We all know that international travel can be very expensive, but here are a few alternatives you may not know about.

Consolidators - A consolidator is nothing more than a company which purchases large quantities of unsold airline tickets and passes the savings on to the customer. It is one of the more popular means of finding a cheap domestic or international flight. These companies are fairly ubiquitous and usually only a Google search away.

The downside to consolidators is the rigidity of the ticket(s). Most of the time, the ticket you purchase cannot be returned, changed, or exchanged. Receiving any frequent flyer miles may also be out of the question.

Two companies specializing in these types of tickets are Air Broker International, located on the net at www.airbrokers.com, and Cheap Seats Travel located at www.cheapseatstravel.com.

Couriers - Courier is a fancy name for cargo companies that buy airline tickets for the purpose of shipping time-sensitive items overseas. The item ships as "checked baggage" and therefore clears customs in a fraction of the time it would if shipped as cargo. The ticketed seat is then sold at a major discount. These companies offer a great savings (sometimes up to 85%) but work best for single travelers or those with a flexible schedule.

The downside to courier flights is threefold. For starters, many companies require membership, charging anywhere from $20-$50 dollars a year. Second, the ticket is usually carved in stone in terms of times and dates. And lastly, expect to work for your discount. There are usually stipulations like early arrival to the airport and a baggage limit attached to the ticket. Courier departures are also relegated to major cities.

Two companies specializing in this type of travel are Courier Travel Inc., whose website is www.couriertravel.org, and the International Association of Air Travel Couriers, available at www.courier.org.

Space-Available Flights - Instead of selling tickets, these companies sell flight vouchers guaranteeing you a flight between two regions and taking place within a time period you specify. Think of this method as flying stand-by with somewhat of a guarantee.

The downside here is the inability to specify a departing or arriving airport, as well as the possibility of waiting at an airport for a seat to open up. Once again, this method only works if you are extremely flexible with your schedule.

Two companies that offer space-available flights are AirHitch, located on the net at www.air-hitch.org, and Air-tech located at www.airtech.com.

These options may not be the answer to your travel needs, but they make a great first stop (pun intended).