Now that my “Club 49” membership is active with Alaska Airlines, I just returned from a whirlwind trip down the West Coast to Seattle (Watertown Hotel) and San Francisco (Phoenix Hotel). Photo above–a nice day at SFO. Plus, radio co-host Erin Kirkland and family went from Anchorage to Portland on Alaska.
Of course, as part of the new Club 49 program, our bags flew at no additional charge. This was especially important for the Kirkland family, since “AK Kid” is not an elite flyer (MVP or MVP Gold)–saving $20 for each bag, each way. That adds up!!
Both Seattle and Anchorage now boast the “airport of the future”, which is Alaska’s new check-in design. There are banks of self-service kiosks to print your boarding passes (if you didn’t print them at home). From there, you proceed to the bag check, where you pay to drop your bag (unless you’re signed up for Club 49, of course). You’ll still find the old-fashioned agent behind the counter. Just look for the long line. HA
Have you seen the new dig-E-players in-flight? They’re slimmer and you can use the device to go online during the flight.
All the way up and down the West Coast, Alaska Airlines has their Board Room lounges. It’s not cheap to belong, but I justify it to myself because I spend a fair amount of time at airports. There’s free wi-fi, free beverages, free espresso drinks (yum) and an overall comfy, quiet environment. In addition to Alaska’s own lounges, the airline has a deal with other airlines like Delta and American to use their clubs. Check it out.
Hey–here are the Club 49 fares-o’-the-week. You have to travel in January (1/10-28, 2012 on Tue., Wed., Sat. only) and purchase by Thursday night (tomorrow). Check ’em out:
Anchorage-Bethel $99 each way ($203rt all in)
Anchorage-Las Vegas $199 each way ($456rt all in)
Fairbanks-Las Vegas $219 each way ($497rt all in)
Sitka-Las Vegas $219 each way ($489rt all in)
Cordova-Las Vegas $219 each way ($493rt all in)
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