Hawaii travelers who have been thinking about also trying Tahiti or Fiji may have a new reason to look again. We found unusually low award prices to both destinations, including nonstop Los Angeles to Papeete flights for 25,000 Alaska Atmos miles plus $26 one way and nonstop Fiji flights starting at 30,000 miles plus $26. These flights are on Air Tahiti Nui and on Fiji Airways.
Those prices are roughly half what we normally expect to see, especially on the otherwise expensive Los Angeles to Tahiti route. At our estimated value of about one cent per mile, the Tahiti award works out to roughly $250 plus an extra $26, a flight that can otherwise be multiples more.
Tahiti and Fiji award availability is found on scattered dates.
For those familiar with award travel, it rarely appears in a neat block of dates, and this is no exception. One day may offer an easy nonstop, while the next requires a connection through Honolulu or costs far more miles. So you’ll need to scour to find these deals.
What caught our attention was how many lower-priced dates appeared across different months and departure cities. We found 25,000-mile Tahiti awards from Los Angeles on several dates, along with 30,000-mile Fiji awards from both Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Travelers will still need flexibility, since moving the trip by even one day can completely change the routing and price. That is how mileage awards generally work, but this appears to be more than a single lucky seat on one isolated date.
One additional bonus to keep in mind is that Alaska award tickets like this are refundable to your Atmos account should you, for any reason, decide not to travel. There is, however, a $20 partner award charge included in the $26 mentioned, and that would not be refunded if you change your mind.
Some days bring a far cheaper and more direct Tahiti or Fiji flight than others.
Not every itinerary at the lowest price offers the same experience. On some dates, Los Angeles to Papeete is available nonstop on Air Tahiti Nui, while other options route through Honolulu and require two flights on Alaska/Hawaiian.
In our experience, Air Tahiti Nui and Fiji Airways are both excellent international airlines, with an onboard atmosphere and level of service that bear little resemblance to what has become the typical Hawaii flight experience.
The value is not only in using fewer miles, but also in getting a nonstop international flight experience that’s better than many travelers may expect at that price.
Hawaii can also become part of the itinerary.
One option we found routed from Los Angeles through Honolulu to Papeete for the same 25,000-mile price. Alaska may permit an en route stopover on eligible international one-way awards, which could allow combining time in Hawaii with a trip farther into the Pacific. Travelers need to confirm the exact routing before booking. The ability to visit Hawaii and continue to Tahiti in at least one direction gives this a distinctly different appeal for Beat of Hawaii readers.
Alaska’s advertised Global Getaways sale.
Alaska is currently promoting discounted Global Getaways awards, including Tahiti for 25,000 miles and Fiji for 30,000 miles. The promotion requires booking by August 8 and applies to specified travel windows.
We also found 25,000-mile Tahiti awards on dates that appear to be outside the stated promotional travel period. That suggests some of the availability is broader saver-level partner space rather than only inventory tied to the advertised sale.
The August 8 deadline may or may not apply to every award we found. The safer conclusion is always that unusually good pricing should be consumed immediately when available, since these mileage seats can change or disappear without notice.
Hawaii travelers now have another Pacific option.
Tahiti and Fiji have long looked expensive compared with a familiar Hawaii vacation, especially for travelers starting on the U.S. mainland. At 25,000 or 30,000 Alaska miles one way, that calculation is quite different.
The dates are scattered; the easiest itinerary may appear one day and disappear the next, and flexibility is essential. Even with the limitations, this is some of the best Pacific award pricing and availability we have seen in a long time, particularly when the lowest price includes nonstop international flights on Air Tahiti Nui or Fiji Airways.
Are you planning to take advantage of an award to Fiji or French Polynesia?
Lead Photo Credit: © Beat of Hawaii on the island of Moorea, French Polynesia.
By Rob and Jeff, Beat of Hawaii.
Some of the most meaningful parts of Hawaii are the ones visitors walk right past without knowing they are there. We’ve spent nearly 20 years finding them firsthand for BOH as full-time Hawaii residents reporting on travel, culture, and island life, and telling you what they mean for your trip. Join us →
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