The Best Ways To Fly to the South Pacific With Points & Miles [Step-by-Step]

Updated: January 11, 2024, 5:40am CST

Edited by:

The Best Ways To Fly to the South Pacific With Points & Miles [Step-by-Step]

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The South Pacific is the epitome of a bucket-list island escape. With some of the most secluded territories, unspoiled nature, and laid-back lifestyles in the world, the region is without a doubt one of the most spectacular places to visit.

It’s also one of the more difficult parts of the world to reach. In this article, however, we’ll show you how to fly to the South Pacific in style — using your points and miles, of course.

Let’s get started!

Nonstop Flights Between the U.S. and the South Pacific

Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: it’s pretty difficult to book nonstop flights between the U.S. and the South Pacific.

It’s slightly easier if you’re originating in Hawaii, but if you’re traveling from the continental U.S., your only shot is from the West Coast.

Note that the South Pacific also includes Australia and New Zealand. For the best ways to fly to those 2 countries using points and miles, check out our dedicated articles.

In today’s article, we won’t be focusing on Australia and New Zealand, but rather on remote island territories including Fiji and French Polynesia.

Here are all of the foreign airlines offering nonstop flights between the mainland U.S. and the South Pacific:

Air France
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Tahiti (PPT)
Air Tahiti Nui
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Tahiti (PPT)
- Seattle (SEA) – Tahiti (PPT)
Fiji Airways
- Honolulu (HNL) – Nadi (NAN)
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Nadi (NAN)
- San Francisco (SFO) – Nadi (NAN)
French Bee
- San Francisco (SFO) – Tahiti (PPT)

There is just 1 U.S. airline offering nonstop flights to the South Pacific:

United Airlines
- San Francisco (SFO) – Tahiti (PPT)

Bottom Line: In this guide, we’ll show you how to book the nonstop flights above, but we’ll also discuss how you can fly to other parts of the South Pacific if you’re open to 1-stop itineraries.

Best Programs To Use To Book Flights to the South Pacific

On a high level, if your goal is to make the most of your time in the South Pacific, you should consider booking nonstop flights using points.

Nonstop flights will be more difficult to find, mostly because there aren’t a whole lot of options bookable using airline partner currencies.

But if your travel plans aren’t flexible, you may have no choice but to book a connecting flight. But don’t worry — we’ll show you the most comfortable (and best value) options available!

ANA Mileage Club

Air New Zealand Boeing 787 business class cabin rear — You can try the Air New Zealand 787 Dreamliner business class product en route to the South Pacific. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

Our favorite option to fly to the South Pacific with points and miles is ANA Mileage Club, the loyalty program of All Nippon Airways of Japan.

This program enables you to book Star Alliance flights easily thanks to excellent round-trip prices. ANA miles are pretty easy to earn, too.

ANA Mileage Club doesn’t allow one-way award bookings, so you’ll need to find availability for a round-trip ticket that works for you before attempting to book with ANA miles.

And if you’re flying to the South Pacific, the 2 airlines to fly are Air New Zealand and United.

ANA typically passes on fuel surcharges for most of its partners, but you won’t run into this issue here because Air New Zealand doesn’t levy any to begin with, which is great news!

Mileage Club also allows a free stopover and an open jaw, which is very useful if you’d like to see New Zealand before continuing to the South Pacific.

Here’s the award chart for round-trip flights between the U.S. and Oceania/Micronesia:

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Cabin Class	ANA Mileage Cost (Round-trip)	Air New Zealand Taxes and Fees
Economy	75,000	~$120
Business	120,000	~$120

If you originate in Hawaii, it’s a bit cheaper:

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Cabin Class	ANA Mileage Cost (Round-trip)	Air New Zealand Taxes and Fees
Economy	55,000	~$11 to $120
Business	85,000	~$11 to $120

Remember, New Zealand falls under the Oceania/Micronesia zone, which means you can add a free stopover in Auckland before flying to your final destination, which basically means a free flight. All you have to do is find award space!

