Getting to Cook Islands - Paid or FF possibilities

[dalereardon]

Hi,

I am considering going to the Cook Islands, specifically Aitutaki.

Looking at BestFlights search engine it only gives options via NZ and fairly expensive options at that.

Can you go any other way eg via Fiji?

Is there any hope of getting there on FF travel? I am assuming that for buying miles to use FF tickets that LifeMiles is the only option - is that correct?

I take it no OneWorld way of getting there to use AA miles or similar?

Your advice appreciated as have never been to this part of the world.

Dale.

 

[markis10]

LM award travel is limited, ie November:





Departure November, 9th, 2013
Sydney, Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Avarua (RAR)
Airline Flights Departs Arrives Duration Stops Cabin
NZ60 Sydney, Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) 20:30 Avarua (RAR) 05:30 06:00 0 Economy
Return November, 22nd, 2013
Avarua (RAR) to Sydney, Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)
Airline Flights Departs Arrives Duration Stops Cabin
NZ61 Avarua (RAR) 15:05 Sydney, Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) 19:20 07:15 0 Economy


30000 LMs.

Have you looked at getting to NAN and then trying?

 

[dalereardon]

I now see that Virgin sort of flies there (not to full destination) but would really prefer a Qantas affiliate as have QC membership and would love to have lounge access.

Do Qantas affiliates fly there at all?

Dale.

 

[markis10]

I now see that Virgin sort of flies there (not to full destination) but would really prefer a Qantas affiliate as have QC membership and would love to have lounge access.

Do Qantas affiliates fly there at all?

Dale.

Try FJ as your best bet.

 

[harvyk]

When I went there a couple of years ago, I did QF from MEL-AKL and then NZ from AKL-RAR.
There is no lounges at RAR (at least nothing note worthy which I saw), so it's really only in AKL (on the way there) you'd need to do without a lounge.

 

[harvyk]

Try FJ as your best bet.

FJ prob won't be of much good to a QP member (I'm taking the assumption of Y since QP was mentioned), no lounges full stop AFAIK.

 

[dodgeyhack]

When I went there a couple of years ago, I did QF from MEL-AKL and then NZ from AKL-RAR.
There is no lounges at RAR (at least nothing note worthy which I saw), so it's really only in AKL (on the way there) you'd need to do without a lounge.

It might be new, but there's a nice little NZ lounge at RAR. Gets busy close to departure time though, possibly less of a problem on the 767 flight but we were on the 777.
We flew QF SYD-AKL, overnighted, then NZ AKL-RAR
Had great success bidding for an upgrade to J on NZ. Only bid something like $50-$100 and got it both legs.

Probably not that useful, but Air Tahiti does RAR-PPT.

 

[lovestotravel]

When I went there a couple of years ago, I did QF from MEL-AKL and then NZ from AKL-RAR.
There is no lounges at RAR (at least nothing note worthy which I saw), so it's really only in AKL (on the way there) you'd need to do without a lounge.

Wrong - Raratonga has an OK Air NZ lounge which was renovated a few years back

 

[smit0847]

The direct flight SYD-RAR would be the quickest option, but as others have said, availability seems pretty scarce using LMs or USDM (is it zoned as South Pacific on USDM?).

Maybe consider just buying a rev ticket? Are you wanting to go Y or J?

 

[dalereardon]

You mention bidding for J upgrade - where can I learn more about that process? Sounds intriguing.

Dale.

 

[dalereardon]

Yes looks like a rev ticket it will have to be.

Who flies the direct Syd-RAR route? I haven't been able to get a direct flight to show up on any of my searches.

Dale.

 

[lovestotravel]

Virgin seem to have some sort of sale for $610 return Melbourne to Raratonga at the moment which is very good value

Air NZ is well over $900

Can't easily check on the Virgin website for flights from Hobart as it's being annoying

However, for $600 return to RAR I'd be going with that, unless you want the non-stop from SYD

 

[lovestotravel]

Who flies the direct Syd-RAR route? I haven't been able to get a direct flight to show up on any of my searches.

Dale.

Air NZ

NZ60 Sat SYD-RAR
NZ61 Fri RAR-SYD

Seems to be about $767 return, flying the 767 which is a FAR better way to fly than an A320

Raratonga is simply amazing!

 

[dodgeyhack]

You mention bidding for J upgrade - where can I learn more about that process? Sounds intriguing.Dale.

OneUp - Flights - Air New Zealand - Australia Site

AKL-RAR we were on the 767 so went Y to J (no PE on these flights).
RAR-AKL on the 777 we went from PE to J.

 

[markis10]

FJ prob won't be of much good to a QP member (I'm taking the assumption of Y since QP was mentioned), no lounges full stop AFAIK.

QP members get Tabua lounge access in NAN by paying $40, in addition to access in Australia to the J lounges, but looks like they don't do RAR now so moot point.

 

[dalereardon]

Hi,

Will go via NZ I think. The direct flight from Syd is 6 hours and I have a personal maximum of around 4 hours for economy flights. PE is okay but the current Virgin price is very good indeed.

Dale.