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Discount Tickets Home Page Internet Air Fares The Air Traveler's Handbook Faq: Consolidators And Bucket Shops 1-800 Numbers For All the Airlines

Finding Cheap Airfare   BY RICHARD SILBERMAN

The DISCOUNT TICKETS HOME PAGE is, without question, the mother lode of resources for finding cheap fares. The array of choices here is both overwhelming and reassuring: with so many options, you stand a chance of finding a phenomenal fare. Although this page feeds your itinerary to agents across the U.S. and abroad, the focus is clearly on the latter. The agents will e-mail you their hottest fares. You also can access and search a variety of discount airfare databases; learn about last-minute specials; contact consolidators, discount agents, and bucket shops; and link directly to low-cost ticket suppliers in 144 countries, including Albania, Iran, and Tanzania. If you are serious about flying cheap, you can't afford to miss this page.

When you want to make a quick check of the lowest fares from any of 40 major U.S. and Canadian cities-and purchase tickets to boot-turn to INTERNET AIR FARES. This incredibly convenient resource features daily fare reports that list the cheapest flights in all the major categories, such as 21-, 14-, and seven-day "excursion" fares, refundable fares, and last-minute fares. You also will be alerted to the latest fare cuts, as well as to noteworthy promotions. The fare charts are in a very raw format, but scanning them is indeed well worth the time and effort.

THE AIR TRAVELER'S HANDBOOK demystifies the big online reservation systems, links to travel agencies worldwide that specialize in cheap flights, and offers access to courier services and consolidators. You also can subscribe to newsgroups, newsletters, and mailing lists that share news of discount fares and cheap student travel.

Every "long-haul" international traveler intent on finding low fares needs to read the FAQ: CONSOLIDATORS AND BUCKET SHOPS from start to finish. It is an extensive document that spells out in great detail the hows and whys of these outlets for cheap flights. There is nothing fancy about this site. Frankly, it is very dry and convoluted. Nevertheless, it is loaded with invaluable facts, advice, and warnings that could save you a lot of money and a lot of grief.

Still having trouble? Maybe you could use the 1-800 NUMBERS FOR ALL THE AIRLINES.