Airline Ticket Discounters

Airline ticket discounters, also known as consolidators or bucket shops, are a prime source of affordable air fares.

The discounters strike deals with airlines to buy large numbers of tickets at rates lower than the airlines’ published prices. Thus, by buying tickets from a “wholesale” discounter instead of going to the airline, many travel agents can undercut advertised fares. Many of these discounters also sell directly to the public.

The savings are most notable on international tickets, but travelers can occasionally save substantially on domestic flights.

Before you rush to give a discounter your business, however, consider the trade-offs:

* Limited services. Discounters work in a fast-paced, thin-margin business. They generally spend as few moments as possible in conversation with customers and will offer no help with hotels or sightseeing.

* No frequent-flier miles. You often can’t collect them with these cheap tickets, but it depends on the ticket. Be sure to check.

* Less flexibility. Cancellation penalties can be high. You may not get the airline or flight time you prefer. If your flight is canceled or delayed, the airline isn’t always obligated to transfer you to another carrier. Although charters follow U.S. safety regulations, they’re subject to fewer federal restrictions when they bump passengers or cancel flights.

* Fees. Most discounters charge delivery or service fees of $10 to $15 per ticket (but many travel agents do too).

* Cash versus credit. Many discounters offer incentives (often 3% off the ticket price) to customers who pay by cash or check rather than credit card. But most consumer advocates advise paying by credit card because those companies protect consumers if the ticket doesn’t materialize or something else goes wrong.

Here is a sampling of some of the best-known air fare discounters in California. A caveat: Inclusion isn’t an endorsement of any company listed. Consumers should look for companies with accreditation from the Airline Reporting Corp. (ARC) and the International Airline Travel Agents’ Network (IATAN). T. Any company selling in California should carry a state-issued ID number indicating it’s registered under the state’s Seller of Travel law.

1800FLYCHEAP, telephone (800) FLY-CHEAP, www.flycheap.com. Domestic, international tickets.

Air Brokers International, tel. (800) 883-3273 or (415) 397-1383, fax (415) 397-4767, www.airbrokers.com. Pacific, Africa, Asia, Central America, intra-Asia, Russia, South America, around the world.

Airbound, tel. (415) 834-9445, fax (415) 834-9447, www.airbound.com. Domestic and Africa, Asia, Canada, Central America, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Russia, South America, South Pacific.

All Continents Travel, tel. (310) 337-1641, fax (310) 645-0412. Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, South Pacific.

Budget Traveler, tel. (415) 454-2111, fax (415) 454-0727. Domestic and Asia, Canada, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Russia, South America.

Cheap Seats, tel. (800) 451-7200 or (818) 717-8591 or (323) 873-2838, www.cheapseats.com. The Americas, Europe.

Cheap Tickets, tel. (800) 377-1000 or (310) 645-5054 or (323) 233-6977 or (714) 229-0131, www.cheaptickets.com. Domestic and worldwide.

Continental Travel Shop, tel. (310) 453-8655, fax (310) 453-5093. U.K., Europe, intra-Europe.

Custom Travel, tel. (800) 535-9797 or (415) 239-4200, fax (415) 239-0121. Domestic and the Americas, Africa, Asia, Canada, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Hawaii, Russia, South Pacificcharters, cruises, hotels, tours.

Discover Wholesale Travel, tel. (800) 576-7770 or (949) 833-1136, fax (949) 833-1176. Asia, Europe, South Pacifichotels, tours.

Fare Deal Travel, tel. (800) 243-2785 or (619) 282-8866, fax (619) 282-8868, www.webreservations.com/4pf4. Domestic, Europe.

Flight Coordinators, tel. (800) 544-3644 or (310) 581-5600, fax (310) 581-5620, www.flightcoordinators.com. Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, Russia, South America, South Pacific.

Levon Travel, tel. (800) 445-3866 or (323) 871-8711, fax (323) 462-7410, www.levontravel com:80. Europe, Middle East.

Rebel Tours, tel. (800) 227-3235 or (661) 294-0900, fax (661) 294-0981, www.rebeltours.com. Europealso charters.

Redwood Skytours, San Rafael, tel. (800) 346-7465 or (415) 454-4932, fax (415) 454-5783, www.skytours.com. Domestic and Africa, Asia, Canada, Central America, Europe, Hawaii, intra-Asia, intra-Europe, Russia, South America, South Pacific, around the world.

South Star Tours, tel. (800) 654-4468 or (310) 416-1001, fax (310) 416-8703, www.southstartours.com. Central, South America.

Sun Destination Travel, San Franciscotel. (415) 398-1313, fax (415) 398-1399, www.sundestinationtravel.com. Domestic and the Americas, Africa, Asia, Canada, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, intra-Asia, Hawaii, Mexico, Russia, South America, South Pacific.