CONSOLIDATED INFORMATION ON AIR-FARE SAVINGS

What can you do when you want to get a low-cost reservation for a particular flight? One good strategy is to call a ticket consolidator.

Look through the Sunday travel sections of the New York Times, Washington Post and other major newspapers and you'll find small ads touting cheap, round-trip airline tickets for flights to a variety of destinations, both in the United States and abroad.  These are not package trips, which also include land arrangements such as hotels and transfers, but flights that, on the face of it, offer savings of 15 percent to 50 percent less than the best fares offered directly by the airlines.  Airline ticket consolidators are a legitimate component of the industry and have been around for years. Essentially wholesale factory outlets, consolidators contract with name-brand airlines to buy excess inventory at rock bottom prices.  That inventory is generally economy-class seats on selected flights to virtually any destination, although some consolidators can also provide tickets for business class and first class. Those seats are then sold to travelers willing to fly with a few strings attached, in exchange for significant savings.  Although fly-by-night consolidators and ticket brokers have stranded plenty of passengers over the years, many legitimate consolidators have been in business for decades with excellent reputations. Some consolidators only sell tickets through travel agencies, others sell directly to the public.  Consolidator tickets can also of ten be bought at the last moment, although black-out dates apply. Although they once sold tickets exclusively on a cash only, point-to-point basis, most consolidators now take credit cards, and some can write tickets for complex, multi-stop itineraries.  But there are drawbacks with consolidator tickets. You'll get the same in-flight services as regular passengers, but you may not get such amenities as advance seat assignments and boarding passes, upgrades, or frequent-flier miles.  Consolidator tickets are usually sold on a use-it-or-lose-it basis, with steep penalties for changes. Furthermore, if you're bumped from a flight or it's delayed or canceled for any reason, you may not be entitled to any compensation, and it's unlikely that any other carrier will accept your consolidator ticket. In addition, automatic flight insurance may not apply.  Apart from these possible complications, there are the usual frustrations of working with an unknown company over the phone. To make sure you're dealing with a legitimate consolidator, ask which airlines it uses. Also ask the consolidator about its policies on payment, changes, and refunds. Does the price include all taxes and fees? Ask how and when your tickets will be sent and who will pay delivery charges?  Always use a credit card to buy your ticket, even if the consolidator charges extra for those who pay with plastic. And if you ever get a hint of vagueness or a run-around, hang up.  Once you have your reservation and flight information, you can call the particular carrier and make sure the booking is also logged in its computer files.  One safe way to obtain consolidator tickets is through a reputable travel agency. Virtually all agencies maintain relationships with reliable consolidators. The travel agent can get your tickets, as well as coordinate the flight arrangements with other elements of your itinerary.  Although the consolidator seats travel agents sell may be a bit more expensive than those advertised in the paper, they do eliminate much of the hassle and risk. You get the savings and a ticket that will be much the same as any other, as long as there are no changes to your itinerary.  For more information, contact the US Air Consolidators Association (916-441-4166). The "Index to Air Travel Consolidators" is another good resource ($54) as is Gary Schmidt's book "Fly for Less" ($19.95). Both are published by Travel Publishing Inc. (800-241-9299).
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