Here are some incredible redemptions we love using ANA miles:

Houston (IAH) – Auckland (AKL) – Nadi (NAN) with a stopover in Auckland in Air New Zealand business class for 120,000 ANA miles + ~$120 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – Auckland (AKL) – Niue (IUE) with a stopover in Auckland in Air New Zealand business class for 120,000 ANA miles + ~$120 in taxes and fees

Because of the complex nature of these bookings, we recommend using United’s search engine. ANA’s search engine can probably get you what you need, but it’ll be inefficient process-wise.

Follow these steps to maximize your success:

Go to United’s website.
On the homepage, check off the box that says Book with miles.
Search for each segment individually.
Once you find an available Saver-level award flight, write down the flight details.
Repeat until you have constructed an itinerary.
Visit ANA’s U.S. website. Click Award Booking in the main search box on the homepage.
Log into your ANA Mileage Club account.
Fill in the search details with the flight information from steps 4 and 5 to reconfirm the itinerary online.
- If you’re not able to pull up the flight details online, you’ll want to call ANA Mileage Club at 800-235-9262 to complete your booking.
Complete the booking online by redeeming ANA miles and using a credit card to pay for taxes and fees.

Earning ANA Mileage Club Miles

ANA miles are pretty easy to earn through credit card spending, thanks to 2 handy transfer partnerships from American Express Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex transfers at a 1:1 ratio in 3 business days, while Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio in around 7 business days.

And, for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to ANA Mileage Club in a single transaction, you’ll get a bonus of 5,000 ANA miles.

Recommended American Express Cards

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$695

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See Pay Over Time APR

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Credit Recommended

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The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

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Pros

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Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
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Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Fiji Airways Airbus A350 Business Class Cabin from Front — Fiji Airways business class can be booked with Alaska Airlines miles. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Alaska Airlines‘ frequent flyer program is called Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, but the attractiveness of this program extends far beyond its limited network.

In fact, the best ways to redeem Alaska Airlines miles are for aspirational flights internationally, such as Cathay Pacific first and business class, Japan Airlines first and business class, and more.

One of Alaska’s most unique airline partners is Fiji Airways. It’s a very useful partner for flights to the South Pacific because the airline offers nonstop connectivity between that region and the mainland U.S.

Also, if you happen to be in the mood for a stopover, you can add 1 for free, even on one-way flights (provided you find award space for each segment first).

Fiji Airways business class flights are a bit more difficult to find, especially if you’re looking for a flight with more than 2 award seats. On average, expect the year-long calendar to have 3 to 4 dates with 2 or more business class seats on any of its U.S. routes.

Here are some great example redemptions you can make:

Honolulu (HNL) – Nadi (NAN) – Apia (APW) one-way in Fiji Airways business class with a stopover in Nadi for 55,000 Alaska Airlines miles + ~$19 in taxes and fees
Honolulu (HNL) – Nadi (NAN) – Tarawa (TRW) one-way in Fiji Airways business class with a stopover in Nadi for 55,000 Alaska Airlines miles + ~$19 in taxes and fees
Los Angeles (LAX) – Nadi (NAN) – Nuku’alofa (TBU) one-way in Fiji Airways business class with a stopover in Nadi for 55,000 Alaska Airlines miles + ~$19 in taxes and fees
Los Angeles (LAX) – Nadi (NAN) – Vava’u (VAV) one-way in Fiji Airways business class with a stopover in Nadi for 55,000 Alaska Airlines miles + ~$19 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – Nadi (NAN) one-way in Fiji Airways business class for 55,000 Alaska Airlines miles + ~$19 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – Nadi (NAN) – Kiritimati (CXI) one-way in Fiji Airways business class with a stopover in Nadi for 55,000 Alaska Airlines miles + ~$19 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – Nadi (NAN) – Port Vila (VLI) one-way in Fiji Airways business class with a stopover in Nadi for 55,000 Alaska Airlines miles + ~$19 in taxes and fees

As you can see, with a short layover or stopover in Fiji, you can visit some off-the-beaten-path destinations like Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, and Tonga.

