[Primer] Using Points for French Polynesia
Jun 10, 2013 | 8:00 am
#151
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat, IHG Diamond AMB
Posts: 52
Delta miles on Air France from LAX - PPT.
PPT- BOB you have to pay for i think on Air Tahiti.
Hotel - buy Intercontinental Ambassador - $200.
Buy points @ $0.007 per point. use 50K per night for IC Thalasso.
PPT - doesn't matter.. IC there is fine, points or pay.. it's like a regular priced hotel.
Any reason why you are spending 2 nights in PPT? most people spend 0 if possible..
PPT- BOB you have to pay for i think on Air Tahiti.
Hotel - buy Intercontinental Ambassador - $200.
Buy points @ $0.007 per point. use 50K per night for IC Thalasso.
PPT - doesn't matter.. IC there is fine, points or pay.. it's like a regular priced hotel.
Any reason why you are spending 2 nights in PPT? most people spend 0 if possible..
I thought 50K pts was the max purchase amount per calendar year?
Edit: nevermind, found the 0.7 cent trick, thanks!
Last edited by mikeb99; Jun 10, 2013 at 11:04 am
Jun 29, 2013 | 9:28 pm
#152
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: AS, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, former AA EXP, UA Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 458
Is there a flyertalk thread about things to do, entertainment, & dining in either Moorea or Bora Bora? I searched on my mobile device, and probably just missed it. Thanks
Jun 30, 2013 | 8:16 am
#153
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PHX & PPT
Programs: DL PM, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold, AmExPlat
Posts: 833
Trip Advisor also has a good forum for discussions about French Polynesia: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...Polynesia.html
Jul 1, 2013 | 10:51 am
#154
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS .. but soon SFO
Programs: UA PLAT, TK GLD, Hilton Diamond, IC PLAT, SPG GLD, Marriott GLD
Posts: 1,528
How long it takes to get through immigration/customs/baggage claim in PPT depends on where you are on the flight. The line gets pretty long when people deplane, so the closer you are to the exit door, the sooner you will get through immigration. I would say the average is no longer than 30-45 minutes for immigration (have your forms filled out and passport and return res handy), baggage claim, and then customs (Stay to the LEFT on the "nothing to declare" line with your passport in your hand, and they will usually just wave you through; don't get on the "red" line with the Xray machines even if people are lining up there like sheep!)
Air Tahiti will allow you to change to a later flight at no charge, assuming there are available seats. That sometimes can mean the next day -- best to check with them and make changes before you leave, as others are likely to be in the same situation as you are. (The only exception is for a multi-island AirPass, where a change in one flight might force you to rebook the entire itinerary.)
Air Tahiti will allow you to change to a later flight at no charge, assuming there are available seats. That sometimes can mean the next day -- best to check with them and make changes before you leave, as others are likely to be in the same situation as you are. (The only exception is for a multi-island AirPass, where a change in one flight might force you to rebook the entire itinerary.)
Our flight was leaving at 7:30 ... but I changed it to the 8 am flight.
The 10 am is sold out and I don't want to waste 3 hours waiting for the 10:45 flight.
I figure 1.5 hours to get through should be enough, considering we aren't planning on checking in any luggage.
Jul 2, 2013 | 7:07 pm
#155
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 37
Advice from LAX to PPT
Hi All-
I know this has probably been asked a million times- but it's going through the search and threads has been really confusing.
Sorry in advance!!
I am trying to figure out what card/miles to accrue for my honeymoon in the next 2 years. I am hoping for 2 Economy tickets to PPT.
Here are my miles currently:
AA: 80,000
United: 65,000
Hawaiian: 65,000
Virgin: 20,000
Amex: 75,000
Chase: 100,000
I know this is not a lot, but I would like to focus on 1 card this next two years. What is my best/cheapest miles option to get to PPT?
Thanks everyone!
I know this has probably been asked a million times- but it's going through the search and threads has been really confusing.
Sorry in advance!!
I am trying to figure out what card/miles to accrue for my honeymoon in the next 2 years. I am hoping for 2 Economy tickets to PPT.
Here are my miles currently:
AA: 80,000
United: 65,000
Hawaiian: 65,000
Virgin: 20,000
Amex: 75,000
Chase: 100,000
I know this is not a lot, but I would like to focus on 1 card this next two years. What is my best/cheapest miles option to get to PPT?
Thanks everyone!
Jul 2, 2013 | 7:27 pm
#156
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 1,247
Jul 2, 2013 | 7:35 pm
#157
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: EZE
Posts: 123
You want 150k AA miles to get two r/t economy tickets on Air Tahiti Nui.
The other option would be 200k Delta miles to fly Air Tahiti Nui or Air France. This is worse because it's more miles and because Delta charges fuel surcharges on Air Tahiti Nui flights.
Search for award space on expertflyer.com and book by phone.
