Deals

Fabulous! Alaska Airlines offers a special $232 roundtrip fare between Anchorage and Seattle. Depart Feb. 23 only. Return on Feb. 25 or Feb. 26 only. Essentially, Alaska is matching Continental’s web special.

This is great news for folks who want to fly to Seattle this weekend–and build miles on Alaska Airlines! 

The outbound flight from Anchorage is at 4pm, right around the time that Continental’s flight leaves (surprise, surprise).  The return flight leaves within 20 minutes of Continental’s flight back to Anchorage.

NOTE: These special weekender fares are valid in either direction. But you have to start your travel on Saturday, returning on Monday or Tuesday. Just this weekend, too. Depart Feb. 23 only. Return on Feb. 25 or Feb. 26 only.

But this is worth writing home about! 

Remember–if you buy one of these tickets from USTravel’s office on Tudor Rd., you get a FREE Seattle TourSaver  book, with $3,000 in 2-for-1 travel deals. It usually sells for $79.95.  Suh-weet! USTravel will assess a $38 ticketing fee. Ask them to help you with a rental car and hotel, too!

When you’re in Seattle, drive out to Woodinville to the Columbia Winery. The grounds are beautiful and the wine is tasty. With your Seattle TourSaver book, you get a 2-for-1 wine tasting! 

Let’s get one thing straight: United is on my “s” list right now. B-a-a-d. Very b-a-a-d.

These bozos want to charge you $25 to check your second bag. I am not making this up.

So–what do you say when this once-proud airline pulls a dumb stunt like that? I, for one, just shake my head and say “You Bozos. Remove head from sand. Stop trying to punish your customers. Straighten up and fly right.”

Okay. I’ve said it. 

Now–if you want a cheap weekend deal to Denver, fly United. They’ve got a weekend special between Anchorage and Denver between Feb. 29 and Mar. 4. You can travel in either direction for just $368 roundtrip. That includes all the taxes and fees.

Jamie, Laura, J.D. or one of the fine professionals over at USTravel can set it up for you, along with your hotel and car rental. They charge an additional $38 to line up the air ticket and REMIND you not to check a second bag. Jeez. Call them at (907)561-2434 or toll-free (800)544-2217.

So–outbound on Fri. or Sat., Feb. 29 or Mar. 1 only.

Return on Mon. or Tue., Mar. 3 or 4 only.

Of course, these fares are subject to change without notice. And did I mention that United Airlines is really STUPID for instituting that baggage charge? Hmmm. Do you think that’s any sort of a guarantee the bag actually will GET there? I think n-o-o-t-t.

Thanks to “a little birdie” down in baggage claim,  we just learned that Era Aviation is offering $139rt between Anchorage and Fairbanks through Feb. 29.

That’s a great deal. Era now has three flights each day. In May, as previously reported, they’re doubling the schedule to six flights each day.

Headed north to Fairbanks? Bundle up your overcoat! Be sure and visit Chena Hot Springs. We LOVE that place. Oh, check out the video at Alaska Podshow. Stay at the Alpine Lodge–they’ve got special rates as low as $69 per night through Feb. 29! 

Coming south to Anchorage? Great–just in time for Fur Rondy! Never mind Nordstrom, Costco, Dimond Center and all that jazz. Stay at the Hotel Captain Cook–it’s the official hotel of Fur Rondy. Special $125 weekend rate. Y-e-s, that INCLUDES admission to the Health Club! 

Back-and-forth. Back-and-forth. Rent from Avis. Our favorite! 

Oh, here are the other Web Specials from Era Aviation for travel this weekend:

Anchorage-Bethel: $189rt

Anchorage-Valdez: $139rt

Anchorage-Homer: $129rt

Anchorage-Kenai: $79rt

Anchorage-Kodiak: $149rt

Anchorage-Cordova: $139rt

Era Aviation always posts great fares under “Flyaway Fares” on their website.

Yep, Continental Airlines does it again. I love these weekend specials, don’t you? Travel from Anchorage to Seattle (or Seattle to Anchorage) this weekend  (outbound on Feb. 23, return on Feb. 25 or 26 only) for just $232 roundtrip all-in. That’s inclusive of all taxes and fees. Continental advertises it for $198 but, well, that’s a lie. You know–bait-n-switch. But $232 roundtrip is a great deal.

So, to get the deal, you have to travel outbound on Saturday, Feb. 23 on one of Continental’s two daily flights. 

Are you headed north from Seattle to Anchorage? Good news: you’ll be here for the first weekend of Fur Rondy! Watch the World Championship Sled Dog Races. Or, visit the carnival or watch the Ice Dancing! Learn more about Anchorage and Fur Rondy: www.anchorage.net

Are you going from Anchorage to Seattle? You can get a free copy of the Seattle TourSaver, which normally sells for $79.95. How? Just purchase your ticket live-and-in-person from USTravel over at 999 E. Tudor Rd. in Anchorage. 

NOTE: USTravel will charge you an additional fee of $38 per ticket to book your trip. They’ll also make sure you get the right seats and make sure your Alaska Airlines mileage number is loaded up (Yep, you get full Alaska Airlines mileage credit for all Continental flights!). Ask Jamie, Laura or one of the other professionals to line up your hotel and car rental, too.

Your FREE Seattle TourSaver book includes 2-for-1 tickets for hotels, attractions, activities and admissions, including:

a. Flightseeing with Kenmore Air

b. Argosy Harbor Cruises

c. Seattle Art Museum

d. Savor Seattle Food Tours of Pike Place Market

e. Museum of Flight at Boeing Field

f. Museum of Glass in Tacoma

g. Taste of Washington wine tasting at Pike Place Market

h. Brewery Tour (aka: free beer!) at Redhook Brewery in Woodinville

i. Expermintal Music Project (EMP) 

j. Pacific Science Center

….much more

Admitted “Foodie” Angela Shen leads travelers on a food-lover’s tour of Pike Place Market. “Savor Seattle Tours” is one of the 2-for-1 offers in the Seattle TourSaver.   Call now for travel this weekend (outbound on Feb. 23, return on Feb. 25 or 26 only): (907)561-2434 or toll-free (800)544-2217. Tell them Scott sent you.

Jamie at USTravel is busy digging up great cruise deals. This 10-day sailing on the ms Ryndam is nice:
Designed to carry fewer passengers than others in her class, the ms Ryndam is among the most spacious ships at sea and the perfect choice for those who wish to see the world in style. Guests aboard Ryndam encounter elegance at every turn - from a string quartet serenade in the splendid dining room to the two-deck Vermeer Show Lounge named for the master painter.
Ports include Cabo San Lucas, Loreto, La Paz, Topolobampo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.
This cruise departs April 5, 2008. Rates start at just $699 per person, double. Important: Holland America now adds fuel surcharges, which are in addition to port charges and government fees. 
Check with Jamie, Laura or one of the other professional agents for all the best deals on this cruise and other cruise specials from USTravel. Give her a call at (907)561-2434 or toll-free (800)544-2217.
Meet your travel agent! USTravel is having an open house Wed., Feb. 20, 10a-6p at 999 E. Tudor Rd. here in Anchorage.  Fun for the whole family including refreshments, family photos, door prizes, and a coloring area for the kids. It’s a Disney-themed event, so come prepared to learn more about “Kids Fly Free” to Disneyland and other Disney-themed vacations!