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