Alaska flights from $279 O/W

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For ajc.com

If you're planning that trip of a lifetime to Alaska, take advantage now of some special airfare rates valid on trips taken through Aug. 26, 2010!

Through Nov. 2, buy one-way rates of $279 to Juneau; $299 Anchorage and $349 to Fairbanks.

Trips require a 10-day advance purchase notice. Rates are $20 higher for travel on Fridays and Sundays. Factor in an average of $22 for additional taxes, fees, surcharges.

Service to Fairbanks and Juneau is valid with code-sharing Alaska Airlines/Delta with one plane change required in Seattle (service is Delta nonstop to Seattle; nonstop on Alaska onward). One free stopover is permitted. A stopover is considered four or more hours. This option must be determined at the time of ticket booking. Hotel and other expenses not included.

Other carriers serve Anchorage with intermediate stops with one plane change.

Blackout dates vary as follows:

Alaska/Delta: Jan. 1-7; March 11-16 to Alaska; Dec. 16-23; March 4-9 from Alaska.

Continental Airlines (participates in sale to Anchorage only): None.

Frontier: Nov. 24, 25, 28-30; Dec. 27-29, 31; Jan. 2, 3; Feb. 11, 12, 15; March 12-14, 19-21, 26-28.

Northwest Airlines: Nov. 20, 25, 28-30; Jan. 1-7; March 11-16 to Alaska; Nov. 20, 21, 25, 28-30; Dec. 16-23 from Alaska.

When you're Alaska-bound for a land journey, don't leave home without a couple of travel aids.

The Great Alaskan TourSaver book, priced at $99.95, offers exclusive travel discounts on Alaska's top attractions. Everything in the book is buy-one-get-one free. Cruise boats, railroads, attractions, flightseeing, whale-watching, hotels, car rentals and cultural trips are all 2-for-1. If you don't love the TourSaver, once you receive it, there is a 7-day money-back guarantee.

And if you're hitting the long, open roads, get yourself the essential Milepost, a must-have mile-by-mile guide to the highways, roads, ferries, lodgings, recreation (you don't want to miss the Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival, do you?), sightseeing attractions and services along the Alaska Highway and most secondary roads.

The purchase of the book comes with a free digital edition (register and join the VIP Traveler's club and enter an access code from the guide to use the digital version which features videos, slideshows, and audio). Retail price is $29.95.