Alaska TravelGram

When you’re traveling to Alaska, every little bit helps. What’s Essential on your trip to Alaska?

Long underwear? Bug dope? First on your list has to be the Great Alaskan TourSaver. Sure, everything in the book is 2-for-1. But it’s WHAT’S in the book that has folks coming back for more. The best lodges. The smart tours and activities. The must-see attractions. Why mess around? Good enough for Frommer’s? Good enough for me.

Here is a partial list of the great 2-for-1 offers available this year:

a. Summit McKinley flightseeing. 2-for-1.

b. Kennicott Glacier Lodge accommodations in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. 2-for-1.

c. Kenai Fjords Cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park. 2-for-1.

d. Dimond Center Hotel in Anchorage. 2-for-1.

e. Alaska Rail Tours on the Alaska Railroad. 2-for-1.

f. Bear Viewing with Alaska Waters in Wrangell. 2-for-1.

g. Historic Van Gilder Hotel in Seward. 2-for-1.

h. Charter Halibut Fishing in Seward. 2-for-1.

i. Charter salmon fishing in Kodiak. 2-for-1.

j. Full-day Glacier Bay cruise in Glacier Bay National Park. 2-for-1.

k. Valley of the 10,000 Smokes Tour in Katmai National Park. 2-for-1.

l. Accommodations at Denali National Park. 2-for-1.

m. Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. 2-for-1.

…and much more. More Info: www.toursaver.com

I’m shopping for award tickets right now on Alaska Airlines. Have you seen the new app on their website for booking award tickets? It’s pretty cool. Go to the site, login and click on Award Reservations. Right underneath where you put in your dates is a box that says “My dates are flexible”. Click it and the whole award availability comes up for the entire month.  NOTE: it works only for 100pc Alaska or Horizon flights right now. This is really handy so you can pick dates where “saver” awards are available. Plus you can avoid searching for dates where just “peak” awards are available. One more tip: if only “peak” coach seats are available, you should check first class. Often, you’ll find “saver” first class seats available on the same dates. Here’s the kicker: FOR THE SAME 40,000 miles. So–here’s the $64,000 question: First class or coach? Dunh!

From my friends at Alaska Podshow. We had a great time at Chena Hot Springs. When you subscribe in iTunes, you can download the new HD version. Kewl. 

Hey–you can get the email update every week. Just go here:.. http://atg.toursaver.com/  …There’s a “subscribe” box on the page. Insert your email. You’ll get a fresh dose of Alaska travel every week. Oh, what’s my favorite word? That would be F-R-E-E. You got it! 

Just returned from Santa Fe, NM via Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines. We flew Southwest from Albuquerque (ABQ) to Denver (DEN), continuing from DEN to SEA and on to ANC on Alaska Airlines. I was impressed with Southwest: crisp service. New 737-700. Leather seats. Open seating–but we were the…uh….number 27 and 28 to board. So, we got the exit row. Nice. Plenty of room. No food (except peanuts). But the beverage service was quick.     Also–quite impressed with Alaska Airlines. In the past year, I’ve flown Alaska Airlines about 8 times in and out of DEN. As a Board Room member, we get access to Delta’s Crown Room. Y-a-w-n. Not as nice as Alaska’s Board Rooms. You have to pay for internet. Lousy snacks. But the staff is very nice. Alaska Airlines flights departed and arrived on-time. That’s good–things are looking up! We’ve got a couple more trips coming up on Alaska Airlines. Stay tuned.  Having a great time on Alaska Airlines with my wife, Christy. 

Courtesy Alaska Podshow. Subscribe to the Podshow series on iTunes. Complete instructions on the website.