Air New Zealand Air Points - LAX-CHC...stop in PPT on *A award?

I'm sending my sister and hubby to NZ on *A bus award tix, booked on UA, out of DEN.

My sister always wanted to see PPT (I suggested taking the ferry to Moorea, where I spent a great week many years ago). I see NZ flies LAX-PPT, but when I talked to UA they said a stop in PPT would require an additional S. Pacific award. :td:

Is this correct? Is this a NZ, *A or UA rule?

This is certainly NOT a Star Alliance or NZ rule as I just did a stop in NAN and would think PPT would be treated no differently. It would surprise me to be a UA rule too, call back and talk to another agent. Sure PPT is not the most direct routing but are they THAT STRICT with that rule?

Is PPT considered a destination in Oceania? If so, it appears as though Oceania requires more miles for an award from the States than New Zealand. New Zealand is 90K in biz and Oceania is 120K in biz. Are you able to get an Oceania award that allows the New Zealand stop?

Sorry, I should have stated that I was using AC Aeroplan miles, hence my comment that it was not a Star or NZ rule. Not sure of the point levels on UA but it would seem perverse that a location that is closer and vaguely on the way to the farther away point (NZ) would be more miles.

With Aeroplan I was able to do this on one 100,000 miles J award:

YYZ-YVR-SIN-PER

CHC-AKL-NAN-LAX-YYC-YEG-YYZ

I am next to certain UA would not allow a SIN routing to OZ, would likely force you to go via AKL to PER. I could have stopped anywhere in the Pacific (NAN,RAR,PPT etc..).

I think SanDiego1K has the answer - IIRC this has come up before.