Do you hear that loud sucking sound? That’s Northwest Airlines vacuuming money from your wallet. NWA said Friday it would begin charging a $25 fee for customer’s second checked bag.
That’s $25 in each direction of course. It mimics moves by Untied and USAir in recent months.
NWA also boosted its fee for the third bag from $80 to $100. Heavy bags over 50 pounds are accepted for $50 (up from $25).
Aloha Airlines no longer will operate its passenger service. Hawaiian Airlines will honor tickets for four days only. After that, travelers are on their own. Developing story. Details later. s
It’s not often I get to fly mid-day. Usually, I get on board the late-afternoon or red-eye flights. It’s the nature of things. Cheaper, too.
But today, I headed out to Seattle on Alaska flight #98, departing at the reasonable hour of 10:16am.
The flight was packed. Our own Sen. Ted Stevens was snoozing in an exit-row-aisle seat. Every seat was filled on the 737-400.
The first-class lav. was out of order, so we had the opportunity to stroll back to the rear of the aircraft. The flight attendants were busy handing out the Digi-players, snacks and drinks.
The flight was quick–just two hours and 53 minutes. I sat next to a Fed-Ex pilot returning home to Seattle.
Did you get the notice from Alaska Airlines?
“We will be transitioning to a new internal customer information system for Mileage Plan on April 22, 2008. As part of this transition, Mileage Plan accounts will not be accessible for transactions affecting your account between April 14 and 22, 2008. (You will find a complete list of these activities below.) During this time, accounts will not be available to view at alaskaair.com, the Customer Care office, or Reservations. We encourage you to plan any award redemptions or other activities related to your account prior to April 14, or after April 21, 2008. During this period, our website will display a reminder that our Mileage Plan system is not available, and will be updated as soon as our internal transition is complete.For your reference, the following processes will not be available:
You will continue to earn miles on all of your flights during this time. Flight miles and Mileage Plan partner activity may take four to six weeks to be posted to your account. Our system will be available and working, per normal, April 22, 2008.
- Award Redemption
- Buy, Gift, Transfer, and Charity Miles
- Credit requests for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air
- Account information updates
- Partner Miles business application
I know. It’s a big fat pain. But we thought you should know!
This is the last “Uncorked” dinner of the season at Land’s End Resort. Slated for Fri., Apr. 4, this dinner as a New Orleans theme.It’s created by Executive Chef Maggie Burns, who just returned from three weeks in Argentina. Check out the South American Wines!
First Course: Boliva - Sopa de Mani (Peanut Dumpling Soup). Coarsely ground roasted peanuts formed into tiny dumplings and simmered in a rich and delicious cilantro chicken broth.
WINE: Tilia Chardonnay 2006
Second Course: Equador - Ceviche de Camarones (Shrimp Ceviche). Chilled shrimp tossed in a delicious blend of citrus and tomato with bits of peppers, chilies, onions, cilantro, scallions and chives.
WINE: Norton Torrontes 2006
Third Course: Peru - Empanadas de Cerdo con Chipolte Salsa (Pork Empanadas with Chipolte Salsa). Pork seasoned with garlic, onion, allspice, cloves, olives and cumin stuffed into achiote dough triangles and baked. Served with chipolte salsa.
WINE: Pascual Toso Malbec Reserva 2005
Fourth Course: Argentina - Matambre con Papas Rellenas Veduras(Flank steak in a marinade of garlic, oregano, parsley and red wine vinegar). Rolled together with a mixture of onions, garlic, eggs, carrots and spinach. Served with salsa criolla and mashed potatoes stuffed with vegetables.
WINE: Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
DESSERT: Venuzuela - Coconut Flan. Sweet flaked coconut and a touch of rum with a caramelized sugar float.
PORT: Toro Albala 1971 Don PX Gran Reserva
Cost: $70 per person - includes tax and gratuity. Call the Chart Room Restaurant (907-235-0406). Learn more online: www.Endofthespit.com
This happens all the time: fare wars are announced and carriers go back and forth for several days trying to best one another on price and service.
So here are a couple of the latest permutations. We’re updating this all the time:
Anchorage-L.A. on Alaska Airlines: $455 roundtrip all summer long.
Anchorage-New York on Delta: $525 roundtrip all summer long.
If you know your dates, don’t wait to scoop up these fares. Remember, these rates include all taxes and fees. USTravel’s ticketing charge of $38 is additional. You may find their service valuable to track down those cheap seats! Call (907)561-2434.
