a. Alaska Dispatch. This is the hot, new online news site where all of my fellow Anchorage Daily News alumni are posting: Heather Lende, Craig Medred, Peter Dunlap-Shohl, Seth Kantner–among others. Typically, I post travel news on Tuesday mornings. www.alaskadispatch.com

b. Coast Magazine. This is a free publication you’ll find at coffee shops and grocery stores around town. I started writing for them a few months ago. A new issue comes out each month. My editor, John Woodbury, tells me the November issue should be out today.

c. KTVA-TV. Channel 11 here in Anchorage. Each Wednesday, Big Dave Stroh and Andrea Gusty at CBS News invite me to chatter about travel during the 5:00pm newscast. Tune in. We always have a great time.

d. Twitter. When there’s a hot deal, you’ll see it here first. It’s easy to type out a headline and a link while we’re working on the full story. Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/alaskatravelgrm .

Bob used the term “three sisters” and I liked it. Frontier Flying Service, based in Fairbanks, has provided service to the North Slope and to northwestern Alaska for decades. Destinations like Kaktovik, Galena and Ft. Yukon are part of their everyday itineraries.

Era Aviation, based in Anchorage, has just a handful of destinations served by 37-passenger Dash-8s or 19-passenger Beechcraft 1900s.

Hageland Aviation is an air taxi operator on steroids. It serves a multitude of small villages in western Alaska, with hubs in St. Marys, Aniak, Unalakleet, among others.

Today, these three airlines form a network that serves more than 100 destinations in Alaska. For travelers, it means there are more deals to places like Barrow and Bethel. It also means it’s easier to travel beyond Alaska because of technological improvements to ease ticketing and baggage transfers. And for frequent flyers, it means that you’ll be able to earn and redeem Alaska Airlines miles more easily.

Stay tuned for more specials as Thanksgiving approaches!

Check out Endofthespit.com for special lodging packages–and activities around the Kenai Peninsula!

Keith and Margo’s Murder Mystery Weekend special plots starting Friday evening  at the Friday reception. Meet the scheming, manipulative, deceitful and murderous people that you will be spending the next day and a half with!

The mystery begins on Friday evening and develops at lunch on Saturday. Dreadful events occur, and you may stumble over a dead body or two. By dinner on Saturday night, you should have all the information you need to solve the murder but just when you think you’ve got it sussed, watch out for the final twist!

Sunday breakfast at Land’s End Resort is when it all comes to an end! You’ll be asked to write down our best hunch about who did what to whom, and why.

Remember: There are great “Getaway” packages available even if you can’t make this “killer” event. HA!

GETAWAY PACKAGE:  Overnight accommodations, dinner for two in the Chart Room Restaurant, glass of wine or non-alcoholic substitute with your meal, unlimited use of pool, hot tub (beachfront! ), sauna and fitness center, plus continental breakfast. The cost? As low as $138 per couple for one night. Stay two nights for as little as $218 per couple. Wow.

Check the website for full details.

If you have not yet sailed on the ferry, stop what you’re doing and make plans to do so right now! Click here to see a map. Here in south-central Alaska, you can sail from Whittier or Valdez over to Cordova. Or, sail from Whittier or Homer over to Kodiak. I like Kodiak!

You have more year-round options for ferry travel down in southeast Alaska. Take the leisurely 787-mile drive from Anchorage to Haines, then sail the last 60 miles to Juneau. HEY! I’ve done it. It’s a great ride! Or, if you’re in Juneau, you can take the fast ferry over to Petersburg. Stay at the Tides Inn. Rent a car from Avis. Say “Hi” to Gloria for me (she owns the place) and tell her I saw her daughter Becky who made me PROMISE to come and visit!! Not kidding!! From Juneau, it’s also easy to access Sitka–one of my favorite ports.

Ketchikan, Prince Rupert, Bellingham–the whole system is on sale between now and March, 2010! THIRTY percent off!

The sale applies to adults, children and vehicles. Roundtrip only. No discounts on cabins, tho’. Plus: if you’re bringing a vehicle on board, the driver goes FREE.

