Alaska TravelGram

….know that Era Aviation’s commuter coupons are the best deal in town. Purchase a book of eight one-way coupons. The tickets are fully transferable–that means you can share them with friends, family members and co-workers at the very last minute.  Although space is limited, there is no advance reservation necessary. The coupons are valid for a full year. Can’t beat it, IMHO. The prices include all taxes, fees and other charges. Purchase by Oct. 13, 2008.

Anchorage to/from Fairbanks: $ 799.00 ($100 ea.)

Anchorage to/from Bethel: $1249.00 ($156 ea. )

Anchorage to/from Cordova: $1039.00 ($130 ea.)

Anchorage to/from Kodiak:  $1099.00 ($137 ea.)

Anchorage to/from Kenai: $ 669.00 ($84 ea.)

Anchorage to/from Homer: $ 899.00 ($112 ea.)

Anchorage to/from Valdez: $1039.00 ($130 ea.)

Below: Era’s Dash-8 on the tarmac in Kodiak:

Tags: anchorage, Bethel, commuter books, Cordova, Dash 8, Era Aviation, Fairbanks, Homer, Kenai, Valdez

Nothing like a little snow on the ground here in Anchorage to remind us that winter is on its way. 

After you’ve changed out your snow tires, get out your calendar and start planning for your 2009 travel. Alaska Airlines’ PFD offers must be purchased no later than Oct. 13. 

Don’t wait until the last minute, either. Plan now to get the best dates. Whether you’re going from Anchorage to Miami, Fairbanks to New York, Juneau to Hawaii–or anywhere in between, make your plans now and save a bundle with Alaska’s PFD travel deals. Here are some of my favorites:

Within Alaska:

Anchorage-Fairbanks $97 each way

Anchorage-Juneau $128 each way

Fairbanks-Juneau $163 each way

Fairbanks-Kodiak $185 each way

Juneau-Nome $244 each way

Juneau-Ketchikan $155 each way

From Anchorage to:

–Washington/Oregon/Idaho including Eugene, Klamath Falls, Walla Walla, Spokane, Boise, Pullman, Yakima, Medford, Portland: $229 each way

–British Columbia, Chicago, Minneapolis, Montana, Bay Area (SFO, Sacramento, Fresno, Reno, Santa Rosa): $249 each way

–So. Cal: $269 each way

–Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Tucson: $289 each way

–Newark, Washington, DC, Boston, Orlando, Miami: $309 each way

–Mexico: $349 each way

–Hawaii: $289-$399 (depending on routing)each way

Fairbanks to:

–Seattle: $249 each way

–Pacific NW (WA/OR/ID): $279 each way

–BC, Montana, Bay Area: $299 each way

–Alberta, So. Cal.: $319 each way

–Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas: $339 each way

–Newark, Washington, Boston, Orlando, Miami: $359 each way

–Mexico: $399 each way

–Hawaii (via Anchorage): $329 each way

Juneau/Sitka/Petersburg/Wrangell to:

–Seattle: $179 each way

–Pacific NW: $209 each way

–BC, Montana, Bay Area: $229 each way

–Alberta, So. Cal: $249 each way

–Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas: $269 each way

–Newark, Washington, Boston, Orlando, Miami: $349 each way

–Hawaii (via Anchorage): $309

Specials sale fares available to/from Nome, Kotzebue, Cordova, Yakutat, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Bethel, Dutch Harbor, Adak and Barrow.

Tags: Alaska Airlines, anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, PFD

The PFD hits just keep on coming! Take advantage of these great cruise-only rates on Carnival Cruise Lines for Alaska residents. USTravel has the exclusive deals to save you a bundle on these cruises, some of which are sailing NEXT MONTH!

BELOW: the Carnival Freedom. Great rates on this ship from Ft. Lauderdale on the Dec. 14 sailing!

For expert advice, check with Janelle, Tesa and Glory about these great packages. Dial (800) 622-6449.

Here is the list:

Carnival Destiny. 5-day from Miami. Sail 10/6-11/22. 12/1, 12/15-12/20/2008. As low as $149, plus $45 fuel surcharge per person, double. Port charges and government fees are additional. 

Carnival Elation. 5-day from San Diego. Sail 10/4-10/18/08. As low as $209, plus $45 fuel surcharge, per person, double. Port charges and government fees are additional. 

Carnival Liberty. 7-day from Miami. Sail 10/18-12/20/08, 1/3, 1/17-2/21/2009. As low as $379, plus $63 fuel surcharge per person, double. Port charges and government fees are additional. 

Janelle, Tesa and Glory have a WHOLE LIST of Alaska PFD cruse specials on 19 Carnival ships departing from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, Galveston, Mobile, San Diego, New Orleans and Long Beach. Call them: (800) 622-6449.

Act now for the best savings on the dates you want. Remember, the starting prices typically are for inside cabins. Call for prices on outside cabins.

Get the most or your vacation dollar with USTravel. Tell ‘em Scott sent you!

Tags: alaska, Carnival Cruise, PFD, USTravel

Like many other readers, I took advantage of last month’s pre-PFD sale to snag a $149 ticket to Seattle from Anchorage on Alaska Airlines. My itinerary included a few flights on sister airline Horizon. We flew from Santa Rosa to Seattle on a sleek Bombardier Q400:

Checking in for the 6:30pm flight (#104) was a snap. Everything in Anchorage was going nicely.  The flight, however, was delayed two hours due to a mechanical glitch. 

I ran into a friend of mine, Mike D. from Seattle, at the gate. He and I retired to the Board Room to chat about kids, careers and all things internet. 

The plane, a 737-800, was in good shape and the pilot put the pedal to the metal, getting us to Seattle in less than three hours. Nonetheless, with a 12:45am arrival, I missed my shuttle and had to take a $38 cab ride to my hotel, the Quality Inn, near the Space Needle. Thankfully, there was no traffic!  Continue Reading »

Tags: Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, Portland, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, seattle, Theo Chocolate

This is the time of year when the Alaska Railroad rolls out some of its special train rides. We love the train! Here is a selection of several trains this month and next month. Check ‘em out:

Continue Reading »

Tags: Alaska Railroad, Glacier Brewhouse, Portage, special trains, Spencer Glacier