Travel Info

Before you consider your passport lost, dig through all of your belongings, luggage, bags, pockets, under the bed, and any other place where you might have been while carrying it.

Not traveling for a few days: If it is definitely lost and you are not traveling for a few days, you will likely need to apply for a replacement passport and fly on a later date. Find out how long this will take from the passport agency and alert YFU (1-800-705-9510) immediately if we need to alter your travel arrangements.

At the airport: If you are already there, retrace your steps and check whether you left it on a seat, at a counter, in a restroom, or elsewhere inside the airport. Most students find it hidden somewhere in their own belongings or in a pocket. If it is definitely lost, notify a YFU staff member and call YFU Travel at 1-800-705-9510 in case we need to change your travel.

International Student inbound flight dates can only be changed for reasons of school, illness, or visa issues.

International Student return dates can be changed by following the YFU Change of Date Request (CDR) procedures which are mailed to all International Students a few months into their exchange program (October and January). Students may request to return on a different date than the scheduled group flight for various reasons, if approved by their natural parents, host family, home country, and hosting YFU offices. Date changes are limited to the period of a student’s visa validity as well as seat availability. There are YFU and/or airline-imposed fees to go off the group travel return date and students who choose to change their returns do not receive YFU airport assistance.

You can view travel itineraries in your Host Family Account, but please note that itineraries are subject to airline schedule changes. We do not issue tickets until May, and itineraries are not confirmed until you receive written ticket information from YFU Travel. Complete travel itineraries will be re-confirmed and sent by mail approximately two weeks prior to departure. Tickets will be electronic, and students must present only their passports as identification at the airport.

YFU USA travel contact info: 1-202-774-5211

Please contact the airlines directly or check their websites for luggage restrictions. Most international flights include one free checked bag, but some domestic flights might require a fee for any bags.  Plan to pay fees for extra pieces of luggage or overweight luggage. You are responsible for your luggage and all rules & fees are subject to changes at the airlines’ discretion. YFU will NOT pay for fees for excess luggage, so plan to pack light.

To find out how to travel with special items or understand which items are prohibited consult with your Airline or check out the Transportation Security Administration’s website.

YFU Travel staffs the following international gateway airports:

• Atlanta Hartsfield – Jackson International Airport – ATL

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport – ORD

• Dallas/Fort-Worth International Airport – DFW

• Newark Liberty International Airport – EWR

• San Francisco International Airport – SFO

• Washington Dulles International Airport – IAD

• Frankfurt, Germany International Airport – FRA

YFU Airport Staff wear purple T-shirts with a large white YFU map on the front and “TRAVEL STAFF” printed on the back. They might also have a purple YFU clipboard with the YFU logo. YFU staff members are usually stationed behind the security area, where they can assist students with connections. You should always call YFU Travel (1-800-705-9510) if you have any problems during your check-in procedure, when finding your gate, or if you miss your flight. We can assist you over the phone or send a staff person to you if possible and/or necessary.

Flight times and details change frequently. Students should contact the YFU Travel Department at 1-800-705-9510 if they have any problems or changes while traveling, including missed or changed flights due to weather, mechanical issues, or other disruptions. We can assist with notifying your Host Family and/or natural parents about the status of the flight.

Host Families are encouraged to sign up for the text/email/voice call alert system, which is available in the Travel section of the Host Family Account. These alerts will inform Host Families of airline changes to their student’s travel itinerary. Host Families should monitor their student’s flight status on the day of travel via the airline’s website or FlightAware.com.

The following YFU organizations arrange travel for their students:

• Australia

• Belgium

• Chile

• China

• Czech Republic

• Finland

• Germany

• Latvia

• Mexico

• Mongolia

• Netherlands

• New Zealand

• Spain (ITEA Spain; not YFU Spain)

• Vietnam