Airline Travel- Cheap tickets, Airlines, Airways, airfare and air travel tips

In the eternal quest to get a better airfare, many travelers overlook an important source of cheap flights: airfare consolidators.

Consolidators purchase tickets directly from the airlines at specially negotiated prices, and then resell them to travel agents or consumers for prices 20 to 70 percent lower than published fares. The best discounts tend to come on international tickets.

As with airline sale fares, these lower prices often carry more restrictions. When you purchase through a consolidator, you may not be eligible for frequent flier miles or advance seat selection, and you won't have much flexibility to make changes to your itinerary without paying significant change fees. Consolidators also tend to have limited staff, so customer service may be minimal. But these restrictions may be worth it in exchange for a rock-bottom fare.

Tips for Using a Consolidator
1. Before booking with any consolidator, do your homework to make sure it's a reputable company. Check for memberships in trade organizations such as the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Airlines Reporting Corportation (ARC) or the United States Tour Operators Asociation (USTOA).

We also recommend checking the company's reputation with the Better Business Bureau.

2. Shop around carefully to make sure you are getting the bargain you think you are. Fares vary even among consolidators. Make sure the price you are quoted includes all applicable taxes and departure fees. Sometimes you will do better with short-term promotional fares from the airlines, and the restrictions will probably be similar. And don't forget to check out any discount airlines serving your destination.

airport passengers3. The tickets you purchase from consolidators may not be eligible for frequent flier mileage. Verify eligibility with the airline and consolidator before purchasing the ticket. Some consolidators allow you to enter frequent flier mile information when making your reservation.

4. To protect yourself, always use a major credit card to purchase your airfare. If there is any problem obtaining a valid ticket, you will then have some recourse for denying payment through your credit card company.

5. Confirm your reservation both before and after purchasing your ticket. If the airline can't confirm your reservation, obtain a record locator number from the consolidator. If it still can't be confirmed, do not buy the ticket. Get a seat reservation when talking with the airline and make sure you have a confirmed seat and are not wait-listed or reserved.

6. Ask plenty of questions. What happens if you miss your plane or your flight is canceled? What if you need to alter your itinerary? Make sure you obtain clear and accurate information from your consolidator regarding all policies and fees for ticket cancellations, changes, refunds, reticketing and expiration dates -- and then verify these with the airline.

7. If possible, purchase your tickets in advance. If you run into problems, you don't want to be scrambling at the last minute.