Stay tuned for more web specials from Era Alaska. Cities may include: Anchorage-Barrow, Fairbanks-Barrow, Anchorage-Bethel, Anchorage-Valdez, Anchorage-Kodiak, Anchorage-Kenai, Anchorage-Homer, Anchorage-Cordova and Anchorage-Fairbanks.

Every now and again, Era Alaska will add some specials to Aniak and Unalakleet from Anchorage. If you want the latest specials, sign up for Era’s free email newsletter.

Be sure and sign up for Era’s “FlyAway Rewards” program. It’s easy to earn free flights to any of Era’s destinations after just a few flights. Get more info here.

Nobody can dismiss the Rondy frivolity of the Running of the Reindeer here in Anchorage. But up north in Fairbanks, ice carvers from around the world are chipping away at the famous “Black Diamond” ice. It’s renowned for its clarity–and the finished products are a wonder to behold. It’s a Fairbanks tradition at the Ice Alaska park each March. Make plans to attend.

Stay at the Princess Lodge on the banks of the now-frozen Chena River, just about a mile from the airport. They’ve got a free shuttle to the hotel, but you may want to rent a car to cruise around town.

Special rates now are available for as little as $69 per night. Or, spend $89 per night and get up to two $15 breakfast vouchers per day at “Trackers”, in the lobby. That’s a great deal. There’s free high-speed internet, a great restaurant in the lobby–and a big fireplace, too!  Stay at least two nights and you’ll get DOUBLE Alaska Airlines miles. Use this special discount code when you’re booking online: AKADMF.

More info: CLICK HERE.

Look, I would be remiss if I did not recommend a couple of other KILLER attractions in Fairbanks–open year-round. First, the antique car museum at Wedgewood Resort. The “Fountainhead Antique Car Museum” is the brainchild of Tim Cerny. And it’s fantastic. Go see it.

The second is the Museum of the North on the campus of the University of Alaska. It’s got a fantastic permanent collection of Alaskan artifacts and art. But the rotating exhibits are incredible, including lots of modern art from around the state. Don’t miss “The Place Where You Go To Listen.” Think “Multimedia”. It can be overwhelming. Calming. Dreamlike. GO!

After the jump–summer specials.

Traveling up and down the “rail belt” this summer? Consider a Princess package, which includes rail transport aboard their deluxe private rail cars, plus accommodations at the McKinley Princess (near Talkeetna) or the Denali Princess (near the Park entrance), or both.

Save up to 25 percent on your total package when you book online. Here are some examples:

a. Tour M2: Take the train from Anchorage to Talkeetna and transfer to the McKinley Princess for two nights. Optional tours include flightseeing w/glacier landing, Wilderness Jeep rides, jetboat tours, fishing, river rafting–and more. Or, sit a spell on the incredible deck–it looks out over Mt. McKinley!

Cost: from $269 per person. Your price includes all transportation and accommodations.

b. Tour D5: Ride the rails from Anchorage to Denali National Park. You’ll arrive to take advantage of some popular optional activities, including river rafting, mushing tours and helicopter flightseeing. The next morning, take the LONG bus ride. This is another optional tour–but you HAVE to do this one!!!!!! Cost for rail and two nights’ accommodations: as low as $369 per person.

Call for more information on Princess Tours: (800)426-0500. Learn more about departures from either Anchorage or Fairbanks here.

We talked about summertime fares–and they’re still out there. But here comes a fresh batch of SPRING fares. Most of the best lo-ball, bottom-feeder fares I’ve listed here (is there any other kind????) require a 21-day advance purchase. Note: You also can book these rates for summertime travel. The key issue is they’re available RIGHT NOW!

Big shout-out to our friends at USTravel here in Anchorage. Their tools and their support make it possible to dig up these fares! Kelly Jo or Melinda in Anchorage (or the staff at the USTravel location nearest you in Seattle, Spokane, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Fairbanks or Dutch Harbor) can save you time and money finding the right fare for you. It’s not always the cheapest–odd as that may seem. Additionally, your agent can help you button up your hotel and car arrangements. Let’s review:

1. Anchorage-San Francisco: $198 one-way, all in on USAir. 21-day adv. pur.
2. Anchorage-Denver: $198 one-way, all-in on USAir. 21-day adv. pur.
3. Anchorage-Chicago: $254 one-way, all-in on USAir. 21-day adv. pur.
4. Anchorage-Philadelphia: 267 one-way, all-in on Alaska Air (via Chicago). 21-day adv. pur.
5. Anchorage-LAX: $270 one-way, all-in on Alaska Airlines. 21-day adv. pur.
6. Anchorage-Bozeman or Billings, MT: $273 one-way, all-in on United. 21-day adv. pur.
7. Anchorage-Santa Barbara: $280 one-way, all in on Alaska Air.
8. Anchorage-Kalispell, MT: $280 one-way, all in on Alaska Air.
9. Anchorage-San Diego: $280 one-way, all in on Alaska Air
10. Anchorage-Orlando: $288 one-way, all in on Alaska Air

Most of these new fares require a 21-day advance purchase. United and USAir started these fare cuts and Alaska Airlines is following along. Remember Scott’s first rule of affordable air fares: “When airlines are mad at each other, the traveler wins”. That’s clearly the case with these springtime fares. You and I can scream all we want to about high air fares–and the airlines are completely deaf. Witnesseth: it’s still $271 each way to Seattle on Alaska Air ($304.50 each way on Continental). O–M–G–!

