benjinito

This one is interesting to me. I don't know who's going to be the one reviewing this information, but credit card coverage can be quite obscure, especially when award bookings are involved.

Traveler Dave

How far in advance do they release award space? I thought it was one year? But does not look like they have released anything beyond June 5th at this point.

Thanks
TD

FleyeSkyHigh

I assume you mean awards without the "Cash Upgrade," correct? Cash upgrade rooms are pretty much always available. The only room type that doesn't require upgrade cash is the Reefside Garden Villa. I have casually followed this room type inventory quite closely through XPS (which is the now Expedia owned inventory aggregator for most online bookings and better at looking at this type of stuff over any other GDS). Once made available by the hotel in Marriott's 'new' MARSHA reservation system XPS will show it in real-time. Generally they only initially make 1 to 4 of these rooms per night available depending on the season and day of the week but note that sometimes none of these room types are made available for a particular date.

It used to that properties loaded their inventory actually about a week in advance of the 365 day mark but it wasn't viewable past the 365 day mark. The available inventory was either done automatically or manually for more boutique style hotels. I have noticed that since the pandemic many properties are no longer loading their inventory on time. I imagine this is mostly due to lack of staffing and intentional interruption and overriding of automatic inventory release. The reason for the override is that automatic inventory and revenue yield is based on historical data with most recent year data generally having the most significant weight. Now that hotels have been shutdown almost globally the algorithms can't be relied upon and now hotel back offices are having to manually release rooms.

In the case of StR Bora Bora I have noticed they are releasing inventory in batches. A bit of June 2021 has recently become available.

Neild

I am aware that this is St Regis forum but hoping someone can help me.
I made advanced points reservation at Le Meridian Bora Bora for March 2021 using Marriott points before Covid 19. The resort is now gonna be closed for more than a year for renovations.I found out from other forum that travelers going in September 2020 were moved to Conrad but this is for paid reservation.

I have not yet gone ahead & deducted the points. So is anyone in same boat as me? I tried calling & emailing the hotel ...but no response & also called Marriott but they are unable to help too. Any insight is much appreciated?

mharlan100

I saw a similar post from a Facebook group I am in. They were being moved from Le Meridien to the St. Regis but I think that was also a paid stay. I don't know for sure. Either way, I would certainly pursue the hotel to get you into the St. Regis if you could. I'm not sure there is a detriment to applying your points although it would probably be far too optimistic to assume that it might improve your likelihood of them moving you versus just canceling. One would think that a rewards program would treat awards and cash as equals, but this is Marriott so who knows.

Intl359Widget

I will be staying at the StR in Bora Bora this week so I'll be sure to share an update with everything going on.

For anyone that is curious about what the current process is . The Air Tahiti Nui staff at LAX took your temperature, verified the Covid-19 PCR test results, and asked to see some form of insurance such as a card but they didn't question me too much on that aspect.

You'll then be given a form to fill out (3 - Immigration, Covid-19 Tracing, and a Survey) that will be collected at PPT along with your ETIS that comes with the Covid-19 test kit on your fourth day that will be collected by wherever you're staying at or the local police station.

benjinito

I have a trip planned later this month. May I ask where you went to get the PCR test? I'm a little nervous about getting the results late.

Our flight from SFO departs at 1:20PM on a Saturday. My understanding is I can get the test done on Wednesday morning?

ps9a

I'm quite jealous... we were supposed to be on the United flight tomorrow, en route to Taha'a and SRBB. Had to cancel, unfortunately, as work would have required me to quarantine for 14 days upon return. I've done the rapid (15-minute) tests with Dignity/Go Health in the Bay Area (Strawberry and Redwood City locations) if this helps. https://www.gohealthuc.com/bayarea/virtual-visits Setting up a virtual appointment (if you can get one first) saves tons of time, and you don't need to leave your car.

benjinito

Hi!

Thanks so much for the info and I'm sorry you had to miss your trip. My sincerest apology for the ignorance, but will this rapid test meet Tahiti's requirements. They are quite specific about what they want:

I can't tell by looking at the GoHealth website what type of tests they perform. Do your test results say by any chance?

ps9a

Not sure about Tahiti's requirements, sorry... my results say "Abbott Diagnostics", and it's the test our workplace recommends.

Intl359Widget

I went to my local testing center and had them expedite the results so that I would receive them within 48h of testing. This cost me an additional $175 out of pocket on top of what my insurance covers for the testing portion. I did my testing on a Wednesday for a Saturday 2355h LAXPPT flight so what you're planning is perfect if you can get your results by Friday in time for the flight.

Intl359Widget

Just to be clear... The French Polynesia does NOT accept any kind of Rapid Testing as it has to be the Covid-19 Viral PCR Test period.

Intl359Widget

La Orana from the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort ~

I will say that in my travels to 113 countries, countless 5* Marriott Resorts, and this being my second time in French Polynesia that I am absolutely gobsmacked in a delightful way with my stay here. The level of service was above and beyond from arrival at the airport all the way to my villa with a personalized tour of the grounds and an explanation of everything including the staff's favorite recommendations off the menu. I don't normally expect people to go out of the way to learn Sign Language since I am Deaf but this resort went above and beyond by learning basic phrases such as Hello, Good Day, Thank You, and Good Evening so far and I have not been here for 24 hours yet.

AMAZING!

I originally booked a Reefside Villa and was upgraded to an Overwater Superior at the end of the dock with a gorgeous view of the sunset and Mountain Otemanu. The Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Status recognition from the staff and the General Manager was very warm and inviting (why can't other 5* Marriott affiliates follow the St. Regis Bora Bora on hospitality?). There was a bottle of Champagne and two water bottles along with yummy coconut and french macarons waiting for me.

As for Covid-19, all guests and staff are required to wear masks in public areas such as restaurants, the lobby, and indoors. They provide each guest with a welcome kit that includes gloves, sanitizer, 2 blue masks, and a locally crafted cotton mask.

I'll share more photos later as I want to get off my laptop and explore more of this resort and make arrangements for some scuba diving.

MrJBoy

I received email from Air Tahiti Nui last week and it says

Simplified Entry to French Polynesia with Air Tahiti Nui:
Covid-19 test requirements have been simplified with the acceptance of the rapid Molecular RT-PCR test. These tests do not require a laboratory and maybe be processed in a medical facility in as little as one hour! The key points are that test must be a Molecular RT-PCR and not an antibody, antigen or serology (blood) test.

Proof of a negative Covid-19 test (RT-PCR or PCR) molecular laboratory or rapid test, such as the Abbott ID Now Molecular test carried out within three days prior to their international air departure (e.g. if the flight departs on a Monday at 11pm, the passenger needs to take the test the preceding Friday). Antigen and antibody tests not accepted.

So it sounds they accept rapid test???

benjinito

But where do you get the test done? I googled Abbott ID Now and this is on their website https://www.abbott.com/IDNOW/IDNOW-COVID-19-FAQ.html

Quote:

WHERE ARE YOUR TESTS AVAILABLE?