Once they were called "bucket shops" and likened to those shady operators of stock market swindles occupying cheap offices with buckets for seats. Though what they did was entirely legal, they were looked on with suspicion.
Today they've become so respectable that people refer to them in loftier terms. They're called "consolidators" or "brokers," and what they really are is discounters. They cut the cost of your air transportation, cruise, hotel stay, or car rental, and only the chump fails to use them.
Keep in mind, when you use a consolidator, that they are in business only because some airline, cruise line, hotel chain, or car rental company has decided to use them as a conduit for distressed merchandise. They are creatures of these big suppliers of travel; they exist only because the most distinguished firms in travel--giant international airlines, maritime firms, powerful hotels, and car companies--want them to supply a secret outlet for unsold seats, cabins, rooms, or cars.
It's entirely possible--indeed, probable--that one of these companies can save you several hundreds of dollars on your next trip! Here they are:
Air Fares Within the U.S.
1-800-FLY-CHEAP (800/FLY-CHEAP)
Large (250,000 tickets annually) San Diego--based firm claiming to offer savings of $30 to $150 on most advance-purchase tickets. A subsidiary of industry giant The Travel Company.
CHEAP TICKETS, INC. (800/377-1000)
Although mostly selling domestic tickets, this giant among air consolidators can cut the price of an advance-fare ticket practically anywhere in the world by 15 to 25 percent, very often more. Web site: www.cheaptickets.com.
MR. CHEAP TRAVEL (800/672-4327)
A primarily domestic specialist that cuts 17 percent from the price of any TWA fare--even international ones. The firm also works with several smaller upstart carriers, offering discounts of around 20 percent off published prices. Web site: www.mrcheaps.com.
AIR4LESS (800/656-9247)
Seller since 1995 of discounted domestic air fares priced--it claims--at 25 percent below published rates. Can obtain tickets as late as two days before departure. Also operates Web site at www.air-4-less.com.
AMERICAN TRAVEL ASSOCIATES (800/CHEAP-AIR)
Nine-year-old specialist in domestic air fares, mainly transcontinental, last-minute to Florida, and flights to smaller cities. Its discounts average 20 percent.
TRAVEL BARGAINS (800/AIR-FARE)
A big one, selling more than 125,000 tickets each year. Formerly owned by TWA, now by one of the airline's former executives, its specialty is TWA air transportation but sells Continental Airlines and others, too. Web site: www.1800airfare.com.
PRICELINE.COM (Internet only, no phone)
You specify the price you're willing to pay to fly to and from a city on particular dates. If an airline accepts your price, you're obligated to fly on the routings and times of day they choose. An immense firm. Web site: www.priceline.com.
HOTWIRE.COM (Internet only, no phone)
Similar to Priceline, although you can see the price before you committ to purchase the ticket. Web site: www.hotwire.com.
Transatlantic Air Fares
TRAVAC TOURS & CHARTERS, INC. (800/872-8800)
Long-established and highly respected source of discounted tickets to major European cities. Its best values are for the transatlantic high season (April through October). Good Web information: www.thetravelsite.com.
COUNCIL TRAVEL (800/226-8624)
Owned by the eminent Council on International Educational Exchange, its cut-rate air fares are no longer confined to students (but still largely student-oriented). Web site: www.ciee.org.
DER TRAVEL SERVICES (800/717-4247 air fares; 800/782-2424 other travel products)
The German railway system owns this long-established firm that claims to provide discounts of 20 to 35 percent on advance-purchase European air fares and also offers a full range of other discounted travel services.
NEW FRONTIERS USA (800/366-6387)
The U.S. division of France's largest travel company allegedly beats published air prices to Europe by 20 to 30 percent, operates its own scheduled charter service to France (Corsair), and sells competitively priced fly-drive and air-hotel packages. Web site: www.newfrontiers.com.
STA TRAVEL INC. (800/777-0112)
The other major student travel firm sells most of its tickets to Europe (25 to 30 percent off published fares, it claims) but offers domestic savings as well. Cheap backpacker-friendly European hotels are another specialty. Web site: www.statravel.com.
Air Fares to Latin America
BRAZILIAN VACATION CENTER (800/848-2746)
Exclusively focused on travel to and from Brazil. Web site: www.brazilianvacation.com.
PINO WELCOME TRAVEL (800/247-6578)
This high-volume discounter, over 25 years old, offers a considerable saving on tickets to Central America and Latin America. Web site: www.pinotravel.com.
ESCAPE TOURS (800/252-0775)
Houston-based company that's one of the largest specialists in Latin American air fares selling for as much as 30 percent off published prices. Web site: www.Webtravel.com.
SOLAR TOURS (800/388-7652)
One of the largest and longest-established of the consolidators to Latin America. Can nearly always save 20 to 30 percent off published advance-purchase fares, sometimes more, using most major carriers.
Air Fares Primarily to Africa
MAGICAL HOLIDAYS (800/228-2208)
One of the major discounters of air fares to Africa, typically offering 25 percent (or more) off advance-purchase fares. Also offers some of the best prices for safaris.
PREMIER TRAVEL (800/545-1910)
A 15-year-old that's one of the largest consolidators of African air fares, selling for as much as 30 percent off standard rates. Also offers well-priced land packages and safaris.
Air Fares Primarily to India
FESTIVAL OF ASIA (800/533-9953)
A specialist in southeast Asia and India, this San Francisco firm offers savings, it says, of 25 to 35 percent over published fares in summer and as much as 40 percent in shoulder seasons.
HARI WORLD TRAVEL (800/889-2968)
The largest consolidator of airplane tickets to India--saving customers a third, on average, off any advance-purchase ticket. For tickets without advance purchase, the discount can run higher.
Air Fares Primarily to Japan
CREATIVE MARKETING MANAGEMENT(800/458-6663, travel agents only)
Though this subsidiary of Japan Air Lines doesn't deal directly with the public, it will provide you (through your travel agent) with air savings to Japan of 30 percent or so in fall, 25 percent in summer and winter.
JAPAN BUDGET TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL (877/246-5284)
Founded by Japanese-Americans, this 15-year-old firm now serves all corners of Asia with discounts that can reach as high as 35 percent off standard rates. Web site: www.jbti.com.
Around-the-World Air Fares
HIGH ADVENTURE TRAVEL, INC. (800/350-0612)
Sells nearly 2,000 heavily discounted around-the-world fares each year. Offers an itinerary-building template on its Web site, www.airtreks.com.
CIRCLE THE PLANET (800/799-8888)
Owner Nick Kontis may have originated the cheap around-the-world fare. Now his California-based company allows travelers to circumnavigate the globe for as little as $1,300. Formerly Ticket Planet. Web site: www.circletheplanet.com.
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