Here's what I learned as a frequent flyer on my recent trip

Air travel for Alaskans is changing. But that's normal. Still, trip reports can help make your next trip more convenient, more affordable, or both.

This is my report. Earlier this week, I dragged my stuff to my car in a snowstorm. In the car on the way to the airport, I was humming “California Dreamin'.”

It was a quick trip with no luggage to check. So I skipped the counter altogether and went straight to the security check.

But the first part of the trip started a few days ago, choosing our flight and seat.

Although this trip wasn't last minute, it was still more expensive than the lowest available cheap flights between Alaska and California.

Additionally, due to time constraints, Alaska Airlines' direct flight from Anchorage to LAX was not available. The price increased due to choosing a daytime flight and a flight to a suburban airport (Burbank).

Rather than pay about $500 for a one-way ticket, I decided to cash in miles that would allow me to choose my seat in advance.

There were very few empty seats on both flights. However, after purchasing my ticket, I continued to check the seat map and was able to secure a window seat as departure approached.

I bought a round trip ticket in time to get a better rate.

Alaska Airlines oversells tickets, but it constantly monitors loading conditions and contacts travelers in advance to see if they're willing to pay to change their plans.

The first email I received offered a $25 credit if I changed my flight time. But none of the flight options worked for me.

However, the following email caught my attention. Alaska Airlines offered me a $250 credit if I departed on a red-eye, with a much longer layover in Seattle. To be honest, I tried to make it work. However, both the time and seat selection were poor.

I was then offered a return flight to Anchorage for $45. The new flight time was better so I clicked the button. However, I neglected to check the availability of seats in advance. So now I'm sitting by the toilet. Lesson learned: Double-check seat availability on new flights offered by your airline.

[What to know as Alaska Airlines unveils new initiatives and changes to rewards programs]

By the time we got to the gate in Anchorage, all the seats on the plane were taken. Gate agents then began calling the crowd together and asking them to search their bags in order to free up a little more space in the overhead bins.

Speaking of extra space, parking at the Anchorage Airport is tight, especially the short-term garage. Due to construction, the short-term garage is closing its top floor, resulting in a 25% reduction in available space until August 1st. Take advantage of airport transportation or check out off-airport parking at Alaska Park or Diamond Parking. .

Airplane passengers were traveling for a variety of reasons. There were many families traveling with newborn babies. It was fully stocked with strollers, diaper bags, and all kinds of snacks and tablets to keep the older kids occupied on board.

Some were returning from jobs in remote parts of the state. Or in my case, when I'm heading to a meeting. The couple sitting next to me had their ski gear and the big guy from Montana was heading to Sky Resort to ski.

After signing up for Alaska Airlines' Alaska Access, I wanted to try out the first $5/month internet pass.

Here's what I learned: You can't save up a $5 pass every month. I used the pass I received in March for a trip in April. No luck. Also, the pass is valid only once per flight. If you transfer to another flight, you will have to pay an additional fee for connecting to the in-flight internet.

Another promise of the Alaska Access plan is advance notice of sale fares. I haven't seen the notification yet.

When I arrived in Seattle, I parked at the South Terminal, which is unusual for Alaska Airlines. This terminal is usually reserved for international flights. There was a Turkish Air widebody plane next to us, as well as a few Delta flights to Europe.

There is no Alaska Airlines lounge in the south terminal. However, Priority Pass has a club lounge, formerly the Delta lounge. I have a Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card so I can use the Priority Pass network. In addition to the S gate lounge, there is also a lounge in the A concourse. The lounge has a bar, snacks, espresso machine, and plenty of seating by large windows overlooking the runway.

Alaska Airlines lounges are located near the TSA checkpoints in the D Concourse, at the end of the C Concourse, and in the North Terminal.

I had to take three trains to get from S Gate to my connecting flight. One went to the main terminal, another connected to the north terminal loop, and finally he took one train to C Gate. The train has multiple tracks, but the journey took about 10 minutes.

My connecting flight to Alaska was delayed, but gate agents used the extra 30 minutes to persuade travelers to check in their bulky carry-ons.

Instead of paying a separate fee for internet access, I struck up a conversation with my seatmate. He's a young “code warrior” at Microsoft, currently working on new features for Xbox.

When the drink cart arrived, I convinced him to order Cloud Cruiser, a new beer from Seattle's Fremont Brewing. He gave his beer a thumbs up. Alaska Airlines has developed an IPA with an airplane painted on the can.

[Finding your ideal flight, whether your focus is on price, a relaxed itinerary or flexibility]

I am a frequent traveler and I learned some lessons on this trip.

1. Use frequent flyer miles. Hyperinflation is rampant and your miles and points are worth more today than tomorrow. For example, Alaska Airlines offers him a 75,000 mile bonus for getting a new credit card. A one-way bus ticket from Anchorage to Burbank was 45,000 miles.

2. Please check your email after making your reservation. Airlines oversell tickets and may offer compensation for changes. However, please be sure to check availability before making changes.

3. Access Alaska program $5 monthly Wi-Fi passes cannot be stacked.

4. Do not search your baggage unless necessary. On my last Alaska Airlines flight, the airline did not lose my baggage. But the plane broke down. The airline found me a new plane, but my baggage was still on the original plane. It took another 12 hours to receive my luggage.