Make your plans today. Call (800)642-0066 or check online for more details.

First–a cruise moment. I really like this sailing on the Carnival Splendor from L.A. down the coast of Mexico. Why? Silly–it’s sailing on my BIRTHDAY: Jan. 24, 2010. This seven-night sailing features port calls in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Inside staterooms are as low as $379 per person, double. Upgrade to an oceanview outside stateroom for just $110 more per person ($489 per person). Taxes are additional. When you call Kelly Jo (907-561-2434), mention this number: CID67345 .

Okay: air fares. As you know, they are not all created equal. Not even close. The prices I quote are “all-in” including taxes and fees. Your ticketing fee from USTravel is additional (currently $38 for a domestic ticket).  The following fares require an advance purchase–typically 14 days (sometimes 21 days).

Anchorage-Washington, DC: $534rt on Continental, or $820rt on Alaska Air.

Anchorage-New York/JFK: $498rt on USAir or $632rt on Alaska (EWR).

Anchorage-Hartford, CT: $474rt on Alaska to Chicago, then American Eagle, or $713rt to Boston on Alaska

Anchorage-Chicago: $508rt on Continental or $853rt on Alaska (nonstop)

Anchorage-Seattle: $433rt on Alaska through Dec. 18 (nonstop).

NO ADVANCE PURCHASE for these specials:

Anchorage-Colorado Springs: $529rt on Delta

Anchorage-Honolulu: $218 each way on Alaska Air (nonstop)

Anchorage-Taipei: $1,002rt on China Airlines (nonstop)

Stay tuned for more specials. Or, call Kelly Jo in Anchorage: (907 561 2434), Penny Lampl in Kodiak (907 486 3232) or Linda Hilliard in Fairbanks (907 452-8992). Visit USTravel’s website for more information on other offices around the state.

]]> http://www.alaskatravelgram.com/2009/11/08/low-fare-roundup-from-ustravel-2/feed/ 0 http://www.alaskatravelgram.com/2009/11/08/low-fare-roundup-from-ustravel-2/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AlaskaTravelgram/~3/jHMRcNDK0lw/ http://www.alaskatravelgram.com/2009/11/06/get-2-free-tickets-to-europe-from-alaska-its-that-simple/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:06:40 +0000 scott http://www.alaskatravelgram.com/?p=2755 I am not kidding. This is a monster promotion from British Airways and Chase bank. CLICK HERE to apply for their Visa card. It’s a $75 fee per year.

After you’re approved and you make your first purchase, you get 50,000 British Air miles. That’s enough for a free ticket from ALASKA to “Zone 1″ in Europe. That includes London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and a couple of other cities. Under the terms of the award, you can fly Alaska Airlines to Seattle, then connect with British’s nonstop flight to Heathrow (LHR). I double-checked this with my international expert, Penny Lampl with USTravel in Kodiak (907-486-3232).

After you spend at least $2,000 in three months on the charge card, you receive an additional 50,000 bonus miles.

Folks, that’s two free tickets to Europe.

My travel-hacker friends are having a blast with this. Spend at least $30,000 in a year and you’ll get a companion ticket on British. The companion ticket is ONLY good on  British Airways iron, so you have to pay your way to Seattle to pick up the flight. STILL–it’s a great deal.

I applied this evening. The email said Chase would get back to me in 15-30 days. Jeez. HURRY UP.

]]> http://www.alaskatravelgram.com/2009/11/06/get-2-free-tickets-to-europe-from-alaska-its-that-simple/feed/ 1 http://www.alaskatravelgram.com/2009/11/06/get-2-free-tickets-to-europe-from-alaska-its-that-simple/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AlaskaTravelgram/~3/nZcMm8sx5qI/ http://www.alaskatravelgram.com/2009/11/05/earn-100000-british-air-miles-wnew-chase-cc/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:12:51 +0000 scott http://www.alaskatravelgram.com/?p=2749 This is huge. Apply for the Chase VIsa Signature Card with British Airways and you earn 50,000 miles right away. Then, when you spend $2,000 in the first three months, you earn another 50,000 miles. That’s enough for two tickets from Alaska to London, Frankfurt or several other “Zone 1″ cities. That’s right: because of Alaska Airlines‘ partnership with British Airways, you can fly from Fairbanks, Barrow, Kodiak, Juneau or any other Alaska Air jet city to Seattle, then hook up with BA’s nonstop to Seattle.

