What Are Consolidator Fares? The Complete Guide to Wholesale Airline Tickets
Quick Answer
Consolidator fares are discounted airline tickets purchased in bulk by IATA-accredited travel agencies at wholesale rates. These fares are typically 20–70% cheaper than published prices and are not available on public booking engines like Google Flights, Kayak, or Expedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a consolidator fare?
- A consolidator fare is a deeply discounted airline ticket that has been purchased in bulk by an IATA-accredited travel agency. Airlines sell excess inventory at wholesale rates to consolidators, who then pass the savings to travelers. These fares are typically 20–70% below the published price.
- Are consolidator fares legitimate?
- Yes. Consolidator fares result in official airline e-tickets issued directly by the carrier. Your booking appears in the airline's reservation system, and you receive the same baggage allowance, frequent flyer miles, and rebooking rights as any other ticket.
- Why can't I find consolidator fares on Google Flights?
- Airlines contractually prohibit consolidators from displaying wholesale prices on public metasearch engines. These fares are only available through authorized agencies like Camli that hold direct agreements with airlines.
- How much can I save with consolidator fares?
- Savings vary by route, airline, and season. On average, Camli customers save $480 per booking (62% off published fares). International business class tickets often see the largest discounts, sometimes exceeding 70% off.
- Do consolidator fares earn frequent flyer miles?
- Yes, in most cases. Since consolidator fares are official airline tickets, they typically earn miles in the airline's loyalty program. The earning rate depends on the fare class — some deeply discounted fares earn fewer miles than full-fare tickets.
- What's the difference between a consolidator and an OTA?
- An OTA (Online Travel Agency) like Expedia or Booking.com displays the same published fares available everywhere. A consolidator like Camli holds bulk seat allocations purchased at wholesale rates, offering prices that OTAs cannot match.
- Are there any restrictions on consolidator fare tickets?
- Consolidator fares may have stricter change/cancellation policies than full-fare tickets. However, they are still official airline tickets with standard baggage allowances and check-in procedures. Camli's experts explain any restrictions before you book.
- Which airlines offer consolidator fares?
- Most major international carriers participate in consolidator programs, including Delta, United, American, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Air India, Singapore Airlines, and many others. Low-cost carriers (Spirit, Frontier) typically do not.