Where to fly in Oceania ?

[Jay95]

G'day All,

I'm new to using MP points to fly so have a few quick questions.

I've rang United a few times but I haven't found them very helpful. They seem to be reading from a script and sound like robots. lol

OK, I've got a bit over 20,000 points and wouldn't mind putting them to use. I'll be flying out of Sydney and I beleive I can fly anywhere in the Oceania area that UA or one of their partners flies to?

Now is this a RETURN flight or just a one way flight?

Apart from NZ and Fiji, where are some locations that I can fly to in the Oceania area? Somewhere where it's warm, has a beach etc.. I was thinking about Fiji, but if at all possible somewhere like Vanautu would be nice and probably cheaper

Is there a list of all the places that UA's partners fly - I know UA has one for themselves, but apart from digging through hundreds of web pages looking for destinations that they fly too, is there an easier way?

And lastly, I have 20,974 points, of them I have 14,974 Lifetime United flight miles. The difference of 5,000 miles was a bonus because of a flickering light that kept us all awake on a 16 hour flight...

Do these 5,000 have a limited life ? Would I need to use them before a certain date ?

I'm mainly posting this to get an idea of where I can fly using the points. Once I get a location I'll start booking

Thanks and sorry for the noob questions.

J

[Kiwi Flyer]

Welcome to AFF Jay95

Yup anywhere in Oceania on NZ (only relevant UA partner).

20,000 miles is round trip in economy.

In Oceania NZ flies to NZ, Australia (SYD/MEL/BNE/CNS/ADL/PER), Fiji (NAN), Cook Islands (RAR), Norfolk Island (NLK), Noumea (NOU), Niue (IUE), Tahiti (PPT), Samoa (APW), Tonga (TBU), Vanuatu (VLI). Some flights to NAN, RAR, PPT, APW & TBU are on 767 (ie longhaul a/c), rest are shorthaul (mixture 733 and A320). Note some destinations are flown only once a week.

You might find Air NZ route map and online timetable useful.

United Mileage Plus miles if no activity for 3 years.

[serfty]

... United Mileage Plus miles if no activity for 3 years.

Now 18 monts for expiry: United.com Australia - New Mileage Plus expiration policy questions

[NM]

Now 18 monts for expiry:

I suppose an expiring mont could be a dangerous thing .

[Jay95]

That's a great help - just what I was after. Thanks

One strange thing, going by the flight schedule I can get a flight from Vanuatu back to Sydney, but I can't get one from Sydney to Vanuatu

I've never travelled to any of these island but I intend on scanning the net and doing some research, but what are your opinions (for people that have travelled or heard about) of Vanuatu, Tahiti etc ??

I'll be looking at a cost effective way for a mid 30's bloke to have a 5 or so day break, may be by myself (a REAL break.. lol).

I might stop into the travel agent tomorrow and grab some info as well - I like pictures

Thanks again.

J

P.S - I shold also mention that I'll be travelling around June 2008 so I've got a bit of time yet, although I beleive that you need to jump in quick to get the 'free' seats ?

[StevePER]

Yup anywhere in Oceania on NZ (only relevant UA partner).

I recall reading on this Flyertalk thread that you can't get to the closer destinations on United awards from SYD because you exceed the maximum permitted mileage when going via Auckland. Vanuatu is one of these destinations.

That thread indicates the only valid destinations are:

• Tahiti (Papeete)
• Cook Islands (Rarotonga)
• Samoa (Apia)
• Tonga
• Niue

Steve

[StevePER]

I'll be looking at a cost effective way for a mid 30's bloke to have a 5 or so day break, may be by myself (a REAL break.. lol).

Avoid Tahiti if you want something cost effective. I'm going there in November - everything is so expensive!. I made the mistake of looking at pictures of Bora Bora.

The earliest you can book award travel is 330 days before travel.

Steve

[Kiwi Flyer]

I recall reading on this Flyertalk thread that you can't get to the closer destinations on United awards from SYD because you exceed the maximum permitted mileage when going via Auckland. Vanuatu is one of these destinations.

That thread indicates the only valid destinations are:

• Tahiti (Papeete)
• Cook Islands (Rarotonga)
• Samoa (Apia)
• Tonga
• Niue

Steve

Yeah I'd forgotten about that. Probably okay from PER (and possible MEL/ADL also)?

No flights direct from Australia to the islands, they all go via AKL (except NAN can go via WLG or CHC also and RAR via CHC - none of which help from a maximum permitted mileage perspective).

[ozstamps]

And you get a free NZ stopover on the Pacific awards.

[clifford]

Welcome to AFF Jay95

Yup anywhere in Oceania on NZ (only relevant UA partner).

20,000 miles is round trip in economy.

In Oceania NZ flies to NZ, Australia (SYD/MEL/BNE/CNS/ADL/PER), Fiji (NAN), Cook Islands (RAR), Norfolk Island (NLK), Noumea (NOU), Niue (IUE), Tahiti (PPT), Samoa (APW), Tonga (TBU), Vanuatu (VLI). Some flights to NAN, RAR, PPT, APW & TBU are on 767 (ie longhaul a/c), rest are shorthaul (mixture 733 and A320). Note some destinations are flown only once a week.

You might find Air NZ route map and online timetable useful.

United Mileage Plus miles if no activity for 3 years.

Believe that the 320's also fly to TBU (check the timetable).