Book now: Fly to Australia and New Zealand in business class with open award space
To say that business class award availability to Australia and New Zealand has been limited would be an understatement.
But if you act quickly, you can fly to Australia and New Zealand for 55,000 miles in business class with widespread availability on Fiji Airways using Alaska Mileage Plan, as first reported by Thrifty Traveler Premium. And better yet, Alaska allows free stopovers, so you can stop and spend some time in Fiji on your way down or going back.
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At just 55,000 Alaska miles for these awards, this is a solid deal, considering that American AAdvantage charges 80,000 miles each way, and complimentary stopovers are not allowed with American.
On the mainland U.S., Fiji Airways operates flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). But since the SFO flights are only three times per week and operated by the smaller Airbus A330, you'll find the most availability on the LAX routes — nearly all of which are operated on the Airbus A350.
Related: Flight review: Fiji Airways economy class from Nadi to Los Angeles on the A350
The deal
Airlines: Fiji Airways.
Routes: LAX/SFO to/from NAN/AKL/SYD/MEL.
Cost: From 55,000 Alaska miles plus as little as $19 in taxes and fees one-way in business class.
Dates: Feb. through June 2023 (some availability this fall too).
Pay taxes/fees with: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline; on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel) for travel protections on the award flight.
For a step-by-step guide on redeeming Alaska miles, check out this guide.
Related: How to book free stopovers with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Sample itineraries
Here’s a look at the award space. Alaska also shows mixed cabin awards, so I'll also be providing the award calendar on American Airlines, which is business class.
Los Angeles to Sydney in March
Los Angeles to Melbourne in April
San Francisco to Auckland in May
Los Angeles to Nadi in April
Related: How this family took a safe, last-minute trip to Fiji during omicron
Earning Alaska miles
Alaska miles are notoriously harder to earn than some of the other major points currencies as they aren't transferrable from programs like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards.
One of the best ways to earn Alaska miles is through the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card. This card is currently offering a heightened welcome bonus of 70,000 miles after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.
If you're in a rush to rack up Alaska miles, you can also use the Alaska Mileage Plan shopping portal or dine at a participating Mileage Plan Dining eatery. And of course, while it's seldom a good deal, you can always buy Alaska miles.
Related: Your complete guide to earning and redeeming with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Bottom line
There's normally a deficit of business class redemptions available to Oceania, so this is welcome news. Now might be the perfect time to lock in a spring break trip to Down Under.
Make sure to pay award taxes and fees with a card that earns bonus points on airfare and offers travel protections. Some cards that fit the bill include The Platinum Card from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets |
| 3X | Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels |
| 1X | Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Citi Premier’s 3 points per dollar spent across a wide range of popular categories is one of the more lucrative offerings in the world of points and miles. The Citi Premier comes with a $95 annual fee and is currently offering a solid sign up bonus of 80,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months. It also has some valuable transfer partners to make the most of your rewards. Add in access to Citi Entertainment plus a $100 hotel credit for any single-stay hotel booking that exceeds $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, booked through the Citi travel website, there are few reasons why the Citi Premier should not be in every traveler’s wallet.Pros
- Earns 3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels.
- $100 annual hotel savings benefit (on single hotel stay bookings of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, booked through thankyou.com)
- Points transfer to 16 airline programs, from JetBlue to Virgin Atlantic.
- World Elite Mastercard benefits, extended warranty, damage and theft protection.
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Lacks travel protections that other travel rewards cards come with
- For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 80,000 Points are redeemable for $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets |
| 3X | Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels |
| 1X | Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases |
Intro Offer
For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account openingEarn 80,000 ThankYou® points60,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$95Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent, Good
Why We Chose It
The Citi Premier’s 3 points per dollar spent across a wide range of popular categories is one of the more lucrative offerings in the world of points and miles. The Citi Premier comes with a $95 annual fee and is currently offering a solid sign up bonus of 80,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months. It also has some valuable transfer partners to make the most of your rewards. Add in access to Citi Entertainment plus a $100 hotel credit for any single-stay hotel booking that exceeds $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, booked through the Citi travel website, there are few reasons why the Citi Premier should not be in every traveler’s wallet.Pros
- Earns 3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels.
- $100 annual hotel savings benefit (on single hotel stay bookings of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, booked through thankyou.com)
- Points transfer to 16 airline programs, from JetBlue to Virgin Atlantic.
- World Elite Mastercard benefits, extended warranty, damage and theft protection.
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Lacks travel protections that other travel rewards cards come with
- For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 80,000 Points are redeemable for $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases