Award Space for South Pacific - Non existent?

[hummel]

Fellow AFF'ers,

As some know I've got my honeymoon booked at Hilton Bora Bora January 2nd-8th next year. Accommodation is all sorted however I can't find *any* availability to even get to PPT. I have no problem paying for flights (ok maybe I do ) but I can't even seem to get MEL/SYD-AKL in even economy looking through awrdtrvlr, velocity etc

Has space not been loaded into the system? I see QF has seats across the ditch but don't really have enough for that but plenty of Velocity/*A miles.

Any thoughts? Is this where ExpertFlyer comes in handy? I think I read it can notify you straight away of award availability?

Cheers

 

[kamchatsky]

Fellow AFF'ers,

As some know I've got my honeymoon booked at Hilton Bora Bora January 2nd-8th next year. Accommodation is all sorted however I can't find *any* availability to even get to PPT. I have no problem paying for flights (ok maybe I do ) but I can't even seem to get MEL/SYD-AKL in even economy looking through awrdtrvlr, velocity etc

Has space not been loaded into the system? I see QF has seats across the ditch but don't really have enough for that but plenty of Velocity/*A miles.

Any thoughts? Is this where ExpertFlyer comes in handy? I think I read it can notify you straight away of award availability?

Cheers

Looking at 7 day search using ANA indicated that there is no TT awards for NZ during Dec-Jan. Only from Mid Feb 2014 I can see availability across TT. I do see Y awards from AKL-PPT during that period though.

 

[haydensydney]

Yes... NZ availability has been cut back significantly (bummer!)

We used to fly them heaps in J to NZ and the South Pacific. It seems like the only fares we can find is the direct SYD-RAR service, but even then it's sporadic in availability.

 

[hummel]

Yes... NZ availability has been cut back significantly (bummer!)

We used to fly them heaps in J to NZ and the South Pacific. It seems like the only fares we can find is the direct SYD-RAR service, but even then it's sporadic in availability.

Significantly is an understatement!

Edison, looking for that elusive NZ41/42

More chance of getting availbilty LAX-PPT than TT it seems... what's a little extra flying?

 

[kamchatsky]

Actually it is NZ40/41 (unless they changed recently).

They only have 2 flights per week there. One is Friday and one Monday. Would be easier to see if you have access to ANA so you can see 7 days availability.

Also NZ does not fly PPT-LAX. Only TN and AF does.

 

[casanovawa]

That does suck about NZ taking off all its seats, I was looking forward to booking a few J return seats on a flight to the south Pacific somewhere from Perth!!!

Is buying any miles through AA and using them an option??

 

[kamchatsky]

That does suck about NZ taking off all its seats, I was looking forward to booking a few J return seats on a flight to the south Pacific somewhere from Perth!!!

Is buying any miles through AA and using them an option??

Depends on where in South Pacific you are referring to. You can redeem AA miles on TN. But this is only to Tahiti. NZ has excellent coverage of other areas of South Pacific. That's why I like *A awards to this area, cheap and good in general.

 

[casanovawa]

Depends on where in South Pacific you are referring to. You can redeem AA miles on TN. But this is only to Tahiti. NZ has excellent coverage of other areas of South Pacific. That's why I like *A awards to this area, cheap and good in general.

Well it seems like it HAD excellent coverage...

 

[prozac]

Just did some dummy LF searches SYD-PPT and AKL-PPT for one result right up to late October. i.e. one leg there in Y, not back. Availability appears non-existent or I am not searching the right way.

 

[hummel]

Just did some dummy LF searches SYD-PPT and AKL-PPT for one result right up to late October. i.e. one leg there in Y, not back. Availability appears non-existent or I am not searching the right way.

Sounds about right. I ended up paying for flights to PPT for our honeymoon... it hurt.

Thankfully the Hilton mistake rate made up for it!

 

[prozac]

Sounds about right. I ended up paying for flights to PPT for our honeymoon... it hurt.

Thankfully the Hilton mistake rate made up for it!

I did a search instead SYD to CMB via BKK. Next to nothing to BKK either. ..is it me? I only get routed BKK via ICN and one leg in whY. I have very little joy using the LF engine.

 

[smit0847]

I did a search instead SYD to CMB via BKK. Next to nothing to BKK either. ..is it me? I only get routed BKK via ICN and one leg in whY. I have very little joy using the LF engine.

What's the LF engine?

 

[prozac]

Lifemiles...LM maybe better

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

I just helped a close family friend organise tickets to PPT for her honeymoon through AA miles.

Per - Mel - Auckland - stopover overnight
Auckland - PPT

PPT - Auckland
Auckland - Syd

All legs in business class on qantas and Air Tahiti Except the Auckland - Syd leg as there was no U class.

I looked on flight stats for 'I' availability from Auckland - PPT return and it worked out they want 7 nights on Bora bora (internal flights to book soon) and they got exactly 7 nights in bora bora with and overnight in Auckland on the way there and they have to stay overnight in PPT when they arrive and the night before they depart but that's because of the TN flight times.

After ready how hard it is to find availability even in economy on this flight I was very very surprised she got it!!!

All up 60,000 miles bought with the promo so $1454US and $197US taxes and the fee but we got stung with that $80 fee for having the Aussie address :///

 

[WA flyer]

I just helped a close family friend organise tickets to PPT for her honeymoon through AA miles.

Per - Mel - Auckland - stopover overnight
Auckland - PPT

PPT - Auckland
Auckland - Syd

All legs in business class on qantas and Air Tahiti Except the Auckland - Syd leg as there was no U class.

I looked on flight stats for 'I' availability from Auckland - PPT return and it worked out they want 7 nights on Bora bora (internal flights to book soon) and they got exactly 7 nights in bora bora with and overnight in Auckland on the way there and they have to stay overnight in PPT when they arrive and the night before they depart but that's because of the TN flight times.

After ready how hard it is to find availability even in economy on this flight I was very very surprised she got it!!!

All up 60,000 miles bought with the promo so $1454US and $197US taxes and the fee but we got stung with that $80 fee for having the Aussie address :///

I managed to book this one way from PPT to PER. I to AKL and U to SYD and on to PER.
Unfortunately with only one flight a week from Easter Island, there was no chance of having that leg included on our return from the World Cup.
I'd recommend your friend split their holiday with a few days in Moorea for a more typical Tahitian experience!

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Would you suggest 5 nights bora bora and 3 on Moorea?

 

[hummel]

Would you suggest 5 nights bora bora and 3 on Moorea?

We did 6 nights at Bora Bora in Janurary... and were a bit bored after 4 nights for what it's worth.

 

[burmans]

We did 6 nights at Bora Bora in Janurary... and were a bit bored after 4 nights for what it's worth.

Guess it depends on whether you are on your honeymoon or not!

 

[hummel]

Guess it depends on whether you are on your honeymoon or not!

Yes well we were haha

We stayed at Hilton Bora Bora Nui, you need to remember these resorts are purely that. On their own islands etc so there is not much exploring to do. I'm very much one to get out and explore when on holiday so that's where I struggled.