Best of all, it’s easy to add your free stopover! Follow these steps:

Visit Alaska Airlines’ website.
On the homepage, check off the box that says Use miles in the search box.
Enter the departure and arrival airports, travel date(s), number of passengers, and click Find Flights.
- Toggle One-way if you’re booking a one-way flight.
Find viable options for the flights you want to book.
Complete the booking, redeem your Alaska Airlines miles, and use a credit card for taxes and fees.
- If you’re booking a stopover, find award space for each segment and then call Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan at 800-654-5669 to book the flight over the phone.

Earning Alaska Airlines Miles

Alaska Airlines miles are more difficult to earn than ANA miles, which is somewhat of a testament to how valuable they can be.

Specifically, Marriott Bonvoy is its only transfer partner. Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio, though you’ll get a bonus of 5,000 Alaska miles when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at once to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Marriott Bonvoy takes around 4 business days to transfer to Alaska Airlines.

Also, Bank of America offers co-branded Alaska Airlines credit cards, allowing you to earn miles directly through credit card purchases.

Finally, you can buy Alaska Airlines miles during mileage sales with bonuses of up to 60%. You can generally buy up to 60,000 miles per transaction and 150,000 miles per calendar year.

Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards

There are many Marriott credit cards available which we cover in our in-depth guide.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Qantas Airbus A330 Business Class Window Seat — Qantas business class is a comfortable way to fly to the South Pacific. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Another great loyalty program we’ll be discussing is Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.

The Cathay program is useful because it allows travelers to access award availability on Oneworld flights with an abundance of transfer partners.

This is in contrast with other options like Japan Airlines Mileage Bank or American Airlines AAdvantage, both of which don’t have transfer partnerships like Cathay does.

In any case, booking flights using Asia Miles is straightforward — the 2 carriers we’ll focus on here are Fiji Airways and Australian-based Qantas.

Here are some great example redemptions you can book:

Dallas (DFW) – Sydney (SYD) – Norfolk Island (NLK) one-way in Qantas business class for 90,000 Asia Miles + ~$26 in taxes and fees
Los Angeles (LAX) – Nadi (NAN) – Kadavu Island (KDV) one-way in Qantas business class for 75,000 Asia Miles + ~$88 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – Nadi (NAN) – Savusavu (SVU) one-way in Qantas business class for 75,000 Asia Miles + ~$88 in taxes and fees

In general, you can’t combine Qantas and Fiji Airways into a simple flight itinerary, so just keep that in mind.

Here are the next steps:

Go to Asia Miles’ flight award website.
You’ll see a search box. Fill in the search details, select the airline, and click Search.
You’ll be prompted to log in to your Asia Miles account.
Find the award availability you want to book, and complete the booking by using your Asia Miles and a credit card for taxes and fees.
- If you’re booking a connecting flight, the online search engine isn’t 100% reliable. To get around this, you can call Asia Miles at 866-892-2598 to complete your reservation.

Earning Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Cathay Pacific has 1:1 transfer partnerships with American Express Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou Rewards.

Additionally, it has a 3:1 transfer partnership with Marriott Bonvoy. When you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to Asia Miles all at once, you’ll also get a bonus of 5,000 extra Asia Miles.

Transfers to Asia Miles from Amex take up to 1 business day, while Brex and Citi take around 1 business day. Capital One takes up to 2 business days, and Marriott may take up to 5 business days.

Cathay Pacific also works with Synchrony Bank in the U.S. to offer a co-branded credit card that earns miles directly.

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Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.

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UP's Bonus Valuation*:
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$95

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21.24% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

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The Citi Premier^® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!

