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Air Travel

Northwestern's Travel Program provides travelers various options to book airfare, access to Northwestern's United Airlines partnership and the ability to directly bill airfare to their department/unit chart string.

Book a Flight

Airfare can be booked through any of Northwestern's contracted travel agencies and directly billed to a University chart string. University travelers who book through these travel agencies will have access to Northwestern's contracted rates with United Airlines.

For a detailed comparison of these agencies' services and fees, please visit the Travel Agencies page.

Access to Egencia is now closed for new bookings. If you have any questions regarding Egencia, please contact travel@northwestern.edu.

Airfare Ticket Guidelines

  • First-class travel is generally not allowable. Airfare classes other than economy (such as Business Class) are permitted when scheduled flight time, including stopovers and change of planes, is in excess of 7 hours, and when using non-sponsored sources of funds.
  • In cases where an "Economy Plus" ticket is a reasonable additional cost on non-sponsored travel and provides for certain benefits to improve the travel experience, such fare class is allowable.
  • If travel is on a sponsored program, the sponsoring agency may have additional restrictions and require advance approval. For guidance, see ASRSP's Travel page.

Book with Key Travel

Book with Travel 100 Group

Ask for Steve Roeser, Karen Begley and Tom Gunn

United Airlines Partnership

Northwestern offers discounts on domestic itineraries and select international itineraries through a partnership with United Airlines and its joint venture partners including Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Canada, Eurowings and All Nippon Airways. Northwestern travelers are encouraged to utilize this United discount by booking a flight on United through one of Northwestern's travel agencies when possible.

For more information about Northwestern's partnership with United Airlines, please visit the United Airlines Partnership page.

If you are not already a United MileagePlus member sign up to receive member benefits at: www.United.com/join. It is free to join. Be sure to add your MileagePlus and all loyalty numbers to your Key Travel profile.

Other Airlines

In addition to providing exclusive access to Northwestern's discounted rates on United Airlines and its joint venture partners, both travel agencies provide access to all major airlines flights. Information on specific airlines and pricing models are outlined below:

  • Southwest Airlines: Northwestern contracted travel agencies offer flights on Southwest Airlines with no additional fee. (other fees may apply).
  • Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines: Neither of Northwestern's travel agencies offer flights on Spirit or Frontier. Any Northwestern traveler booking on Spirit or Frontier should review all fees and policies before booking the flight.
  • Base Economy Fares: Some airlines that are not traditionally budget airlines now offer base economy fares that do not include perks included in their other fare tiers (e.g. free carry-on bag, seating assignment, free printed tickets). Northwestern has chosen not to offer these new base economy fares through its travel agencies at this time because of the lack of services available and the potentially "hidden" fees that may be associated with travel on base economy pricing.

Airport Transport

Please visit Northwestern's Transportation & Parking Services website for information regarding transportation between Northwestern and O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport.

Airline Flex Policies

Do you need to cancel a flight? Visit our Airline Flex Policies page for helpful information.

Update on the Federal REAL ID Act

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Is now requiring a Real ID identification card, or Real ID driver's license, or a passport to travel. Visit the Federal Real ID Act page for more details.

Policies

Related Links

FAQs