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.