Here's the great news: there are a couple of big airfare sales: one from Anchorage to Seattle and Portland and one from both Anchorage and Fairbanks to Europe. And here's the dose of reality: you must purchase these fares no later than Friday, July 22.
Between Anchorage and both Seattle and Portland, JetBlue has dropped the price to $78 each way. To Seattle, the cheap seats are available starting Aug. 7. To Portland, the price drops on Aug. 15. JetBlue also dropped the fare for northbound Long Beach-Anchorage tickets to $99 one-way. The southbound tickets cost a bit more in August: $130. Still, $229 round-trip is a great price to the LA area, especially since it's a nonstop. JetBlue's service to Anchorage ends on Sept. 13. All tickets must be purchased by July 22.
If you've ever wanted to go to Europe, check out the rates on Delta Air Lines. The availability varies by destination. For the most part, there are sale fares for travel starting in late August or early September. Seats are available (not every day, though) through early March 2017, excluding Christmas.
Here are some more details that matter: you have to stay at least seven days before returning. All of the deals are on Delta, including their partner airlines (Alaska, KLM, Air France and other "Sky Team" carriers).
I found the most seats and the best prices at Delta's own website (Delta.com). However, sometimes I surfed to Priceline.com just to confirm the fares and availability. I like Priceline's booking engine (it's separate from the name-your-own-price program). But if I'm flying on Delta, I prefer to make the booking myself with Delta.com. For more complex itineraries, I use a local travel agent.
The fares themselves are a moving target. Airline people don't like to talk about them because they change all the time. Never mind the airlines are charging more for every little thing: preferred seats, checked bags, in-flight internet and on and on. With Delta, you'll get fed on the international flights without paying. Also, the in-flight entertainment is free. For flights to Europe, Delta allows one bag free. You'll pay $100 (each way) for the second bag. My advice: travel light and pack wisely.
Let's take a look at the best deals:
Anchorage-Dublin: When I first found the fare, it was hovering at $529 round-trip. I found one date at $533 round-trip from Anchorage, departing on Nov. 1, returning Nov. 9. The good prices also are available for departures between Jan. 16 and Feb. 6. Other dates between Sept. 11 and March 1, 2017, are available between $562 and $588 round-trip.
Anchorage-Barcelona: The best rate is $634 round-trip, starting Aug. 24. There are lots of dates available in September, October, November and up to Dec. 6, 2016. Then, in 2017, the fare is available for departures Sunday-Wednesday between Jan. 9 and late February.
Anchorage-Madrid: The fares start at $607 round-trip on Delta, beginning Sept. 27. There are good prices for flights through Dec. 6, then picking up again Jan. 9 for departures through Feb. 27, 2017.
Anchorage-Athens for $669 round-trip. The best rates start on Sept. 19 and continue through Oct. 4. Then the fare goes up a bit to $674 through November. In January, it goes up to $704 round-trip — which still is a great deal from Alaska to Greece!
Anchorage-Istanbul for $673 round-trip. All of the airlines are watching Istanbul carefully for many reasons. First, a recent bomb blast at the airport was devastating. Next, the recent attempted coup led to a brief halt to all U.S. flights. That ban has been lifted, but travelers should proceed with caution. I now purchase travel insurance for each and every international trip. If I was considering a trip to Istanbul I'd definitely buy a policy!
Anchorage-London for $678 round-trip. This is an awesome deal. If you look at the fare breakdown on your ticket, you'll see the fare itself is about 50 cents each way. The rest of the charges are for a host of fees, including Delta's "fuel surcharge" of $458 and the British "air passenger duty" of $96.70. There are plenty of seats, starting Aug. 23.
Anchorage-Copenhagen, Denmark, for $636 round-trip. The lowest price is available for departures on Aug. 23. Then, the fare goes up to $660 round-trip during September and October.
Anchorage-Prague, Czech Republic, for $617 round-trip. The lowest prices start on Sept. 6.
Anchorage-Lisbon, Portugal, for $670 round-trip. I've never been to Portugal — but this is a great price to get started! The best prices start on Sept. 6. Again, the rates are not available on every day. Typically, departures between Sunday and Wednesday are priced lower.
Anchorage-Frankfurt, Germany, for $686 round-trip. Even if you cannot get the exact fare, other days may be priced just a few dollars more. The best fares are available starting Sept. 25.
Anchorage-Warsaw, Poland, for $669 round-trip, starting Sept. 6. There are a couple of weeks in September when the fare isn't available. Try again around Sept. 20. It's available for a couple of months until Nov. 30, then again between Jan. 10 and March 29, 2017. When I checked these fares, I used a nine-day stay. Sometimes you can adjust your length of stay and you'll get better results. Remember though, there is a seven-day minimum stay.
