As you're picking through the last of the pumpkin pie and cranberry dressing, Cyber Monday is upon us. Get your credit card ready for some travel bargains from Alaska Airlines. After you're done lining up your trip, though, consider some "extras" to make the trip a smoother one.
Although the airfare deals were released yesterday, you have until Dec. 9 to purchase these fares for travel through March 5, 2014. For the most part, the rates are not much different than those Alaska offered for the Permanent Fund Dividend sale or the weekly "Club 49" deals. Still, if you're hoping to travel to select destinations, the Cyber Monday deals are worth checking out. Here are some of my favorites:
• Anchorage-San Diego: $458 roundtrip. This isn't technically a "Cyber Monday" deal, since the rates are low all winter long. But it's a great price!
• Anchorage-Dallas/Ft. Worth: $498 roundtrip valid through March 5, 2014.
• Anchorage-Philadelphia: $480 roundtrip. This is higher than the fare-war pricing from last month, but it's a great rate to the East Coast.
• Anchorage-San Jose/San Francisco/Oakland/Sacramento: $442 roundtrip. The best prices for southbound travel are Sunday through Tuesday, returning Thursday through Saturday.
• Anchorage-Burbank/Ontario/Orange County: $400 roundtrip. Yes, it's less expensive to fly to the L.A. Basin than to San Francisco. That's because more airlines are fighting for the business. These Alaska Air flights offer the best connections, though.
• Anchorage-Portland: $380 roundtrip. There's no change on this fare -- it's just an awesome deal.
• Anchorage-Las Vegas: $396 roundtrip. Rates to and from Sin City will be low all winter, in part because of Alaska's new nonstop flights.
• Anchorage-Phoenix: $415 roundtrip. Another new nonstop winter destination from Anchorage.
• Fairbanks-Seattle: $478 roundtrip. Those who live in the Golden Heart City know this is a good deal.
• Fairbanks-Los Angeles/LAX: $544 roundtrip. Again, the best prices are available Sunday through Tuesday for southbound flights, returning Thursday through Saturday.
• Fairbanks-Juneau: $356 roundtrip. The best deals are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Alaska Airlines has a special page devoted to its Cyber Monday sale. You can find all the fine print there. Keep in mind each market is different. Fares to some cities restrict travel to specific days. Others do not. Some fares are valid for travel through March 5. For travel to/from Mexico, the cutoff is in February. Some fares already were discounted -- to Las Vegas, Phoenix and Portland, for example -- so Alaska did not drop the fares further. Just plug in your city and hope for the best.
Bonus tips for trips
As you line up your wintertime travel, spend some time and money to smooth out the rough edges of your next airplane trip. Here are some of my favorite tips:
• Invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones. I like the Bose model, but other brands are available from Sony, Beats and Panasonic. Combine them with your iPod to effectively drown out some of the most irritating plane noises. Many of the world's best airlines now provide the Bose headphones to their guests in Business Class.
• Global Entry program. This takes a bit of planning, but I've found it's worthwhile. Complete the extensive questionnaire from the Department of Homeland Security. Send them $100. Then, schedule an interview at the Anchorage airport, or one of several other airports around the country. After providing your fingerprints and a photo, you'll be eligible to use the quick-entry kiosks at major points of entry -- Los Angeles, New York, Chicago. A side benefit is access to the TSA Pre-Check express security lines. Since Anchorage doesn't have the kiosks for returning travelers from Frankfurt or Iceland in the summer, the big benefit is the Pre-Check security line. And that's worth $100 for a five-year pass!
• Airline club. If you're a frequent traveler, consider joining an airline club. It's not cheap. Here in Anchorage, Alaska Airlines has the Board Room. It's one of the best club membership deals, since it also includes access to select Delta and American clubs. I pay $300 for a one-year membership, although the new member price is $450 per year. There are quiet work spaces, free drinks and espresso, snacks and a friendly environment. I like the club—and I recommend it. You also can try it out with a $45 day-pass the next time you're traveling.
• Elite mileage status. Airlines are working hard to reward their frequent travelers with better seats, advance boarding and other perks. For Alaska Airlines, you have to fly 20,000 miles to get "MVP" status. I remember the first time I qualified -- with 20,005 miles! I didn't have to sit on hold when I called the airline. Some fees were waived and I was able to get better seats on the plane. These days, I pay attention to my mileage account to make sure I have enough miles. For example, this year I will reach the threshold for MVP Gold with six miles to spare.
There are plenty of other useful travel tips. But if you're traveling this month, be sure and take extra time for everything. December is the month when extra travelers mix with nasty weather. It means lines are longer and time is not on your side. My family hates me for it, but I check in two hours prior to my scheduled flight time. I recommend you do the same.
Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant who has lived in Alaska for three decades, spending much of that time traveling the far-flung corners of the state. Visit his website at www.alaskatravelgram.com or follow him on Twitter for breaking travel news.