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Deal alert: United Polaris award space from San Francisco to Tahiti this fall

Ryan Smith
Ryan Smith
Contributor
Ryan is a former TPG credit cards writer who has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet and The Points Guy. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points & miles stuff is illegal.
Aug. 24, 2022
•
4 min read
InterContinental Resort Tahiti
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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.

The deal

United Polaris business class on the Boeing 787-9. (Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy)

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:

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  • 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:

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.