Alaska TravelGram

Great deal on Era Aviation from Anchorage:

Anchorage-Fairbanks: $75 ea way

Anchorage-Bethel: $139 ea way

Anchorage-Cordova: $89 ea way

Anchorage-Kodiak: $119 ea way

There is a 7-day advance purchase. Travel through Dec. 15, 2008.

Remember, Era Aviation also has web specials each weekend to the above locations, plus Kenai, Homer and Valdez. 

Are you a frequent flyer? Check out “Fly Away Rewards” to earn free tickets on Era Aviation. 

Finally. Here are some great deals on Alaska Airlines. You have to purchase these tickets no later than Nov. 24 for travel through Mar. 11, 2009. There are a few blackout dates: Dec. 19, 20, 27, 28 2008 and Feb. 13, 14, 16, 21, 22 2009. All these fares are one-way, plus taxes and fees. 

Between Anchorage and:

Billings/Bozeman/Missoula other MT destinations:  $259 ea way

Seattle $209 ea way

Chicago $259 ea way

Eugene, Medford, Pendleton, Bend other OR destinations: $239 ea way

Fresno $259 ea way

Spokane, Walla Walla, Pasco and other WA destinations: $239 ea way

Idaho Falls, Lewiston, Boise and other ID destinations: $239 ea way

L.A./Long Beach/Burbank, Orange County/Ontario $279 ea way

Portland $239 ea way

Phoenix/Tucson $299 ea way

Minneapolis $299 ea way

S.F., Oakland, San Jose $259 ea way

San Diego $279 ea way

Washington, DC $319 ea way

Newark $319 ea way

Yakutat (yep, Yakutat) $139 ea way!

Cancun $289 (lots of taxes and surcharges for Mexico fares!)

Puerto Vallarta $219 ea way

Guadalajara $219 ea way

Cabo San Lucas $229 ea way

Mazatlan $219 ea way

La Paz $229 ea way

Between Fairbanks and:

Fresno 309

Spokane 289

Las Vegas 349

Minneapolis 349

Palm Springs 329

Bay Area (Oakland, SFO, San Jose) 309

L.A. Basin (LAX, Burbank, Orange County, Ontario, Long Beach) 329

Reno 309

San Diego 329

Seattle 259

Portland ( and other OR destinations) 289

Washington, DC 369

Newark 369

…many more

Between Juneau and 

L.A. Basin  (LAX, Long Beach, Orange County, Burbank, Ontario) 259

Phoenix/Tucson 279

Bay Area (SFO, Oakland, San Jose) 239

Reno 239

Portland (and other OR destinations) 219

Seattle 189

San Diego 259

Washington, DC 299

…many more

There are other cities, but I cherry-picked the most popular. Check the website for full details at www.alaskaair.com

From the mountains to the sea, the Great Alaskan TourSaver, with more than 135 2-for-1 offers, lets you see the best of Alaska for less.

Think about it: you get your Honey to buy the book for $99.95 (He loves you, right??). Then, he pays for his cruise, his flightseeing trip, his hotel, his train ride and his admission to the cool attractions all around the state. Here’s a shot of the 2-for-1 train ride up to Denali Park from Anchorage:

Here comes the great part: you go for free, when you have the Great Alaskan TourSaver. 

Love it? We do. We thought you would, too. Here are some of the top picks on the 2-for-1 list around Alaska:

Let’s be clear: EVERY one of these offers is TWO-FOR-ONE!

a. Flightseeing to Denali, with Glacier Landing from Talkeetna Air Taxi! Check it out:

b. Whale-watching in Juneau!

c. A cruise on “Deadliest Catch’s” Aleutian Ballad in Ketchikan!

d. An expedition to an adventure lodge at Ailik Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park from Alaska Wildland Adventures.

e. A week-long wilderness adventure into Lake Clark National Park. Folks–this is an INCREDIBLE trip from Alaska Alpine Adventures. Check the site: www.alaskaalpineadventures.com

f. Helicopter flightseeing in Denali National Park from Era Helicopters.

g. Bear viewing/flightseeing in Kodiak with Island Air. Here’s a preview:

h. Glacier cruise from Renown Tours in Seward into Kenai Fjords National Park. Check it out:

i. Fishing in Juneau, Kodiak and along the Kenai River.

j. Sail on the Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks.

k. Hike on a glacier with St. Elias Guides in Wrangell National Park.

l. Accommodations near Denali, in Kennicott, in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Valdez, Juneau, Kenai, Seward, or on the Kenai River.

m. See the Valley of the 10,000 Smokes in Katmai National Park!

n. Stay and sail to see the glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park! Oh–air fare from Juneau is 2-for-1 as well!

o. 2-for-1 air fare between Anchorage and Fairbanks on Era Aviation! Here’s a shot of one of their Dash-8s:

Don’t miss out on Alaska’s best travel deal. Order between now and Nov. 15 for FREE shipping to U.S. Addresses. Just $99.95 for more than $20,000 in 2-for-1 travel deals.

Am I excited about the new edition of the Great Alaskan TourSaver? OMG! Truly, Madly, Deeply! HAHA!

Order now: www.toursaver.com

If you travel to or from Fairbanks, Alaska you know the story: not only is the fare through-the-roof. Typically, the restrictions also are onerous–particularly a 14- or 21-day advance purchase.

Our friends at USTravel are solving the problem of the advance purchase with new “contract” fares from Alaska Airlines. Here’s the scoop:

Take advantage of lower fares for last-minute travel when you purchase at least two nights’ hotel at the same time. Hey–the money you save typically will pay for the hotel. Let’s review:

Fairbanks-Denver $760rt (plus two nights hotel) 

Fairbanks-Dallas $642 (plus two nights hotel)

Fairbanks-Las Vegas $809 (plus two nights hotel)

Fairbanks-LAX $780 (plus two nights hotel)

Fairbanks-Orange County: $816 (plus two nights hotel)

Call Glory or Tesa at (800) 622-6449 to make all your Fairbanks travel arrangements. Remember, there is NO ADVANCE PURCHASE–truly “buy today, fly today” fares. But there’s no refund and no changes. So make sure you REALLY want to go before you buy.

Just FYI, it’s -8F in Fairbanks right now. The expected high temperature in San Diego, CA today? 78F (above!). Y’know, if you want to warm up in Fairbanks–I mean REALLY warm up, head out to Chena Hot Springs. It’s a local favorite: the hot springs, the restaurant, the Ice Museum and of course, the owner, Bernie Karl. Ask for Bernie. Have him tell you about the geothermal power he uses to heat the resort, power the generators and grow a bunch of fresh produce in his greenhouses. Incredible. Tell him Scott sent you. Here’s a shot of the interior of the Aurora Ice Museum:

….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: