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There's No Place Like Nome DO: Ode to the Alaskan Midnight Sun (June 21-24, 2012)
#91
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: AA EXP "Life is good! Really good.""
Posts: 4,923
#93
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC (DCA)
Programs: UA, AA, AS, SPG.
Posts: 3,463
I just visited Nome yesterday. Honestly the surrounding scenery is stunning and I really enjoyed Nome. I'm going to try to go back up for the Iditarod this year. I'll post a link to some photos here once I get them up. I'd be happy to offer some suggestions I received from a friend who is a Nome local prior to my trip.
Also, regarding cell service. Both Verizon and ATT have 1X data coverage downtown. Out in the tundra don't expect anything. In fact locals spending time out in the tundra ask passers by on the road to convey messages to people in town.
Also, regarding cell service. Both Verizon and ATT have 1X data coverage downtown. Out in the tundra don't expect anything. In fact locals spending time out in the tundra ask passers by on the road to convey messages to people in town.
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,185
Given the price of food and booze in rural Alaska, any gold we find will just go towards offsetting the cost of keeping our stomachs full. Even if we strike the mother lode, we may still come out in the red...
#96
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, recovering former United 1k
Posts: 159
Please put two people down as a maybe. I work for the "gold company" in town and am frequently in town. I could be compelled to give a quickie historical tour (at least from the gold side) of Nome.
Big word of warning though, summer is birder season and between them, the construction workers of the new hospital, and the softball tournament the Aurora Inn will be sold out well in advance. Make your reservations now! An alternative is the Nugget, which some romantic types may characterize as "rustic", I am not as complimentary but it is directly downtown, clean, and often has rooms when the Aurora is full. With the exception of a couple of B&B's in town, accommodations drop of precipitously after that.
Big word of warning though, summer is birder season and between them, the construction workers of the new hospital, and the softball tournament the Aurora Inn will be sold out well in advance. Make your reservations now! An alternative is the Nugget, which some romantic types may characterize as "rustic", I am not as complimentary but it is directly downtown, clean, and often has rooms when the Aurora is full. With the exception of a couple of B&B's in town, accommodations drop of precipitously after that.
#97
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Hell's Kitchen, NYC
Programs: NW Plat, Hilton, Avis
Posts: 659
Please add me to the "Interested" list. I'm VERY LIKELY to attend.
I've always wanted to see the Midnight Baseball, but each year June surprised me by coming so soon after May. This year I'll plan ahead.
I've always wanted to see the Midnight Baseball, but each year June surprised me by coming so soon after May. This year I'll plan ahead.
#98
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,235
Glad to see you will be joining us.
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,558
Looks like an awesome DO! Please put me as interested. I'll know my schedule in the next couple of months. ^
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,185
Great news!
I was able to negotiate a group fare for the trip to Nome.
As of now, the lowest discount fare on FAI-ANC-OME-ANC is $557.00 (plus tax). The Alaska Airlines group desk was able to get us a group fare of $481.95 (plus tax).
I'll post full details later once I receive the contract from AS, but basically, I'll need to provide the final list of names to AS and make payment to them no later than February. It'll be a prepaid thing, so I'll need to collect payment in advance from those interested in taking advantage of this deal. There is a cap of 47 people on this group rate, but I don't think that'll be an issue for us. Of course, if demand for our event explodes any more than what's been indicated so far, we may have to scrap the group discount and just charter a plane.
Also, I was able to set up a "meeting" discount through AS. Anyone flying up to Anchorage for our event between June 16 and June 30 can get 5% off with a discount code. I'll post the details on that once I receive the final documentation from AS.
I'll post details both here and back in the opening posts of this thread when I have the details.
I was able to negotiate a group fare for the trip to Nome.
As of now, the lowest discount fare on FAI-ANC-OME-ANC is $557.00 (plus tax). The Alaska Airlines group desk was able to get us a group fare of $481.95 (plus tax).
I'll post full details later once I receive the contract from AS, but basically, I'll need to provide the final list of names to AS and make payment to them no later than February. It'll be a prepaid thing, so I'll need to collect payment in advance from those interested in taking advantage of this deal. There is a cap of 47 people on this group rate, but I don't think that'll be an issue for us. Of course, if demand for our event explodes any more than what's been indicated so far, we may have to scrap the group discount and just charter a plane.
Also, I was able to set up a "meeting" discount through AS. Anyone flying up to Anchorage for our event between June 16 and June 30 can get 5% off with a discount code. I'll post the details on that once I receive the final documentation from AS.
I'll post details both here and back in the opening posts of this thread when I have the details.
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,185
sbm12 put it nicely to me this afternoon: "Alaska's Combis show the airline's priorities. You may have paid $800 for your seat, but the cargo paid more. It's up front, riding in First Class."
My ticket is already booked. I'm sitting up in Row 16. With unlimited legroom, it might very well be better than F.
#104
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: PDX/AUS
Programs: AA-UA-AS IHG-SPG-Carlson
Posts: 4,562
Welcome to rural Alaska.
sbm12 put it nicely to me this afternoon: "Alaska's Combis show the airline's priorities. You may have paid $800 for your seat, but the cargo paid more. It's up front, riding in First Class."
My ticket is already booked. I'm sitting up in Row 16. With unlimited legroom, it might very well be better than F.
sbm12 put it nicely to me this afternoon: "Alaska's Combis show the airline's priorities. You may have paid $800 for your seat, but the cargo paid more. It's up front, riding in First Class."
My ticket is already booked. I'm sitting up in Row 16. With unlimited legroom, it might very well be better than F.
Oh... maybe not... that row is reserved for elites...
I too will wan't to use points in ANC.
Looks like no SPG C+P, but 7K points will have to do.
So Jun 21-22 and 24-25 booked at Sheraton.
... the OME Aurora looks like $150++,
are the other dubious choices much cheaper ?
TripAdvisor makes them sound "interesting".
Can't seem to bring up rates online, no surprise !!:-:
Last edited by MrHalliday; Sep 10, 2011 at 8:25 pm
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,185
Oh, nevermind--you're not joining us for the FAI portion. But my comment still stands for others.
I called the Aurora to ask about a [discounted] room block (and rental vans) on Thursday, and the front desk agent told me that group deals are typically handled by the assistant manager and the best way to deal with that was by email. I dispatched an email Thursday night but have not yet heard back. I will update as soon as I can.
This would be a good destination to consider buddying up with a friendly-sounding FTer and splitting a room.
Last edited by jackal; Sep 10, 2011 at 8:38 pm