Posts Tagged ‘USTravel’

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:

I never thought $3.50 was a good price for gas. Ah, but here I am, sitting in line to fill up! Same with $500 air fares. These days, that’s a bargain.

While most fares are in the stratosphere, USTravel has some great last-minute rates on Alaska Airlines between Anchorage and the Lower 48 and Hawaii. Alaska’s shiny new planes look great in the glistening sun, don’t they–especially on a crystal-clear day:

Buy today-Fly today. That’s the big bonus on these rates. There is no advance purchase. Oh, there are no changes or refunds, either. So it’s important to know when and where you’re going before you buy. Plus, space is limited–so your agent at USTravel will help you pick and choose the right flights/times for maximum savings. Call them now at (907)561-2434 or (800)544-2217. Here’s a photo of the views in Rocky Mountain National Park–just two hours from the Denver Airport:

Finally, in order to get the rate, you have to purchase at least two nights’ hotel accommodations at the same time from our friends at USTravel. Pick a hotel. Your agent can recommend one. Then, rent a convertible and drive up California Highway 1 from San Francisco. HA! That’s what we did. Here’s a nice shot from the passenger seat of the Audi A4 Convertible: 

These rates are perfect for last-minute travel. Let’s review:

Anchorage-Las Vegas: $499rt plus 2 nights hotel 

Anchorage-Phoenix: $498rt plus 2 nights hotel

Anchorage-Chicago: $550rt plus 2 nights hotel

Anchorage-San Francisco: $599rt plus 2 nights hotel

Anchorage-Denver: $591rt plus 2 nights hotel

Anchorage-LAX: $599rt plus 2 nights hotel

Anchorage-Miami: $690rt plus 2 nights hotel

Anchorage-Washington, DC: $667rt plus 2 nights hotel

Anchorage-Dallas: $613rt plus 2 nights hotel

Remember: these are BUY TODAY-FLY TODAY rates. Just to compare, I looked up the rate for a trip to Chicago tomorrow morning. The cost? $1,463.40 roundtrip. Whoo-boy. Of course, you also could use 40,000 miles. With these buy today-fly today rates, you also accrue miles.

Take advantage of these great buy today-fly today rates, in conjunction with hotel reservations.

Oh, I almost forgot: Fly nonstop Anchorage-Honolulu for as little as $498 roundtrip, plus three days car rental!!

Call now: (907)561-2434 or (800)544-2217.

These are great deals. Don’t miss out.

Our friends at USTravel in Fairbanks put together this handy guide of available cruises.

All of the cruises are on Carnival. Air fare is additional.  Plus, there is a $9 per person/per day fuel surcharge. So, for a 7-day cruise, it’s $63 additional per person (with two people in the cabin).

Call Glory or Tesa at (800) 622-6449 to book your cruise. Here are my favorites:

a. Carnvial Elation. Sails from San Diego on Dec. 18, on a 4-day cruise to Mexico. Starting at $159pp, plus $36 fuel surcharge.

b. Carnival Destiny. Sails from Miami through 11/22 plus 3 dates in December for 5-day itineraries in the Caribbean. Starting at $149pp, plus $45 fuel surcharge.

c. Carnvial Ecstacy. Sails through Nov. 29 from Galveston/Houston for 5-day itineraries in W. Caribbean. Starting at $249pp, plus $45 fuel surcharge. 

d. Carnival Freedom. Sails from Ft. Lauderdale on select dates through Feb. 14, 2009 on 8-day W. Caribbean itinerary. Starting at $549pp, plus $72 fuel surcharge. 

Lots more cruises. Lots more sales. Check ‘em out with Glory and Tesa. Call them right now: (800) 622-6449.

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!

I got a nice note from Ellen in Anchorage asking about airlines. “Should I buy a ticket on a bankrupt airline–or pay more for another carrier?”

It’s a good question. The stigma about airlines in bankruptcy is gone, since all but a couple have taken a twirl through the doors of the Federal Bankruptcy Court.

This brings up an important point, though. More folks are pushing through the veil to act as their own travel expert. Sometimes the magic works. Sometimes it doesn’t. 

Face it: there are tricks to every trade. And your travel agent knows most of them. Remember travel agents? I know–so retro. But they can save you a ton of money. More importantly, they can save you time and aggravation trying to line up all the details of your trip.

Of course, there are good travel agents and bad ones. I use my friends at USTravel here in Anchorage. Call them: (907)561-2434 or toll-free (800)544-2217. Specifically, my agent is Laura. But Giovanni also is available in this office–and he’s getting great reviews from my readers. 

Laura and I talk all the time about great fares where there are no flights. About how airlines “batch” flights. About extra charges that are not disclosed in hotel prices, car prices or airline fares.

We also discuss the best destinations, the best cruises, the best vacation experiences–the whole banana. 

These days, your travel agent charges a fee for service–just like everyone else. That adds up to $38 for an airline ticket. But the aggravation of getting the right flight, the right seat, the right connections–heck, let your agent handle it.

I hear about all sorts of horror stories: booked flights that don’t exist, false claims from a hotel and prices that are nothing less than bait-and-switch.

Most travelers use the internet and the online options to research their vacations or business trip. But the travel environment is increasingly littered with land mines: cancellations, delays, up-charges, changes and surprises. 

Let our friends at USTravel help you plan your next trip. They’ve got offices in Anchorage, Kodiak (907)486-3232, Dutch Harbor (907)581-3133Prudhoe Bay, Juneau (907)463-5446, Ketchikan (907)228-8900 and Fairbanks (907)452-8992. Their sister company, Doug Fox Travel (800)368-4369, has offices throughout the Seattle-Tacoma area. Tell Laura or Giovanni or one of the other fine professionals that Scott sent you.