Lost the URL of the site that searches all consolidator fares
Jun 27th, 2003 | 05:56 AM
#1
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Lost the URL of the site that searches all consolidator fares
I know there is a site that does a search of all the consolidators. I've looked at it in the past. Do you know what it is? I tried a search of the post from the last year or so and didn't find it. Thanks.
Jun 27th, 2003 | 06:28 AM
#2
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I just did a search on consolidators and came up with the best response:
Author: Vic
Date: 12/20/2001, 07:06 pm
Message: You can buy consolidator tickets through travel agents. As a matter of fact some consolidators sell only to travel agents. So a travel agent that is knowledgable about consolidators may be able to find the best deal.
When you buy a regular ticket from the airline or a travel agent, the price of the ticket is stated on the face of the ticket. If an agent adds a service charge it must be separately stated as an additional charge. This is not true with consolidator tickets.
The price on the face of the consolidator ticket is whatever the agent thinks he can get. So it is possible that the agent has included a 100% or more mark up in the price. So you must shop around when you are looking for a consolidator ticket.
That's one reason that you can't make changes through the airline, you must deal with the consolidator. The airline doesn't know what was actually paid net of the travel agent's markup.
Remember that's it's the airlines that chose which seats they want to sell to consolidators at what price. If the airline thinks it can sell the seat themselves they won't sell it to a consolidator. So the most popular dates and itineraries won't be available.
Julies- I have also dealt with consolidators in the past and gone thru my travel agent who has BEAT any online service I could find...including online consolidators..this is just a heads up for you.....Each consolidator uses different airlines and goes out of MAJOR cities- ie.NY,DC etc...If you are flying out of smalltown USA, consolidators may not be doeable for you......
Author: Vic
Date: 12/20/2001, 07:06 pm
Message: You can buy consolidator tickets through travel agents. As a matter of fact some consolidators sell only to travel agents. So a travel agent that is knowledgable about consolidators may be able to find the best deal.
When you buy a regular ticket from the airline or a travel agent, the price of the ticket is stated on the face of the ticket. If an agent adds a service charge it must be separately stated as an additional charge. This is not true with consolidator tickets.
The price on the face of the consolidator ticket is whatever the agent thinks he can get. So it is possible that the agent has included a 100% or more mark up in the price. So you must shop around when you are looking for a consolidator ticket.
That's one reason that you can't make changes through the airline, you must deal with the consolidator. The airline doesn't know what was actually paid net of the travel agent's markup.
Remember that's it's the airlines that chose which seats they want to sell to consolidators at what price. If the airline thinks it can sell the seat themselves they won't sell it to a consolidator. So the most popular dates and itineraries won't be available.
Julies- I have also dealt with consolidators in the past and gone thru my travel agent who has BEAT any online service I could find...including online consolidators..this is just a heads up for you.....Each consolidator uses different airlines and goes out of MAJOR cities- ie.NY,DC etc...If you are flying out of smalltown USA, consolidators may not be doeable for you......
Jun 27th, 2003 | 07:31 AM
#3
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Thanks Andy. guess I didn't go back far enough when I did the search to see the piece you copied.
But, I still know there is a site where you pick dates and that then lists the fares from all the different airlines that consolidators have seats on. It says something like, "Fare $560...major Canadian airline." So if anyone else recalls this site, I'd appreciate the help.
But, I still know there is a site where you pick dates and that then lists the fares from all the different airlines that consolidators have seats on. It says something like, "Fare $560...major Canadian airline." So if anyone else recalls this site, I'd appreciate the help.
Jun 27th, 2003 | 08:08 AM
#5
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If every TA out there could "beat" all the consolidator fares then there wouldn't be any consolidators now would there?
I use Sidestep to check on fares but I still compare those fares with the others such as Cheaptickets and Travelocity and I also look at the newspaper ads, too...never hurts to look everywhere you reasonably can. Just a thought.
I use Sidestep to check on fares but I still compare those fares with the others such as Cheaptickets and Travelocity and I also look at the newspaper ads, too...never hurts to look everywhere you reasonably can. Just a thought.
Jun 27th, 2003 | 08:22 AM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
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other good ones are http://beta.itasoftware.com/cvg/dispatch/prego
and www.qixo.com (related to sidestep).
and www.qixo.com (related to sidestep).
Jun 27th, 2003 | 08:39 AM
#7
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Not sure which site you're speaking of, but I usually check them all. Here's a few more to try:
www.flights.com, www.justfares.com, www.travelteam.com, www.flights.com, www.economytravel.com, www.travelzoo.com
www.flights.com, www.justfares.com, www.travelteam.com, www.flights.com, www.economytravel.com, www.travelzoo.com
