UA to French Polynesia???
Nov 16, 2017, 3:28 pm
#31
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Nov 16, 2017, 3:35 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DC Suburbs
Programs: DL Gold, Hilton Gold, Carnival VIFP Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 459
Hope that the nonstop from SFO does come to fruition for PPT!
For the other islands, with UA's HNL ramp-up, you now have this nice bank of flights arriving HNL in early afternoon from EWR/ORD/IAH/SFO/LAX/DEN (and, once a week, IAD). Many (but not all) of them are already nicely timed for a connection to UA201 to GUM. Perhaps an ETOPS 737NG or two could run HNL-PPT and HNL-PPG-NAN (HNL-PPG would be domestic now wouldn't it?!), etc.? I dare not say "Hub" but UA has enough flights from enough major markets in the mainland US to possibly justify a 737 connection a few days a week to these places, do they not?
For the other islands, with UA's HNL ramp-up, you now have this nice bank of flights arriving HNL in early afternoon from EWR/ORD/IAH/SFO/LAX/DEN (and, once a week, IAD). Many (but not all) of them are already nicely timed for a connection to UA201 to GUM. Perhaps an ETOPS 737NG or two could run HNL-PPT and HNL-PPG-NAN (HNL-PPG would be domestic now wouldn't it?!), etc.? I dare not say "Hub" but UA has enough flights from enough major markets in the mainland US to possibly justify a 737 connection a few days a week to these places, do they not?
Nov 16, 2017, 3:40 pm
#33
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
French Blue, a long-haul LCC, is adding SFO-PPT in May 2018. http://www.tahiti-infos.com/French-B...8_a166342.html
It would be borderline crazy to suddenly have two wide-body planes on the route, though certainly possible.
It would be borderline crazy to suddenly have two wide-body planes on the route, though certainly possible.
Nov 16, 2017, 3:42 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
As someone who pays for J/C out of my own pocket, yes it does matter that I get my miles into MP account. Currently, I have over 150K points with IHG, plus ambassador weekend and annual free stay and still I've pushed going to Bora Bora out because of no Star Alliance carrier flying to PPT from the US. It just feels like a waste to fly TN or AF and obtain miles that are pretty much going to expire out.
Nov 16, 2017, 3:47 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
French Blue, a long-haul LCC, is adding SFO-PPT in May 2018. http://www.tahiti-infos.com/French-B...8_a166342.html
It would be borderline crazy to suddenly have two wide-body planes on the route, though certainly possible.
It would be borderline crazy to suddenly have two wide-body planes on the route, though certainly possible.
Nov 16, 2017, 3:56 pm
#36
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,867
As someone who pays for J/C out of my own pocket, yes it does matter that I get my miles into MP account. Currently, I have over 150K points with IHG, plus ambassador weekend and annual free stay and still I've pushed going to Bora Bora out because of no Star Alliance carrier flying to PPT from the US. It just feels like a waste to fly TN or AF and obtain miles that are pretty much going to expire out.
Last edited by escapefromphl; Nov 16, 2017 at 4:02 pm
Nov 16, 2017, 4:29 pm
#37
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,577
As someone who pays for J/C out of my own pocket, yes it does matter that I get my miles into MP account. Currently, I have over 150K points with IHG, plus ambassador weekend and annual free stay and still I've pushed going to Bora Bora out because of no Star Alliance carrier flying to PPT from the US. It just feels like a waste to fly TN or AF and obtain miles that are pretty much going to expire out.
Nov 16, 2017, 4:45 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,362
Like others said, I am all for going to PPT, and the more choices the better, but I can't see this as a particularly lucrative venture for UA. At best they may make it a once to thrice-per-week thing with a plane full of 1Ks on award tickets..
French Polynesia is AWESOME, although it gets nicer the further away from Tahiti you go!
Nov 16, 2017, 4:51 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Similar to why it took me so long to get to KEF. I had to plan it when I was already in Europe and even then GLA-EDI I sucked it up and earned nada but could at least earn miles on 4U KEF-TXL.
- Signed a 1K in Paid J/F
- Signed a 1K in Paid J/F
Nov 16, 2017, 5:07 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
still I've pushed going to Bora Bora out because of no Star Alliance carrier flying to PPT from the US
Nov 16, 2017, 5:58 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,312
Still dont get it, you plan your life around where you can earn United miles?
Nov 16, 2017, 6:08 pm
#42
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Sure bet, how are you on FT and find this surprising?It's leisure travel and there's plenty of places on the list I can go in the meantime. Why not maximize my utility by doing so? Why spend thousands on a flight that will get me nada when I can buy a J ticket and get enough RDMs to redeem BKK-SYD in F?
Nov 16, 2017, 6:25 pm
#43
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
Sure bet, how are you on FT and find this surprising?It's leisure travel and there's plenty of places on the list I can go in the meantime. Why not maximize my utility by doing so? Why spend thousands on a flight that will get me nada when I can buy a J ticket and get enough RDMs to redeem BKK-SYD in F?
I don't spend a nickel, if I can help it, unless it somehow profits my mileage account. - George Clooney, Up in the Air
Nov 16, 2017, 6:32 pm
#44
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
Yup, same reason why Nadi and Suva are currently not on my radar either. UA used to fly to Fiji from LAX I wonder if Fiji has even a remote possibility of return.
Nov 16, 2017, 6:32 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: UA Million Mile, Mileage Plus Premier 1K, SkyMiles Gold Medallion, AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 875
I will be extremely happy if this is true. I have been trying to take my family to Bora Bora for years, but the prices during the times I have wanted to go are ridiculous. When Asia, Europe, and even Hawaii are much cheaper, it is difficult to argue for Bora Bora. However, even if UA keeps the prices high, I can now use miles and not have to fly to New Zealand first!