Where to go in south west pacific?

[hedge]

I have some frequent flyer miles to burn as they expire soon (krisflyer). Anyone been to any of the following places? Which would you recommend? I have about 23.8k points.

New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga

Prefer to spend <$90 a night on a hotel, or maybe go hostelling (if its a good one for around $40-50/night)

 

[Mal]

New Caledonia will be very expensive. Tahiti probably will be too.
New Zealand is often cheap and easy to fly to - so could be a 'waste' of miles.

Fiji is also often on sale (esp. packages), and relatively easy to get to, but costs should be reasonable once there. Plenty of cheap accommodation places in the islands. Samoa should also be reasonable price wise.

Norfolk Island will be relaxing - but more in the "couples retreat" or "retiree" type of way. Accommodation expensive unless there on a package.

Can't really comment on Tonga, or the Cook Islands.

Vanuatu is probably another option. I'd class that similar to Fiji and Samoa price wise.

Try looking at www.Wikitravel.org , www.lonelyplanet.com and www.frommers.com to get some ideas about the various places. Maybe even www.hostelworld.com for some hostel type reviews.

 

[kamchatsky]

I have some frequent flyer miles to burn as they expire soon (krisflyer). Anyone been to any of the following places? Which would you recommend? I have about 23.8k points.

New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga

Prefer to spend <$90 a night on a hotel, or maybe go hostelling (if its a good one for around $40-50/night)

You need 25K for Y award to South Pacific. You are allowed one free stopover via NZ. So you can travel NZ AND one of the islands. You should be able to buy the remaining 1.2K points for your award.

Fiji is getting pretty cheap these days with their recent currency devaluation. Forget about Tahiti and New Caledonia as they are on expensive side (especially Tahiti but it is a paradise there). Not sure about Samoa as they are still recovering from tsunami. Cook Islands and Tonga would be interesting but not sure about their accommodation costs. For for your requirements I would say Fiji/Cook Islands/Tonga.

 

[hedge]

Thanks! I am a single male 21 yr old uni student, so I won't be going to a couples retreat or a super expensive place.

Samoa sounds interesting, or maybe fiji. Would probably go in July ish, would that be a bad time to go (cold?)

 

[kamchatsky]

New Caledonia will be very expensive. Tahiti probably will be too.
New Zealand is often cheap and easy to fly to - so could be a 'waste' of miles.

Fiji is also often on sale (esp. packages), and relatively easy to get to, but costs should be reasonable once there. Plenty of backpacker places in the islands. Samoa should also be reasonable price wise.

Norfolk Island will be relaxing - but more in the "couples retreat" or "retiree" type of way.

Can't really comment on Tonga, or the Cook Islands.

Vanuatu is probably another option. I'd class that similar to Fiji and Samoa price wise.

Try looking at www.Wikitravel.org , www.lonelyplanet.com (esp good for the budget traveller) and www.frommers.com to get some ideas about the various places. Maybe even www.hostelworld.com for some backpacking reviews.

About 2 years ago when I tried to redeem Sydney-Auckland-Port Vila award, their system somehow won't allow it as it is considered backtracking (even though I argued with them that this is the only way to fly there on *A), and wanted me to pay for 2 separate awards. Naturally I didn't go ahead with the booking.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

New Caledonia will be very expensive.

Though with some prudent decisions it can be about the same as in Australia...

Baguettes are very cheap as the price is regulated!!! Supermarkets are well stocked...a bit pricey as so much is imported though some things like French Wine area lot cheaper than Oz. However prices are not too bad.

Yes the names resorts are expensive, but there are alternatives.
On-line searching can find some attractive hotel rates.

Staying at family run Gites I found to be quite economical and gave you a lot more interaction that with staff at hotels

Car-hire I found to be very cheap.

 

[Mal]

Thanks! I am a single male 21 yr old uni student, so I won't be going to a couples retreat or a super expensive place.

I'd probably suggest finding yourself a Flashpacker's type resort in Fiji and having a good time around other university aged students - assuming that's what you want to do. Not really sure how the others stack up tourism wise for that sort of market.

Fiji also has excellent boat cruises around the Islands etc.

 

[albatross710]

I have some frequent flyer miles to burn as they expire soon (krisflyer). Anyone been to any of the following places? Which would you recommend? I have about 23.8k points.

New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga

Prefer to spend <$90 a night on a hotel, or maybe go hostelling (if its a good one for around $40-50/night)

I haven't done it myself but I notice that redemptions on AirNZ to the Cook Islands are very good value. That is my location in SWP when I have the time.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Thanks! I am a single male 21 yr old uni student, so I won't be going to a couples retreat or a super expensive place.

If you like the outdoors New Caledonia is probably the best set-up Island for camping in the SW Pacific (apart from New Zealand which is truly exceptional).
If you get a cheap hire car you make do with a hike tent which you may already have.


However having said that New Zealand is probably your best bet as there is a great network of backpackers both in accommodation and transport options (ie hop on hop off buses). Being single backpacking will probably providea lot more social fun and daytrip options.

