Heathrow Airport

Let's face it: Vacations can be expensive.From costly flights to overpriced hotel rooms, those travel memories can often be far from priceless. But just how expensive are we talking?A survey conducted by American Express found that the average person planned to spend $1,180 on a summer vacation … that's $1,180 per person. By that estimate, a family of four budgeted a staggering $4,720 for a getaway.But you certainly don't have to do the same. As the founder of travel site Trekity.com (and the wife of a former travel agent), I've learned about budget-friendly airline booking tricks that can shave hundreds of dollars off your next flight.1. Use Airline ConsolidatorsThese airline ticket resellers work with major travel companies to sell tickets at reduced prices. Think of it this way: Consolidators are wholesalers (much like Costco) who buy in bulk. Due to existing relationships, travel agents can purchase tickets from consolidators and then sell them to consumers. It's a win/win: Consoli...

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