As the old saying goes, "It's farther from the Lower 48 to Alaska, than it is from Alaska to the Lower 48." Someone definitely got that right because we're usually the ones visiting rather than the ones being visited (although happily all of our parents have made loyal pilgrimages to see their wayward offspring). But who can blame people with the sticker shock of getting up here?
Flight leaving Anchorage, December 2011
Or maybe it's the weather?
Nice 'but! Er, halibut.
Nah, couldn't be.
Scotty on his way to work
My dad, who spent time in Fairbanks during the '70s oil pipeline construction days, once told me that people in Alaska would refer to traveling anywhere else as going "out", meaning anywhere outside of Alaska. After over six years of living here, I can definitely understand why, and not just because you have to be a little crazy to live up here.
Catching some rays on our boat, the Raa Wee Yin
When Scotty and I travel, we're forced to plan carefully, often combining a "getting-away-from-it-all" type vacation with a visit to see family or friends. The length of these trips usually end up being around 10 days to over two weeks.
Our decision to take longer trips, however, is a deliberate one: living in Southeast Alaska means expensive airfare with only one commercial carrier, Alaska Airlines, offering service. From the most un-mathematically-inclined person in the world, here's a basic economics equation: lack of business competition + a relatively small customer base= high prices. Not great for Juneau-ites. Especially when it looks like this outside:
My walk home from work~ November 14, 2011
So without further ado, here is a guide for the brave folks who aspire to visit your friends in the 49th state before they defect to warmer latitudes:
2. For extra miles, apply for their credit card here
And some things to keep in mind before you do:
And some things to keep in mind before you do:
Pros:
- You get one mile for every dollar spent, but some purchases earn more miles (for example, car rentals or hotels booked through their web site).
- You'll receive a companion pass once annually that allows a second person to travel on the same itinerary for only $99. We always save this for the most expensive trip we plan to take and it's like getting half off. Aloha Hawaii! Hola Mexico! The only catch it that the companion fare only works for places that Alaska Airlines flies and doesn't work with partner airlines.
- You'll receive a companion pass once annually that allows a second person to travel on the same itinerary for only $99. We always save this for the most expensive trip we plan to take and it's like getting half off. Aloha Hawaii! Hola Mexico! The only catch it that the companion fare only works for places that Alaska Airlines flies and doesn't work with partner airlines.
Cons:
- With a higher percentage rate of around 15%, it's important to only charge what you can pay off right away, or before the next billing cycle hits.
- There's a $99 annual fee after the first year (starting the January after you receive the card).
3. Take advantage of specials on the the Alaska Airlines web site
One of these, the annual PFD (Permanent Fund Dividend) sale takes place in late September through the end of October. Another, the 30 percent bonus miles sale on purchased miles began yesterday (click here). To keep abreast of fare sales, make sure you've signed up to receive email notices via your Alaska Airlines frequent flier program.
4. Book at least two weeks before traveling
Those last minutes flights are the ones that will really ding your bank account, especially when there's no other air carrier around for competition. Alaska Airlines seems to maintain this kind of price jump pretty regularly. And of course, popular travel times surrounding holidays are always more expensive.
5. Or, for a change of pace, take the Alaska Marine Highway
I've extolled the joy of taking the Alaska Marine Highway before on our recent trip to Skagway, but taking a ferry from Bellingham is equally, if not more, scenic.
It takes about three days to get to Juneau from Bellingham, so it's not for those on a tight schedule. If you do choose this route, don't expect an activity-packed voyage or fine dining; this is nothing like taking a cruise. It's more a chance to read that book you keep meaning to finish, to spend some quality, distraction-free time with a traveling companion, or to trade stories with other passengers. But for a change of pace, the voyage can be incredibly fun. I took the ferry when I moved here in 2006 and Scotty and I took the ferry down and back when we went on our first road trip together in 2007; it's definitely an at-least-once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip.
As for cost, don't plan on saving any money by taking the ferry. This winter the roundtrip price from Bellingham to Juneau for two people with a car is $1,490 (and the driver rides free from mid-October to mid-April). For a one person, "walk-on" roundtrip ticket, it's $745 (compared to $566 for roundtrip flights from Juneau to Seattle).
6. Think about the time of year and what you really want to do on your Alaska vacation
Summer is a popular time and, therefore, the most expensive in terms of airfare and lodging. But there are humpback whales to watch and plenty of other wildlife. Also, during certain times, salmon are spawning and wildflowers are blooming.
My favorite time of year here is actually fall. Each year in September and October we've experienced blue skies, crisp air, and golden fall colors.
Winter is also great for skiing and snowshoeing or, if you're lucky, catching some northern lights. However, spring is usually on the rainy, muddy side of things so March and April aren't the best months to visit (in my humble opinion).
Click here for our monthly precipitation and prepare to be wowed by our copious amount of rainfall.
But then again, if you're visiting someone in Alaska, maybe you don't care if it's raining or snowing sideways and you don't see the sun the entire time you're here. We Alaskans will just be glad you made the trip!
One of these, the annual PFD (Permanent Fund Dividend) sale takes place in late September through the end of October. Another, the 30 percent bonus miles sale on purchased miles began yesterday (click here). To keep abreast of fare sales, make sure you've signed up to receive email notices via your Alaska Airlines frequent flier program.
4. Book at least two weeks before traveling
Those last minutes flights are the ones that will really ding your bank account, especially when there's no other air carrier around for competition. Alaska Airlines seems to maintain this kind of price jump pretty regularly. And of course, popular travel times surrounding holidays are always more expensive.
5. Or, for a change of pace, take the Alaska Marine Highway
I've extolled the joy of taking the Alaska Marine Highway before on our recent trip to Skagway, but taking a ferry from Bellingham is equally, if not more, scenic.
It takes about three days to get to Juneau from Bellingham, so it's not for those on a tight schedule. If you do choose this route, don't expect an activity-packed voyage or fine dining; this is nothing like taking a cruise. It's more a chance to read that book you keep meaning to finish, to spend some quality, distraction-free time with a traveling companion, or to trade stories with other passengers. But for a change of pace, the voyage can be incredibly fun. I took the ferry when I moved here in 2006 and Scotty and I took the ferry down and back when we went on our first road trip together in 2007; it's definitely an at-least-once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip.
As for cost, don't plan on saving any money by taking the ferry. This winter the roundtrip price from Bellingham to Juneau for two people with a car is $1,490 (and the driver rides free from mid-October to mid-April). For a one person, "walk-on" roundtrip ticket, it's $745 (compared to $566 for roundtrip flights from Juneau to Seattle).
6. Think about the time of year and what you really want to do on your Alaska vacation
Summer is a popular time and, therefore, the most expensive in terms of airfare and lodging. But there are humpback whales to watch and plenty of other wildlife. Also, during certain times, salmon are spawning and wildflowers are blooming.
Fireweed blooming in July
September 2012
A record snow accumulation, March 18, 2007
Click here for our monthly precipitation and prepare to be wowed by our copious amount of rainfall.
But then again, if you're visiting someone in Alaska, maybe you don't care if it's raining or snowing sideways and you don't see the sun the entire time you're here. We Alaskans will just be glad you made the trip!
Humpback whales and tour boat, June 2012
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