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The International Airfare Specialists

Go to the companies (normally, ethnic agents) that sell tickets to only a single area, and deal with only one or two airlines
By Evelyn Kanter, Monday, June 6, 2005 |

Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines: At Associates Travel (800/831-3108 or 206/621-9200) in the suburbs of Seattle, personnel speak a variety of Asian languages, including Japanese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog, and are consolidators for more than a half-dozen Asian-flag airlines.

Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and Singapore: Travelinks, of Washington, D.C. (800/238-8397 or 202/293-7090, travelinksinc.com), is a longtime consolidator for Malaysia Airlines.

Kuala Lumpur:Malaysia Travel of Carbondale, Illinois (888/358-8655 or 618/453-2113, emalaysiatravel.com), began 20 years ago as a discounter for student travelers, and its American owner spends part of each year in the key country he serves. A consolidator for Malaysia Airlines, he offers terrific year-round prices (except during holidays).

Seoul or Hong Kong: Boston's Korea Travel & Tours (800/473-1922 or 617/267-7777, paulchung@koreatravelboston.com) specializes in one country (Korea, and in flights from Korea to Hong Kong) and has contract fares with several Asian and North American airlines.

Middle East, Isreal & Africa

Middle East: Servicing one of the largest Middle Eastern communities in America, in suburban Southfield, Michigan, outside Detroit, consolidator American Center Travel (800/356-1030 or 248/350-1030, micki.act@wspan.com) boasts contract fares with several carriers flying to cities in the Middle East, and Africa too.

South Africa and other nations in southern Africa: Karell's African Dream Vacations, of Coral Gables, Florida (800/327-0373 or 305/446-7766, karell.com), is a major consolidator for South African Airways.

South Africa from either U.S. coast: Air Centre, part of African Travel in Glendale, California (800/727-7207 or 818/507-7893, africantravelinc.com), was founded in South Africa 31 years ago and opened in the United States five years later; it has offices both here and in Cape Town and contracts with several international airlines that service South Africa. A bonus: The agency supplies all clients with free cell phones for use in Africa.

Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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