*A Award To Papeete
Jan 23, 2008, 12:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 118
*A Award To Papeete
I was thinking about planning a vacation to Bora Bora this fall and was wondering if anyone has ever successfully booked a *A award to Papeete? It looks like Air New Zealand is the only *A partner that flies from the US to Papeete. It looks like they fly direct from LAX a couple times a week and I'm sure there's the option of connecting through Australia. I tried to do a little research on seatcounter but couldn't get it to show award availability on Air New Zealand, even after entering the airline twice. I'm not familiar with the ana search tool so haven't tried that but just wondering if anyone has had any experience in the past.
Jan 23, 2008, 1:18 pm
#2
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
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I'll move this to the Star Alliance Forum so the world travellers there can assist you.
FlyinHawaiian, Co-Moderator
United Mileage Plus Forum
FlyinHawaiian, Co-Moderator
United Mileage Plus Forum
Jan 23, 2008, 2:37 pm
#3
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF Lifetime SG, LH HON, OZ Lifetime Diamond +, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 14,373
Hi Time2Travel! I have a booking for a 2 business class award tickets in August for SYD-AKL-PPT and back. Well, one leg back is in economy.
So yes, you can get award tickets. But you need to book them well in advance. NZ does not fly LAX-PPT on their own metal anymore. It is a codeshare with Air Tahiti Nui. So you need to fly from LAX to AKL or SYD and then connect.
Having said this, there currently is still availability in Y for many dates in August and September for AKL-PPT and for LAX-AKL. So should be no problem booking this as long as you have time and are flexible with the dates.
Just one note. Sometime UA restricts award inventory for their members. So even so people of M&M and other Star Alliance programs might be able to book flights, UA Mileage Plus members might not.
Enjoy Bora Bora. It is supposed to be really nice (and expensive).
So yes, you can get award tickets. But you need to book them well in advance. NZ does not fly LAX-PPT on their own metal anymore. It is a codeshare with Air Tahiti Nui. So you need to fly from LAX to AKL or SYD and then connect.
Having said this, there currently is still availability in Y for many dates in August and September for AKL-PPT and for LAX-AKL. So should be no problem booking this as long as you have time and are flexible with the dates.
Just one note. Sometime UA restricts award inventory for their members. So even so people of M&M and other Star Alliance programs might be able to book flights, UA Mileage Plus members might not.
Enjoy Bora Bora. It is supposed to be really nice (and expensive).
Jan 24, 2008, 1:52 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,935
Tried in June to secure 4 tickets in either class for AKL-PPT in December. I knew it was late but no harm in trying. To my surprise it was actually possible - one of the legs even in C. However due to other schedule issues I has to move the return date forward with one day - and that messed things up.
Take at look at this one:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=781490
Take at look at this one:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=781490
Jan 24, 2008, 2:12 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London, England
Programs: OW Emerald (BA), UA*G, Marriott Plat, IC RA, Various others
Posts: 1,009
Hotel advice...
For what it is worth, try and avoid the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort...looks great in the photos, but I've never had poorer service, shabby accommodation, lack of interest from staff and management, and an overpriced stay in all of my travels. Even two complaint letters went unanswered. I found a previous guests' used band-aid stuck to the writing desk in my end of pier, overwater bungalow (tasty!), pillows were musty and damp, room was dusty and dirty, very worn. Waitresses were barefoot in the top restaurant, which was very expensive. I watched honeymooners sharing main courses as they were so horrified by the prices. Other properties have opened since I was there last year, do be sure to check them out!
Jan 27, 2008, 8:40 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
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Unfortunately this is one destination the SkyTeam has a leg up on. AF flies from LAX to PPT. But those seats are almost impossible to come by, from what I'm told.
As for the Bora Bora resort, it was at one time *THE* resort of the island. But since major chains like Sheraton, St. Regis, Ritz, Intercontinental have built there this one has not kept up with the times.
As for the Bora Bora resort, it was at one time *THE* resort of the island. But since major chains like Sheraton, St. Regis, Ritz, Intercontinental have built there this one has not kept up with the times.