to the pandemic. STA went bankrupt before they issued her a refund and Icelandair says they can't do anything about it. She's tried her credit card company, but they are also refusing to help.

Is there any recourse that can be taken?

I've read advise but it's all centered around the UK and their protections for customers.

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

I do not know why your credit card will not help. The only reason I can see is they do not want to lose the money as they can not get it back from the bankrupt company.

Easier might be to try and collect from your travel insurance.

In the UK credit card users would pursue a refund according to "Section 75" which largely offers protection when goods are paid for and the merchant goes bust- used it myself. Is there no equivalent protection in USA? I say this because I wouldn't want you to lose an opportunity of redress if you are actually entitled.

In this instance I do not believe there is any section 75 coverage.

........................................................................................................................

The important is you have to book direct . Not through a 3rd party. So I am pretty sure they would be denied.

In the UK, administrators were appointed a couple of months ago and are going through their process and so customers may see some money back through them, but as far as I know, nothing has been finalised yet. Have you received an email from any administrators in the USA?

The card provider would be my first attempt to recoup the money. Does your daughter have travel insurance? That would be the next step.

I don’t think that is correct. The OP has no contract with FI. The money has to be returned to STA as this is where the contract is. In turn it will be the Administrator who deals with it. The Administrators may already have requested a refund from FI. But that refund will just go into the pot of the recovered money to be distributed as per bankruptcy rules.

Sadly this is one of the perils of booking through a 3rd party. Many countries such as UK have added protections against bankruptcy such as Section 75, ATOL but not all countries do. Sounds like there is not anything similar in USA. Travel insurance is her best bet, she does have travel insurance?

>>Though If the OTA is bankrupt<<

STA wasn't an OTA

No, you are right, it was a chain of on-the-high-street travel agents

Thanks so much for mulling this one over. Unfortunately there is not an equivalent for section 75 in the US.

We are going to try to see if the CC offered travel insurance for the tickets - which some in the states do. I feel quite bad about it all as she saved and spent her own money on the tickets and now can't get any of it back.

Again, if anyone in the US was about to get a refund I would love to hear how they did it. Will update the thread in case it helps any one else in a similar situation.

You can skim the other threads here about STA. If I recall correctly there were a few 'wins', but I think they were all thru CC disputes done in the proper time frame

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Travelers Plans How to Travelers Plans in The World

Sta travel card.

Are you planning to travel abroad on a budget? If so, the STA Travel Card is your secret weapon for saving money and managing your expenses. This prepaid travel card is designed specifically for students and young adults, offering a range of benefits and features to make your journey more enjoyable and affordable.

What is the STA Travel Card?

The STA Travel Card is a prepaid travel card that you can use to pay for your travel expenses while you’re abroad. It’s designed specifically for students and young adults who are looking for an easy and convenient way to manage their money while they’re on the go.

How does the STA Travel Card work?

The STA Travel Card works just like any other prepaid travel card. You load money onto the card before you leave home, and then you can use it to pay for your travel expenses while you’re abroad. You can use the card to withdraw cash from ATMs, pay for purchases at merchants that accept Mastercard, and even book travel arrangements through STA Travel.

What are the benefits of using the STA Travel Card?

Using the STA Travel Card has a number of benefits and advantages, including:

How do I get an STA Travel Card?

Getting an STA Travel Card is easy and straightforward. You can apply for a card online through the STA Travel website, and it will be delivered to your doorstep within a few days. Once you receive your card, you can activate it and load money onto it using your bank account or credit card.

How much does it cost to get an STA Travel Card?

The STA Travel Card is free to apply for, and there are no annual fees or transaction fees associated with the card. However, there may be fees associated with using the card to withdraw cash from ATMs, so be sure to check the terms and conditions before you use the card.

How do I reload my STA Travel Card?

You can reload your STA Travel Card online through the STA Travel website or using the STA Travel app. You can load money onto the card using your bank account or credit card, and you can also transfer money between cards if you’re traveling with friends or family.

Is the STA Travel Card safe?

Yes, the STA Travel Card is a safe and secure way to manage your money while you’re traveling abroad. The card is protected by a PIN, and you can block the card if it’s lost or stolen. Additionally, the card is backed by Mastercard’s zero liability policy, which means you won’t be held responsible for fraudulent transactions.

