For travelers, 2008 went out with a whimper, with missed connections, lousy weather and stubbornly high prices in the face of falling costs to suppliers.
It now appears travelers may be redeemed in 2009. We're already seeing summertime bargains on Denali hotels -- 50 percent off for Alaska residents. And cruise operators are offering select seven-day trips for less than $700 per person.
If you can just get to Seattle, the deals are incredible: $59 each way from Seattle to San Francisco on Alaska Airlines. Northwest Airlines is offering nonstop service from Seattle to Honolulu for as little as $310 round trip, plus tax. Northwest, plus a handful of other airlines, offers flights to New York for as little as $299 round trip.
The price to Seattle still is teetering around $500 round trip, but it's set to tumble. Watch for insider specials from Alaska Airlines or last-minute weekend specials by Continental Airlines.
Here are some solid strategies to make the most of your travel dollar this year:
1. Wait for deals. They are coming. For hotels, do a quick scan at www.biddingfortravel.com. This is a forum for Priceline bidders to let other travelers know about successful bids at hotels all around the U.S. For example, the Seattle Airport Hilton was $45 recently. Downtown hotels in San Francisco, such as the Hyatt Regency, were selling for $65.
2. Take advantage of the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. There are three components to the plan that add up to make it a good one: the Visa Card with the $50 companion certificate, the MVP benefits and the easy redemption process.
My ticket to Mexico last month cost $1,250. But my son's companion ticket was $191.
Down by the pool in Manzanillo, fellow Alaskan Tom Gallagher talked about using his miles to get there, 60,000 of them. "I just called Alaska Airlines and they found the flights where I could use the miles," he said. "They had to check a couple of different dates, but we worked it out."
Ask any MVP or Gold traveler if the benefits are helpful. Some consider it lunacy to spend more to take a trip in order to qualify. Others, who enjoy the cut-in-line reservations and boarding service, the upgrades, the double-miles bonuses and the change fee waivers, simply smile and nod.
3. Act quickly. The best deals for travel, particularly between here and the Lower 48, will be short-term. You'll have to grab them when you see them. If business is as bad as many predict, the prices may just fall off the cliff and stay there. I wouldn't bet my vacation on it, though.
4. Take advantage of the in-state travel deals this summer. Whether it's the hotel deals at Denali, air fare up to Fairbanks or over to Kodiak, or adventures around the state, 2009 will be a great year for seeing Alaska. Since folks are predicting a lousy year, you can watch for more deals as summer approaches. In-state mileage redemption levels also are low: 15,000 Alaska miles to travel to Adak, for example.
This is my last column for the Anchorage Daily News' print edition. Over the course of 26 years writing this column, I've had the opportunity to meet many others who share my passion for travel. Going forward, I hope you'll have the opportunity to follow the Alaska Travelgram online, where we'll keep a keen eye on travel bargains around the state and around the world.
Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant. Contact him via his travel blog: www.alaskatravelgram.com.
Scott McMurren
Travel