By Rob Stapleton
Alaska Journal of Commerce

One hallmark of the annual issuance of Alaska Permanent Fund dividends is the offer of cheap travel from providers looking to cash in on the influx of cash into nearly every Alaskan's pocket. Whether it's a break from the cold in Hawaii or getting a discount on tickets to the Lower 48, there are deals waiting for buyers who purchase during October and early November.

International Travel Consultants is using Northwest Airlines for a PFD offer called the Aloha Express.

The Aloha Express offers several choice of flights to and from the islands, from Dec. 20 through April 28 with service to Honolulu and Maui, and to Kona from Feb. 18 through April 8.

Prices from Anchorage are $1,148 for two tickets on the Aloha Express, and $1,448 from Fairbanks. To upgrade to first class in a Boeing 757, the price remains the same, but only buys you one ticket.

"This is an exceptional value," said ITC president Yoshi Ogawa. "You get different island destinations direct on Northwest, mileage points, and the departure time is 4 p.m. from Alaska."

ITC can also offer packages that include rental car, lodging and other amenities along with the PFD special.

The ITC special on PFDs starts on Oct. 1 and lasts through Oct. 31, when bookings must be complete.

Hawaiian Vacations is also offering PFD specials starting Oct. 1 through early November.

Starting at $675 per person round-trip to Honolulu, Hawaiian Vacation offers a lei greeting, rental car and six nights at the MirMar Hotel with a partial ocean view. Hawaiian Vacations also offers seven-, 10-, 11- and 13-day packages that include transfers to Maui or the big island. Travel must be booked during the PFD special time period, but travel may be used on the PFD specials to Hawaii through March.

Alaska Airlines is also offering reduced fares and vacation packages as its PFD special.

PFD specials can save up to 25 percent on airfare and 10 percent on complete vacation packages.

The airline's PFD sale includes savings of up to 25 percent for most in-state travel to or from Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. Alaska Airlines' sale offers additional savings on select routes between many points throughout the state to the Lower 48 states, Canada and Mexico. PFD recipients can also take advantage of 10 percent savings on complete vacation packages from Alaska Airlines Vacations.

To take advantage of the Alaska Airlines PFD airfare sale, tickets must be purchased by Nov. 2, 2006, and travel must be completed by Sept. 6, 2007. PFD fares are valid on one-way and round-trip travel with no maximum-stay requirements, no blackout dates, and no extra costs for peak-day or seasonal travel.

Official at Frontier Flying Service Inc. said this year they will not offer PFD specials. Era Aviation reservations customer service agents did not know when, or if, Era would offer a PFD special.

Rob Stapleton can be reached at rob.stapleton@alaskajournal.com.