| ing for inexpensive flights online could prove to be a | | | | consolidators: destination specialists, wholesale |
| difficult experience for most people out there | | | | consolidators and online travel consolidators. |
| because you are going to encounter hundreds of | | | | Destination specialists are able to draw discounts |
| websites that offer discounts on airfare. Many of | | | | depending on a particular destination. Wholesale |
| these websites also offer cheap international ticket | | | | consolidators do not sell tickets directly but you can |
| rates. You need to know that official international | | | | find out more about multi-stop specialists who come |
| airfares are governed by IATA (International Air | | | | under this category. They might be able to help you |
| Transport Association) and it does not allow direct | | | | out in finding cheaper travel agencies. Online travel |
| discounting of airfare. But there is a way of | | | | consolidators are the best way of finding the |
| purchasing cheap tickets through consolidators and | | | | cheapest flights, national or international. They might |
| wholesalers. So lets find out how exactly you can | | | | not be the best in providing other services but when |
| find cheap flights online. Many low cost carriers are | | | | it comes to pricing, thats where they specialize. You |
| not full IATA members. So they can lower their | | | | will find a lot of online agencies like that, such as |
| airfare whenever they want and offer discount | | | | Travelocity, Skyscanner, Cheap Flights, Expedia, STA |
| packages to their customers. These local companies | | | | Travel and many more. Expedia and Travelocity are |
| have set up their websites that not only help to find | | | | two of the most popular online travel agencies. They |
| you cheap flights but also hotel reservations and car | | | | both offer special flight prices with many airlines all |
| rentals. Some airlines also have student discount | | | | around the world. Consolidator fares can save you up |
| offers listed on their websites. Some search engines | | | | to 70-80% of your airfare. Although they are the |
| display a list of travel agencies that meet your | | | | best to go around when finding cheap flights, many |
| itinerary criteria. You can then find the best of these | | | | people still like to consider buying direct airline tickets |
| sites and book reservations with their supplier. You | | | | because they are more reliable and offer more |
| will be able to find national as well as international | | | | services than the consolidators. Choosing the right |
| travel agencies this way by searching on the | | | | time for booking your flights is also important. |
| Internet. Airfare Watchdog is an online portal where | | | | Sometimes the best deals are offered at the last |
| you can learn about special deals and offers and | | | | minute of reservations. If you are traveling alone you |
| much more information about other travel | | | | might want to wait until the day of your departure. |
| arrangements. The address is: Similarly there are | | | | However, booking in advance is always safer and |
| other sites that help you find local and international | | | | more reliable and you never know when your luck |
| flight rates in particular seasons and useful | | | | might take a turn and the airline might offer you |
| information. or are also two such portals. | | | | tickets at a discount rate when you purchase them. |
| Consolidators are sold tickets at very low costs. You | | | | Again, there are online travel agencies that offer |
| can find any air travel consolidator in your area and | | | | discounts if your book in advance. A little search here |
| find out about their pricing structure and other | | | | and there will teach you how this system works. Also |
| facilities they have to offer. Consolidators allow | | | | get in touch with travel agents to find out more |
| travelers to compare prices of different travel | | | | about the advantages and disadvantages of early |
| agencies and also help them in choosing the best | | | | and late reservations. |
| time of flight. There are three types of air travel | | | | |