frugaltravel

Did I miss something? Why aren't you just buying a second seat? Then you don't have to stress at all. You and your mom could even split the cost, since she'd be presumably be benefiting also.

+1. Maybe the answer is because some people truly prefer the stress and worry anyway? With SWA if you buy a second seat for a POS and the flight is not full, you can get your money back. Truly a win-win.

Glacier Bay is ice-free in May, at least enough to get through the bay to a glacier for glacier viewing.

Definitely well worth your time to visit Glacier Bay vs. Tracy Arm, especially in May.

This was big business doing it's thing to a smaller upstart airline -- not big government interfering.

Nice if you want to believe that, but as Flyer Talker said:

All you need to know is that "Wright" was Jim Wright, Congressman from Fort Worth. Says it all.

Congressman, "Wright Amendment", government making it a law. Definitely sounds like "big government" to me.

Ahhh. But my enticement is a $1000 cruise credit and apparently lower than published airline fares. ( I have looked online at airline sites assuming a sooner than actual travel day and compared cost to same ChoiceAir fare). I'm awaiting my 330 days out to book a one way flight. Your thoughts? Is flexfare better at a few more dollars? It's what I'm leaning towards...

You resurrected an old thread. Having said that, if you know what you are buying when you buy Choice Air and you can live with that, then do it but proceed with extreme caution. Definitely fly in a couple of days earlier if it is international. Realize you might not have the flexibility for changes with Choice Air that you do with other tickets. Check other options - like some low fare carriers that might fly close to where you want to go or using more reputable consolidators that don't have the Choice Air restrictions.

If it is a difference of "a few more dollars" I definitely would not use Choice Air.

Texas is big. New Mexico isn't. The masses win ;)

+1. The Wright Amendment was the result of an overprotective government and intense lobbying. Finally and fortunately it is coming to an end.

Misty Bay Lodge and Glacier Winds get consistently positive reviews. FISHES also does. Teckk usually has at least 1 or 2 negative reviews a year on CC, but I don't recall seeing any this past season. Not sure about Hoonah Charter.

"best" is relative, so I am glad you qualified what you meant. I can only say I had a poor experience with Teckk and would personally never use them again.

Bears in Hoonah are billed as a bear "search" for good reason - you might (or might not) see them. Not like the 100% viewing for most fly-in bear tours. Basically you get what you pay for.

I'll get them with business travel in the next couple of months. I like being home in the weekends. :)

Guess you didn't understand FT'ers post. You could stay home in (sic) the weekends, depending of course on the rate and the value received.

Checked in on Friday afternoon, went to the room and scarfed up the coffee packets...then came down and dropped the key and folio in the express checkout bin. Did it the same for the next two weekends and ended up WAY ahead on the deal with both status and free nights overseas (where PL/HW didn't have any offerings).

He probably spent 1/2 hour of his time going from his home to the hotel, getting his coffee packets, then driving home :D

Don't have to print boarding passes exactly 24 hours before departure with Southwest either, just check in as close to that as possible :D.

As with all things travel-related, comparison shopping is key. Is Southwest the better deal when comparing the charges for early bird check-in and free baggage vs. the fare from other airlines plus their fees. Sometimes Southwest is cheaper, sometimes it is not. Sometimes price is not the deciding factor but convenience, flight times, or other items are bigger factors.

It depends in the yearly spend on tickets. Mine runs over $10K annually, I get double miles on ticket purchases, an annual $99 companion ticket voucher, and 5K off reward tickets, plus a handful of other perks.

 

This year I took my son with me to see my family for a few days. Paid $350 for my ticket and $99 for his. Call it $450 for two tickets for a savings of $250. Earned enough miles for a r/t domestic coach ticket and the ability to "pay" 5K less miles when redeeming award tickets.

 

Just in the companion ticket I'm ahead over a cash back card.

You and I both know that we are not the "typical" credit card holder. In fact, I would venture to say that pretty much any regular on the Cruise Air forum can do much better with their credit cards than my example.

Secondly, if someone spends a lot on airline tickets, they can get 3x points with at least one card. Is that better for some people? Sure. Not as good for others? Sure.

I loved the recent promos with USAirways - a combination of a 100% share miles bonus coupled with a 50% refund of miles used (targeted) basically meant you could have gotten a round trip coach ticket to Europe for about $300 including taxes and the share mile transfer fee and basically gotten all your miles back (net, assuming the two accounts are from family/close friends).

Aren't the points/miles fungible once you've got them, like Euros or dollars, etc.?

 

What matters is how one SPENDS them, not how one got them, no?

No.

That is a common misperception. People who use affinity credit cards (i.e. an airline's credit card) to obtain miles, which is what I was referring to, are forgoing at least 2% cash by obtaining miles vs. cash. Think of the above example of using 35K miles for a $700 ticket. If those 35K miles were all from an airline affinity card and that person spent $35K to obtain those miles, it cost $700 to get those miles since that same person could have had $700 cash in pocket for the exact same amount of credit card spend if they used something like the Fidelity 2% cash back card (true cash back, not deposited into a retirement account).

So in this example, the buyer would have almost broken even by using an airline credit card. I say "almost" because they don't earn miles on the award ticket, but they would have earned miles on the $700 ticket.

Unfortunately many people with airline credit cards accrue miles at 1 mile per dollar charged, pay an annual fee, and then use the miles for a ticket that yields less than 2 cents per mile. Unfortunately they don't realize the error of their ways. They could have purchased the ticket using the cash from the cash back card, still had money in their pocket, earned miles on the ticket and not have been restricted by limited award availability of most airlines.

Ah, so you think I'm lying and artificially inflating the price. Well, why didn't you just have the balls to say you thought I was a liar in the first place? Quite obviously you don't know me, so you've got no evidence to support that idea, but feel free to rant on the internet about my lies nonetheless, LOL.

No need to call you a liar. If you take that tack, then you called yourself a liar:

In other words, it might not be actually worth 8 cents, for instance (it isn't), but it is worth more when I use it that way than if I used it for a cheaper ticket.

(bolding mine for clarity and emphasis)

I rest my case.

If someone is truly indifferent to whether they sit front or in econ, then it's pure "feel good" as you say. Miles shouldn't be wasted. Then again, flying First or Biz has tangible benefits such as expedited check-in, security, and baggage claim....no bag fees, better meals (at no extra cost), and priority if something goes amok due to a delay or cancellation. On top of that, there are the "feel good" items that can include more legroom, the ability to sleep, more attentive service, better IFE, quieter cabin, etc.

 

Very roughly, a first or biz class award requires 2-3x the miles of econ for the same flight. So the choice is whether to use the miles to fly First or Biz for the "feel good" and savings in time and money, or use it for 1-2 other trips in Econ instead.

I agree with your points, but that does not mean one should value their miles based on the "sticker price" of the international F or J ticket that they would never have paid sticker price for. That was my "feel good" point.

I just booked a r/t ticket MCO to LAX for 45k miles, first on all legs. The best I could do in economy was 35K miles, and the ticket would have run me $700 paying cash. It was a no brainer to book it as a first class r/t using miles.

True if you (generic) acquired the miles from flying. But if you acquired the miles from credit card spend, most likely you would have been better off using a flat 2% cashback card and buying the ticket for cash (and thus also earning miles for the flight). 45K miles generally (key word) requires $45K of credit card spend x 2% = $900 cashback. At least two credit cards offer true 2% cash back. If the miles were earned by flying, then you are totally correct.

When you say you wouldn't have paid $10,000 for that ticket, do you mean you wouldn't have bought it, or that you would have gotten a lower price? I'm not sure I understand what you're really saying. If you would have paid less, then you didn't really get a $10,000 ticket, and if you're saying you wouldn't have bought it in the first place, then why would you have used points? I know I wouldn't be using points for it in the first place if it's a ticket I didn't want to buy. What exactly are you talking about? Yeah, when I look up the price for a flight - the sticker price - that is what I would pay. When I fly somewhere, I look for the flights (routing and airlines) and seats I want, not just the cheapest way to get from A to B. Price is not the primary way I choose my air transportation.