 

[kamchatsky]

Agree that NZ would be great for backpacking, especially at South Island which is truly beautiful. However, because you can get a free stopover in NZ, you may as well do Fiji and stay at the Beachcomber (or something similar):

Beachcomber Island Resort

Winter in the south pacific island is actually the best time because it is of little rain, and temperature is on a "cool" 28C.

 

[hedge]

Agree that NZ would be great for backpacking, especially at South Island which is truly beautiful. However, because you can get a free stopover in NZ, you may as well do Fiji and stay at the Beachcomber (or something similar):

Beachcomber Island Resort

Winter in the south pacific island is actually the best time because it is of little rain, and temperature is on a "cool" 28C.

Thanks, looks good, although I am not sure whether I will be allowed to disembark in New Zealand for a week or so then go to Fiji afterwards? (using KF points)

edit:wow beachcomber is expensive (~AU$50 for a dorm).

 

[kamchatsky]

Thanks, looks good, although I am not sure whether I will be allowed to disembark in New Zealand for a week or so then go to Fiji afterwards? (using KF points)

edit:wow beachcomber is expensive (~AU$50 for a dorm).

The answer is yes. Stopover is any stop over 24 hours. So you can stay in NZ for 3 months if you like, then go to Fiji.

For example, last time I went to Fiji 6 years ago using redemption, I did the following:

Sydney-Auckland-Nadi (Fiji)-Auckland (stopover)-Sydney on Y

Last year, I did the following on redemption on KF miles:

Sydney - Auckland (stopover) - Papeete - Auckland - Sydney on J and
Sydney - Wellington (stopover) - Auckland - Papeete - Auckland - Sydney on J


Well last time when I was doing island hopping (6 years ago), and managed to get to Beachcombers. That place was happening with a lot of young people. Not sure what happens there now. Check with tripadvisor.

Also there are packages which you can get discounts, you have to ask various travel agents. The price in the website is probably the rack rate.

 

[hedge]

Thank you edison. Looks like ill spend about 2 weeks doing that trip, sounds good (I assume you had to call them to get the ticket as it cant be done online? And you still get the online booking discount right?)

Anyone got any other good suggestions?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

And you still get the online booking discount right?)

No as you cannot book *A partner awards online on SQ.

You can only book SQ flight on SQ to get the 15% as it is an online discount for their planes..

So you need to earn or buy another 1200 points to get the 25K you need.

 

[hedge]

No as you cannot book *A partner awards online on SQ.

You can only book SQ flight on SQ to get the 15%.

So you need to earn or buy another 1200 points to get the 25K you need.

Yeh I know you cant book *A online with KF hence the post. Looks like ill have to buy some miles. Only another US$80.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Beachcombers is still basically a young persons resort. Some of my daughters friends (18-19 ish) are going there in Feb.

Fy+ accom packages to there can be little more than Accom only.

However you are travelling alone and so would need to stay in the dorm or be hit with the single supplement.

 

[kamchatsky]

Thank you edison. Looks like ill spend about 2 weeks doing that trip, sounds good (I assume you had to call them to get the ticket as it cant be done online? And you still get the online booking discount right?)

Anyone got any other good suggestions?

As lovetravellingoz mentioned, you have to call Krisflyer to book the award, and it is NOT eligible for 15% discount. Hence I mentioned that you need to purchase additional points (unless you have more points coming for topup).

Sometimes AirNZ have weird hour flights coming out from Fiji. In fact, last time I took a flight out of Fiji at 03:40am (will NEVER do that again)!!!!! So instead of getting the operator to give you suggestion for flight time, I suggest that you use the tool as mentioned in the link below:

bmi FAQ No.4: Redemptions - Finding Award seats : the ANA online tool masterclass - FlyerTalk Forums

It is VERY useful to find star alliance award seats. So once you know which flights you want to catch, you can just call up Krisflyer and tell them the exact flights to redeem award.

For my last redemption, taxes was like $150AU or under for me for the redemption ticket. Last time I booked NZ didn't charge fuel surcharges.

Anyway, enjoy your trip to the south pacific and NZ, I have found Air NZ a great airline in all areas (food, service, inflight entertainment), even in economy class.

 

[Bang4Buck]

Sometimes AirNZ have weird hour flights coming out from Fiji. In fact, last time I took a flight out of Fiji at 03:40am (will NEVER do that again)!

NZ has very useful connection times from AKL these days.

It is VERY useful to find star alliance award seats. So once you know which flights you want to catch, you can just call up Krisflyer and tell them the exact flights to redeem award.

Also you can download the * tool from staralliance to check on arrival/ departure options. Agree the ANA tool is good to check availability.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Thanks! I am a single male 21 yr old uni student, so I won't be going to a couples retreat or a super expensive place.

Samoa sounds interesting, or maybe fiji. Would probably go in July ish, would that be a bad time to go (cold?)

Best time to go Sieveo