Are the prices the same from Seattle?
I booked my flights home from LAX to Bellingham in Dec. for Sept and they were $99. I used my miles for free flights home after the cruise to LA so I didn't pay the $99 but that's what it would have cost.
I think you must have just missed the $99 pricing. I don't think they keep the fares high at the beginning of Dec. but I could be wrong.