I would not have flown to two cities in Europe in business class from the small city I originated in if it would have cost me $10K cash. Yes, I would have taken the trip. But maybe a combination of things like drive a couple of hours to a different airport to start, maybe just visiting two cities not three, maybe taking some of the European legs in coach, not business or even use a European LCC (perish the thought!). There are lots of ways to reduce the cost when paying cash. Since I pay for all my travels, I know I could never afford a $10K ticket. Period. So I don't use the $10K sticker price to inflate the value of my miles.

Regardless of whether it's comparable between others on the flight, it's an individual standard that serves as a comparison between how I use it. In other words, it might not be actually worth 8 cents, for instance (it isn't), but it is worth more when I use it that way than if I used it for a cheaper ticket.

I would love to see your itineraries for how you get 8 or 9 cents/point and have you say with a straight face that you would have paid that much for the flight if you never had a single mile to your name. That is usually extremely hard to do. But it sounds like you confirmed what I was saying all along when you said "it isn't" (i.e. "actually worth 8 cents, for instance").

Assuming you have a car ... visit the Wildlife Conservation Center, Potters Marsh, Portage Lake Visitor Center, if salmon are spawning go to the viewing platforms at Williwaw, pan for gold.

And just those activities will require spending more than one night :)

My goal is at least over 6 cents a point, and ideally 8 or 9 cents a point.

The problem with that is you are using an inflated "feel good" or "sticker" price for that calculation - a price that you would otherwise never pay. I have booked business class tickets to Europe that would have cost over $10K if I had paid cash. I used 100K miles. Did I really get 10 cents a mile for those miles? No, not really, because I know I would never have paid that much for the ticket. Sure it feels great to say I got 10 cpm, but in reality I would never have paid even half of that. I know some people disagree with me on the valuation (especially those who like the 'feel good' feeling and perhaps even boasting about how much their miles are worth). So be it for them.

Some of the elite flyers with certain airlines were granted Pre-Check during beta testing. They felt it was an entitlement to just them as elites. Then, you could "buy" your way into Pre-Check with the Global Entry program ($100 for 5 years of Pre-Check lottery eligibility AND fast immigration & customs re-entry via kiosks) and a newer $85 program. The lines got bigger and the elites felt their privilege was being degraded. NOW, TSA has added the random selection of "kettles" to the mix and the elites are howling that they have to mix with the unwashed masses instead of breezing through the line in 5 minutes :rolleyes:

Wow, what an incredibly accurate description. Check out some threads on Flyer Talk to confirm exactly what you said :)

What are your interests? When would you arrive and when would you depart? Spending just 1 night anywhere means you really are not spending much time at that place, since you are traveling both days. There is a ton to do in the Girdwood/Portage Valley area depending on your interests. You could easily spend 2-3 nights in that area and not run out of things to do.

Look at Pack Creek out of Juneau.

Start of peak season for Pack Creek is even later than Anan. I would not advise it.

The Access Center does have a limited selection of food to purchase along with drinks, which may be more convenient.

True, but very limited. I guess if they are going to wait until they get to Denali to get food, I would go to the Morino Grill and get something instead - they have pre-packaged sandwiches as well as a much greater selection than the WAC. And it is just a few steps from the train station very close to the bus stop for the bus that goes to the WAC.

Glacier Bay is a national park for a reason. Enough said?

We tend to let price determine if we will use miles or points. For example, if a hotel is under $200 to $300 per night we usually won't use points. Same with airfare, if it's under a certain amount, we won't use mileage points.

If I found an IHG Points Break hotel for 5K points vs paying $200-$300 for the same hotel, you can bet I would for sure use points for that stay. As was said by others, the key is the value, not the outright cost.

I use a personal benchmark of 2c per mile in redeemed value. In other words, if it takes 25,000 miles for a ticket that costs less than $500, I'll keep the miles and just earn more on the flight.

