The BIG Alaska Show!

Newsletter for February 9, 2005

Johnny Jet's Weekly Newsletter — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:32:41 +0000

LAX-Chicago-New York

Palm Coast Travel sues a customer — and me

Christopher Elliott — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:33:06 +0000

Here we go again.

Flying under the influence of the TSA: What now?

Christopher Elliott — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:33:34 +0000

Since the last time I wrote about the Transportation Security Administration, the agency charged with protecting air travel has encountered some unexpected turbulence.

7 trips you should never book online

Christopher Elliott — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:26:50 +0000

Carolyn Fletcher’s honeymoon started heading south the moment she and her husband landed in Cancun. No one was there to pick up the newlyweds. It took an hour for her to convince a van service to deliver them to their hotel. But when they checked into their four-star resort in Akumal, they...

TourSaver=Your key to Alaska’s National Parks

scott — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:21:16 +0000

The Great Alaskan TourSaver is the ONLY offer that includes 2-for-1 accommodations, activities and admissions to many park venues. You’ve GOT to check it out:

a. 2-for-1 Kenai Fjords National Park cruise with Kenai Fjords Tours.

b. 2-for-1 accommodations in Seward at the Van Gilder Hotel.

c. 2-for-1 accommodations in Kennicott at Kennicott Glacier Lodge in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

d. 2-for-1 Flightseeing from Chitina to McCarthy with Wrangell Mountain Air into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

e. 2-for-1 Glacier hike with Kennicott Wilderness Guides.

f. 2-for-1 Denali flightseeing with Talkeetna Air Taxi.

g. 2-for-1 Denali accommodations at the Grand Denali and Denali Bluffs.

h. 2-for-1 Helicopter flightseeing at Denali with Era Helicopters.

i. 2-for-1 Glacier cruise in Glacier Bay National Park.

j. 2-for-1 tour to the Valley of the 10,000 Smokes in Katmai National Park.

k. 2-for-1 Week-long wilderness adventure in Lake Clark National Park with Alaska Alpine Adventures (W-O-W-!). Includes air fare from Anchorage, meals and all kinds of extras!

l. 2-for-1 Flightseeing into Misty Fjords National Monument with Taquan Air (OK, it’s not a national park–but it’s GREAT!!!!).

There are 130+ 2-for-1 coupons for Alaska travel in the TourSaver. That’s more than $26,000 in travel savings. You probably won’t use ALL the coupons, but you’ll recoup the $99.95 cost using ONE of these coupons!! Check it out online. Space is limited–ORDER TODAY, then start making your reservations!

Alaska Air Trip Report: Jan. 8 (+Kids Fly Free!)

scott — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:55:03 +0000

I hate the red-eye. But for a number of reasons, Alaska’s nonstop flight from Anchorage to Portland last night was the best option. On top of that, I had a breakfast meeting in northeast Portland at the Cadillac Cafe. I had to snap a picture of the “Pink Champagne” Cadillac at the restaurant, even in my semi-conscious state.

Alaska 132 leaves each evening bright-and-early at 12:45 am. Nice, new 737-800. It was completely full. That said, the Alaska Airlines staff did a great job getting everyone situated. We Alaskans are jet-setters by nature, so everyone knows the drill. There was a good mix of crab fishermen, Slope workers, families with fussy babies–the works. But everyone was anxious to get situated and snooze on the way to Portland.

One truism for travel is that a happy cabin is a safe cabin. And the flight attendants, it seemed to me, went out of their way to make people feel comfortable. They advised folks to hold on to their big bulk coats (that’s me) until everyone had their massive carry-on bags towed. Then, we were free to cram them in the available space. Good tip.

I’ve been on flights where the flight attendants were nasty. Surly. Ticked off at the entire world. Predictably, these flights were unpleasant. But on Jan. 8, Alaska flight #132 between Anchorage and Portland really was “North of Expected”.

Take advantage of Alaska’s “Kids Fly Free” promo for travel between now and Apr. 30. To qualify, buy a vacation package from Alaska Vacations. Be sure and include your Disney tickets, you can get two additional nights when you book three nights.

The package is great for families with kids, age 2-11. One of the kids flies free for each adult ticket. No travel is permitted on the following dates: Feb. 18-19, 22, Mar. 19, 21, 26, 28, Apr. 2-5, 2010. The best rates are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Kids Fly Free is available to Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego airports. Space is limited so book today for best availability. Need help planning your trip? Call our vacations experts at 1-800-468-2248.

