There’s a lot of chatter on the wire about travel these days.
In case you missed it, Alaska Airlines kicked off the new year with a bang: ordering more than 100 new planes and rolling out their northern lights-themed 787 for international service.
Several travelers wondered if this means the demise of the flagship image of an Alaska Native on the tails of Alaska’s 737s. There are no plans for that right now. Further, unless things change, we won’t see those 787s in Alaska anytime soon.
Between winter storms and a record number of travelers moving through the airports this season, Alaska Airlines also had to clean up another technical glitch with its popular Club 49 plan for Alaskans.
[Alaska Airlines still ‘proudly Boeing,’ even with Airbus now in its fleet]
All of a sudden last week, travelers were showing up with bags to check but their Club 49 status was not showing up. The result? Really expensive bag fees. The crisis was particularly acute for travelers returning from Anchorage to Western Alaska with three bags to check.
There was a lot of confusion at the check-in counters, but the glitch eventually got fixed.
However, it’s a timely reminder to go to your Alaska Airlines account and search for your Atmos membership card. When you pull it up, you should see Club 49 displayed underneath your name and mileage number. If not, contact Alaska’s customer service desk: 800-252-7522.
Alaska Air’s Club 49 deal for two free checked bags (or three within the state) is so popular that Delta copied it. If you’re a SkyMiles member and your primary address is in Alaska, you qualify for two free checked bags between Alaska and the Lower 48. Further, SkyMiles members get free Wi-Fi on Delta flights.
Behind all the chatter in the busy travel world, I think it’s important to remember how much airline tickets cost.
It’s true that fares go up and down — and they change all the time. But many of the benchmark rates between Alaska and the Lower 48 remain low. That is due primarily to the ongoing battle between Alaska and Delta over their Seattle hubs.
Further, because both carriers are leaning into increased international service from Seattle, key rates to select destinations in Europe are depressed. That means there are great deals for travel between now and March.
Because Delta also flies to Fairbanks year-round, travelers in the Golden Heart City have access to more affordable fares to destinations such as Los Angeles and Lisbon, Portugal.
As usual, the devil is in the details. The bargain rates are not available on every day or every flight. But there are some great deals available if you’re a little flexible.
Between Alaska and the Lower 48, the least-expensive ticket from Anchorage or Fairbanks is to Seattle, for about $237-$239 round-trip in Basic Economy. Both Alaska and Delta offer the fare for travel between Jan. 30 and March 31. The upcharge for Main is $80 on Delta, or $100 on Alaska.
Working down the West Coast, the charge for Anchorage-Portland is $297 round-trip, nonstop on Alaska Airlines. Add $110 round-trip for the upcharge to main cabin. That’s what it costs to get full Atmos credit and pre-assigned seats. This rate is available for travel from Jan. 31 to May 21.
For travel from Anchorage to the San Francisco Bay area, tickets to San Jose are cheapest: $277 round-trip on either Alaska or Delta. Add $80 for main cabin for travel between Jan. 30 and March 31.
If you’re starting from Fairbanks, there’s a little more flexibility: Fly to San Francisco, San Jose or Sacramento for $298 round-trip on Delta or Alaska between Jan. 31 and March 31. Add $80 round-trip for main cabin.
Remember — these rates are not available every day, particularly around spring break. You may have to hunt around for the best dates.
The rates to Los Angeles went up a little bit, but still are relatively low. Alaska Airlines has the cheapest fares: $297-$317 round-trip. Add $90-$100 for main cabin.
Headed to Phoenix? Alaska has the Anchorage-Phoenix nonstop, but it’s priced higher than either Delta or United, at $293 round-trip. Add $80-$100 for main cabin. Fly between Jan. 17 and May 7.
Here’s a hot deal: Fly Anchorage to Dallas for $293 round-trip on Alaska Air. Add $100 for main. Fly between Jan. 17 and Feb. 28.
A bunch of East Coast destinations are pricing at $337 round-trip. Budget $100 or more for main cabin. Fly between Jan. 30 and late March (it varies a little by destination). Fly from Anchorage to any of these destinations: Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, New Orleans, Raleigh or Boston.
There are a few surprising Fairbanks destinations.
One of my favorites is flying from Fairbanks to Boise, Redmond or Spokane for $258 round-trip. The fares are good on either Alaska or Delta. Add $80 for main. Fly Jan. 30-March 23.
Another surprise: Flying from Fairbanks to LA or San Diego is cheaper than leaving from Anchorage: $298 roundtrip. Alaska offers the cheapest fare to LA, while both Alaska and Delta have the good fare to San Diego. Add $80 for main. Fly Jan. 31-March 9.
Looking across the Atlantic, Delta has the best rates from Anchorage and Fairbanks to a select number of European destinations.
My favorite is the rate from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Dublin, Ireland: $438-$459 round-trip in basic. The upcharge on the European fares is about $210 round-trip. That includes one checked bag, advance seat assignments and full SkyMiles credit. For the best rates, fly between Jan. 13 and March 6.
From Anchorage or Fairbanks to Rome, Delta’s price range is $549-$596 round-trip in basic. Add $210 round-trip for main. Travel dates are about the same: Jan. 13-March 5.
Two popular destinations are available for travel early May. Fly to Lisbon for $549 round-trip on Delta through May 11. Or, choose Milan for $515-$549 round-trip through May 5. The price varies a little bit, depending on whether you leave from Anchorage or Fairbanks.
Fly from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Bucharest, Romania, for $488 round-trip. Travel Jan. 18-May 7. To get the best rate, book at Delta’s partners AirFrance or KLM.
[These 11 items are most likely to get flyers stopped at TSA checkpoints]
For a bird’s-eye view of fares and destinations, I use the Google Flights tool on my desktop. It doesn’t pick up every deal, but it gives an overview — for example, that fares to Europe are in play.
As I’m typing this up, Delta dropped a new deal from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Athens for $525-$545 round-trip in basic. Fly between Jan. 19 and March 11. Add $210 round-trip for main. There are a lot of dates available from Anchorage — not so many from Fairbanks. But there are a few.
Flights from Anchorage to Scandinavia also are on sale for $511-$556 round-trip to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo or Helsinki. All on Delta.
It’s important to note that all destinations are not on sale. Tickets to London, Paris and Amsterdam still are spendy. But thrifty travelers can save a few bucks by flying into a different airport.
