Consolidators Can Help Cut The Cost Of Air Travel

It's been a good year for air-fare bargain-hunters, with domestic fare wars breaking out in spring and the onset of shuttle competition on the West Coast this fall. But in peak travel months - and in other years when airlines' competitive promotions are softer - the cost of travel usually rises along with demand. That's when many frugal travelers start consulting consolidators.

Consolidators are independent companies that act as brokers for tickets the airlines can't sell at regular prices. Most major U.S. and European airlines use them. The editors of Consumer Reports Travel Letter call them "the airline equivalent of factory-outlet stores" and say "they can be hard to beat."

Still, many remain squeamish about using consolidators. A large number of them, after all, are small-scale outfits with short lives and overworked reservationists. Some of them place newspaper ads that announce very low fares that may well turn out to be unavailable.

But consumers shouldn't necessarily let those worries sour them on the entire consolidator concept. Find the right consolidator handling the right ticket, and you could save as much as 30 percent.

Evolving enterprise

Much of the consolidator business has arisen in the last 10 years, and the marketplace is still evolving. Some consolidators sell tickets only on a "wholesale" basis to travel agencies (and most good, full-service travel agencies these days - at least independent ones - offer consolidated tickets). Some companies have no direct contract with airlines but act as ticket brokers selling directly to the public. Some sell both wholesale and retail.

One prudent way to find a consolidator is to buy your ticket through an experienced travel agent who has dealt with them before. Agents with organizations like American Express, however, may decline to do business with consolidators (there's less profit in it).

Rules of thumb

Whether you use a travel agent or seek out a ticket yourself, know the restrictions on the ticket before you buy. Note attention to cancellation penalties, often more severe than those on conventionally purchased tickets.

Ask in advance about what kind of payment is accepted. Many sellers of consolidators, who run small businesses on tight budgets, decline credit cards or add extra fees when they are used. But travel authorities recommend paying with a credit card, so you can stop payment if tickets aren't forthcoming. Expect to get your tickets promptly, either through the mail or, to be doubly safe, in person.

Once you have the ticket in hand, it will show the airline involved, and you can call that carrier to double-check the ticket's authenticity.

Some general rules of thumb: The farther you're flying and the greater the demand, the greater your chances of saving big money with a consolidator ticket. As with any substantial purchase, consumers should compare prices before committing to one seller.

A sampling

The list below is a sampling of veteran agencies that sell consolidator tickets. The companies listed generally accept credit cards; some offer discounts for cash. A small sampling of local consolidators also is included. Mention here is not an endorsement.

Other discount ticket agencies are often listed in telephone books along with travel agents as "airline ticket agencies." -- Australia New Zealand (ANZ) Travel, (800) 281-4449. In business more than 10 years. Airline tickets to Europe, Hawaii, Asia and the Americas; hotels, tours, cruises. -- Cheap Tickets (800) 377-1000. An 8-year-old company. Airline tickets to the U.S., Hawaii, Europe, Asia and the Pacific; some Hawaiian hotels and rental cars. -- Magical Holidays, (800) 433-7773. Founded in 1981 in New York; San Francisco office open 1989. Specializes in Africa and Latin America; hotels, tours. -- STA Travel, (800) 777-0112. Emphasis on student and youth travel. Based in London, but with U.S. offices. Airline tickets to Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South America. -- Dikmen Travel, 447-9535. Overseas and domestic, tours and cruises. -- Travel Team Inc., 632-0520. Overseas and domestic, tours and cruises. -- All Around Travel Inc., 938-3030 or 747-8747 (Bellevue), tours. -- Gateway Exppress, 624-3400. Specializes in Asia-Pacific. -- New Wave Travel, 527-3579. Domestic and overseas.

Traveling Smart focuses on consumer issues on the first Tuesday of the month.