mechteach

While I would rather have been in Business (obviously!), we flew Premium Plus RT SFO-PPT last December, and I found it to be quite comfortable. It is only an 8 hour flight or so, and the recline and footrest on the PP seats meant that we were able to catnap a bit on the way there and back. The tv screens were large, and the entertainment was varied (as it always is on UA). The food was also surprisingly good, and the service was attentive, though they only had beer and wine to drink, despite the published guidelines saying that all booze is free in PP (we were also all 1ks, and should have gotten a drink that way as well, but no dice!).

One caveat about your upgrade comment - I assume you know this, but just in case you don't, there has to be upgrade space available to use miles to upgrade. I hate to link to TPG, but this is a rather good explanation of the various fare classes: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/united-fare-classes/.

Good luck planning your trip! We loved, loved, loved French Polynesia, and after finally visiting it (we were primarily in Moorea, which I HIGHLY recommend), I see why people go back again and again.

prestonh

NZ has recently announced a phased opening of it's borders. possibly relevant to the OP (but there is a 10 day self isolation requirement):

Step 4 — From July 2022

The following fully vaccinated people can enter New Zealand and self-isolate upon arrival:

• Visitors from countries who do not need a visa (visa waiver visitors)

Step 5 — From October 2022

All visa categories will reopen from October 2022, including visitor and student visas.
https://covid19.govt.nz/internationa...-borders-open/

rankourabu

We flew out in October for 3 weeks, and agree, its a short flight, there is no need to stress about it..
We upgraded using PPoints to J on the way over and that was nice to have on the daytime flight.
On the way back, its even a shorter flight, and its pretty much lights out due to the late departure. So it depends on where you can sleep. I find the purple seats good enough.


Make sure you get beyond Moorea and Bora Bora on your trip!

The self-isolation requirement pretty much kills any tourism.
I have optimistically booked award tickets for 2nd half of January next year. But I m not even confident that will be a go.

prestonh

I agree, there is a statement where they indicated they might shorten the length as well. Considering how closed the country/island has been it is encouraging that travel is finally opening (not even split resident/families could get in until now!). So for someone coming back (vfr or students etc) this is good news. Lot's of pressure on the administration to open up.

WineCountryUA

lots of discussion of PremPlus in Premium Plus (Premium Economy) seats and Experience

Those are fully refunded if if you or UA cancel. The original airfare will be a future flight credit if you cancel. Remember entry requirements are your responsibility and not a reason for airfare refund.

mikeyf

I believe the 10 day home isolation will be reduced (it is linked to number of positive cases) as the case count goes up isolation period will be reduced. Tourism industry and airlines have asked the government to rethink the policy before they get to step 5, as it will do nothing to help building back international travelers. I arrive AKL on Mar 15 to visit family and hoping it will be down to 7 day or less by then....