Our Pauper loves to save money using an airfare consolidator. These consolidators contract with airlines to get tickets at cheaper rates than the general public. Because they buy large blocks of tickets the airlines love them.

Though you can get really good deals by knowing how to use consolidators, remember they are not structured for great service. They’re playing the quantity game not the hold-your-hand game. If you need personal attention use your travel agent instead.

The best time to use consolidators is during high travel times of the year. Other than these peak travel times consolidators don’t really offer much better rates than those offered in the lowest advertised fares. Yet, you can enjoy 20-30% off when you decide to travel during Christmas, for instance.

The other good time to turn to consolidators is if you are traveling on short notice. Unlike the airlines, they don’t penalize you for traveling on the spur of the moment.

Always use a credit card with consolidators. Some consolidators can charge high fees if you change your plans and/or cancel your flight. So make sure you understand what the policy on cancellations and refunds is.

In this article I’ll give you a list of consolidators that are available to you directly or through your travel agent.

In addition I’d recommend you purchase a copy of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, which is available at most libraries or you can subscribe for $39.

Let’s get started:

Cheap Tickets sells more than 500,000 tickets a year for domestic and international flights. Now they even help you with hotels and cruises.

Council Travel Service offers super fares in the USA and mostly all of Europe for cheapskates like you and me. They also package individual travel packages for vacations, car rentals, rail passes, paid internships, and work programs.

Fly Cheap has my favorite name among the known consolidators. They do a good job on all kinds of flights to all manner of destinations.

Popularity: 9% [?]

This Fall, Spa Resort Casino in downtown Palm Springs is offering a terrific Girlfriend Getaway package, plus a chance to win a free vacation! But to get in on the deal, you need to be a BFF—or at least a friend on the casino’s social media networks!

The Girlfriend Getaway is being publicized virally, through email and social media. It features a great array of things to do, plus the option to do nothing at all! At the heart of the deal is a discounted hotel rate for two nights at Spa Resort Casino, which is nestled in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs. The package also includes:

$100 spa credit and two “Taking of the Waters” therapies featuring the resort’s legendary hot mineral springs
$50 credit at The Steakhouse restaurant (which currently offers a three-course prix fixe dinner for two for just $49)
$50 in free slot play at the Spa’s exciting, 24-hour casino
2 boxed lunches and 2 tickets to the beautiful Indian Canyons hiking trails where the Agua Caliente Indians once lived
One morning of complimentary in-room “Sleep-in Smoothies” or coffee service for two
2 boxed lunches and 2 tickets to the beautiful Indian Canyons hiking trails where the Agua Caliente Indians once lived

The package for two is priced at just $400 Sun – Thurs; $500 on weekends; that’s $200-$250 a person depending when you go! Additional friends can opt in for $175. Why is it a deal? You’re saving about $375!

The only way to WIN the package is by friending Spa Resort Casino on Facebook or by following @SpaResortCasino on Twitter between October 1 and October 25. Winner will be notified via email by November 1!

To book your Getaway call 1-888-999-1995 and reference offer code GF09.

Popularity: 13% [?]

This post was submitted by Michelle Kruczynski.