The STA Travel Card is a must-have travel companion for any student or young adult who’s planning to travel abroad. With its range of benefits and features, including no transaction fees, competitive exchange rates, and 24/7 support, the card offers a convenient and affordable way to manage your money while you’re on the go.

Travel Cashcard

We understand when you head away on your adventure, knowing what to do about your money can be a tricky decision. The STA Travel Prepaid MasterCard® Cashcard is a safe and easy way to manage your spending whilst abroad. Usable in over 35 million locations worldwide it's the hassle free option for ensuring your money is safe whilst you're away. The card costs £22 and comes with £10 already loaded.

Why get a Travel Cashcard for your adventure?

Earn up to 11% cashback at UK retailers
Free UK and overseas transactions
No fees when topping up*
Avoid the cost and hassle of exchanging currency
Safe - no need for cash and cards are not linked to a bank account
Stay in control – only spend the amount you've loaded
Use in over 35 million locations including 2.1 million ATM’s
No credit checks needed
Parents or friends can top-up your card if you run out of money
Wages or salaries can be received on the card with ease (excluding India)
Get a free second card
Available to all UK residents over 18
Comes with a £10 cash loaded to start you off ** Bank transfers only*

You will need to order your card a few weeks in advance of your trip to allow for printing and postage. To find out more or to order your Travel Cashcard give us a call on +443339997516.

The small print

The STA Travel cashcard is issued by IDT Financial Services Limited pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. IDT Financial Services Limited is regulated and authorised by the Financial Services Commission, Gibraltar. Registered Office: 57-63 Line Wall Road, Gibraltar. Registered No. 95716. All communications should be sent to STA Travel LTD, Priory House, 6 Wrights Lane, London, W8 6TA.

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June 8, 2024

STA Travel Reviews | StaTravel.com

STA Travel is the “World’s Largest” Student and Youth travel company
Exclusive STA Travel Blue Ticket™: Gives students flexible and affordable worldwide air travel
Round the World student trips
Student flight and airfare deals
Teacher deals
Adventure student travel
Special programs for students and young people, such as study abroad programs, volunteer programs, and language programs.
Discount travel insurance
Rail passes
Exclusive International Student Identity Card (ISIC): 35,000 international and domestic discounts including airfare, accommodations, tours, shopping, dining and entertainment with partners such as Target.com, Apple Store, Virgin Megastore and The Body Shop.
Global cell phones
Spring Break student deals

Our Editor’s Review

STA Travel’s International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is awesome! Are you a parent? Even if you are not under 26 & a full-time student or teacher, it is worth the money to buy one for your kids. Kids can get one after they turn 12. That way they you can save cash every time you shop for them or go to restaurants with them. Kids are expensive, and we think this is a great way to save with discounts at Macy’s, the Apple Store and more. ISIC cards are only $22* for a full year! Go, get one here . We also love STA Travel’s student deals for spring break. Their prices are hard to beat.

STA Travel Fees

The STA Travel Guarantee: If you find a cheaper student flight, they will match it PLUS give you an ISIC Discount card good for 1 year. You must be a full-time student and under the age of 26 to qualify for student discounts and the ISIC discount card. $50+ Fee to Change or Re-issue airline tickets. $100+ Cancellation fee for airline tickets.

* Based solely on research done by TravelSiteCritic.com, these figures may be inaccurate and are subject to change.Verify policies with the website before you book. Please be aware of airfare taxes & fees , applicable to any booking that includes airfare.

STA Travel Coupons & Deals

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Read our review disclosure for more information.

Please be aware of airfare taxes & fees .

STA Travel Reviews

The ISIC cards that STA Travel issues can get you good deals, but they literally could not do a single thing for me without making a mistake. It ended up taking me MONTHS to get my ISIC student ID card and I ended up having to pay twice as much money to get it because they kept messing up. STA Travel was very slow at responding to me when I tried to contact them with my concerns, and when I brought it up with them, they offered a refund but then never gave it to me even after I emailed them twice and they said they would! I would agree with the comment above mine that said that STA Travel seems to take advantage of inexperienced students, which is not a very smart move considering students account for nearly their entire customer base. Like I said, the ISIC student ID card can get you some great deals abroad, but be prepared to get ripped off by STA in the process!

I wrote a lengthy report of what my boyfriend and I experienced when he purchased a ticket to Poland through STA Travel: http://bit.ly/statravelfail

In a nutshell, we contacted STA Travel to find out what we could do once the ticket was canceled and we were given a different answer every single time we called. We were also promised a full refund TWICE. They made numerous customer service mistakes in handling our situation and we ended up losing $1200. I would absolutely recommend booking flights directly through the airlines. STA Travel does nothing to help you out as a customer.