Save $20 on Seattle 2-for-1 TourSaver book

scott — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:39:57 +0000

Wow. I’m pawing through the new Seattle TourSaver. Just like the Alaska TourSaver, everything is 2-for-1. That’s e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. So kewl. Save a bundle. Here are some of my favorites:

a. 2-for-1 Argosy Cruises. Great harbor cruises around Seattle that leave right from the waterfront. Don’t miss it. Bring your camera.

b. 2-for-1 Kenmore Air. Take a flightseeing trip around Seattle from downtown Lake Union seaplane terminal!

c. 2-for-1 Victoria Clipper. Take the fast ferry up to Victoria, BC. Great town. There are a TON of 2-for-1 coupons for Victoria in the book, too.

d. 2-for-1 Seattle Art Museum. Don’t miss it. It’s right downtown.

e. 2-for-1 Seattle Food Tours. Taste your way through the Pike Place Market. Wonderful educational walking tour–and you’ll be full at the end!! Foodies’ delight!!

f. 2-for-1 Accommodations at the Homewood Suites on Pike Street. FABULOUS all-suite hotel adjacent to the convention center.

g. 2-for-1 Future of Flight tour. See the world’s largest building at the Boeing factory–and see where they are assembling the new 787! Great tour.

h. 2-for-1 Museum of Flight tour. Yup. Seattle really is “Jet City”. This museum at Boeing Field includes the Concorde, Air Force 1, an SR-71 Blackbird. OMG. Airplane geeks will love the “Warbirds” collection, too.

i. 2-for-1 Seaport Air ticket between Portland and Seattle. Fly either way on these sleek Pilatus planes. Free parking at Boeing Field. No TSA. Got that? NO TSA!!

j. 2-for-1 Hop on-hop off double-decker tour by Gray Line Tours. This is a GREAT tour for first-timers to Seattle. These buses run all day and you can get a GREAT overview of the area!!

Got it? Get it. It’s your ticket to savings in Seattle for accommodations, activities and admissions. Everything YOU want to do in the Emerald City! Get your book between now and Jan. 15 and save $20. That means for just $59.95 you can get 115 2-for-1 coupons–$8,000 in savings.

Low-fare roundup from USTravel

scott — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:14:43 +0000

It’s a big low fare roundup at USTravel. Interestingly, the folks in Fairbanks are getting big breaks, according to agent Kelly Jo McGee. Ring her at (907)561-2434 or toll-free (800)544-2217. Or, call the Fairbanks office: (907)452-8992. Check out these GREAT one-way fares from Fairbanks.

Fairbanks-Denver $202.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-Chicago 332.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-LAX 302.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-Orlando 352.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-New Orleans 312.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-Wash., DC 369.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-Ft. Lauderdale 362.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-Dallas 292.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-Houston 302.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-New York 322.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-San Diego 302.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-San Francisco 302.20 each way, all-in
Fairbanks-Phoenix 282.20 each way, all-in

Here are some good deals to/from Anchorage. Note “Valid” dates:

Anchorage-Honolulu $459rt all-in, through Mar. 10
Anchorage-Denver 249 each way, all-in through Mar. 10
Anchorage-Portland 236 each way, all-in through Feb. 10 (purch. by 1/10 ONLY)
Anchorage-New York 504rt all-in (cheaper than ANC-SEA!!)
Anchorage-Frankfurt 740rt all-in NON-STOP

Also, be sure and ask your agent about great cruise deals, including:
-Southern Caribbean (7-day Princess) from $399 per person on Feb. 14
-Mexican Riviera (7-day Princess) from $379 per person on 2/27, 3/6
-Mediterranean (7-day Crystal) from $3,680 with LOTS of kickbacks (Fancy cruise ship, big discounts!)

Poof! There go my SkyMiles

Christopher Elliott — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:43:44 +0000

Question: I’ve been saving my Delta Air Lines frequent flier miles for many, many years to take my wife on a 20th anniversary trip this year. I received all of my statements by regular mail. A few months ago, I asked the airline for a PIN number so I could look at my account online, [...]

What’s new on Elliott: Vanishing SkyMiles, credit card fees gone wild and life in the CityCenter

Christopher Elliott — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:24:24 +0000

Hey, what happened to my SkyMiles? Plus, credit card fees gone wild and CityCenter's Aria.