Planning a Trip? Stanford Travel provides streamlined options

Looking ahead to when both business and personal travel start to pick up as pandemic restrictions ease, students should know about new options and requirements when making travel arrangements.

For Stanford-sponsored travel once travel restrictions are lifted, students must use Stanford’s StudentUniverse portal or one of the other Stanford Travel booking channels when booking airfare, hotel reservations, or car rentals.

Stanford-sponsored travel includes research and conference travel funded by any Stanford unit, as well as trips to meetings and competitions funded by a voluntary student organization through the Office of Student Engagement.

Students can also use StudentUniverse, a discount travel service, for personal travel, such as trips to and from the Bay Area for summer and fall quarters.

“We know students are busy, and Stanford Travel provides streamlined and affordable ways to book and pay for your reservations,” said Janet Wyer, Stanford Travel Relationship Manager. “We are here to help; if you have questions or need support when booking travel, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”

The benefits of StudentUniverse include discounted rates, a dedicated support team for Stanford students, unique payment solutions, access to experts in international and domestic air travel, and 24/7 emergency assistance.

The onset of the pandemic one year ago clarified the value of emergency assistance, as Stanford sought to locate and assist every student around the world. Booking your trip through StudentUniverse will help Stanford help you in unlikely but similar situations, from extreme weather to political instability.

When you make reservations through StudentUniverse or one of the Stanford Travel booking channels, your trip is automatically listed on the university’s travel registry. This will help us check in with you if something comes up.

This applies to students traveling on their own or with student organizations or residences. For this reason, student leaders should become familiar with the new options.

“The Stanford Travel booking channels are the most efficient way to pay for approved expenses using your organization’s funds,” said Amanda Boyd, Director of Finance and Budget Management for Student Affairs. “And it is a great connection to terrific service, good rates and emergency services when your group is on the road.”