Hi,
I just discovered your site and have a few questions. I fly to Asia about 4 times a year and either use an Economy Plus benefit at United or negotiate a purchased up grade to Business Class at the ticket counter or gate. Is it your experience that United will be as responsive to such requests if I am flying on a a "consolidators" ticket? And how about seat selection in general. Will I be in the "back of the bus" with this ticket?
Thanks

Consolidator tickets are simply considered "bulk" tickets and in almost all situations there is not a difference between these types of tickets and ticket purchased directly from the airlines.

However, there are a few places where there is a difference. Whether you earn frequent flyer points is determined by the contract between the consolidator and each individual airline. Most of our tickets do earn FF miles, but it is not a given. You can contact your frequent flyer program and ask if they usually allow credit on "bulk" tickets. You could also inquire as to whether they allow business class upgrades on "bulk" tickets.

Both Lufthansa and Air Canada have referred clients back to us for seat requests, but we've never had that problem with any other airline. You can make aisle or window and meal requests at the time of your order and those preferences are attached to your reservation record and can be referenced when you call the airline if you have another request. You will have full seat selection by contacting the airline direct after your order, unless it is Air Canada or Lufthansa.

As for negotiating with United for an upgrade at the gate, I have never had a client who has ever communicated with me on whether they tried and was or was not successful, so it would be difficult to advise you. I do know from my own travel experience that what you can and cannot negotiate at the gate tends to have more to do with your attitude, how crazy things are at the airport and the mood of the airline employee working at the counter than any particular set of rules.

Please let me know if you have any further questions. I am here to help.

Thanks very much. Very helpful.

Excellant explanation. Thanks from me as well.