Airline Consolidators to Europe

I think you will find most people here recommend buying direct from the airline. Using other search options for research is encouraged.

At the risk of mixing travel and metaphors, that ship has sailed.

"Airline consolidators" are a last-generation thing. The internet and massive changes in the travel business has all but killed them. Like travelers checks and steam trunks, they're a quaint thing out of the past.

The Above is correct for the most part...Consolodators which worked by “Buying” a set number of seats on a flight at a big discount then reselling them are mostly past for sure. In their place are now “Aggregators” Like Expedia, Kayak, Cheapo-Air etc.

But there still exist out there specialized travel againcies, usually in larger cities that are owned by immigrants with strong contacts to the home country mostly in Asia and South America and from these agencies you can often get super deals on airfare...but it is a lot of work to find them and deal with them sometimes.

I also agree that you should find a good deal on the WEB with an aggregator then go directly to the Airline web site, sign up for their frequent flyer card...this often gets you lower prices and get your ticket here. There are other good reasons to do so...if you have to change or cancel there is no third party in your way to complicate and screw things up.

Good Luck

On-line agencies are useful to buy an itinerary that includes two or more airlines that do not sell each other's tickets. Sometimes they will check luggage to each other despite not having a purchase agreement. Airlines within an alliance are usually the most convenient. It's worth trying to find out from the airlines. If you have to reclaim luggage and check it in for the next flight you obviously will need more time during the connection.