Anchorage-Zagreb, Croatia, for $682 round-trip. Croatia is another destination on my bucket list. I can't go this fall — will you go for me? Be sure and visit the "Dalmatian Coast." I hear it's spectacular! The good rates kick in around Sept. 18.
Anchorage-Zurich, Switzerland, for $632 round-trip. These fares are available starting Aug. 30, then again on Sept. 27. In October, the rates go up to $665 round-trip.
Anchorage-Budapest, Hungary, for $677 round-trip, with lots of seats available at this price starting on Sept. 6.
Anchorage-Geneva, Switzerland, for $680 round-trip. France is not included in this big sale — but the Geneva airport is just across the border. The low rates start on Aug. 29.
Anchorage-Stockholm, Sweden, for $596 round-trip. The best prices are for departures on Aug. 22 or 23. The rate goes up to $652 for departures in September, October or November.
Anchorage-Oslo, Norway, for $655 round-trip for departures Sept. 18 through Dec. 6. Then, more seats are available for departures between Jan. 10 and late February.
Anchorage-Helsinki, Finland, for $674 round-trip. There are plenty of seats, for departures starting Aug. 24 through Dec. 6. Then, after Christmas, the discounted seats are available between Jan. 10 and March 6, 2017.
Deals for Fairbanks travelers
Fairbanks travelers can take advantage of some of these great bargains, too. Here are the best deals:
Fairbanks-Istanbul (see above regarding travel insurance): $678 round-trip starting Aug. 22. I guess it's not surprising there are gobs of seats, in light of all the trouble on the ground. Still, Istanbul is a city I would love to visit.
Fairbanks-Dublin for $535 round-trip, starting on Sept. 14. Seats are available through Nov. 9, then again after Christmas for departures between Jan. 9 and Mar. 1, 2017.
Fairbanks-Helsinki for $676 round-trip, starting on Sept. 14.
Fairbanks-London for $688 round-trip, starting Sept. 13. This is a one-stop itinerary, via Seattle. It is the lowest fare I've seen to London from Fairbanks in at least a decade.
Fairbanks-Madrid for $608 round-trip, starting Aug. 22.
Fairbanks-Athens for $675 round-trip, starting Sept. 7. The fare moves up to $704 round-trip in November and December, then from Jan. 9 through February. Still, it's the lowest fare I can remember to Greece from Fairbanks!
Fairbanks-Prague for $724 round-trip starting Sept. 7.
Fairbanks-Zagreb for $753 round-trip starting on Sept. 19.
Fairbanks-Brussels, Belgium, for $629 round-trip starting Sept. 21.
Fairbanks-Munich, Germany, for $674 round-trip starting Aug. 22.
Fairbanks-Frankfurt for $692 round-trip, starting on Aug. 22.
Fairbanks-Warsaw for $743 round-trip, starting on Sept. 19.
Fairbanks-Copenhagen for $643 round-trip starting on Aug. 29. The fare increases to $661 round-trip starting on Sept. 19 through Dec. 5. Then, after Christmas, more dates are available for departures between Jan. 11 to March 1, 2017.
Fairbanks-Stockholm for $654 starting on Sept. 19.
Fairbanks-Oslo for $657 round-trip starting Sept. 15.
Fairbanks-Barcelona for $604 starting on Sept. 14. It goes up for departures between Sept. 27 and Nov. 23 — but it's still a great deal at $633 round-trip.
I checked, double-checked and booked some of these itineraries to confirm their validity. The truth is, though, you'll have to get in and find the right flights and dates for you. Sometimes the cheapest ticket isn't the best. But, at these prices, I could put up with a long layover here and there. If you don't find the price you want on your preferred date, Delta has a "flexible date" function on their website so you can see fares at a glance over a five-week period. If you don't immediately find the price you're looking for, you can check with a travel agent. They can quickly see if there is another flight combination that will yield you the same fare — or better. Keep in mind that an agent's fee can be $100 for an international ticket.
Finally, these fares are set to expire on Friday, July 22. Don't assume you can book them right up to midnight. Delta is headquartered in Atlanta. That's in the eastern time zone. Have your travel plans wrapped up by 7:59 p.m. Keep in mind that you can cancel your ticket within 24 hours for no fee. So if you're on the fence — buy it! You'll have an extra day to really make up your mind!
Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at zoom907@me.com. You can follow him on Twitter (@alaskatravelGRM) and alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.