SYD-IPC(Sydney-Easter Island): South Pacific Award?

[grussellt]

Before I ring AA I wonder if anyone can comment on an award possibility of SYD-AKL-PPT-IPC as a South Pacific award for 20000 miles (in Y). If it's available then it would not only be an interesting trip but very good value as an award flight for over 9000km. (although not quite as good as HNL-CDG off-peak).

 

[StevePER]

I queried it several years ago and it was available, but only one seat in business class and I was after two. So it should be possible.

 

[Oubline]

Before I ring AA I wonder if anyone can comment on an award possibility of SYD-AKL-PPT-IPC as a South Pacific award for 20000 miles (in Y). If it's available then it would not only be an interesting trip but very good value as an award flight for over 9000km. (although not quite as good as HNL-CDG off-peak).

Grusselt - I know this thread was a while ago, but did you ever have luck from AA in this regard? This potentially great option has also come to my mind. Thanks you for any help.

 

[casanovawa]

I've thought about this one before, once you got to IPC you could get a 5,000 or 6,000 AA partner award to the mainland of South America as well... Pretty cheap and more options from there...

If anyone did find out if it could be done would also be interested to hear...

 

[Oubline]

I've thought about this one before, once you got to IPC you could get a 5,000 or 6,000 AA partner award to the mainland of South America as well... Pretty cheap and more options from there...

If anyone did find out if it could be done would also be interested to hear...

Unfortunately this can't be done - IPC is not counted as Chile for the intra-country rate, and in fact is counted as being in the South Pacific zone, meaning an AA one way award from IPC-SCL would cost you 37.5k miles in Y!

 

[casanovawa]

Hmmm, ok, scratch that idea...

I was thinking of going to South America next year and using one of the AA partner awards to get cheaply to IPC and perhaps to the Galapogas islands as well, but if IPC is considered non South America then this 20,000 or 30,000 in J i think it is is a pretty good deal...

 

[grussellt]

Grusselt - I know this thread was a while ago, but did you ever have luck from AA in this regard? This potentially great option has also come to my mind. Thanks you for any help.

I spoke to AAdvantage and, although technically this award can be booked for 20000 miles there are two problems:
1. The TN flights from AKL-PPT only operate on SUN/THURS and LAN from PPT-IPC operates on TUES.
2. The stopover in PPT has to be less than 24h. although I didn't investigate the "next available flight" option. There is clearly no connection available within 24h.

The other problem I found was availability on PPT-IPC. However I just had a look at LAN and there is availability (to LAN members) in July but this may/may not be available to AAdvantage members.

So I have put this possible award in a holding pattern but hopefully it may be possible one day!

 

[Oubline]

Thanks grussellt ! Yes, after more research it seems that the PPT-IPC leg and vice versa is the issue -and this is an expensive fare even in Y to spend 'real' money. Hope this does become achievable one day. Going to Easter Island is a bit of a lifelong wish for me!

 

[penegal]

Interesting.

I would really like to go to IPC one day, and naturally I would prefer not to buy a revenue fare if I can help it