ARCHIVAL Air Tahiti Nui / TN Business & First w/ AAdvantage miles (Consolidated)
Dec 18, 2006, 8:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: AA ex-EXP, 2MM (ex DL, ex TWA)
Posts: 1,427
ARCHIVAL Air Tahiti Nui / TN Business & First w/ AAdvantage miles (Consolidated)
Earlier in the year it was reported (and Experflyer shows), that Air Tahiti Nui award availability has been reduced to what apears to be a max of 1 first, 1 business class seat at a time. When this change was first reported on, there were several threads with suggestions to book an award seat, and wait to see if another opens up. So, my question is this: with the experience of most of the year to look back on, does this strategy work, or is it really max. 1 award seat per premium class? [Other threads suggest they may be more interested in cash upgrades at the gate rather than making more award seats available].
This is now the archived thread regarding awards using AAdvantage wards on Air Tahiti Nui / TN. Please proceed to the Air Tahiti Nui award redemptions with AAdvantage Miles (as of 2012) thread; do not post here, please.
/Moderator
===============MODERATOR NOTE===============
This is now the archived thread regarding awards using AAdvantage wards on Air Tahiti Nui / TN. Please proceed to the Air Tahiti Nui award redemptions with AAdvantage Miles (as of 2012) thread; do not post here, please.
/Moderator
Last edited by JDiver; Jul 13, 2012 at 9:46 am Reason: add moderator note
Dec 18, 2006, 8:12 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Perth
Programs: QR Platinum
Posts: 547
I emailed TN about this using the contact details on their website. This is the response I got...
I haven't tried to book anything yet though.
Steve
With frequent flier bookings, they are always on request when first made, so it will not normally show full availability. You can ask AA to request the seats for you, and if the flight is available the seats will be confirmed.
Steve
Dec 19, 2006, 9:51 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,900
If true, there is some sad humor here. Due to the nature of TN destinations, I'm guessing most passengers have a companion. Yet, they offer just 1 award seat per cabin. 
Dec 19, 2006, 12:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: AA L/T Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 401
Believe me, you really do not want your companion with you when travelling on TN. The FA's are absolutely stunning!!
I took TN recently from LAX- CDG. I was so impressed with them, that I switched my return from CDG-LHR-LAX (BA/AA) to CDG-LAX (TN).
No problem with availability. That route is probably not as attractive their others.
I took TN recently from LAX- CDG. I was so impressed with them, that I switched my return from CDG-LHR-LAX (BA/AA) to CDG-LAX (TN).
No problem with availability. That route is probably not as attractive their others.
Dec 19, 2006, 12:37 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: AA ex-EXP, 2MM (ex DL, ex TWA)
Posts: 1,427
Believe me, you really do not want your companion with you when travelling on TN. The FA's are absolutely stunning!!
I took TN recently from LAX- CDG. I was so impressed with them, that I switched my return from CDG-LHR-LAX (BA/AA) to CDG-LAX (TN).
No problem with availability. That route is probably not as attractive their others.
I took TN recently from LAX- CDG. I was so impressed with them, that I switched my return from CDG-LHR-LAX (BA/AA) to CDG-LAX (TN).
No problem with availability. That route is probably not as attractive their others.
Dec 22, 2006, 5:43 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Perth
Programs: QR Platinum
Posts: 547
This evening I tried to book a couple of business class award tickets for SYD-PPT, but as usual there is only one seat available. Contrary to previous advice AA said they were unable to request the seats from TN.
This is even more frustrating because the same flight on Expertflyer is showing 7 seats available if flying SYD-PPT-LAX.
This is even more frustrating because the same flight on Expertflyer is showing 7 seats available if flying SYD-PPT-LAX.
Dec 22, 2006, 3:42 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Perth
Programs: QR Platinum
Posts: 547
Steve
Dec 26, 2006, 11:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Perth
Programs: QR Platinum
Posts: 547
With business class on frequent flier tickets, they are only ever on request. If AA is unable to request them, please ask them to contact Air Tahiti Nui.
We are unable to release seats, normally once they are on a waitlist, we can send them off to head office to confirm.
We are unable to release seats, normally once they are on a waitlist, we can send them off to head office to confirm.
Dec 27, 2006, 7:05 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,297
I wonder if the person writing understands the procedure for booking award seats through their own frequent flyer program, but isn't familiar with procedures for their partners?
TN does have some very attractive FAs.
Originally Posted by jimmyw9
Believe me, you really do not want your companion with you when travelling on TN. The FA's are absolutely stunning!!
TN does have some very attractive FAs.
Dec 27, 2006, 3:45 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Programs: AA PLT 2 MM, DL PLT
Posts: 507
How are you in touch with ATN?
I booked ATN in September 06 for July 07 for my husband and I. We redeemed 2 first class awards, however, currently I'm sitting in first class and my husband in business class on the o/b flight, and I'm sitting in business and my husband in first on the return flight. Flyertalk shows seats available in P on both flights, but none in A.
If anyone has suggestions on anything I can do (other than keep checking back with AA) I'm open to ideas.
Dec 28, 2006, 12:19 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Programs: AA PLT 2 MM, DL PLT
Posts: 507
I'll try e-mailing TN - you never know what might happen, right? (I'm trying to keep a positive outlook.)
Dec 28, 2006, 10:46 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: AA EXP, Starwood Plat
Posts: 305
it's QF's fault
Recently I searched on expert flyer for F award available between the US and Australia. Not a single seat on QF during the period. 1 TN seat on various flights perhaps 10 to 15 different days each month. As long as QF is making almost no seats available, TN is probably constrained from doing more. In a sense TN is already shouldering more than its share of the demand for US-QZ award tickets using AA miles.
Earlier in the year it was reported (and Experflyer shows), that Air Tahiti Nui award availability has been reduced to what apears to be a max of 1 first, 1 business class seat at a time. When this change was first reported on, there were several threads with suggestions to book an award seat, and wait to see if another opens up. So, my question is this: with the experience of most of the year to look back on, does this strategy work, or is it really max. 1 award seat per premium class? [Other threads suggest they may be more interested in cash upgrades at the gate rather than making more award seats available].
Dec 29, 2006, 12:34 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,900
Recently I searched on expert flyer for F award available between the US and Australia. Not a single seat on QF during the period. 1 TN seat on various flights perhaps 10 to 15 different days each month. As long as QF is making almost no seats available, TN is probably constrained from doing more. In a sense TN is already shouldering more than its share of the demand for US-QZ award tickets using AA miles.
Dec 29, 2006, 6:30 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Farmington, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT; DL Gold MDL
Posts: 238
MoonPet - I was in the same scenario you are now. I was booked in F and my partner booked in J. I called everyday to see if either cabin opened up. Eventually one did and I made the ultimate sacrifice and downgraded to J when another seat opened up.
BTW...TN service is awesome. Blows away AA, and IMHO, QF too.
BTW...TN service is awesome. Blows away AA, and IMHO, QF too.