StudentUniverse

If I could give zero stars, I would. This is by far the worst travel agency I have ever dealt with in my life. Student Universe completely messed up my booking from the beginning. Their own representative guided me on how to enter the passenger names — and that guidance was WRONG. Because of their mistake, the name on my booking was incorrect.… Read more

When I contacted them, instead of taking responsibility, I got a new story every time I spoke to someone. One person told me the name correction was possible and that once I paid, I would get my updated itinerary right away, and that it would take no longer than 48 hours. They even told me: “If you don’t get it in 48 hours, call us back so we can fix it immediately.” After 48 hours passed and I called exactly as instructed, they suddenly changed the story — now saying it could take weeks or MONTHS, with no guaranteed timeframe. Would they have taken my money if they told me that upfront? Absolutely not. That’s misleading and dishonest. They couldn’t even check if my details were correct — they literally told me they didn’t know how to check and needed to contact the airline. I had to call the airline myself, and the airline confirmed instantly that the name was wrong. That’s how incompetent they are. To make things worse, my flight schedule changed four times, and they sent me three different itineraries, all with different information — even the baggage allowance wasn’t consistent. How does a professional travel agency not know the basic details of the booking they sold? The level of unprofessionalism is shocking. Several of their staff were rude, dismissive, and acted like I was the problem — even though THEIR instructions caused the issue in the first place. I even told them I have call recordings proving everything: The wrong instructions they gave me The promise I would receive the itinerary right away after paying The guarantee of a 48-hour turnaround The instruction to call after 48 hours if I hadn’t received it Even with PROOF, they refused to accept their mistake. They simply deny everything and blame the customer. Who does that? A company that has no accountability whatsoever. This entire experience has been stressful, time-consuming, and absolutely unacceptable. Student Universe has shown zero professionalism, zero care, and zero responsibility. Avoid this company at all costs. They mislead customers, give false promises, change their story constantly, blame YOU for their mistakes, and have no idea what they’re doing. Worst travel agency ever. I will never use them again, and I will warn everyone I know to stay far away.

If I could give zero stars, I would. This is by far the worst travel agency I have ever dealt with in my life. Student Universe completely messed up my booking from the beginning. Their own representative guided me on how to enter the passenger names — and that guidance was WRONG. Because of their mistake, the name on my booking was incorrect.… Read more

When I contacted them, instead of taking responsibility, I got a new story every time I spoke to someone. One person told me the name correction was possible and that once I paid, I would get my updated itinerary right away, and that it would take no longer than 48 hours. They even told me: “If you don’t get it in 48 hours, call us back so we can fix it immediately.” After 48 hours passed and I called exactly as instructed, they suddenly changed the story — now saying it could take weeks or MONTHS, with no guaranteed timeframe. Would they have taken my money if they told me that upfront? Absolutely not. That’s misleading and dishonest. They couldn’t even check if my details were correct — they literally told me they didn’t know how to check and needed to contact the airline. I had to call the airline myself, and the airline confirmed instantly that the name was wrong. That’s how incompetent they are. To make things worse, my flight schedule changed four times, and they sent me three different itineraries, all with different information — even the baggage allowance wasn’t consistent. How does a professional travel agency not know the basic details of the booking they sold? The level of unprofessionalism is shocking. Several of their staff were rude, dismissive, and acted like I was the problem — even though THEIR instructions caused the issue in the first place. I even told them I have call recordings proving everything: The wrong instructions they gave me The promise I would receive the itinerary right away after paying The guarantee of a 48-hour turnaround The instruction to call after 48 hours if I hadn’t received it Even with PROOF, they refused to accept their mistake. They simply deny everything and blame the customer. Who does that? A company that has no accountability whatsoever. This entire experience has been stressful, time-consuming, and absolutely unacceptable. Student Universe has shown zero professionalism, zero care, and zero responsibility. Avoid this company at all costs. They mislead customers, give false promises, change their story constantly, blame YOU for their mistakes, and have no idea what they’re doing. Worst travel agency ever. I will never use them again, and I will warn everyone I know to stay far away.

Do not book with them They are fraud and thief Took my money and cancelled my flight Didnot even return my money Totally fraud Save your money donot book with them

Flight booking – I booked a ticket, and after 7 days, I received my e-ticket. However, I noticed that the seat selection I had made during booking and the baggage allowance details were not visible on the e-ticket. I stayed patient and emailed Bradly, who successfully resolved my issues. He informed me that I should check with the airline if I wanted to verify… Read more

the details. Unfortunately, the Sri Lankan Airlines website was very unhelpful. Still, when I contacted them, they explained that my baggage policy was not showing on the website because I had booked through a third party. Despite this, I did have baggage included.

