Airfares

 Alaska Travelgram radio show with Erin Kirkland and USTravel's Mary Gasperlin: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We were in the studio Thursday at KUDO, AM1080 here in Anchorage. Joining us, Erin Kirkland of AKontheGo.com and Mary Gasperlin of USTravel. Whoa–USTravel has a boatload of prizes to give away at their PFD Travel Extravaganza Sat., Sept. 18 at the Dimond Center. So–listen up!

Some of the best deals of the year roll out during September. As the peak summer travel season ebbs, deals spring up for the fall months–and beyond.

Then there’s the Permanent Fund Dividend deals. USTravel is rolling out some great deals in a one-day extravaganza on Sat., Sept. 18.

Mark the date now–and make plans to stop by the Dimond Center. In addition to one-time-only savings, USTravel is giving away a boatload of travel prizes (literally), including: a Caribbean cruise for two, trips to Hawaii and Puerto Vallarta–and much more.

Some of the standout travel bargains include:

a. Spring Break cruise to Mexico, as little as $545 per person, double.
b. Maui vacation for four: as little as $963 per person (quad) includes air and seven nights condo.
c. Costa Rica escape, $1,620 per person, double includes air and six-day holiday.

Watch the website for more details. you don’t want to miss this event on Sat., Sept. 18. Our friends at USTravel are keeping the BEST deals UNDER WRAPS until the VERY DAY!

Follow USTravel on Facebook and Twitter .

Great hotel and air  and train deals for fall travel. Don’t miss it.

To recap:

Anchorage-Denver $335rt
Anchorage-Portland $400rt
Anchorage-San Francisco $377rt
Anchorage-New York $479rt
Anchorage-Washington, DC $441rt

Check with USTravel for best dates and prices: (907)561-2434 or toll-free: (800)544-2217.

Hotels:
Grand Denali, Denali Bluffs: $79 per night
Princess: 2-for-1 rail-n-stay to Talkeetna. 3 days/2 nights at Mt. McKinley Princess,  from $135 per person, double
Kennicott Glacier Lodge: $79 per night, per person, double includes breakfast

FALL DEALS ROCK!

Okay, Era Alaska is more than just free cookies on the Dash-8 flights. And, oh, by the way, there WERE indeed a couple of flights last week WITHOUT cookies (ACK!). Just a little technical problem with the oven–but it’s ALL FIXED NOW! Good thing, since Era Alaska now has some great fall fares. Check ‘em out!

Kodiak-Fairbanks $179 ea way plus tax
Fairbanks-Kotzebue $219 ea way plus tax
Fairbanks-Bethel $209 ea way plus tax
Fairbanks-Cordova $149 ea way plus tax
Anchorage-Fairbanks $99 ea way plus tax
Anchorage-Cordova $89 ea way plus tax
Anchorage-Kodiak $99 ea way plus tax
Anchorage-Bethel $129 ea way plus tax
Anchorage-Barrow $210 ea way plus tax

…and more! You must purchase these tickets no later than Aug. 29, 2010. There is a 14-day advance purchase. Travel through Dec. 15, 2010 only. Check the website today and make your reservations!

Photo: G-r-e-a-t flight on Alaska down to Portland ($400rt all-in) the other day. Nice snaps. Click here for the whole album.

Alaska Airlines has a new fare sale for travel between now and Dec. 15. The fares are pretty good, especially to select destinations within Alaska.

Within Alaska, the rates are good seven days a week. For flights outside the state, day-of-week restrictions vary. There is a two-week advance purchase required–but all tickets must be purchased by Aug. 14, 2010.

Photo: final approach into Portland Int’l Airport PDX. That’s Mt. Hood in the background and the mighty Columbia River in the foreground.

To/from Anchorage and:
Juneau: $129 ea way plus tax
Bethel: $129 ea way plus tax
Yakutat: $139 ea way plus tax
Sitka: $149 ea way plus tax
Wrangell/Petersburg : $159 ea way plus tax
Ketchikan: $169 ea way plus tax
Nome/Kotzebue: $159 ea way plus tax

Extra tidbits:
Anchorage-Chicago thru 9/30/2010: $388rt all-in!
Anchorage-New York: $479rt all-in
Anchorage-Portland: $400rt all-in

To/from Fairbanks and:
Juneau: $159 ea way plus tax
Yakutat: $169 ea way plus tax
Ketchikan/Petersburg/ Wrangell/Sitka: $209 ea way plus tax
Houston: $299 ea way plus tax

To/from Juneau and:
Portland/Seattle: $199 ea way plus tax
Oakland/Santa Rosa/San Francisco/San Jose: $249 ea way plus tax
Las Vegas: $269 ea way plus tax
Orlando: $289 ea way plus tax
Wash., DC: $289 ea way plus tax
Miami: $289 ea way plus tax

Details at alaskaair.com . Remember to purchase your tickets using your Alaska Airlines Visa Card from Bank of America. If you don’t have the card, you can get a whopping bonus (25,000 Alaska Airlines miles) when you’re approved. That’s more than enough miles for an in-state Alaska Airlines ticket (15,000 miles). And you often can find “Saver” awards for 25,000 miles throughout the system.

Remember, those frequent-flyer miles on Alaska Airlines are valuable currency for travelers. Sign up for your card today–and take advantage of these sale fares.