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How to maximize your Alaska Airlines companion fare

Among the most popular benefits of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card is the annual companion fare. This is a discounted fare from $121 ($99 plus taxes and fees from $22) that can be used on just about any Alaska Airlines or Virgin America itinerary. Cardholders also enjoy a free checked bag for themselves and up to six other passengers (so a total of seven) in their reservation, triple miles on Alaska purchases, and one mile for every dollar spent on everyday purchases.

There are many ways to maximize the value of the companion fare and potentially save hundreds of dollars on air travel each year.
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CEOs of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines fly 1929 plane that has historical ties to both companies

Two aviation geeks met up last week to fly an old plane.

That usually wouldn’t be noteworthy, except the pilots just happened to be Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden and Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark Dunkerley.

And this exact aircraft – a 1929 Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker, tail number NC251M – has historical ties to both airlines.

Nearly 90 years ago, this was the first aircraft in Hawaiian’s fleet. A few years after that, the plane was brought to the state of Alaska and served in the fleet that would become Alaska Airlines.

It’s a special connection between two pioneering airlines named for states that are uniquely reliant on air travel. And it made for a fun flight for a couple of guys who are crazy about airplanes.

“This was the first airplane that Hawaiian carried customers in, and one of the first airplanes that Alaska carried customers in,” Tilden said. “I could not have been more honored to fly the airplane alongside Mark.”

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With $100,000 donation, Alaska Airlines supports 10 Hawaii nonprofits

To celebrate 10 years of flying to the Islands, Alaska Airlines has given $100,000 to 10 nonprofits in Hawaii – $10,000 each.

“Hawaii has a special relationship with Alaska Airlines. During the Great Recession, the airline provided a U.S. West Coast connection and a much-needed boost to our economy,” said Hawaii Gov. David Ige. “Ten years later, it’s the number one carrier from that market, and its passengers contribute over $2 billion to the state’s economy each year. But the bond goes beyond the economic impact. Alaska Airlines is part of our ohana and our shared values. We look forward to a long and productive future together.”

The Alaska Airlines Foundation provided the $10,000 grants to the 10 organizations during a community reception Monday at The Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki. See the list of nonprofits below.

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The magic of mezcal: 7 cocktails to try in Mexico City

Ah, mezcal – tequila’s smoky sister.

Mezcal is derived from various types of agave and is known for its smoky flavor. It’s just something you must drink when you visit Mexico City.

You’ll find extensive mezcal collections and incredible mezcal cocktails throughout the bars here, and I enjoyed drinking my way through as many of them as I could on a recent visit. You dont want to miss these mezcal cocktails when you’re in Mexico City!

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Travel Alert: Winter weather expected to impact some flights in Seattle on Sunday

Wintry weather is expected to continue with forecasts showing snow beginning early Sunday morning and continuing through midday.

In anticipation of this weather event, Alaska Airlines has canceled 25 flights in and out of Seattle between 6 a.m. and noon Sunday, Nov. 5.

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With Black Friday and Cyber Monday flight deals, flyers want to escape somewhere warm, alone

Cheers to being a savvy flight shopper.

After a long weekend traditionally spent with family, people are ready to escape by the time Black Friday and Cyber Monday roll around.

Starting Nov. 24, check alaskaair.com for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and score our best deals of the year on flights.

Based on last year’s stats from alaskaair.com, we found that the majority of Cyber Monday shoppers are looking to book travel to a warm destination — without anybody else.

Here’s what we learned:

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Bike here, fly there: Earn Alaska Airlines miles when you ride Ford GoBike in the Bay Area

Now you can earn Alaska Airlines miles for riding a bike.

In the Ford GoBike app, link your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account to start earning miles.

Alaska announced this morning that we’ve partnered with Ford GoBike, a bike share program in California’s Bay Area. The Miles-for-Miles program gives riders 10 Alaska Airlines miles every time they take a spin on a Ford GoBike.

“As part of creating an airline people love, we’re dedicated to providing affordable, sustainable and convenient travel options,” said Diana Birkett Rakow, Alaska’s vice president of external relations.

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Weekend Wanderer: San Jose to Orange County (and Disneyland!)

As a mother of three living in San Francisco, it’s safe to say that Liz Stanley has a very busy lifestyle! From traveling the world, running the popular Say Yes blog, and trying new recipes, Liz captures the essence of family life in her photos. She just returned from an Instagram takeover in Orange County as part of Alaska’s Weekend Wanderer series. For more Weekend Wanderer posts, be sure to follow Alaska Airlines on Instagram.

6 tips for a perfect family trip to Disneyland

By Liz Stanley of SayYes.com

Surprise trips are some of my very favorites. It’s a tradition my family did growing up. They called them Mystery Rides and we’d all pile in the car with no clue where we were headed. Sometimes it was a movie or an amusement park, and sometimes it was something more exciting like a trip to see our cousins in New Jersey. We loved them!

Last weekend we took our three kids (ages 9, 3, and 1) on a huge surprise trip to Disneyland and Orange County.

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A winning team: Alaska and Virgin America take home top awards in 2017

Condé Nast Traveler named Virgin America “Best U.S. Airline” in their 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards for the 10th year in a row this morning. Alaska Airlines took the third spot. Virgin America has taken the top spot in the poll every year since the airline began flying.

“This is a celebration of the Best in the World and you are part of it,” the Condé Nast Traveler Team said in the official announcement.

The award is especially significant because it’s based on ratings from more than 300,000 readers. Tens of thousands of readers also submit both positive and negative comments about their recent travel experiences of the world’s cities, islands, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines and airports.

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The end of an era: Alaska retires unique cargo-passenger ‘combi’ planes

After a weeklong fishing trip in Yakutat, Alaska, retired Captain David Olson found himself on one of the last flights of the 737-400 combis – a plane he piloted for two years straight when he first started flying for Alaska Airlines nearly 36 years ago.

The unique cargo-passenger aircraft will officially retire Oct. 18.

“It’s truly nostalgic,” he said aboard Flight 66. “They’ve been around a long time and brought me some great memories, especially fishing holes.”

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Alaska supports wildfire relief efforts in Northern California

Alaska Airlines has partnered with the Salvation Army, donating $50,000 to assist Northern California wildfire victims.

Since Sunday, wildfires burning in Northern California have devastated the area, destroying thousands of homes and businesses. The Salvation Army has set up on-the-ground emergency disaster recovery centers throughout affected areas to provide shelter and meal services.

“Our hearts are with our community, and Alaska Air Group employees and their families in the North Bay, during this devastating time,” said Annabel Chang, Alaska Airlines’ Bay Area vice president. “We hope our partnership with the Salvation Army will bring much-needed relief to those affected by the wildfires.”

Alaska Airlines has provided service to Charles M. Schultz-Sonoma County Airport for 10 years. Flights to Sonoma County were suspended earlier this week. Although some flight service has resumed, guests should visit alaskaair.com to check the status of their flight.

If you would like to contribute to the Salvation Army’s Northern California wildfire relief efforts, please click here.

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