Originally Posted by
jacknyoc
you might consider going through Star Alliance, in particular ANA Program, that may be the best way to use both AmEx and UA miles for flights. ANA will give you access to Air NZ. From what I've seen on other posts, FF access to Tahiti is difficult...but an early start is the best approach. Good luck.
I am familiar with Star Alliance but not with the "ANA Program". I will research this on FlyerTalk and check back. I think I had difficulty finding a reasonable option using Air NZ where I did not have to go to New Zealand first but I will confirm if that is true or not.
Originally Posted by
tkelvin69
The first assumption is the HH will be available. Check the award availability (VIP stay will be a better value) before transfer from AA to HH. VIP silver is easy and free with the HHonors Amex card. Here's the link for the award chart:
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/s...howLinks=false
I have checked several date ranges in June and July and I seem to be able to get 5 nights at the Holton Bora Bora using reward points. I don't know exactly what you mean by "VIP Silver" (It looks like I can get 5 nights at a category 7 for 200,000 instead of 250,000) is but I am more than willing to apply for that card if it will give it to me and it will help
Originally Posted by
AndreaRH
You may want to re-think using points for any hotel in French Polynesia. Unless you've got tons of points to burn, I don't think it's worth using them for over-inflated award nights at the resorts. The value just isn't there.
You are right but I have two young kids so I don't get out with just my wife much and I asked her where she wanted to go and she said here so I am going to try and make it happen (Unless it gets ridiculous)
Originally Posted by
AndreaRH
Do you have status with any of the hotel chains? You can get some good rates and enjoy upgrades if you've got the right level of status.
No status at all at this point. I am brand new to this whole concept....But I am trying!
Originally Posted by
AndreaRH
We've flown Air Tahiti Nui from LAX to PPT and found economy class to be very comfortable. That will take 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles per ticket. Your wife has enough for one ticket in her account and then you could transfer some SPG points into your account to get the other award ticket. Just be sure to call Air Tahiti Nui and get seating assignments together. Otherwise, you may not be able to get seats together when you check in at the Air Tahiti desk in LAX.
This sounds like a great option. I will begin looking into this possibility. If I took this route I could use my United miles to fly us to LAX and then only have to worry about the transport from PPT to Bora Bora which shouldn't be too big of a deal.....Although if I use my AAdvantage miles to fly there I will have to figure out what to do about a hotel (Which might mean I just pay for lodging somewhere) because I won't have any AAdvantage miles to turn into HHonors points.
Originally Posted by
AndreaRH
To check availability, get a subscription to ExpertFlyer.com
I had never heard of ExpertFlyer until about two weeks ago when I started scowering FlyerTalk (It took me a bit to figure out what "EF" was) but I am definitely going to look into this.
Originally Posted by
AndreaRH
Of course, with this air schedule you'll have a forced overnight in Tahiti upon arrival. We recently stayed at the InterContinental Tahiti and it was perfect to sleep off the jet lag.
I have not been able to figure out any way that I will not have to do an overnight. No biggie, I will do so if I have to.
Originally Posted by
Stoughton
THis would be a good time to sign up for one of the current Citi promo's and net enough miles each to cover the tickets
I have signed up for what I can at this point. I starting rejected for too many cards.
Thanks for all you thoughts so far!