I felt that STA travel went out of their way to help me get a ticket for the right price. I found them friendly and symathetic to my situation and genuinly concerned if I had a problem.

STA is misleading and takes advantage of inexperienced student travelers. Initially, I had a good experience booking my Fulbright ticket to Tirana through STA. They understood Fly America requirements for US-sponsored aid programs and found me a flight that departed from Washington, D.C., as I had requested.

I realized when I was booking my flight that my travel plans might change. Makayla, the agent who booked my flight, informed me that changes to my ticket, if made prior to 30 days before the flight date, would be $50 plus the difference in fare. Sounds great, right? Flexibility for the student life style.

What Makayla did not mention is that the phrase “changes to your ticket” only applies to changes in date- not to changes in city of departure. Today, I tried to change the city of departure on my ticket from Washington, D.C. To Chicago. This was not permitted by United, the US carrier that STA had booked the ticket under; I was later told by customer service rep Ken and manager Megan that “It’s actually not really allowed to do rerouting at all anymore.”

In order to make the change that I had requested, my ticket would need to be refunded and then rebooked with a charge of $400. I asked if STA would consider waiving the $400 refunding fee, since I felt that I had been misled when I booked the ticket. Megan refused.

In conclusion, your STA ticket is not as flexible as your STA agent may make it seem. You ought to be cautious about the terms and conditions when booking through an agent, online or on the phone, if the flexibility of the ticket is what’s holding the appeal for you.

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Sta travel falls into administration.

The travel company specialised in student travel, trips for young people, gap years and volunteer projects.

STA Travel Ltd had more than 50 shops in the UK and 500 jobs are at risk. It also traded as Bridge the World Travel.

The firm’s parent company, based in Switzerland, said the pandemic had “brought the travel industry to a standstill”.

Rory Boland, Which? travel editor, said: “Most STA Travel UK customers have found it impossible to get refunds in recent months for cancelled package holidays, often for very significant sums of money. Anyone with a booking, still waiting for a refund, or those holding a refund credit note, will be able to get their money back through the CAA’s ATOL scheme. Flight-only tickets booked with STA should still be valid. Passengers should contact their airline to check.

“The travel industry has endured a disastrous year, and many other companies will be on the brink of collapse. The government must urgently step in to provide much-needed support if this industry is to survive the next few months.”

What should STA Travel customers do?

ABTA has specific advice set out on its website for STA Travel customers. What customers should do next will depend on what holiday and travel arrangements they have booked and how they paid for them.

The majority of holidays sold by STA Travel were flight-inclusive packages and these are protected by the CAA’s ATOL scheme.

STA Travel also sold some packages which did not include flights and were protected by ABTA as well as holidays as an agent for other tour operators.

If you booked a package holiday through STA Travel and the holiday is provided by another tour operator, you’ll need to contact the tour operator named on your paperwork or ATOL Certificate. Your tour operator should be able to confirm that your booking will proceed as normal.

Your ATOL Certificate will say ’Package Sale’ in the bottom right hand corner, where an ATOL protected package has been booked through STA Travel with another tour operator.

If your booking included flights and was not with another tour operator, you will need to contact the CAA as your booking is protected by the CAA’s ATOL scheme. Your ATOL Certificate will say ’Package Sale’ in the bottom right hand corner.

If you booked a flight only with STA Travel with a scheduled airline, you will need to contact the airline about your booking. The airline is responsible for your booking and this should proceed as normal. Customers due a refund due to Covid-19 will need to make a claim with the airline concerned.

If you booked a non-flight package through a travel agent and not directly with STA Travel you should speak to your travel agent for advice.

If you booked a non-flight package holiday (for example, a cruise without flights) through STA Travel, it is protected by ABTA or by your credit or debit card issuer.

If you paid STA Travel directly using a debit or credit card you will need to submit your claim for a refund to your card issuer.

Customers that paid STA Travel by any other method or booked through a travel agent will need to submit a claim via ABTA . You will need to have all of your booking information and documents to hand when submitting your claim.

STA also operated as separate companies in a number of countries worldwide. Customers that booked with STA Travel businesses outside the UK will need to establish what protection may be available in the relevant jurisdiction.