French Polynesia is one of the toughest awards in the world to book. In part that’s because there are only 5 flights between the U.S. mainland and Tahiti, and they aren’t all offered daily. For instance the Air France flight from Los Angeles to Papeete is flown just 3 times a week.
However booking right now for next winter you can grab 9 or more business class saver award seats on the Air France flight from Papeete, Tahiti to Los Angeles – which is unprecedented. Book now, because this certainly won’t last. And operated with an Air France Boeing 777, this is the best business class product between the US and Tahiti as well.
Here’s a Delta award calendar showing dates where 9 or more business class awards are available, every date on the calendar where the flight operates the space is open.
Unfortunately the space is only available one way, but consider locking in Tahiti to the U.S. now and continuing to look for the outbound. You have the option of Air Tahiti Nui (American miles) or United Airlines as well.
Booking:
- Air France KLM Flying Blue is a transfer partner of American Express, Chase, Citibank and Capital One. They charge 64,000 miles and $292.36 one way.
- Delta SkyMiles is an Amex transfer partner and charges 100,000 miles and $53.38 one way.
Stephen Pepper who first reported the space points out,
If you’ll be booking with SkyMiles and don’t have status as high as Platinum with Delta, it could be worth booking round trip tickets starting in the US, departing in economy and returning in business class. That’s because you won’t get free award changes if only booking one-way tickets from PPT to LAX as free award changes are only for flights originating in the US.
French Polynesia is a desirable destination, perhaps one of the most naturally beautiful in the world. I’m a terrible photographer, using an older phone, but my photos come out remarkably well there.
People who like to be super active aren’t often happy with visiting (dubbing it “boring boring”) but for relaxation and beauty it’s marvelous. I think the backdrop and sand beaches are more stunning that the Maldives. Plus you aren’t really trapped on property if visiting Moorea or Bora Bora. On Bora Bora, for instance, the town of Vaitape has several restaurants. Resorts on their own motu (island) offer shuttles to the mainland. You can go out to dinner to mix things up.
Tried to book with delta miles but for some reason they’re messing up the conversion. 5269XPF is roughly $53 but I got an alert from Amex they attempted to charge $5300!
You forgot HNL to PPT on Hawaiin. I did that a few years ago, on a saver rate in F. Good option if you want to stop off in the islands first,
Why would you want to go to Tahiti in February or March? That is the rainy season. Remember that they are south of the equator so when it’s winter in the USA, it is summer in Tahiti and thus, the rainy season. If you can get descent business class availability next July or August, then that is a true deal.
Plus you aren’t supporting a homophobic government not known for respecting human right (Maldives). Tahiti is the way to go for overwater bungalows, and also many hours closer to the USA.
I had same issue as Dennis. If you try to book this through Delta, they will authorize your card for more than US $5,000 when it should be about $50. The reservation also does not go through.
Just a heads-up: They’re available in both directions. I booked LAX-PPT r/t for two in biz today for 256,000 miles and ~$1k.