| Bucket shops, or "travel consolidators," are | | | | |
| travel agencies who have arrangements with | | | | • Realize that bucket shop advice may |
| specific airlines to sell international | | | | often be biased. Airlines that give bucket |
| tickets for considerably less than the | | | | shops special deals expect them to push |
| airline's published fares. | | | | business their way. A bucket shop may not |
| | | | tell you if another shop sells a cheaper or |
| You can indeed save money on bucket shop | | | | more convenient itinerary. • Request |
| fares, and experience a completely successful | | | | that quoted fares include all taxes and fees. |
| trip abroad. However, this segment of the | | | | Extra fees can be a way for a sketchy bucket |
| travel industry contains enough landmines | | | | shop to amp up the price considerably. So get |
| that you should use bucket shops only if you | | | | the total price before making a reservation. |
| follow the tips given in this article. | | | | |
| | | | • Savings tend to be greatest when you |
| Although financially secure vendors like | | | | deal with a company that writes its own |
| Priceline may match or exceed bucket shop | | | | tickets, instead of an agency that orders |
| international discounts, and provide you with | | | | tickets from somewhere else. Confirm this |
| a more comfortable purchasing experience, the | | | | with the agency. A good question is, "Can I |
| bucket shop option is still worth exploring. | | | | pick up my ticket today?" |
| Their tickets often permit you to change your | | | | |
| destination or dates for a fee, which | | | | • Pay with a credit card. If the bucket |
| Priceline "Name your own price" tickets, for | | | | shop turns out to be a scam, you may be able |
| example, never allow. | | | | to stop payment with a credit card, but you |
| | | | can't with cash. |
| But, study these guidelines and proceed with | | | | |
| caution! | | | | • Ask to have their rules for canceling |
| | | | or changing flights in writing. These can be |
| How to find a reputable bucket shop: | | | | emailed or faxed to you if you cannot get to |
| | | | their office. Some bucket shop tickets may |
| You may see ads for bucket shop airfares in | | | | allow you to change flights and dates, others |
| major newspapers and on the Internet. | | | | may not. Also, fees for changes may vary |
| However, even though the newspaper or website | | | | considerably. |
| may have a good reputation, the bucket shop | | | | |
| which advertises there could be at best, | | | | • Try to buy travel on one airline (or |
| disorganized, and at worst, downright | | | | its partners), with as few connections as |
| dishonest. | | | | possible. Any time you increase your number |
| | | | of connections or airlines, you increase your |
| Over the years, I have heard many tales of | | | | risk of complications, especially if you're |
| fly-by-night, shady bucket shops (and have | | | | traveling with separate tickets for each |
| had run-ins with several myself), and so I | | | | airline. |
| use these only if I have a solid | | | | |
| recommendation from: | | | | Suppose you're flying to Delhi via Moscow on |
| | | | separate airlines. If you miss your Delhi |
| • a friend who has used the same bucket | | | | flight because the Moscow flight was late, |
| shop over time, • a report from the | | | | the Delhi airline in Moscow may tell you it's |
| Better Business Bureau, or | | | | not responsible for re-booking fees, a hotel |
| | | | overnight, etc. |
| • an article in a respected travel | | | | |
| journal, such as Frommer's Budget Travel. | | | | • In addition, bucket shop tickets are |
| | | | often marked "non-endorsable." This means |
| One of the best sources for a reliable bucket | | | | that if you miss a connection, you can't be |
| shop referral is a friend from the same | | | | rerouted on another airline. On top of that, |
| ethnic group as your destination. If it's | | | | you may not have the visa required to leave |
| comfortable, ask your friend to obtain the | | | | the airport terminal if you have to wait a |
| price quotation. On many routes, travelers | | | | day or two. So it's always best to fly with |
| whose families originally came from the | | | | as few connections and airlines as possible. |
| destination country get the lowest quotes. | | | | |
| | | | • If possible, pick up your ticket at |
| A Cautionary Tale: Follow these tips before | | | | the bucket shop, instead of having it sent to |
| using bucket shops: | | | | you, so that you can examine it carefully |
| | | | before leaving the store. Make sure that you |
| • If you are reside in the U.S., just | | | | have coupons for each flight, correct dates, |
| use American bucket shops. It could be very | | | | etc. |
| difficult to pursue a transaction that turned | | | | |
| sour if you use a foreign travel | | | | Have I scared you off? |
| consolidator. | | | | |
| | | | Some bucket shops are reputable and some are |
| • Shops tend to specialize in specific | | | | not. I am not promoting them, nor am I saying |
| countries. The one you use for Australia is | | | | to stay completely clear. I just want you to |
| not necessarily the one you want to use for | | | | be armed with the best strategies for |
| Kenya. | | | | protecting yourself and setting up a |
| | | | comfortable trip when you find a reputable |
| • Bucket shop discounts excel at Asian, | | | | one. (And, remember - the best source is a |
| Australian, Middle Eastern, eastern European, | | | | trusted friend who has used the same bucket |
| and African destinations. Discounts are less | | | | shop many times.) |
| competitive to western European cities, such | | | | |
| as Amsterdam and Paris, because airlines | | | | Let's say better safe than sorry, rather than |
| frequently publish specials to these | | | | better save than sorry! |
| destinations. | | | | |