Check with Kelly Jo or Melinda today or Monday and lock in these springtime air fares! (907)561-2434 or (800)544-2217 toll-free.

Photo: Climbing out over Washington, DC aboard an Alaska Airlines 737-800.

Now it gets interesting. Summertime air fares are dropping–and dropping fast. I’m still in the hunt for springtime deals–but that’s another story. Let’s review the bargains now available for travel between May and September:

Anchorage-Los Angeles: $496 roundtrip, all-in (including all taxes and fees), using Alaska Airlines‘ nonstop flight. Travel between June 6 and Aug. 21, 2010. This is less expensive than USAir’s competing service because USAir stops in Phoenix, resulting in extra taxes and fees.

Anchorage-San Francisco: $475 roundtrip, all-in. Fly nonstop on Alaska Airlines. Travel valid June 6-Aug. 21, 2010. USAir also offers competing service. On their website, it shows a stop in Phoenix for a higher rate ($481). But they also code-share with United Airlines on UA’s nonstop to SFO.

NOTE: Working with my friends at USTravel (call Kelly Jo McGee or Melinda Spires here in Anchorage at (907)561-2434) , we’re able to really parse out the vagaries of code-share doublespeak by airlines to find the best deal. That’s one reason USTravel charges a ticketing fee (typically $38 for a ticket to/from the Lower 48). It’s worth it to have an expert in your corner when it comes to getting the best deals on your next trip or family vacation.

It’s nice to see Alaska Airlines offer these great deals on their nonstop flights. But it’s crucial to understand that it’s the competitive pressure from United, Continental and USAir that makes the lower fares possible.

Anchorage-Denver: This is shaping up to be a hot market for summer travel, with three nonstop flights each day: one each from Alaska Airlines, United and Frontier Airlines. Plus, Alaska Airlines offers connecting service over both Portland and Seattle. Fly for $475 roundtrip, all-in between May 16 and Aug. 20, 2010. Use Alaska’s nonstop flight for the best price.

Anchorage-Chicago. Yup: another three-fer. American, United and Alaska are offering nonstops from the Windy City this summer. Right now, Alaska’s flights are the best deal, at $487 roundtrip all-in. Travel between May 22 and Sept. 25, 2010. Competition matters.

Anchorage-New York. Fly to LaGuardia (LGA) for the best price: $475 roundtrip all-in on Continental Airlines. Travel between May 14 and Sept. 20, 2010 for the best price. Just for fun, check the corresponding price on Alaska Airlines to Newark in mid-June ($713.50!).

Anchorage-Washington, DC.  Fly Continental for as little as $485 roundtrip all-in. This is a great rate. In this particular case, Alaska Airlines has nearly matched the rate, coming in at $509.48 roundtrip. But here’s a bonus: Both carriers allow travel at this rate beginning in three weeks. You can fly on Mar. 17 at that price.

Compare those prices to Washington, DC to the fare between Anchorage and Seattle. You’d better sit down. If you want to fly in March or April, the fare is a whopping $544 on Alaska. On Continental, it’s worse: $614 (beyond belief).

Last weekend, there was a brief moment in time when Alaska was offering a $455 roundtrip fare to Seattle. But on Monday evening,  they withdrew the fare and let it float back to the higher level. That’s ridiculous.

Of course, there will be more fare-related fireworks as summer approaches. And I predict the fare to Seattle will, indeed, come back closer to Planet Earth. Check with Kelly Jo or Melinda in Anchorage at USTravel for the information on your city: (907)561-2434.

NEW: Follow USTravel on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook. Get the latest, greatest news on the double-quick. Tell ‘em I sent you.

So, we’re thrilled that the Great Alaskan TourSaver is recommended by Frommer’s. Really–it’s a big deal. As part of the distinction, there are Frommer’s window-stickers to put on the front door, etc. Problem is, there really is no front door. No office. Nothing, really. So–here is  a picture of the decal. Perhaps I’ll put a decal on the car, huh? Or perhaps on the outside of my MacBook Pro? Whadya think?

Leave tomorrow (Thursday) and return by Monday (Feb. 22, 2010). Here are some GREAT prices:

Anchorage-Kenai $149 rt
Anchorage-Homer $179 rt
Anchorage-Valdez $199 rt
Anchorage-Fairbanks $219 rt
Anchorage-Barrow $369 rt HOT!
Anchorage-Aniak $299 rt
Anchorage-Bethel $339 rt
Anchorage-Cordova $229 rt
Fairbanks-Barrow $369 rt HOT!

Again, these rats are good for this weekend only. Travel must be completed by Mon., Feb. 22 , 2010. Remember: earn DOUBLE Flyaway points between Anchorage, Kenai and Homer through Feb. 28, 2010.