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Wide-ranging Alaska deal alert: Round-trip flights under $200

Sept. 21, 2021
5 min read
Wide-ranging Alaska deal alert: Round-trip flights under $200
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Airlines are showing love for the 49th U.S. state, with some of the best deals we've seen in 2021 for flights to Alaska. Flights departing from various U.S. cities to both Fairbanks and Anchorage are going for as low as $163 ... and did we mention that's nonstop?

Today's deal comes from Scott's Cheap Flights' Premium service, which let us know that flights to Alaska typically start at $850 if departing from the East Coast and at $550 for our friends out west, which makes today's deal — largely featuring fares under $400 — even sweeter. You're welcome in advance.

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The view from the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Airline: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta and United.
Routes: ORD/MCO/MSP/EWR/BOI/SEA/IAH/PHX/DCA/PDX/BNA and others to FAI/ANC.
Cost: Starting at $161 round-trip for select routes.
Dates: Book for travel from October-December, excluding Thanksgiving.
Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5x on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3x on air travel, the American Express® Gold Card for 3x on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2x on travel.

The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You could depart from 100 cities collectively to either Anchorage (ANC) or Fairbanks (FAI), including the below round-trip routes:

  • Seattle (SEA) to Fairbanks, starting at $163 for a nonstop flight.
  • Kansas City, Missouri (MCI), to Anchorage, starting at $161.
  • Boise (BOI) to Fairbanks, starting at $171.
  • New York (JFK) to Fairbanks, starting at $179.
  • Phoenix (PHX) to Fairbanks, starting at $180.
  • Chicago (ORD) to Anchorage, starting at $191.
  • Orlando (MCO) to Anchorage, starting at $199.
  • Philadelphia (PHL) to Anchorage, starting at $199.
  • Newark (EWR) to Fairbanks, starting at $234.
  • Minneapolis (MSP) to Anchorage, starting at $276 for a nonstop flight.

Although Scott's Cheap Flights says this deal reaches across multiple airlines, I found Alaska had the majority of the lowest fares in my test search.

You could catch a flight as soon as next week. For folks from Seattle, congrats, as you are about to enjoy the cheapest fares: just $169 for a round-trip, nonstop flight to Fairbanks, departing in two weeks on Alaska's home airline, Alaska Airlines. The below flight is almost half its normal price.

Related: Alaska makes it easier to requalify for elite status, announces 100K status tier qualification

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(Screenshot courtesy of Google)

This is for Alaska's saver fare, which does not include your choice of seat or the ability to change your ticket for free. (Note that the airline has waived change fees for all other ticket types). If you'd like a bit more flexibility, you could upgrade to the main cabin for $59, although you'll still have to pay to check a bag. Carry-on bags are free in each class.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google)

While cross-country flights are generally going to be more expensive, you can get a round-trip flight from New York to Fairbanks for less than $200 with just a 1 1/2-hour layover each way.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google)

Turning our attention to Anchorage, you'll find one of the best routes in the deal is for those flying out of Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) for under $300 on — you guessed it — Alaska Airlines.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google)

I did find a decent round-trip flight for less than $400 on Delta, from Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C., to Anchorage.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google)

As is the case with the Alaska Airlines flights, this is for Delta's lowest fare, basic economy, which includes one complimentary carry-on sans seat selection, but does allow you to change your flight for free, while paying any difference in fares.

Read more: Alaska announces MVP Gold 100K benefits — and you might be disappointed

(Screenshot courtesy of Google)

Should you find another flight in this deal on United, note that their economy fare does not include a carry-on bag, so factor in an extra $25. Airlines generally charge around $40 each way to upgrade to regular economy, in addition to $30-$35 each way to check a bag.

While this is not an Alaska Airlines-specific deal, the low-cost flights are just one of several deals we've seen on the airline lately, which announced an extension of their "fast track to status" promotion earlier this week, in addition to making it easier to requalify for elite status and their upcoming MVP Gold 100K status tier.

Fox Island, Alaska, in June 2021. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Read more: Why changes at Alaska Airlines have me switching my flying and credit card spending

Featured image by (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees