Posts Tagged ‘air fare’

Awhile back, I gave up trying to explain to travelers why travel agents make a difference. At a certain point, either you “get it” or you don’t.

Case and point: I was chatting with some travelers earlier this week. One young man was looking for a cheap ticket to Seattle (who isn’t?). They had tried all the websites–and they asked me which ones I used.

I was noncommittal. Not because I don’t use all the websites they mentioned (Orbitz.com, Cheaptickets.com, Kayak.com, alaskaair.com). Rather, because those websites cannot give me the information I need to make the informed choice.

As it turned out, I got this fellow a ticket to San Francisco, with a free stop in Seattle (for two months). That little Judo chop saved him $100 off the ridiculous $388 one-way air fare to Seattle from Anchorage on Alaska Airlines.

There are tricks to every trade. And your travel professionals at USTravel work with this stuff day and night. They know their way around prices. Around service. They know when the cheapest fare isn’t always the best (think “Spirit” or “Ryanair“). Heck–they can tell you when you’re going to save money by booking a car or hotel at the same time.

Travel agents are worth the extra fee (typically $38 for a domestic ticket). Call Karen or Melinda in Anchorage at (907)561-2434 or (800)544-2217 toll-free. Or, check the all-new website for the office nearest you in Fairbanks, Kodiak, Juneau, Ketchikan, Dutch Harbor, Seattle, Prudhoe Bay–you know….anywhere!

In the meantime, let’s take a look at some great air fares:

Anchorage-San Francisco: $414 roundtrip, all-in
Anchorage-Portland: $399 roundtrip, all-in
Anchorage-Denver: $356 roundtrip, all-in
Anchorage-Chicago: $468 roundtrip, all-in
Anchorage-Washington, DC $444 roundtrip, all-in
Anchorage-New York (JFK): $478 roundtrip, all-in
Anchorage-Hartford, CT: $478 roundtrip, all-in
Anchorage-Frankfurt, Germany: $1,004 roundtrip, all-in
Fairbanks-Frankfurt, Germany: $1082 roundtrip, all-in
Fairbanks-Denver: $474 roundtrip, all-in

Follow USTravel on Facebook. Also on Twitter. Stay tuned for the coolest deals!

That includes taxes and fees. A mistake? A calculated pitch to warm people up on the idea of a merged Continental-United entity?

Why ask why?

This $214 roundtrip fare is good all summer long. With Continental’s extensive international network at Houston, this is a great way to access some new destinations in Latin America or South America! Jump on it. Call Kelly Jo at USTravel in Anchorage today: (907)561-2434 or (800)544-2217.

QUICK. Before they wake up! Be sure and follow USTravel on Facebook and Twitter for travel trends, reports–and pictures from Iceland!

We talked about summertime fares–and they’re still out there. But here comes a fresh batch of SPRING fares. Most of the best lo-ball, bottom-feeder fares I’ve listed here (is there any other kind????) require a 21-day advance purchase. Note: You also can book these rates for summertime travel. The key issue is they’re available RIGHT NOW!

Big shout-out to our friends at USTravel here in Anchorage. Their tools and their support make it possible to dig up these fares! Kelly Jo or Melinda in Anchorage (or the staff at the USTravel location nearest you in Seattle, Spokane, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Fairbanks or Dutch Harbor) can save you time and money finding the right fare for you. It’s not always the cheapest–odd as that may seem. Additionally, your agent can help you button up your hotel and car arrangements. Let’s review:

1. Anchorage-San Francisco: $198 one-way, all in on USAir. 21-day adv. pur.
2. Anchorage-Denver: $198 one-way, all-in on USAir. 21-day adv. pur.
3. Anchorage-Chicago: $254 one-way, all-in on USAir. 21-day adv. pur.
4. Anchorage-Philadelphia: 267 one-way, all-in on Alaska Air (via Chicago). 21-day adv. pur.
5. Anchorage-LAX: $270 one-way, all-in on Alaska Airlines. 21-day adv. pur.
6. Anchorage-Bozeman or Billings, MT: $273 one-way, all-in on United. 21-day adv. pur.
7. Anchorage-Santa Barbara: $280 one-way, all in on Alaska Air.
8. Anchorage-Kalispell, MT: $280 one-way, all in on Alaska Air.
9. Anchorage-San Diego: $280 one-way, all in on Alaska Air
10. Anchorage-Orlando: $288 one-way, all in on Alaska Air

Most of these new fares require a 21-day advance purchase. United and USAir started these fare cuts and Alaska Airlines is following along. Remember Scott’s first rule of affordable air fares: “When airlines are mad at each other, the traveler wins”. That’s clearly the case with these springtime fares. You and I can scream all we want to about high air fares–and the airlines are completely deaf. Witnesseth: it’s still $271 each way to Seattle on Alaska Air ($304.50 each way on Continental). O–M–G–!

Check with Kelly Jo or Melinda today or Monday and lock in these springtime air fares! (907)561-2434 or (800)544-2217 toll-free.

I love it when a plan comes together. If you need to move around the state this month, Era Aviation can make it happen! These web specials last through Jan. 4, 2010! These fares are ALL roundtrip–and must be booked at flyera.com . Remember, no TSA hassles at Era Aviation. Keep your shoes on. Bring your coffee on board with you. Folks–remember: NO TSA!

Anchorage-Kodiak                  $269RT
Anchorage-Kenai                    $139RT
Anchorage-Homer                  $169RT
Anchorage-Valdez                  $189RT
Anchorage-Fairbanks             $209RT
Anchorage-Barrow                 $359RT
Anchorage-Aniak                    $289RT
Anchorage-Bethel                  $329RT
Anchorage-Cordova               $219RT
Fairbanks-Barrow                  $359RT
Available for travel December 18, 2009 – January 4, 2010