Dreaming of an adventure to the great state of Alaska?

Get a jump on the planning and consider purchasing tickets now for trips you plan to take through Sept. 11, 2013.

A United Airlines exclusive rate of $458.50 to Anchorage is a bargain compared to the competition’s lowest peak travel rate of $600.

To qualify, give at least a two-week or more advance notice of travel. Trips at this low rate can be taken on any day of the week (based on sale seat availability). Stay at least three nights when departing Sundays-Wednesdays.

A unique feature of this sale is that United permits stopovers in Denver either to or from Anchorage at an additional $56 per stop. A stopover is considered four or more hours in Denver.

Another bonus? This sale rate has no blackout dates. However, one downside of the sale is a lack of a ticket-by date. This indicates that this rate may vanish before the day is over.

Sale airfares are always subject to change. Every seat on every flight is not offered at the lowest rate. Since only a limited supply of seats is available, act quickly to make your purchase.

I recommend starting the search for available seats at Kayak.com vs. calling an airline directly. You can also search for the sale at travel websites such as Expedia or Travelocity, etc.

Airlines can discontinue or pull a sale price without notice when the offer does not have a “ticket-by” date or when the offer is deemed “sold out.”

Compliment your wise buy with the purchase of an Alaksa TourSaver booklet.

The booklet costs $99.95 and includes over 130 2-for-1 offers on Inside Passage, Fjord and Glacier cruises; rail, land and flightseeing tours, accommodations in Denali National Park and at Mt. McKinley to fishing excursions and more.

The TourSavor pocket-sized coupon book has a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Check it out at www.toursaver.com .

— Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.