Deal alert: United Polaris award space from San Francisco to Tahiti this fall
If you're looking for postcard-perfect beaches, a couple's romantic getaway or a break from cooler temperatures, why not go to Tahiti this fall?
Right now, there's great award space availability, including a nonstop flight in United's Polaris business class from San Francisco. And with United's huge domestic route network, you can easily connect from other U.S. cities.
Here's a look at the award space we're seeing and the best ways to book, depending on what points and miles you have available.
For more TPG news, deals and tips, sign up for our daily newsletter and download the free TPG app.
The deal
Airlines: United.
Routes: SFO to/from PPT.
Cost: From 55,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points plus $37 taxes and fees one-way in business class.
Dates: September and October.
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.
Sample dates
These flights are operated by United Airlines, operating five days per week between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Faa'a International Airport in Tahiti (PPT). United operates a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on this route, equipped with its Polaris business product.
San Francisco to Tahiti in September
San Francisco to Tahiti in October
Tahiti to San Francisco in September
Tahiti to San Francisco in October
Pricing for award flights
Depending on which program you're booking with, you may see more or less award availability. You can book these awards with any Star Alliance partner. Here's what we are seeing:
- Air Canada Aeroplan: Excellent availability for economy in September, October and November and then early December. Business class availability is tougher to find; roughly one-third of dates now through November have availability, while December has almost nothing.
- Avianca LifeMiles: Half of the days in September 2022 have business class availability, but no other months have business class availability. September and October have excellent availability in economy, while November and December have gaps.
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: Availability is sporadic on the website. However, if you can find the flight on another partner's website (such as LifeMiles or Aeroplan), you can usually book it over the phone.
- United Airlines MileagePlus: This is a pricey option, but every flight is available and the vast majority of them are showing saver pricing right now.
Here is round-trip pricing for these awards, depending on how you book:
- Aeroplan: 70,000 points + $84.78 in economy and 110,000 points + $84.78 in business class.
- LifeMiles: 80,000 miles + $46.83 in economy and 160,000 miles + $46.83 in business class.
- United MileagePlus: 70,000 miles + $53.87 in economy and 350,000 miles + $53.87 in business class.
- Singapore KrisFlyer: 132,000 miles + $53.87 in economy and 293,000 miles + $53.87 in business class.
Here are the transfer partners if you need to move more points and miles into your account before booking:
- Aeroplan: American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.
- LifeMiles: American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.
- United MileagePlus: Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.
- Singapore KrisFlyer: American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.
All transfers will happen at 1-to-1 ratios, except for transfers from Marriott Bonvoy. These are at 3-to-1 to most programs but 3-to-1.1 to United.
Bottom line
There's considerable award availability from SFO to PPT this fall. These prices are for nonstop flights from San Francisco to Tahiti's major airport. If you need a connecting flight, prices can change.
As always, confirm availability for your dates before transferring any points from your bank since these can't be undone if you change your mind.
When it comes time to pay the taxes and fees on your award ticket, make sure to use your best credit card for flight bookings to earn extra miles on this payment.
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