Alaska Airlines launches annual PFD sale for Alaska residents

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines has announced its annual Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) sale, offering bargains for travel within, or to and from, the 49th state exclusively for Alaska residents.

The start of Alaska's (NYSE:ALK) PFD sale comes less than two weeks before the state mails the first round of PFD checks for 2017’s $1,100 dividend to qualified residents on Oct. 5.

The Alaska Permanent Fund was established by a constitutional amendment in 1976, as the Alaska pipeline construction neared completion. The amendment directs that "At least 25 percent of all mineral lease rentals, royalties, royalty sales proceeds, federal mineral revenue-sharing payments and bonuses received by the state be placed in a permanent fund, the principal of which may only be used for income-producing investments."

Alaska flight departs SEA
The income is distributed to qualified residents annually and represents an important source of income for some Alaskans, particularly those in rural Alaska, according to the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation’s website.

This year's amount is up slightly from last year's disbursement $1,022 but of only about half of 2015's disbursement of $2,072.

Alaska is offering one-way fares from $69 for travel between Fairbanks (FAI) and Anchorage (ANC), $129 between either ANC and Portland (PDX), $139 between FAI and Las Vegas (LAS), $189 between Juneau (JNU) and Austin, Texas (AUS), $199 between ANC and Honolulu (HNL) and $249 between Sitka (SIT) and New York (JFK). Tickets must be booked by Oct. 12 for travel from Oct. 14 to May 17, 2017. Other restrictions, including days of the week, may apply.

Alaska residents can save even more by joining the Club 49 program, the airline said in announcing the fare sale. Perks include free checked bags, Travel Now discounts and weekly fare sales.

Last year, Alaskans saved more than $20m by utilizing their Club 49 benefits. The program was started in 2011 as a way to honor Alaska Airlines’ history in the state and to help meet residents’ travel needs. Club 49 is only available to Alaska residents and requires enrollment in Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™. For more information about Club 49 visit www.alaskaair.com/Club49 or www.facebook.com/AlaskaAirClub49.

Customers may also combine sale fares to save on Alaska Airlines Vacations packages, which include air transportation, hotel accommodations, optional ground transportation and tours. Additional restrictions and fare rules apply. Visit www.alaskaair.com or call 1-800-ALASKAAIR (800) 252-7522 for additional details.

Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.



Photo by Carl Dombek
Click on photo to view larger image 

Comments