Exploring Affordable Air Travel to Bora Bora Using Accumulated Rewards and Miles
Good news for travellers seeking to explore the luxurious islands of Bora Bora! American Airlines has partnered with Air Tahiti Nui to offer direct flights between Los Angeles and Papeete, the gateway to Bora Bora.
This partnership presents an exciting opportunity for those looking to earn and use airline miles for their journey. Here are some top travel credit cards that can help maximise points for flights to Bora Bora.
Top Travel Credit Cards for Bora Bora Points Strategy
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is highly recommended for its versatile points earning on travel, dining, and other categories. With a reasonable $95 annual fee, this card offers 5x points on travel booked via Chase Travel, 3x on dining, and 2x on other travel. It also provides strong travel protections and no foreign transaction fees. Its flexible points can be transferred to multiple airline partners, making it a valuable choice for booking flights to Bora Bora.
2. Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
For direct access to flights to Bora Bora, American Airlines AAdvantage miles are particularly useful. American partners with Air Tahiti Nui, which operates nonstop flights to Tahiti. You can earn AAdvantage miles through Citi or Barclays co-branded AAdvantage credit cards, or by transferring points from Citi ThankYou Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy programs. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum card offers a sizeable sign-up bonus and airline-specific perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.
3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express
Premium cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express provide lounge access and enhanced travel benefits but come with higher annual fees.
Maximising Points for Bora Bora
To specifically maximise points for Bora Bora, use the Chase Sapphire Preferred® to accumulate flexible points and transfer them to American Airlines or partners servicing Tahiti, or directly earn and use AAdvantage miles from American Airlines co-branded cards to book Air Tahiti Nui flights. Combining these with hotel rewards and regional flights (e.g., Air Tahiti for Bora Bora leg) enhances the strategy.
Alternative Options
If you don't have enough United or Chase Ultimate Rewards points, ANA Mileage Club can be a good alternative for award flights to Bora Bora. Hawaiian Airlines doesn't list redemption rates for flights between the continental U.S. and Papeete, but the rates for flights out of Hawaii are relatively good.
Remember, flights to Bora Bora can be expensive, but a points and miles strategy can help save on the cost. For instance, the lowest rates for Hawaiian Airlines flights between Los Angeles and Papeete are 47,500 miles each way in economy class. Business class award on American Airlines for flights between Los Angeles and Papeete costs 80,000 AAdvantage miles.
To reach Bora Bora, you first fly into Papeete on the main island of Tahiti, and then onward to Bora Bora's airport. Many hotels in Bora Bora arrange transportation via speedboat.
Flights to Bora Bora are now more accessible than ever, making it an ideal time to start planning your dream trip!
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, with its versatile points system, can be used to earn points for travel to Bora Bora, transferring them to American Airlines or partners that service Tahiti.
- For direct access to flights to Bora Bora, the Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is beneficial, as it allows you to earn AAdvantage miles, American Airlines' miles, which can be used to book flights with Air Tahiti Nui.
- If you're looking for premium travel benefits along with a points strategy for Bora Bora, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express, both offering lounge access and enhanced travel benefits.
- In case you don't have enough United or Chase Ultimate Rewards points, ANA Mileage Club can be a good alternative for award flights to Bora Bora, or you could consider Hawaiian Airlines for relatively good rates on flights out of Hawaii to Papeete.
