Deal alert: United Polaris award space from San Francisco to Tahiti this fall
Ryan Smith is a credit cards writer at TPG and is on a mission to visit every country in the world. He lives in southern California.
Aug. 24, 2022
•
5 min read
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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.
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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
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SFO-PPT availability in business class for September 2022. (Screenshot from lifemiles.com)
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San Francisco to Tahiti in October
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SFO-PPT availability in business class for October 2022. (Screenshot from lifemiles.com)
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Tahiti to San Francisco in September
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PPT-SFO availability in business class for September 2022. (Screenshot from lifemiles.com)
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Tahiti to San Francisco in October
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PPT-SFO availability in business class for October 2022. (Screenshot from lifemiles.com)
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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:
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- 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.
Featured image by InterContinental Resort Tahiti (Photo by Kyle Olsen/The Points Guy)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. If anyone on our team wouldn’t recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldn’t recommend it on The Points Guy either. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners.
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Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual 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
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees