Win a chance for a luxury, all-inclusive vacation at a Sandals resort in the Caribbean.
The spectacular night sky in Hawaii is punctuated by a tiki torch.
For avid birders Hanalei offers a range of waterbirds to view.
Sweepstakes to paradise
Win a four-day, three-night luxury all-inclusive vacation at the Sandals resort of your choice. Airfare is not included.
Sandals operates resorts in the Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent.
Go to https://www.sandals.com/sweepstakes/ to enter.
Alaska-Hawaiian airlines merger goes through
There are so many questions about how this merger will affect the Alaskan traveler and their Alaska Airlines benefits.
The good news is your mileage will carry over to Hawaiian Airlines. However if you use Alaska miles on a partner airline keep in mind you use more miles and earn less.
For Club 49 members, your two free bags benefit will stay as both airlines are operating as individual airlines until the both become a single airline.
For those living in Hawaii, there's a new membership similar to Club 49.
Called Huaka'i in Hawaiian, meaning voyage, it will include unique discounts and benefits exclusively for Hawai'i residents. Huaka'i members will enjoy exclusive benefits when traveling interisland, including 10 percent off one booking per quarter and a free checked bag. Huaka'i members who are Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard cardmembers will receive even more, with 20 percent off one interisland booking per quarter and their existing credit card benefit of two free checked bags. Plus, members will receive access to exclusive, network-wide deals each month. Hawai'i residents will receive an email with a link to sign up for a free membership.
Alaska currently flies every day from Anchorage to Honolulu. Non-stop flights, three times a week, from Anchorage to Kona start Nov. 23 and after Jan. 1, there's a flight a day until Feb. 13. Anchorage to Maui flights are every Saturday, from Nov. 23 to Jan. 4, but after Jan. 4, four flights a week are scheduled.
An Alaska news release notes its ultimate goal is to make sure all Alaska and Hawaiian flights are available to book on both airlines' websites. That would include booking both airlines on a single ticket, which would allow passengers to change from one flight on one airline to another flight on another airline without having to gather their bags or check-in again.
For Alaska, Honolulu will become the second-largest hub after Seattle.
My experience traveling with family in Hawai'i is Hawaiians are very family oriented and respond warmly. When I traveled with my elderly mother, they were so kind to her.
AARP has its rewards
If you like to travel, consider joining AARP. Take a look at the travel packages it offers to discover how much you can save.
When you book your vacation package with the AARP Travel Center, you have access to exclusive AARP member savings on top of some great rates. From an all-inclusive resort in Honolulu to exploring Miami and some of the most exciting cities in the U.S., the AARP Travel Center offers an extensive selection of AARP vacation packages, including flights, accommodations and car rentals.
Membership is a paltry $16 a year, but there are sales, like in mid-October when it was $12 for the first year.
Check out the savings at https://www.aarp.org.
