Deal alert: Fly to French Polynesia from $696, vacation packages from $2,400
You can save big on flights to Tahiti with a brand new sale from Air Tahiti Nui. The flagship carrier for French Polynesia is offering discounted airfare and vacation packages now through Aug. 20 from Los Angeles and San Francisco. The sale also includes flights from Seattle, the airline's newest West Coast destination, that begin Oct. 5.
Additionally, the airline is offering significant discounts on vacation hotel and airfare packages, which start at $2,398, to flyers traveling from Seattle to some of the most desirable islands in French Polynesia. These packages include stays at resorts in Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and Rangiroa — we're talking serious bucket list vacation potential here.
The Seattle airfare and vacation package deals are available between October and March 2023. Los Angeles and San Francisco flights are discounted for travel between August and March 2023. You must book travel by Aug. 20.
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Deal basics
Airlines: Air Tahiti Nui.
Routes: Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle to Papeete, French Polynesia.
How to book: Go to Air Tahiti Nui's website and book directly with the airline.
Travel dates: From LA or San Francisco from Aug. 1 through March 31, 2023; from Seattle from Oct. 5 through Dec. 15, 2022, or Jan. 7, 2023, through March 31, 2023.
Sample round-trip economy fares include:
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT) for $698.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to PPT for $798.
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to PPT for $798.
Related: Well worth the wait: Air Tahiti Nui to French Polynesia in premium economy
Sample flights
October availability for Air Tahiti Nui's new Seattle route is running low, but we still found some seats for just $696.37 round trip.
If you book further out, the availability at the lowest fare price is much better for this route. For example, you can fly from Seattle to Papeete for $696.37 round trip in February.
The best prices we found for flights from Los Angeles to Tahiti were also in February.
Just as with Los Angeles routes, the best prices for San Francisco-to-Tahiti flights were found in early 2023. We found this $795 round trip fare from SFO to PPT in January. This ticket includes a layover at LAX each way.
If you can't wait that long to visit paradise, this same route in October costs $880.97 for a round-trip ticket. That's still a significant discount from normal prices.
Sample packages
You can score an especially nice deal by booking one of the vacation packages Air Tahiti Nui offers in this sale. The "Follow the Sun" packages include airfare from the carrier's new Seattle gateway and lodging at various hotels on islands such as Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and Rangiroa. Each vacation package includes the following:
- Economy-class airfare on Air Tahiti Nui between Seattle and Papeete.
- Meet and greet plus transfers to and from your hotel.
- Ferry access to Moorea or inter-island flights.
- Six-night stay in deluxe beachfront accommodation at one of the participating resorts: InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Te Moana Tahiti Resort, Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea and Kia Ora Resort & Spa Rangiroa.
- Daily American buffet breakfast for two.
This is an amazing deal simply for the dollar savings. The price of a room at many of these hotels can often cost you more than the price of the entire travel package. Factor in the airfare and the other bonuses, like the daily breakfasts and hotel transfers, to see the real value.
All of the packages include stays at more than one resort. They each begin with one night in Tahiti at either the Moana Tahiti resort or the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa, followed by five nights at other area hotels. Which hotel you stay in depends on the package you book. To give you an example, here are the details on the Signature Experience and the Overwater Bliss.
The Three Island Romance and Overwater Dream packages are more expensive options, starting at $3,398 per person.
Remember, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can now earn and redeem miles with Air Tahiti Nui. This can come in handy if you want to use points to travel from another city to Seattle to take advantage of these sale prices.
The vacation package sale is for travel between Oct. 5 (when Air Tahiti Nui launches its Seattle service) and March 23, 2023. There are some blackout dates, so the more flexible you can be with your travel plans, the better luck you'll have. You have to book by Aug. 20, 2022, to qualify for the sale price.
Maximize your purchase
Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5 points per dollar on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3 points per dollar on air travel, the American Express® Gold Card for 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar on travel.
The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Tahiti is one of those destinations we all have underlined on our travel wish lists. These Air Tahiti Nui deals from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle give West Coast travelers the opportunity to visit Tahiti and save some serious money. The airline is also offering vacation packages for travelers from Seattle to celebrate its new service from the city. Book by Aug. 20 to secure these deals.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended 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
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees