Travel

New airfare cuts, such beautiful things

scott_mcmurren_logo_2.18.09

The latest round of fare cuts leading up to the summer season has begun. There are three sets of discounts -- we'll go through them one by one.

Alaska Airlines announced early this morning its springtime fare sale between Alaska and the Lower 48, which is almost identical to its sale last month.

The lowest rate between Anchorage and Seattle is the same: $436 roundtrip, including all taxes and fees. There's just a 10-day advance purchase required, though. In part, that is because all travel must be completed by June 10, 2010.

Just like last month's sale, the lowest fares are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Travel on the other days costs, on average, about $20 more each way.

Between Anchorage and destinations in Idaho, Oregon and Montana, the fare is $516 roundtrip. That's the same as the fare between Anchorage and Los Angeles, too.

You must purchase your tickets no later than April 19 to qualify for these rates. Because of the tight timeframe, these probably are the best rates we'll see between now and mid-June. As usual, things can change on a moment's notice, though!

Within Alaska, Alaska Airlines offers its sale fares for travel seven days a week. The standouts, I think, are Anchorage-Cordova for $183 roundtrip, Fairbanks for $209 roundtrip and Kodiak for $209 roundtrip. These prices include all taxes and fees. Between Anchorage and Juneau, the rate is $277 roundtrip, including all taxes and fees.

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As the summertime travel season approaches, several carriers have started discounting to key destinations -- or have opened up additional seats -- or both.

Between Anchorage and New York City, the fare remains a bargain: just $479 roundtrip. The best rates are on Delta or USAir into LaGuardia or JFK. Between Anchorage and Washington, DC, it's just $488 roundtrip all-in on America AIrlines. Anchorage-Chicago is a bargain at $476 roundtrip on USAir. And summertime flights from Anchorage to San Francisco or Denver are available for $498 roundtrip, all-in.

Watch for more summertime discounts as the days get longer. Just like our famous Alaska mosquitos, the summer light draws more and more planes north in the hunt for more travelers. And when the price is right -- it's a beautiful thing!

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 Web site at www.alaskatravelgram.com.

Scott McMurren

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. Subscribe to his e-newsletter at alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.

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