WHEN TO BUY FROM A CONSOLIDATOR
Jan 23, 2001 | 3:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
WHEN TO BUY FROM A CONSOLIDATOR
WHEN TO BUY FROM A CONSOLIDATOR
Scouting the web for bargain airfares can yield great deals, but sometimes it pays to go straight to a consolidator. Often called
"bucket shops," these companies buy large blocks of discount tickets from airlines and resell them to consumers at low prices.
* If you're booking either a non-round-trip ticket or a very long-distance international trip with a complicated route, a consolidator will usually do better on price and itinerary than your local travel agent. Round-the-world tickets can be a particularly good buy.
* For the best prices, look for a consolidator that specializes in your destination region or city - usually easy to spot from their advertisements or on their website.
* Don't expect travel-agent service. Consolidator tickets are usually heavily restricted. You probably won't have a choice of airline, and any changes you make to your ticket may carry heavy penalties.
* Book within 45 days of your flight, since airlines don't unload seats to a consolidator until they can determine how empty or full a flight is likely to be. But don't wait till the last minute either:
There's usually a better chance of the flight selling out than of you getting an even better bargain.
* Turn to the web to find consolidators, especially internationally. Start here for a list of links:
http://tips.etravels.net/cgi-bin9/fl...BKkgC0BKX0fC78
* For additional info on how to protect yourself from scams while bargain hunting, go to
http://tips.etravels.net/cgi-bin9/fl...BKkgC0BKX0fC8A
For more Travel Like a Pro tips, visit eTravels.net
http://tips.etravels.net/cgi-bin9/fl...BKkgC0BKX0e3tr
Scouting the web for bargain airfares can yield great deals, but sometimes it pays to go straight to a consolidator. Often called
"bucket shops," these companies buy large blocks of discount tickets from airlines and resell them to consumers at low prices.
* If you're booking either a non-round-trip ticket or a very long-distance international trip with a complicated route, a consolidator will usually do better on price and itinerary than your local travel agent. Round-the-world tickets can be a particularly good buy.
* For the best prices, look for a consolidator that specializes in your destination region or city - usually easy to spot from their advertisements or on their website.
* Don't expect travel-agent service. Consolidator tickets are usually heavily restricted. You probably won't have a choice of airline, and any changes you make to your ticket may carry heavy penalties.
* Book within 45 days of your flight, since airlines don't unload seats to a consolidator until they can determine how empty or full a flight is likely to be. But don't wait till the last minute either:
There's usually a better chance of the flight selling out than of you getting an even better bargain.
* Turn to the web to find consolidators, especially internationally. Start here for a list of links:
http://tips.etravels.net/cgi-bin9/fl...BKkgC0BKX0fC78
* For additional info on how to protect yourself from scams while bargain hunting, go to
http://tips.etravels.net/cgi-bin9/fl...BKkgC0BKX0fC8A
For more Travel Like a Pro tips, visit eTravels.net
http://tips.etravels.net/cgi-bin9/fl...BKkgC0BKX0e3tr
Jan 24, 2001 | 8:14 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Denver, CO US
Posts: 34
Sounds like good advice, with a couple of suggestions:
Any travel agent worth his salt works with consolidators these days, and he'll know which ones specialize in the area you need. Most consolidators have wholesale rates sold only to agencies, and a slightly higher rate sold to the public. Chances are a good agent will save you a little money and a lot of time shopping.
Consolidators are now getting their fares as much as nine months in advance. An agent only has to look for the appropriate booking class to find you the best deal.
One caveat: consolidators do go out of business, sometimes before paying the airline. In that case, you're probably out your money and the airline will refuse to board you unless the pay their walkup fare. Be sure you know who you're dealing with and use a credit card to purchase your ticket. It gives you some protection in case the consolidator goes under.
Any travel agent worth his salt works with consolidators these days, and he'll know which ones specialize in the area you need. Most consolidators have wholesale rates sold only to agencies, and a slightly higher rate sold to the public. Chances are a good agent will save you a little money and a lot of time shopping.
Consolidators are now getting their fares as much as nine months in advance. An agent only has to look for the appropriate booking class to find you the best deal.
One caveat: consolidators do go out of business, sometimes before paying the airline. In that case, you're probably out your money and the airline will refuse to board you unless the pay their walkup fare. Be sure you know who you're dealing with and use a credit card to purchase your ticket. It gives you some protection in case the consolidator goes under.