Pros

3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
Access to Citi transfer partners
Annual hotel credit
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Cons

$95 annual fee

Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou^® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
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60,000 ThankYou^® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
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Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.24% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Airlines AAdvantage

Air Tahiti Nui Business Class — Air Tahiti Nui business class. Image Credit: Air Tahiti Nui

American Airlines AAdvantage is a useful partner that gets you access to Air Tahiti Nui (to Tahiti or Auckland via Tahiti) and Japan Airlines (to Guam via Tokyo).

Although Air Tahiti Nui isn’t a member of the Oneworld alliance, its individual partnership with American AAdvantage creates redemption opportunities that are worth spotlighting.

Air Tahiti Nui will get you to Pape’ete in Tahiti (PPT), which is famous for being the gateway to Bora Bora, a bucket-list destination for many.

Hot Tip: Check out our complete guide on flying to Bora Bora with points and miles!

This airline offers a comfortable, nonstop ride with lie-flat seats, friendly service, and good food in business class.

Here’s how much a one-way flight will cost when using AAdvantage miles between the U.S. and the South Pacific:

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Cabin Class	AAdvantage Miles Cost (One-way)	Air Tahiti Nui Taxes and Fees
Economy	40,000	~$6
Premium Economy	65,000	~$6
Business	80,000	~$6

Here are some great example redemptions you can make:

Honolulu (HNL) – Tahiti (PPT) one-way in Air Tahiti Nui business class for 80,000 American Airlines miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees
Honolulu (HNL) – Tahiti (PPT) – Auckland (AKL) one-way in Air Tahiti Nui business class for 80,000 American Airlines miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees
Los Angeles (LAX) – Tahiti (PPT) one-way in Air Tahiti Nui business class for 80,000 American Airlines miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees
Los Angeles (LAX) – Tahiti (PPT) – Auckland (AKL) one-way in Air Tahiti Nui business class for 80,000 American Airlines miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees
New York (JFK) – Tokyo (HND) – Guam (GUM) one-way in Japan Airlines business class for 80,000 American Airlines miles + ~$16 in taxes and fees

If you’re ready to make a booking, follow these steps:

Visit American Airlines’ website.
Check off the box on the homepage’s screen that says Redeem miles.
Select One-way or Round-trip.
Fill in the search details, and click Search.
Find your desired flight, use your AAdvantage miles, and pay for taxes and fees with a credit card.

Earning American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

American Airlines AAdvantage has just 2 transfer partners: Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.

Bilt transfers 1:1 almost instantly. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to American Airlines at a 3:1 ratio, and transfers take 2 business days to complete.

Both Citi and Barclays have American Airlines AAdvantage co-branded credit cards that enable you to earn miles directly from your credit card spending.

Air Canada Aeroplan

Air New Zealand Boeing 787 business class seat 1K — You can book Air New Zealand business class using Air Canada Aeroplan points. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

Air Canada Aeroplan is one of the most valuable frequent flyer programs around.

Remember, Air Canada is part of the Star Alliance, which means you can book Star Alliance award travel with Aeroplan points.

In addition, Aeroplan allows stopovers for just 5,000 extra points, even for one-way flights. All you need to do is find award availability for each segment and then book online or over the phone.

Also, Aeroplan does not pass on any fuel surcharges, keeping your out-of-pocket costs as low as possible.

The best partner to leverage is Air New Zealand. Aeroplan uses a distance-based award chart for flights between the U.S. and the Pacific region (including the South Pacific).