 

Redeeming 100,000 miles for a business class round trip to Europe (which from the west coast typically runs in the $3000 - $4000 range if bought) is my current preference. That and Cathay Pacific in first class from Vancouver to JFK for 32,500 AA miles each way. OMG.

I generally agree with your valuation but only if one uses a "realistic" cost of purchasing the flight with cash. Just because an airline asks $10K for some international first class ticket and I am using 100K miles for the trip, it doesn't mean I am really getting 10 cpm value, since I would never pay $10K for that trip.

One other factor to remember. Hotels and car rentals can often be obtained for significant discounts through alternative channels, both opaque and transparent. So do your "exchange rate" calculations in comparison to real world pricing rather than rack rate.

Exactly - and that pertains to airline tickets as well, like I mentioned above. "What would I be willing to pay for that international premium class ticket to Asia" (regardless of what the airline's asking price is) vs "Wow, I got 25 cpm value out of those miles." It sure feels good to say the latter, but in reality it is not true. I recently booked a business class ticket to Europe using miles (multiple cities). The "retail" price that the airline would have asked was over $11K. I used 100K miles. I know I would never have paid $11K for that ticket, but I still know I got very good value from my miles even though it really wasn't 11 cpm.

If it were me, I would get as far into the park as possible. The train arrives at noon, so you walk or take the free bus to the WAC. There should be an Eielson shuttle bus departing at 1pm and 2pm and probably a Toklat shuttle at 3pm. I would aim for the 1pm Eielson shuttle (gets back at 9pm). Be sure to pack food and drink from Fairbanks with you in your carry on for Denali. Send all your luggage to the hotel so you only have your day pack with you (food, water, camera, binoculars, rain gear, etc). Then as mapleleaves said, ask bus mates about bringing you back to the hotel afterward. Most likely someone is going that direction anyway and has room in their car.

You will need to book the shuttle in advance and have your plan in advance so you don't dilly dally once you get off the train. You will easily make the 1pm bus, even if the train is 1/2 hour late. If you happen to miss the 1pm shuttle, chances are good you will get on the 2pm anyway - generally the later shuttle buses are not sold out.

Two nights in Fairbanks and only one night in Denali. Very warped priorities for the cruise line, but I guess not - their objective is to make money and they make a lot more money booking tours in Fairbanks than booking a tour in Denali.

I am open to doing something in Seward, but I would still like to get to the ship by about 5pm. Once we get off the train, what do you do with your luggage? Is there a way to get it to the pier while we're doing an excursion? Also keep in mind, we are traveling with my 81 year old grandmother. She may not be able to do anything that requires a lot of walking after several busy days of travel. I would be interested in the Kenai tour, but probably not 6 hours (because we will not arrive until 11am). Are there different options/lengths of tours?

If you take the train, the luggage for on board should be taken from you when you check in and you won't see it again until you are on board the ship.

There is lots to do in Seward - Exit Glacier (taxi is probably the best way to get there in your situation), Sealife Center, Seavey's Iditaride and more.

There is a shorter bay tour (4-5 hours) but you don't get out into the ocean to see the glacier and you don't see as much wildlife. The bay tour takes a different route than the 6 hour and longer Kenai Fjords tours. The shorter tour visits bird rookeries and sees wildlife closer to the shoreline. It is definitely not as extensive as the longer tours, but is definitely an option.

Where is this "West Glacier?"

It is not the "west glacier" but the "west glacier trail" - the trail on the western side of Mendenhall Glacier vs. the trails on the eastern side of Mendenhall Glacier, which is where most people go and where the visitor center, etc. are.

In my opinion, sorry, absolutely not the place to cut the time. I'm certain, you have 5 hours in port don't you? With 12:30pm departures, the ships are usually in 6:30a, which is more than enough time for the full tour. This is NOT the place to skimp on time.

I totally agree. Even with five hours, it is hard to justify the cost, not to mention you are going in "off-peak" period. If the rangers thought there were going to be a lot of bears there, don't you think they would be charging for permits by July 3???

It still won't prevent people from trying to drive like madmen throughout Alaska to "see everything." Drive from Seward to Denali in one day? Even with multiple construction zones? Sure, why not :D