[jzwinck]

Wouldn't that require having arrangements with all the carriers?

Also, I probably wouldn't give several thousand dollars to an intermediary, especially when some airlines have "special" policies that apply to tickets booked by proxy (e.g. the proxy needs to request changes, not the end user).

Travelers not willing to do some legwork should not be surprised if they find themselves confined to proven tourist trails. And in fact that's what many people want.