New year, new travel opportunities: Here are some of the best deals on exciting destinations

It’s not uncommon to turn over a new leaf as the world rings in the New Year.

As part of that process, lots of folks committed to travel more often, to new and exciting destinations.

For some, the first step is to renew their passport. Don’t forget to check and see if your preferred destination requires a visa, too.

Next, it’s time to check how much it will cost to get where you’re going.

Most of the fares I share are “basic economy” or “saver” fares. Usually, that means there are no advance seat assignments available, little or no mileage credit, and no refunds or changes are allowed. Some airlines, including United, charge extra to bring a standard carry-on suitcase in the cabin.

The calculus changes a little bit on international flights, depending on the carrier.

Since Christmas, fares have been going up and down quite a bit. But I dug up a few good deals. Let’s review what the cheapest possible rates are — and then review the most popular add-ons.

Anchorage-Las Vegas. Unlike any other city in the U.S. (at this moment), you can get a bargain ticket with no advance purchase. Zero. You can buy a ticket today and fly today. From Anchorage to Las Vegas, it’s $178 one-way on Alaska Air, Delta or United. Depending on the airline, you’ll stop in Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, Denver, or Los Angeles on your way to Las Vegas.

Alaska Air is the only carrier with a nonstop — and the airline typically charges more for that flight. Many of the options on Alaska Air include a long layover. On Jan. 9, the cheap Alaska Air flight includes an eight-hour layover in Portland. On Jan. 11, there’s a nine-hour layover in Los Angeles. If you want pre-assigned seats and full mileage credit, Alaska Air will charge you $40 more. Your checked bags are free if you’re a member of Club 49. Otherwise, it’s $35 for the first bag, unless you paid for your ticket with your Alaska Air credit card.

Delta’s connections to Las Vegas are pretty good. On Jan. 10, there’s a one-hour, 40-minute layover with a connection in Seattle. To get out of Basic Economy for pre-reserved seats and mileage credit, the cost is $30. If you have a SkyMiles account, you can get two checked bags free. You also can get free Wi-Fi on the flight. To get some extra legroom in Comfort+, the total cost is $288 one-way.

United Airlines has a great connection to Las Vegas, but you have to fly to Denver to get your next flight. For a regular economy seat, it’s an extra $40, for a total of $218. Then you can roll your carry-on suitcase aboard! You also can get an assigned seat in advance. If you charge your ticket with a United Airlines credit card, they will waive the fee for a checked bag. Otherwise, it’s $35 for the first bag.

Tickets to Hawaii are on the rise. Right now, the cheapest nonstop ticket on Alaska Air to Honolulu has gone up to $233 one-way (saver).

But tickets on the nonstop flight between Anchorage to Kona have gone down to $168 one-way (saver). This price is available between now and March 13. Pay an extra $40 one-way to get a pre-assigned seat and full mileage credit. If you want to sit in the Premium seats with extra legroom, the charge is $142 one-way.

United Airlines flies one plane each day year-round between Anchorage and Denver. Usually, that nonstop flight is priced higher than competitive connecting service on either Alaska Air or Delta.

But today, the price is lower: $169 one-way in Basic Economy. The fare is available for flights between Jan. 19-Feb. 28. To upgrade to regular economy, the cost is $40 and includes pre-assigned seating and a carry-on bag. The first checked bag is $35.

Choose the Economy Plus option for extra legroom. The cost is $358 one-way. If you’re an elite-level frequent flyer, you can book Economy Plus seats at the time of booking, with no additional fee.

[How to make ‘see more of Alaska’ one of your New Year’s resolutions]

One of Alaska Air’s new destinations is Guatemala City. Alaska flies each day from Los Angeles. Right now, seats are on sale for as little as $383 round-trip (saver). Fly between Jan. 23 and Feb. 17.

To get full mileage credit and pre-assigned seats, the cost is an extra $80: $465 round-trip. Alaska sells its premium class tickets flight-by-flight. Between Anchorage and Seattle on this itinerary, it’s $57 one-way. The flight to L.A. is $29. It’s $41 between LAX and Guatemala City. The return flight to LAX is $58. From LAX to Anchorage, it’s $61 to upgrade to premium.

For this specific itinerary, between Jan. 23 and 30, the total cost for premium seats is $246. Costs vary on each flight, though.

To get the best deal between Anchorage and Australia, it often made sense to fly to Honolulu, and then catch a ride on JetStar. The budget carrier often charges $200 to $300 one-way for the long flight to either Sydney or Melbourne. But these deals don’t appear this year until late March or April.

But right now, Delta is selling round-trip tickets from Anchorage and Fairbanks for as little as $799 round-trip. From Anchorage, it’s a long ride, with stops in Seattle and Los Angeles. Fly between Jan. 17 and June 5.

The Basic Economy package is a little different with international flights on Delta. Seats are assigned only after check-in. But the first checked bag is free. There’s no SkyMiles credit with Basic Economy, thought.

The upgrade to Main is $200 round-trip ($999 total). That includes SkyMiles credit, pre-assigned seats, and the first bag free. To get the extra legroom is Comfort+, and the fare is $1,499 round-trip. In Comfort+, you can check two bags for free.

United also offers a great sale fare to Sydney from Anchorage: $838 round-trip in basic economy. United also offers a free checked bag at this rate. It’s an extra $150 round-trip for a seat in Main, which includes advance seat assignments.

[Is Sea-Tac Airport really the nation’s worst for international travel?]

Travel to New Zealand is expensive. But it’s less expensive this month on American Airlines and Delta. The big advantage of American Airlines is that you can earn Alaska Air miles. Prices in basic economy start at $905 round-trip. Travel between Jan. 14 and Feb 22.

American’s itinerary is a long one: 30 hours, via Seattle and Dallas. The $905 round-trip price is the main cabin price, including assigned seats and a free checked bag.

Delta’s itinerary also is a long one: 29 hours, via Seattle and Los Angeles. Delta charges an additional $100, or $1,005 round-trip, for a main-cabin seat, including SkyMiles credit and pre-assigned seats. Comfort+ was sold out on the flights I was checking. First Class is a cool $11,930 round-trip.

Airfares go up and down — and these rates are subject to change without notice. The takeaway message is most airfares you’ll see are simply starter fares. Once you start digging into the website, you may end up paying separately for bags, seats, and mileage points. Or, it may make sense to buy a more expensive fare that includes those components.