We are travelling this summer to Belgrade and home from Zurich. We are a family of five and the cost of the tickets from a "regular" source, ie the airlines is astronomical. The consolidator airfares seem more reasonable. I'll buy travel insurance to hedge against the risk if we need to cancel the trip but can anyone give me any other advice about whether or not to use a consolidator? They are on major airlines - United and Lufthansa. Thanks in advance for your help.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
When you buy the tickets you should be given a locator number from the airline. With that number you will be able to verify from the airlines's website that you do indeed have the seats you paid for. Be sure and pay with a credit card and don't pay until you have verified with the airline that you are confirmed on the flights.
Posted by
USR, NJ
277 posts
I have used a consolidator on three occasions to Eurpoe. Saved a lot of money. However, I treveled off season.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
I used Expedia last summer to fly Open Jaw, I figure I saved hundreds of dollars, if not more than $1,000, this way. Definitely I think it's worth using a consolidator if you can save money. A few days after I booked the tickets I called up each airline directly to confirm I was on the flights and what my seat assignment was... had no problem at all.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7569 posts
I too have used Consolidators on a few occasions, they really are no different than using a travel agent, except they buy tickets in bulk at discount and sell at market rate. They can definately help in cases where an open jaw is not supported by the same carrier or alliance (I flew Northwest/KLM to Amsterdam and American back from Manchester...something no agent could do). The other savings I found was buying 10 to 12 weeks before hand, when they started to push tickets at discount. I do always go back and check the airlines before buying, just because they may have dropped prices at the last minute.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
make sure you get seat assignments.