How Do You Purchase Consolidator Airline Tickets?
Consolidators are ticket brokers who negotiate airline ticket prices (primarily international tickets) directly with the airlines and sell them to travelers at discounted prices, sometimes at prices up to 70% lower than the airlines’ published prices. Consolidator contracts are awarded to companies that show excellent selling records and big volumes. This article explains how to purchase consolidator airline tickets, provides useful tips and lists some of the better known consolidators. • Plan your travel ahead of time but be flexible on exact dates and flights. If price is your number-one priority, booking consolidator airplane tickets can save you money. • Work with a travel professional. A travel agent is the best way to purchase tickets from a reputable consolidator. Travel agents who deal with consolidator tickets will have a list of consolidators they work with on a consistent basis so they know who is reputable and who is not. Although they may add a slight mark-up to the ticket
• Plan your travel ahead of time but be flexible on exact dates and flights. If price is your number-one priority, booking consolidator airplane tickets can save you money. • Work with a travel professional. A travel agent is the best way to purchase tickets from a reputable consolidator. Travel agents who deal with consolidator tickets will have a list of consolidators they work with on a consistent basis so they know who is reputable and who is not. Although they may add a slight mark-up to the ticket, the price you pay will be less than anywhere else you purchase the tickets. Plus, if you have a problem with flight delays or cancellations, you have a person to contact. • Examine the travel section of your local newspaper, especially the Sunday edition, for advertisements from airline ticket consolidators who sell to the public. Go online. Although many travel sites advertise that they sell wholesale fares, only a few of them actually do. Each of these sites have a large selection of
