Alaska Airlines Debuts New Club 49 Benefits Program Exclusively for Alaska State Residents

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Alaska Airlines announced a new program today exclusively for residents of the state of Alaska. Club 49™ offers Alaska residents special perks, including free checked baggage, last-minute travel discounts and exclusive emails featuring weekly fare sales.

"Alaska Airlines’ success would not be possible without the loyal support of residents in the state whose name we proudly fly on our aircraft," President Brad Tilden said. "Club 49 is our way of making air travel more affordable and saying ‘thank you’ to Alaskans."

Club 49 benefits are available to all Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members who are Alaska state residents. Residents can join the complimentary program by visiting www.alaskaair.com/club49.

Exclusive Club 49 member benefits include:

1. Two free checked bags. Club 49 members traveling to or from the state of Alaska entirely on Alaska Airlines flights can check two bags at no cost, starting Nov. 1. This represents an $80 savings each way for a family of four checking one bag each. Customers traveling solely within the state of Alaska can continue to check three bags at no cost.
2. Two one-way "Travel Now" discounts. Every year, Club 49 members will receive two one-way certificates valid for 30 percent off full flex Y base fares. The discounts can be used to purchase tickets on Alaska Airlines flights within four days before the day of departure for destinations to, from or within Alaska.
3. Weekly fare sales. Club 49 members will receive exclusive weekly emails featuring new deals on flights within Alaska and to destinations Outside.

Club 49 benefits will begin Nov. 1 for residents who are enrolled in the program on or before Oct. 31, 2011. Residents who apply after Nov. 1 will be eligible for benefits immediately upon successful enrollment. For complete Club 49 terms and conditions, visit www.alaskaair.com/club49.

The weekly fare sales and "Travel Now" certificates are intended to bring down the cost of air travel to help support the unique needs of Alaska state residents, Tilden said.

To kick off Club 49, Alaska Airlines launched a four-day sale today with one-way fares starting as low as $99*.

Tickets must be purchased by Oct. 21 for nonstop travel between Nov. 1 and Dec. 10, 2011.

In addition to the Club 49 website at www.alaskaair.com/club49, Alaska Airlines has launched a new Facebook page to keep members informed of community events, specials and news about the program. To learn more or "like" Club 49, visit www.alaskaair.com/club49.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

*Terms and conditions for fare sale: Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or all days. Fares are available for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Tickets require a 14-day advance purchase and all travel must be nonstop. A ticket purchased at an Alaska Airlines airport location or through a reservation call center will cost $15 more per person than the advertised fare. Tickets are nonrefundable. Travelers are responsible for the following taxes and fees: Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 (amount depends on itinerary), U.S. Federal Segment Tax of $3.70 per segment (takeoff and landing), Sept. 11 Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement and U.S. government excise tax of $8.20 for travel to/from Alaska. All fares, taxes and fees shown are based on one-way travel and may be doubled if traveling round trip. All fares, taxes and fees are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply. A $20 baggage fee will apply for each of the first three checked bags. Club 49 members will be allowed to check two bags at no charge. Additional fees apply to check more than two bags and for overweight or oversized items. For travel solely within the state of Alaska, customers may check up to three bags free of charge. See checked baggage policy at www.alaskaair.com for more details. Other restrictions — such as fare rules, blackout dates, schedule availability, change fees and advance purchase requirements — may apply. See www.alaskaair.com or call Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-252-7522 for more information.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines