Air New Zealand Air Points - fly to Fiji and back on the same day....

has anyone done this or known anyone done this?

at the moment, i have a one way ticket to fiji (Nadi) dep. in mid-july, because the current situation over there, there isn't really anyone want to go there with me. (i've had this ticket postphoned about twice or three times, it has been upgraded to flexi fare (current value at $630ish) with airpoint upgrade to biz class attached to it, thinking to 'switch' to biz class as it's on sale for about $400. will buy same day ticket back to AKL before the sale ends.

the question is - is it ok go over to fiji, go through immagration and chick-in again, than fly back to NZ. will fiji and NZ immagration officers think im ''strange''? if i tell them the story above (postphoned twice and no compainions) and also tell them i like to earn airpoints, will they think is ok? by the way i'm not holding a NZ pasport, but have a vaild NZ student visa studing at akl uni.

thanks in advance

Sounds like a perfect FTer thing to do - I certainly have !! I did this to Fiji once in 1983 and not for mileage, but was work related..... But try BKK-PHS-BKK-PHS-BKK .... needed the mileage.

I presume that your student visa multiple entry, allowing you to leave and re-enter for such jaunts..

Cheers, TK

Hi zqsn5678,

You probably will get questioned at immigration unfortunately - the Fiji immigration authorities are fairly strict and any patterns outside the standard "holiday makers" do get looked at closely, including people flying in on business, missionaries, volunteer or aid workers, potential migrants (believe it or not Fiji has a problem with illegal immigration, particularily from China), and certainly same-day return travellers are outside the norm. Tell them you like to fly and got a very cheap ticket plus wanted the mileage (although miles etc. are not very well known in Fiji). You could, if you are able to check-in online for your return, remain airside in the transit lounge - there is an airside connection to departures before immigration.

By the way, and this is for everyone reading, now is actually the time to visit Fiji ;). Despite what you read in the media, the country itself is running as normal, as beautiful as ever, and prices are rock bottom. I've just come back from a fantastic 2 weeks. I'm sitting here in the UK drooling over all these cut-price C fares I'm reading about, wishing I was over with you all in NZ and could go! :D

Cheers, Zac

You can't OLCI for International services.

For goodness sake, stay there and enjoy it.

If you're young and single, go to Beachcomber Island and you'll be glad you're travelling alone!

For goodness sake, stay there and enjoy it.

If you're young and single, go to Beachcomber Island and you'll be glad you're travelling alone!

Honestly - I agree. Just got back yesterday after a great weekend lying on the beach doing nothing. You wouldn't know there were any political problems in Denarau where I stayed. Tell your friends to go with you and have a blast. Beautiful place.

I agree it is a great time to visit Fiji at the moment.

That said a sameday return is easy. Expect to get hassled at NZ immigration when you get back.
It sounds like your current ticket value is more than the business fare. Perhaps you could amend to start from WLG or CHC to help use up some of the excess value and earn some more miles? Note the business saver fares with domestic add-on normally will not allow a stopover in AKL (but will allow for overnight transits).

thanks for everyone's reply, i've finally convinced my mate to go with me and will stay for a few nights...lol

air nz told me they will refund me the excess fare. :D (that means i can get a confirmed biz class), they should return the airpoints to me, wont they?

unfortunately there is no more companion tickets available for the first three weeks in july (school and uni holiday)... and the price has gone up to $460 for the cheapest, but the good new is for extra $9 you can jump into biz class.

NOW....we have to sort out which hotel we would like to stay, has anyone stay at a nice one recently and like to share their experience? our budget is about $350 per night

cheers again

In true FT fashion it would be blasphemy to stay at a non-mileage/hotel points earning hotel. You might be able to get a good deal at Hilton Fiji Denarau for $350 per night. In July their rates range from FJD$299 - 469 per night which is about NZD$237 - 372 per night.