I would love to be a regular at Marriotts and SPG but the price points at the Hilton props are more acceptable to our company's travel policy.

And, since we're on the subject of Alaska, a few pictures from my trip there in 2004.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._Ybyhy-S-1.jpg
Dall sheep on the cliffs above the Seward Highway.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._dLYPW-S-1.jpg
Mountains along the Seward Highway.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._PcJuE-S-1.jpg
Turnagain Arm.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._bMMfS-S-1.jpg
More mountains and glaciers.

I rarely have an issue getting rates around $100 at most Marriott properties. I use the AAA discount a bit and usually don't have a problem unless it's in a major city or tourist destination, like SAN. But I agree with ssullivan, the Marriott double night program was awesome to me. Got me up to plat; I never figured I'd get anything like that.

Same here. If I go over $125/night *including* taxes, I get raked over the coals by the accounting department. Limits me to Hampton quite regularly.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._N8ezV-S-1.jpg
Random wildlife crossing the highway.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._H6kVS-S-1.jpg
Great place for burgers in Hope, Alaska.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._6F8fH-S-1.jpg
Hope, Alaska.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._kQfvz-S-1.jpg
One of the countless lakes, fed by melting snow and glacial ice.

That's why I like being a government contractor. That little bit of paperwork (which they never ask for, especially if you check in really late ;) hint, hint) can help cut rates a lot.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._jwwC2-S-1.jpg
Mama bear, after I got back a safe distance (she walked out onto the trail just behind me), and just before her two cubs came out to join her. Check out the kid in the background getting the hell out of there.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._HwuN7-S-1.jpg

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._Hm5f7-S-1.jpg

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._KroKf-S-1.jpg

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._BH3Sy-S-1.jpg
Exit Glacier.

Two to go.

Nice pics ssullivan ^.

Milestone!

If you have the time and the inclination, and you've note been there before, consider a short trip to Roswell. The sights are mediocre at best, but I'm in love with Martin's Capitol Cafe. Excellent green chile bean burritos and huge sopapillas.



I would think that finding a place under $125 a night, taxes included, would be very difficult indeed.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._w4bGW-S-1.jpg
Ceremonial starting point of the Iditarod in Seward.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._keGz6-S-1.jpg
Hiking on the Ptarmigan Creek Trail.

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._GhhLn-S-1.jpg

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._4DKMk-S-1.jpg

http://stevensullivan.smugmug.com/ph..._urLDq-S-1.jpg
Portage Glacier.

Thanks! Sadly, many of the pictures on that trip were lost due to an x-ray machine at one of the airports I transited. :mad: It was the last trip I used my 35mm SLR on. Some of the pictures were digital, but at the time, my digital camera was a small Olympus 3-4 megapixel point and shoot that took SmartMedia cards. I had a ton of pictures shot on my Canon SLR, but more than half of those were ruined.

I have stayed at the Marriott in GUM on many occassions and it is tops, just as good as the Hilton and likewise even better if your a PLT.

Dan

CO Maching WN Fare Sale - Better Than Expexted!
 

I saw the announcement of the WN fare sale and was curious if CO might match in competing markets. I priced out a R/T PHX-LGA (although I prefer EWR for non-stop service and convenience) to find that CO wasn't matching. To my surprise when I priced the same R/T to/from EWR they ARE matching the WN fare! CO almost NEVER does this. Even with no "fare sales" LGA is almost ALWAYS less from PHX. My jaw is still on the floor!

These prices are ALL IN:

WN
PHX-LGA-PHX $222.40 (via BWI or MDW)
CO
PHX-LGA-PHX $358.90 (via IAH or CLE)
PHX-EWR-PHX $221.20 (non-stop)

The WN sale ends tomorrow...buy these up while you still can!!!

(posted to the box since I only checked this market...YMMV)