Get the current 50k AA offer and spend $20k on that card to get to 150k AA miles.
The other option would be 200k Delta miles to fly Air Tahiti Nui or Air France. This is worse because it's more miles and because Delta charges fuel surcharges on Air Tahiti Nui flights.
Search for award space on expertflyer.com and book by phone.
Get the current 50k AA offer and spend $20k on that card to get to 150k AA miles.
Jul 2, 2013 | 7:37 pm
#158
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Down Under
Programs: AA Plat, CO Plat, DL Plat, FB Plat, UA 1P, VA Plat, VS Silver, SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 144
This has been rehashed a million times but Delta gives you the best chance of finding availability being that they partner both with Air Tahiti Nui and Air France, the two carriers who service PPT from LAX. Amex transfer to DL.
AA also partners with Air Tahiti Nui and will be cheaper if you can find availability.
AA also partners with Air Tahiti Nui and will be cheaper if you can find availability.
Jul 2, 2013 | 7:42 pm
#160
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Down Under
Programs: AA Plat, CO Plat, DL Plat, FB Plat, UA 1P, VA Plat, VS Silver, SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 144
Jul 2, 2013 | 7:43 pm
#161
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: HNL
Posts: 781
A couple of options not covered by the milez.biz link:
1. Transfer UR to KE and redeem on Air France - 60k in Y per person (120k total)
2. 25k BA per RT ticket (on AA or AS out of SAN) to HNL then 20k VX per RT to PPT on HA.
For option 1 you're short 20k UR points and could obtain those from any number of Chase cards. Also note that going this route, you can get business class for 90k per person.
For option 2, note that HA only flies HNL-PPT once a week. Also, assuming the virgin miles you mention are Virgin America (VX) you're 20k short and could get the remaining 20k through transfer of Amex MR points (they have periodically offered xfer bonuses in the past)
1. Transfer UR to KE and redeem on Air France - 60k in Y per person (120k total)
2. 25k BA per RT ticket (on AA or AS out of SAN) to HNL then 20k VX per RT to PPT on HA.
For option 1 you're short 20k UR points and could obtain those from any number of Chase cards. Also note that going this route, you can get business class for 90k per person.
For option 2, note that HA only flies HNL-PPT once a week. Also, assuming the virgin miles you mention are Virgin America (VX) you're 20k short and could get the remaining 20k through transfer of Amex MR points (they have periodically offered xfer bonuses in the past)
Jul 2, 2013 | 7:52 pm
#162
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 37
Thanks for your input! I really like option #2 since I have those points available. I'm thinking- we can redeem 1 reward on HA and 1 on VX (given both awards are available on both airlines).
A couple of options not covered by the milez.biz link:
1. Transfer UR to KE and redeem on Air France - 60k in Y per person (120k total)
2. 25k BA per RT ticket (on AA or AS out of SAN) to HNL then 20k VX per RT to PPT on HA.
For option 1 you're short 20k UR points and could obtain those from any number of Chase cards. Also note that going this route, you can get business class for 90k per person.
For option 2, note that HA only flies HNL-PPT once a week. Also, assuming the virgin miles you mention are Virgin America (VX) you're 20k short and could get the remaining 20k through transfer of Amex MR points (they have periodically offered xfer bonuses in the past)
1. Transfer UR to KE and redeem on Air France - 60k in Y per person (120k total)
2. 25k BA per RT ticket (on AA or AS out of SAN) to HNL then 20k VX per RT to PPT on HA.
For option 1 you're short 20k UR points and could obtain those from any number of Chase cards. Also note that going this route, you can get business class for 90k per person.
For option 2, note that HA only flies HNL-PPT once a week. Also, assuming the virgin miles you mention are Virgin America (VX) you're 20k short and could get the remaining 20k through transfer of Amex MR points (they have periodically offered xfer bonuses in the past)
Jul 2, 2013 | 7:53 pm
#163
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 37
I don't mind stopping in HNL to eat some of their amazing food! Excuse for a longer vacation 
Thanks for your input!
Jul 2, 2013 | 9:37 pm
#164
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, PC Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 321
Advice from LAX to PPT
You can also book 2 separate tickets air Tahiti Nui - one using AA miles (u already have) and second using delta miles (amex transfers to delta)
Jul 2, 2013 | 10:04 pm
#165
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Canadia
Programs: A loyal Amerisuites customer... oh wait
Posts: 2,037
Allow at least a full day, pref 2+ days in HNL. In the event that your flight on one airline is delayed or cancelled, you may not get to HNL in time to make the other booking.
I apologize if you're already versed in this stuff... but a delay caused by Airline A is no excuse not to get to the flight for Airline B in time.
Have fun.
I apologize if you're already versed in this stuff... but a delay caused by Airline A is no excuse not to get to the flight for Airline B in time.
Have fun.
Last edited by jerry305; Jul 2, 2013 at 11:17 pm