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Airlines Serving Local Los
Angeles Area Airports |
| Burbank/Glendale/Pas. |
John Wayne (Orange) |
Ontario Airport |
| Alaska |
Alaska |
Alaska |
| America West |
America West |
America West |
| American |
American |
American |
| Southwest |
Southwest |
Southwest |
| United |
United |
United |
| |
Continental |
Continental |
| Long Beach |
Delta/Skywest |
Delta |
| Allegiant Air |
Northwest |
Northwest |
| American |
TWA |
TWA |
| America West |
United Express |
United Express |
| |
US Airways |
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Airline
Ticket Discounters |
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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-off: |
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Limited
Services |
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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 sight-seeing. |
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No Frequent
Flyer Miles |
|
You often cannot collect them with these cheap
tickets, but it depends on the ticket. Be sure
to check. |
|
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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
is not always obligated to transfer you to
another carrier. Although charters follow U.S.
Safety regulations, they are subject to fewer
federal restrictions when they bump passengers or
cancel flights |
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Fees |
|
Most discounters charge delivery or service fees
of $10.00 to $15.00 per ticket (but many travel
agents do too.) |
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Cash Versus
Credit |
|
Many discounter 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
does not materialize or something else goes
wrong. |
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Here is a sampling of some of the best-known air
free discounters. A caveat inclusion is not 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).
Any company selling in
California should carry a state-issued ID
number indicating it is registered under the
state’s Seller of Travel law. |
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