Regarding the seat selection, Bradly assured me he would update it, and true to his word, it was updated within five minutes.

So, the key takeaway is to ensure you allow enough time to resolve any issues before your travel date. Once you receive your booking confirmation or e-ticket, verify everything early so you can address any discrepancies well in advance.

I initially wanted to give five stars because I’m really impatient person. While I can’t entirely blame them for my lack of patience, some issues tested my limits. My flight is still two months away, but when I contacted the online phone number, I was on hold for two hours, which was frustrating, even then I was unable to get in touch with them.

Great value – We booked flights from Melbourne to Dresden and had a surprisingly great experience. I saw a lot of negative reviews after we made a booking and for a moment they got me worried. However from booking, getting tickets to boarding everything went smooth. We got window seats every time, all connecting flight updates reached us reliably, and price wise these tickets were a really good deal. Show details

Mostly good – I found Student Universe to be a good alternative for a competitive flight deal with assurance of customer service back-up - being able to call and speak to someone directly was essential for peace of mind (this ruled nearly all other third party websites). I found customer service helpful - prompt (or call back service if busy) and able to answer… Read more

my questions. The website was another matter. For a web-based booking service the website is REALLY clunky and needs serious work. e.g. I'd select a service for all family members but it would only show for one person. I had to call customer service and then take their word for it that it would be applied to all passengers. And too bad if it wasn't because once the booking is made it can't be amended - they can only give information, not make amendments! Then the promo code didn't work, although to their credit customer service applied it when I called (yet again). Once I'd booked I was really nervous because of the poor reviews but in fact all went very smoothly. No extra charges, the airline confirmed our booking and we got the best flight deal. I don't think I'd use them again unless they improve their website but was happy enough with the experience.

Disgusting service or should I say unprofessional useless service. I needed to change our flight due to visa issues. The airline gave written approval to change, but the You Beaut Assist team at Student Universe did not believe the email. While I was complaining, Student Universe cancelled my ticket and refused to rebook. I had to buy a new… Read more

ticket and have commenced legal action against Student Universe. I suggest everyone look at the bulk of reviews (1 star), this should convince everyone to book with any agent, except Student Universe.

Spent $1538.42 for no travel. Terrible customer service. Any apparent ticket price savings are a false economy. No valid tax invoice for the full amount. Many emails, many phone calls. Despite 3 months notice, no refund for a medical cancellation despite provision of a medical certificate 6 weeks in advance as had been told was sufficient. If… Read more

zero or minus stars existed they would get that. I paid $1538.42 on 14/10/24 for return flights to Bengaluru from Brisbane for 2/4/25: 1. Would not provide tax invoice initially 2. Would only provide tax invoice for the cost of the flights, not for the booking fee, $1395.88. 3. I required hospitalisation and was significantly unwell and wrote to Student Universe via email on 4 occasions from 28/1/25 to 17/3/25, asking what to do about cancelling, then telling them to cancel and then providing a medical certificate, and following up. The replies were boilerplate responses of no use or relevance. 4. For the same reason I called them 4 times on 13/3/25, 17/3/25, 21/3/25, 27/3/25 and was on the phone for a total for 1hr 25 mins. Each of the first 3 calls they said I could cancel and were aware I had provided a medical certificate. The final call they offered me a choice of a guaranteed reduced refund of about $500 (which sounded very off-the-cuff) or wait for a full refund less booking fee with a risk it may not be granted because it was too late, even though I had been trying to cancel since January for an April flight. 5. They said that any refund could take 10-15 business days, which by the time of the final phone call would have meant at least a week after the flight departure 6. The airline clearly knew I had cancelled because I never got the email for the online check-in 24hrs beforehand 7. To this day, 31 May 2025, I still have not received any refund, and no further responses.

Absolutely appalled by the service.They don’t even deserve one star. I was laughed at by an operator named [Name Removed] when I expressed concern about making my connecting flight. So unprofessional and insensitive. Flight Centre, it’s shocking this company operates under your name—you should be ashamed. DO NOT USE THIS ORGANISATION TO BOOK ANY FLIGHTS! Show details

Reached airport to find my booking did not exist (in-spite of getting a confirmed booking email with reference number). Apparently this fraudulent business took the booking but did not ticket it. Filed a VCAT application, that took ages and now VCAT has come back saying they need some document extracts that I have to purchase from ASIC. I am determined to take Student Universe (now part of Flight Centre) to the tribunal.