Further, if you spend $30,000 in the course of a year, you receive a companion pass! The companion pass, though, is valid only on BA iron. That means you have to pay your way to Seattle, San Francisco, L.A. or another BA gateway to redeem, etc.

If you’re a mileage junkie, you might want to look into this one. Chris Guillebeau, one of my favorite Travel Hackers, already said he’s going to apply for the card. There are all sorts of other little goodies to make this a great card to cash in on some British Air tickets! Check it out!

Check out the deals. Remember–everything is 2-for-1:

a. 2-for-1 McKinley Explorer Train ride from Fairbanks or Anchorage to Denali National Park.

b. 2-for-1 Accommodations at Denali Bluffs or Grande Denali

c. 2-for-1 Rail/lodging combination from Anchorage at Denali Princess Lodge

d. 2-for-1 helicopter flightseeing with Era Helicopters

e. 2-for-1 Nenana River rafting with Denali Park Resorts

f. 2-for-1 Denali Jeep Adventure from Alaska Travel Adventures

g. 2-for-1 Guided ATV adventure from Black Diamond Resort

h. 2-for-1 Covered Wagon ride from Black Diamond Resort

i. 2-for-1 golf from Black Diamond Resort

j. 2-for-1 Alaska Cabin Nite dinner theater from Denali Park Resorts

You’ll save hundreds of dollars on your Denali adventure–plus there are more than 130 2-for-1 coupons for travel all around the state. But if you’re looking for real savings at Denali National Park this summer, then the Great Alaskan TourSaver really is “The Great One“!

Okay, it’s snowing a little bit! So Alyeska Resort is getting ready for the white stuff. There are a couple of great ski-n-stay packages. One for weekdays and one for weekends. Weekdays, between Dec. 1-17, you can stay for $109 per person, double. That includes overnight accommodations, a full-day lift ticket for each adult and breakfast. Add $20 per person for weekend stays–and every day 12/20-12/30/2009.

Below, I snapped this shot leaning out the window of a small plane (Ya–the window was open!!). That’s the roundhouse in the foreground–and the hotel at the bottom of the hill.

In the meantime, before the lifts are running, take advantage of fall specials at the resort. Here are a few deals:

a. AUTUMN GETAWAY: Overnight accommodations, breakfast for two and a $30 resort credit. Prices start at $158 for two people!

b. Autumn Stress Relief. Spend the evening at Alyeska Resort. Swim in the pool (see above!!). Enjoy a great meal. Take advantage of the on-site spa. In fact–with this special you get a $100 spa credit, plus breakfast for two. Prices start at $109 per person (double occupancy).

c. Alaska Autumn Special. This is the quintessential deconstructed package. It includes overnight accommodations and an in-room movie! Prices start at $65 per person (double occupancy).

d. Alaska Autumn Family special. This includes overnight accommodations, a movie, a 16-inch pizza, breakfast for two adults and free breakfast for up to three children! Prices start at $198 per night. Add another room for $100 per night.

Check online for the latest deals: www.alyeskaresort.com . Call for reservations or more information: (907)754-1111. Do you want a real-time look at what’s happening on the mountain? Check the site for the webcams, or read the Lift Crew’s blog, “As the Bull Wheel Turns“.

How did she know? That’s the thing about a good travel agent–she can read your mind. Kelly Jo sent me a not about a great deal on one of the Big Island’s best hotels: The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

But how did she know it was one of MY favorites? I used to live in Kona–and we’d go up to the Mauna Kea Beach and swim all day. It’s a glorious beach, north of the airport up on what’s called the Kohala Coast.

