Welcome to another post of helping a reader travel!
This weekly post is to help readers get a ton of travel advice from thousand of Deals We Like blog readers. Thus far, we’ve been able to help other readers travel to a slew of domestic and international destinations. Check out recent destinations and comment on suggestions here.
So this weeks travel destination includes Tahiti. I received the following email from reader Laura:
“My fiance and I are really interested in going to Tahiti for our honeymoon. We can take up to two weeks off from work so we thought this would be a great destination. We really need some help figuring out how to get there on miles – any suggestion? We are coming from the East Coast, but would be willing to fly to California and spend a few days and then head to Tahiti. Also, what hotels would you recommend? I have a bunch of Starwood points, so would prefer to stay at a SPG hotel and I see there are a few options. Recommended places to eat and activities? Thank you in advance!”
If you’ve ever been to Tahiti, let’s help out reader Laura and I am sure many other interested readers! Also, while I am sure readers can help with the logistics of getting there on miles, this might be a trip that is worthwhile using a miles booking service. I will write more about those options this week.
Also, if you have any upcoming travel where you need some help, feel free to email me at dealswelike@gmail.com to be a featured “Help a Reader Travel” Monday special. Thanks!
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Don’t stay on Tahiti more than 1-2 nights-go to Moorea and Bora Bora.
Consider mixing in an atoll with the more hilly Society Islands.
The roulettes are a must-do are a memorable experience.
There is a very active and immensely knowledgeable community on the French Polynesia Trip Advisor forums. The information there helped me plan our trip earlier this year.
Agree with Danielle. My wife and I stayed on Tahiti our last night to position for the early morning flight. We stayed at the Hilton in Moorea for 9 nights and loved every second.
Also if you have any status on partner airlines that help with expedited check-in make sure to bring your cards. I argued with the Air France guys for 15 mins because they did not see me on the elite list but thankfully I had the Delta App which showed my status. Saved us about an easily 45 minutes not having to wait in line.
I just spent 3 days in Tahiti and 4 in Bora Bora. While Bora Bora is definitely the ultimate paradise, there’s plenty to do in Tahiti outside the so-so capital. Here’s my report on Tahiti: http://goo.gl/O0JYxa
I agree with Danielle that Tahiti itself is just OK and you are much better off hopping to Moorea or Bora Bora. A plane ticket from Tahiti to Bora Bora is going to cost about $450-500 RT (Air Tahiti Airlines) per person. Bora Bora is fantastic but resorts are very expensive. You can get from Tahiti to Moorea via a comfortable, short ferry that is rather cheap (seems like it was about $ 30.) Moorea may not be as nice as Bora Bora, but it is still outstanding and world’s better than Tahiti.
My limited experience getting there with points from the eastern US has been to fly American to Honolulu then continue on with their partner Hawaian Airlines to Tahiti. You can book this entirely with American FF miles. There are Delta partners (Air France and Air Tahiti Nui (I think) that fly from LAX direct to Tahiti, but I have never been able to work out a reasonable booking with Delta. American seems to work best for me.
If you book with American, you may see options that would allow you to stay overnight in either LAX or Honolulu. If you overnight in LAX, I would be mindful to get to the airport way, way early for departure. I have seen some unbelievable lines creeping thru security.
If you overnight in Honolulu, you won’t have time to do a lot, but maybe you could make a short excursion like a visit to Pear Harbor (which I recommend).
One last thing to mention is the food in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora is generally expensive and overall disappointing. I am sure there are exceptions to be found, I personally never found anything better than just average with the exception of a beach BBQ that was part of a snorkeling trip I took in Bora Bora.
OK, one more last thing. Don’t worry. You can’t hardly go wrong. Just about anywhere in FP is better than almost anywhere else.
Good luck and enjoy!