This is a fraudulent service ! Do not book via this. I booked a refundable ticket and paid extra for the same and when I applied for refund two weeks prior to travel issuing a medical certificate for a reason listed under their terms and conditions, they simply refused to refund the money without quoting any proper reason. This company should be banned from Australia as they do not follow any Australian Privacy Policy or ACCC regulations.

Scammers!!! Stay away from Student Universe – Booked an international flight for my wife and my son on 20th Jan for the flight in mid-March. They sent us the booking reference for their platform as well as a valid Booking Reference from Singapore Airlines. We checked on Singapore Airlines' website it was a valid booking reference number showing the flights. Today, we tried to open the tickets… Read more

in Singapore Airlines to book the meals etc, only to know the booking didn't exist anymore. Called Singapore Airlines, they told us that Student Universe failed to pay for the flights and hence tickets were not issued. Called back Student Universe, a call center guy is repeating the same line "we can offer you the full refund" and can't book the flights because the prices have gone up. I don't know how many days they will take to refund and now I will have to cop the increased cost of flights by $850. There should be an option to give zero star rating.

Flight cancelled without reason or any notification – Student Universe cancelled my international flight booking unexpectedly, without giving reason and any notification. I only discovered this 1.5 month after initial booking, when i wanted to check my itenerary. Customer services is useless and unable to solve the problems. SU refused any responsibility for cancellation, other than blaming… Read more

airlines... thats its obvioulsy a lie. I suffered additional costs because of rebooking my flight at the last minute. Student Universe appears a scam! It is most unreliable business. Avoid them at all the costs. I have never experienced such terrible company. They should not uperate travel busness and must be stopped.

THIS COMPANY IS A JOKE – Man oh man I wish I would have looked at these comments before. I used to use student universe ages ago and never had any problems. So I thought, sure why not? THIS IS THE WORST COMPANY EVER. I have spent the past 10 years travelling pretty much full time and I've never been so shocked. Like most other people in the comments, my partner and I… Read more

bought flights, received a confirmation email and had the money taken out of our account. We've now been told that the flight prices have increased so we needed to pay the increase because their ticketing agents did not book the tickets in time. I said that was unacceptable and THEN THEY TOLD ME THE BOOKINGS WERE COMPLETELY SOLD OUT even though they are still selling the same flight on their website (as are other companies). We are less than a month out from our holiday and now flights have sky rocketed. The company says that just because they send you a confirmation, doesn't mean that your reservation is secured.

SCAM BUSINESS. TOOK MY MONEY ($1,800 AUD) AND A WEEK LATER IS SAYING NO TICKET IS BOOKED – I’m utterly disgruntled as I’m writing this. Student Universe who are owned by Flight centre, have screwed me over with my flight ticket. Exactly a week after booking my mum’s ticket to visit me (which is in 2 weeks time)with student universe debiting $1,800AUD from my bank account, I go back to check THE EMAIL CONFIRMATION I HAVE RECEIVED FROM… Read more

THEM which had the link to my ticket and it worked the day I received it.

Now the link returns error and there is no pdf attachment to the email with my e-ticket. I call them to request a pdf and they are telling me the airlines hasn’t issued the ticket, there is NO TICKET. They are simply saying they’ll refund and is taking absolutely 0 ACCOUNTABILITY on their part for:

1. No contact from their end for taking my money and not issuing a ticket and for the radio silence, until I made contact!

2. For putting the customer in a dire situation and not working hard to issue the ticket at the same cost for me.

Student Universe, you are a scam! Your lack of customer service and the lack of conscience in your offshore call centre reps who go by the books and not care to think how to solve a problem is appalling.

DO NOT BOOK WITH STUDENT UNIVERSE! And STOP SCAMMING STUDENTS AND PEOPLE!

Terrible Service – I booked a flight through them . Last minute I didn’t get my 24 hours check in online text message . From there I knew something was not right. Called them about it . They said I have no reservations but they already deducted my money . I told them for them to book another flight they said they can’t . So I have to book the same flight from my… Read more

own pocket with nearly double the amount I paid in advance through them which they didn’t care at all . They didn’t notify me that my flight booking was not successful. Rang them they said they will refund the money . I didn’t get any confirmation email about the refund and they said the confirmation email was on queue as well . Where in the world does email queue ?? I hope this is not a bloody scam I need my money back . Never and I will not recommend this to anyone .

terrible company - would never recommend to anyone – terrible company - would never recommend to anyone. Customer service is useless - when you can get through to them... Having a very difficult time trying to update flight details, they seem to want to blame Singapore air yet I have no issues contacting them direct. Show details

The worst travel agent – very dodgy company, never buy from them, I booked a ticket, but they cancelled it without any heads up, so I had to pay way higher for the same ticket, Never ever go back to them

Worst service – Few months back i booked my flight with STUDENT UNIVERSE and my Airline is SINGAPORE AIRLINES and it was the worst experience I've ever faced with the airline and this STUDENT UNIVERSE, I planned to fly on 24 January 2025 and my booking reference number is 6OHDPY. While booking my flight i made a mistake with my name spelling i missed one word… Read more

so i called my booking agent STUDENT UNIVERSE 3 months back so they said you have to call Singapore Airlines then i called Singapore Airlines then they said you have to call your agent only they can fix this and till now i am chasing both STUDENT UNIVERSE and SINGAPORE AIRLINES. STUDENT UNIVERSE ask me to pay the processing fees (50 USD FOR SINGAPORE AIRLINES AND 40 AUD FOR STUDENTS UNIVERSE) to fix the mistake and i already paid the fees which is 116 Australian dollar. After that i got a email from STUDENT UNIVERSE after 2 weeks and they said we had a conversation with SINGAPORE AIRLINES and now you have to pay the flight current fair even i am ready to pay the difference of my flight ticket i emailed them but STUDENT UNIVERSE said they will call me and now it’s been weeks i did not get any call even they stopped answering my calls i waited for hours but they did not respond to my calls even now they stopped answering my emails, I have all the emails and every time i replayed to STUDENT UNIVERSE that i am ready to pay the flight ticket difference but still no response from them. I called the SINGAPORE AIRLINES and explained my situation even they are not doing anything. On 2nd November i called SINGAPORE AIRLINES they said send me your details and we will fix your problem and i emailed them everything but still i am waiting they both are doing nothing. Last week SINGAPORE AIRLINES gave me ESCALATION NUMBER which is 16659546 but still my problem is not fixed even i paid their processing fees and all. My flight date is coming near and i don’t have my problem fixed yet. There is no customer service from SINGAPORE AIRLINES and STUDENT UNIVERSE. I am facing the worst experience from both of them. Overall, I wouldn't recommend STUDENT UNIVERSE to anyone. The lack of customer support, communication, poor service, and uncomfortable conditions made this booking nightmare. I will be avoiding this airline and STUDENT UNIVERSE in the future.

Scam ..everything that a legitimate business shouldn't do – Incompetent, horrible, useless pathetic scam. The flight was disrupted and they never took any action to ticket it, refusing responsibility and booting out the customer service ..u know why when you buy from them customer is their B*tch.

Frustrating Experience with StudentUniverse - Huge Waste of Time – I recently booked tickets through StudentUniverse, expecting a smooth process for selecting seats and paying for extras. Unfortunately, this was far from the reality. The website is plagued with errors, making it nearly impossible to complete these tasks online. After multiple failed attempts, we decided to call customer service, hoping for help. … Read more

The support team was, frankly, useless. All they told us was that they couldn’t assist with the issue and recommended we contact the airline directly. This was infuriating, as StudentUniverse clearly has options on their website to book seats and add extras, so why suggest we handle it ourselves with the airline? If that’s the case, what's the point of having these features on their site at all?

In the end, StudentUniverse was a waste of time. If you’re thinking of booking with them, be prepared for a frustrating process. You’re probably better off booking directly with the airline.

Worst experience – The customer service team has been unresponsive to my attempts to contact them regarding a change in my travel plans due to medical issues. Despite multiple attempts to reach them via phone and email over the course of seven days, I have not received any response. I have been on hold for two hours without speaking to a representative. This lack of communication is causing significant inconvenience and frustration.

Embarrassing – They are liars when you book flight will not give options and give you cheap options which will not give information about baggage and when call them they wont help you with baggage at all… Regretting it Show details

AVOID AVOID - THE REVIEWS ARE CORRECT – AVOID AVOID - THE REVIEWS ARE CORRECT. The day before departure I discovered I had been allocated zero checked baggage allowance for a British Airways flight from Sydney to London. This is despite Student Universe having sold me baggage insurance as an extra charge! Have flown long haul dozens of times and have never experienced a ticket… Read more

that had zero checked baggage allowance. Cost me $400 to purchase a checked baggage allowance directly from the airline.

To add to the insult there was one letter omitted from my booking name. Contacted British Airways, there was no charge from them to make a change but they were unable to make the change as Student Universe had "locked" the booking. Student Universe charged $80 plus tax to add the missing letter to the booking name.

Will definitely not be using this provider again and definitely would not recommend.