Alaska TravelGram

Just a couple more days to save on Alaska Airlines air tickets for travel through June 25. Must purchase by May 8 (Thursday). Here are some of my favorites: 

Anchorage-L.A.: $350 $455 rt ai (all-in, including taxes and fees) NON-STOP (fare went up)

Anchorage-Portland: $498 rt ai NON-STOP (usually much more!!) 

Fairbanks-Sacramento: $679 rt ai 

Fairbanks-San Diego: $679 rt ai 

Juneau-Seattle: $437 rt ai 

Juneau-Boise: $517 rt ai 

The best rates for this sale are for destinations between Alaska and Washington/ California/Oregon/ Idaho. 

Alaska’s Popular “Kids Fly Free” package now is available all summer long, through Sept. 30! This is an e-x-c-e-p-t-i-o-n-a-l deal, particularly with the bargain air fare rates now available between now and June 25. Of course, it’s not just “fly free”. If the kids stay in the same room, they stay free. And, depending on when you travel and where you stay, they could eat free at the hotel, too. Then there are special “park hopper” passes where you can get a couple of free days. It’s worth checking out! Go to Alaska’s website–you’lll see the special listed on the right-hand side underneath the picture. Click on it and check it out for Disney Fun!! 

Finally: NEW SERVICE to Flagstaff, Arizona from LAX! This is great news for travelers who want to jump-start their holiday to the Grand Canyon. The twice-daily service from LAX starts on Mon., June 23. Intro fares from L.A. are available for as little as $198 rt ai. 

Below: Another lovely day at Sea-Tac International Airport. I snapped this shot from the Board Room near D-1.

Alaska Airlines finally caved and will institute the dreaded $25 fee for the second checked bag.

Plus, the airline plans a raft of new fees, starting May 21.

Here’s a preview:

a. $15 to book flights by phone or at the airport

b. $50 for overweight bags (each way)

c. $100 for taking pets aboard the plane

d. $75 unaccompanied minor fee (each way) 

e. $25 for a second checked bag (intra-Alaska passengers are exempt, as are MVP/MVPG mileage plan members)

More details about these new charges will follow. The “Great Unbundling” continues unabated. Many of these fees already were in place–but Alaska should not charge the extra-bag fee. I feel for them as they report their latest losses: $36 million for the first quarter or 2008.

Guess what? I’m losing money because of high fuel costs, too (not quite that much). But the charge to check a second bag is a fee for which travelers receive nothing–not even an assurance their bag will arrive on the same flight. 

Mad? Sad? Me, too. 

Laura over at USTravel keeps finding more bargains. All the best fares mandate that you complete travel no later than June 19. Check ‘em out:

Anchorage-San Francisco $414 rt ai (all-in)

Anchorage-Reno 452 rt

Anchorage-Denver 452 rt (Frontier has a cheaper fare–but no seats.)

Anchorage-Las Vegas 459 rt

Anchorage-Dallas/Ft Worth 434 rt

Anchorage-Chicago 434 rt

Anchorage-Charlotte 428 rt WOW!

Anchorage-Atlanta 434 rt

Again, all of these prices include taxes and fees. USTravel’s ticketing charge of $38 is additional. Call now: (907)561-2434 or toll-free (800) 544-2217. All travel must be completed by June 19. 

New lower fare on ALASKA AIRLINES between Anchorage and L.A.: $371  $350 a.i. (new fare drop– including taxes and fees). Fourteen-day advance purchase required. Must complete travel by June 19. 

Just got off the phone with Laura at USTravel, who told me it’s tight-tight-tight in June. However, “it’s wide open in May”, she said. Act now. Call her to lock in the seats. She’ll charge you an additional $38, but these seats are going fast–and the seats can be hard to find.

Call Laura at USTravel: 907-561-2434 or 800-544-2217.

Below: California Dreamin’ on Highway 1. Just give me an Audi A4 convertible, a sunny California day, Bruce Springsteen on the CD. Y-e-e-a-a-h!

Even as oil prices soar, there still are great fares to be found–if you know where to look. That’s where the professionals at USTravel come in. Laura, Giovanni and the other agents have been digging around to find some great rates to East Coast cities between now and June 19. Also–great in-state rates through May 31. Remember, these fares include all taxes and fees. USTravel’s reservation fee ($38) is additional. Check ‘em out:

Between Anchorage and:

Fairbanks: $88 each way on weekends (Fri., Sat., Sun.) through May 31

Kodiak: $88 each way on weekends (Fri., Sat., Sun.) through May 31

Cordova: $88 each way on weekends (Fri., Sat., Sun.) through May 31

Anchorage-L.A.: $460rt through 6/19/08 (see new post “California Dreamin’” above…now $371 on Alaska Airlines!) Whoa! Now just $350 rt a.i. 

Anchorage- Dallas: $439rt through 6/19/08

Anchorage-Detroit: $446rt through 6/19/08

Anchorage-Atlanta: $437rt through 6/19/08

Anchorage-Philly: $383rt through 6/19/08 WHOA! 

 Anchorage-New York: $372rt through 6/19/08 WOW!

Anchorage-St. Louis: $438rt through 6/19/08

Anchorage-Cincinnati: $434rt through 6/19/08

Anchorage-Pittsburgh: $434rt through 6/19/08

Below: the view from 33,000 feet can be spectacular!

There are many other cities that have discount for travel between now and June 19, but these are the best ones. Don’t miss out. Call Laura or one of the agents at USTravel today: (907)561-2434 or toll-free (800)544-2217.

If you’re traveling around the state this summer, stop what you’re doing and go get yourself a copy of the Great Alaskan TourSaver online here.  

Everything in the book is 2-for-1.

When you have the TourSaver in hand, you pay the regular rate and your companion goes free. Here are some of the favorite coupons:

a. Renown Tours cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park: $139

b. Talkeetna Air Taxi flightseeing with Glacier Landing at Denali: $255

c. Dimond Center Hotel in Anchorage: $249

d. Glacier Bay National Park, lodging/transfer/cruise package: $350

e. Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge: $189

f. Alaska Rail Tours on the Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Denali: $340

g. Kennicott Glacier Lodge in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: $165

h. Kodiak ATV Adventures: sightseeing and fishing: $225

i. Island Fever adventures in Sitka, including SCUBA diving! $200

j. Weeklong lodge adventure in Nikolski featuring fishing, adventure, hiking wildlife viewing and much more (includes accommodations and meals): $2,900

k. Flyout to Bettles Lodge near the Arctic Circle, including accommodations: $1,080

There are many coupons that are more valuable than the cost of the book ($99.95). So you make your money back with just one use! Remember: the bok is valid all summer long!

There are more than 140 offers in this year’s edition, equalling more than $22,000 in travel values! Order yours today! Find out why smart travelers have been getting the TourSaver for 10 years! Take a cruise on the m/v Ptarmigan on Portage Lake right up to Portage Glacier! There’s a 2-for-1 coupon in the Great Alaskan TourSaver!