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Cheap Airline Tickets 101
The Lowdown on Airline Consolidators
My husband, Tom and I have a few excursions planned this year; however, we're looking forward to taking an incredible trip to Vietnam in October of this year. Actually, it's a 10-day adventure tour that begins in Hanoi (Hà Noi), travels south, and ends in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon or Sài Gòn). Now, I pride myself on looking through the websites of the "Big Three": Travelocity, Orbitz, and Expedia, for cheap airline tickets. After comparing rates for a few weeks, I decided to search for better prices through an airline consolidator. We found a great agency to work with and purchased tickets at the best price out there!
By reading this lens, you'll find out how airlines use different ways to advertise and sell passenger seats to the public. You'll understand how to tap into a market of discount airline fares to destinations around the world. Lastly, you'll recognize why booking flights through an airline consolidator is the smartest ticket!
You Paid What?!
Three Ways Seats are Sold
Airlines use three avenues to sell passenger seats on international flights and domestic flights. 1) Every airline has a corporate website (e.g. - American Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, etc.) for customers who prefer interacting directly with the airline carrier. 2) Travel websites as mentioned above, Travelocity, Orbitz, CheapTickets, tout themselves as providing customers with guaranteed discount travel deals. In a number of instances, this is true! 3) Airlines contract with consolidators to sell fares at lower rates than those advertised anywhere. The rates are known as "private" or "bulk" fares and are not sold directly to the public.
How to Get a “Private” Fare
Cash In On Great Rates
Airlines use consolidators as a reliable way to sell a percentage of rates in every booking class -- economy, business class, and first class. Consolidators cannot sell tickets directly to you; however, a travel agent can find the best flights at the best fare; even last-minute fares. Since airline consolidators are granted a window of opportunity to sell seats, agents can cash in on unbelievable discounts. A travel agent has a much better grasp of which consolidators are good and which aren't.
Still Want to Shop Around?
By All Means…
Of course you should. You are probably like me and give yourself a "high five" each time you come across the perfect flight and pay next to nothing for it. But, consider this, if you find a cheap fare offered by a consolidator you can either have your travel agent book the ticket for you or contact the airlines to more than likely match or beat it! There is one restriction; you'll never be able to get an upgrade using any of the frequent-flier miles you've accumulated.
Now, you're ready to start contacting a few airline consolidators to find the best airline rates. You can plan your next overseas trip knowing how to purchase an amazing "private" fare. You'll only visit the other travel sites as validation that you've now locked into an avenue of savings you will use of every time you consider purchasing airline tickets. Guaranteed!
Contact Tom and Tanya M Bell at 719.248.3227 or email us at TnT@fairwindsvacations.com for additional information on the subject of booking fares through airline consolidators.
The Lowdown on Airline Consolidators
My husband, Tom and I have a few excursions planned this year; however, we're looking forward to taking an incredible trip to Vietnam in October of this year. Actually, it's a 10-day adventure tour that begins in Hanoi (Hà Noi), travels south, and ends in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon or Sài Gòn). Now, I pride myself on looking through the websites of the "Big Three": Travelocity, Orbitz, and Expedia, for cheap airline tickets. After comparing rates for a few weeks, I decided to search for better prices through an airline consolidator. We found a great agency to work with and purchased tickets at the best price out there!
By reading this lens, you'll find out how airlines use different ways to advertise and sell passenger seats to the public. You'll understand how to tap into a market of discount airline fares to destinations around the world. Lastly, you'll recognize why booking flights through an airline consolidator is the smartest ticket!
You Paid What?!
Three Ways Seats are Sold
Airlines use three avenues to sell passenger seats on international flights and domestic flights. 1) Every airline has a corporate website (e.g. - American Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, etc.) for customers who prefer interacting directly with the airline carrier. 2) Travel websites as mentioned above, Travelocity, Orbitz, CheapTickets, tout themselves as providing customers with guaranteed discount travel deals. In a number of instances, this is true! 3) Airlines contract with consolidators to sell fares at lower rates than those advertised anywhere. The rates are known as "private" or "bulk" fares and are not sold directly to the public.
How to Get a “Private” Fare
Cash In On Great Rates
Airlines use consolidators as a reliable way to sell a percentage of rates in every booking class -- economy, business class, and first class. Consolidators cannot sell tickets directly to you; however, a travel agent can find the best flights at the best fare; even last-minute fares. Since airline consolidators are granted a window of opportunity to sell seats, agents can cash in on unbelievable discounts. A travel agent has a much better grasp of which consolidators are good and which aren't.
Still Want to Shop Around?
By All Means…
Of course you should. You are probably like me and give yourself a "high five" each time you come across the perfect flight and pay next to nothing for it. But, consider this, if you find a cheap fare offered by a consolidator you can either have your travel agent book the ticket for you or contact the airlines to more than likely match or beat it! There is one restriction; you'll never be able to get an upgrade using any of the frequent-flier miles you've accumulated.
Now, you're ready to start contacting a few airline consolidators to find the best airline rates. You can plan your next overseas trip knowing how to purchase an amazing "private" fare. You'll only visit the other travel sites as validation that you've now locked into an avenue of savings you will use of every time you consider purchasing airline tickets. Guaranteed!
Contact Tom and Tanya M Bell at 719.248.3227 or email us at TnT@fairwindsvacations.com for additional information on the subject of booking fares through airline consolidators.