Back in 2006, there was an earthquake–and the resulting damage meant they closed the hotel and worked on it for three years. FINALLY, it’s reopened in its remodeled glory. It’s amazing what $150 million can buy!

For a limited time (between now and Dec. 18), you can get a $250 per person resort credit ($500 per couple, sharing a room) at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

Go ahead–book no later than Mon., Nov. 2 and take advantage of the Anchorage-Honolulu sale on Alaska Airlines. Take a dip in the ocean for me!

Oh–there are other Hawaii deals, but you have to act quickly!

Spend six days/five nights in Honolulu in January 2010. Check out these prices:

a. Castle Maile Sky Court Hotel, incl. RT air from Anchorage: $627 per person, double occupancy.

b. Aqua Aloha Surf and Spa Hotel, incl. RT air from Anchorage: $650 per person, double occupancy.

c. Miramar at Waikiki, incl. RT air from Anchorage: $657 per person, double occupancy.

Taxes and fees are additional. Special pricing also available from USTravel cities, including Kodiak, Fairbanks, Dutch Harbor–and more. Also, these are just the “leader” prices from Alaska to Honolulu. Of course, the professionals at USTravel statewide can put together the perfect Aloha Getaway to the Neighbor Islands. Heck, there also are cruises available through the islands. Call today: (800)544-2217 or (907)561-2434.

Earlier in the flight, we were just over Visalia, CA and I looked out the winder to see Yosemite National Park! Behold! Look closely and you’ll see El Capitan, Half Dome and…in the far distance…Mono Lake!

And each year, we put better offers in the Great Alaskan TourSaver, IMHO. This is our 12th year. The price for the book is $99.95. There’s about $26,000 in travel deals. Of course, you’d need to quit your job and JUST travel around to get all these deals. But at the heart of the matter is this: I spend all year digging up the best deals on God’s little patch of paradise here in Alaska…and these are them. HA!

Here are some of my favorites for 2010.

a. 2-for-1 Flightseeing in Misty Fjords National Monument

b. 2-for-1 Heli-adventure in Juneau, including Mendenhall Glacier landing

c. 2-for-1Halibut fishing in Seward and Homer

d. 2-for-1 Rail/lodging package from ANC to Denali National Park

e. 2-for-1 accommodations in Homer, Seward, Kenai, Valdez, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Talkeetna…more

f. 2-for-1 Cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park

g. 2-for-1 weeklong adventure into Lake Clark National Park, incl. air fare from ANC.

h. 2-for-1 air fare between Anchorage-Fairbanks and between Fairbanks-Barrow. Wow!

i. 2-for-1 admission to Museum of the North, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage Museum, Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska Raptor Center

j. 2-for-1 rafting on Kenai River, Matanuska River, Nenana River

k. 2-for-1 adventure to Wrangell-St. Elias Nat’l Park including flight, accommodations, glacier hike

…more more more

We’re still putting the Great Alaskan TourSaver book together to ship around Thanksgiving. But I just have to give a B-I-G shout-out and let you know what’s coming!

My friends at GCI are trying to drag me into the 21st century. Now, my Blackberry actually takes videos, which I can email. And I can take pictures which I can post and send. Honestly, I’m still working on how to post them here to my website.

It’s all part of my continuing education on the Blackberry. But what I’m really looking forward to is a session on the “Blackberry Campus”. This is a free class that GCI is offering to knuckle-heads like me who strive to remain smarter than their technology (awkward laugh). I know–forget it.

Really, tho’. Check these classes out: “BlackBerry 101″ Labs are designed to educate you about the features and functionality of BlackBerry smartphones. A GCI presenter and technical coach will lead the class through a slide presentation and interactive demonstration about BlackBerry basics, such as email and messaging, to more advanced tips and tricks.

The next available class is Nov. 21. More will be scheduled, tho’.  All the classes are held at GCI’s store at the corner of Northern Lights Blvd. and C St. here in Anchorage. See you there!