Here’s the award chart:

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Distance (Miles)	Operated By	Points Required (Economy)	Points Required (Premium Economy)	Points Required (Business Class)	Points Required (First Class)
0 to 5,000	Air Canada	35,000 to 65,000	45,000 to 120,000	55,000 to 150,000	90,000 to 200,000
Partner Airlines	35,000	N/A	55,000	90,000
5,001 to 7,500	Air Canada	45,000 to 80,000	60,000 to 140,000	75,000 to 175,000	110,000 to 250,000
Partner Airlines	50,000	N/A	75,000	110,000
7,501 to 11,000	Air Canada	50,000 to 90,000	70,000 to 160,000	85,000 to 200,000	130,000 to 300,000
Partner Airlines	60,000	N/A	85,000	130,000
11,001+	Air Canada	65,000 to 110,000	80,000 to 180,000	105,000 to 250,000	140,000 to 350,000
Partner Airlines	75,000	N/A	105,000	140,000

Putting all of this together, here are some great flight redemptions you can make with Aeroplan points:

Chicago (ORD) – Auckland (AKL) – Tahiti (PPT) one-way in Air New Zealand business class with a stopover in Auckland for 90,000 Aeroplan points + ~$41 in taxes and fees
Houston (IAH) – Auckland (AKL) – Nadi (NAN) one-way in Air New Zealand business class with a stopover in Auckland for 90,000 Aeroplan points + ~$41 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – Auckland (AKL) – Apia (APW) one-way in Air New Zealand business class with a stopover in Auckland for 90,000 Aeroplan points + ~$41 in taxes and fees

Although Aeroplan’s website is accurate and easy to use, we recommend doing your searches on United’s website first. After finding award space, you can book your ticket online with Aeroplan. If you’re adding a stopover, you’ll need to call to book your ticket.

Follow these steps to book your ticket:

Go to United.com and perform your desired award search. Do a separate search for each segment.
Write down the details of the flights you found award space on.
Go to Air Canada’s website.
In the top-right corner, you’ll see a button that says Sign In. Click it, enter your Aeroplan account details, and log in.
Perform the same flight search for step 2.
Use your Aeroplan points and use a credit card to pay for taxes and fees.
- If you wish to add a stopover, call Aeroplan at 800-361-5373 and book your ticket over the phone.

Earning Air Canada Aeroplan Points

In addition to the Aeroplan^® Credit Card, Air Canada Aeroplan has transfer partnerships with numerous programs, including Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex, Bilt, Capital One, and Chase all transfer almost instantly at a 1:1 ratio, while Marriott Bonvoy points transfer in 5 business days at a 3:1 ratio.

Plus, you’ll get a bonus of 5,000 Aeroplan points when you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy Marriott points to Aeroplan in a single transaction.

Recommended Chase Cards

POPULAR FIRST CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros

5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
2x points on all other travel worldwide
$50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
Excellent travel and car rental insurance
10% annual bonus points
No foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt

Cons

$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Enjoy beneﬁts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-850)

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros

10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel^SM
3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit
Priority Pass airport lounge access
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
Rental car elite status with National and Avis

Cons

$550 annual fee
Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

United Airlines MileagePlus

United Polaris business class 787 10 seats HND LAX — United Polaris class can be found on select long-haul routes! Image Credit: Ryan Smith

United Airlines is one of the most important airlines for flights to the South Pacific. In addition to having a hub in Guam, it has some other niche flights within the region, including the legendary “Island Hopper” flights that touch the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Guam. The airline also flies to Saipan and Palau.

These flights are typically only bookable for United MileagePlus members in premium cabins, as partner-level award availability is sparse.

United’s online search engine is the industry standard for versatility and capabilities, so the booking process is streamlined.

Keep in mind that United’s award pricing structure is confusing, but it’s an example of “what you see is what you get” because of its dynamic award pricing system.

The mileage price you pay will vary depending on the dates you travel, but if you can find Saver awards, these are the lowest prices you’ll pay when redeeming United miles.

Here are some of our favorite redemptions you can make:

Honolulu (HNL) – Guam (GUM) – Chuuk (TKK) one-way in United Airlines economy from 27,500 United miles + ~$13 in taxes and fees
Honolulu (HNL) – Guam (GUM) – Koror (ROR) one-way in United Airlines business class from 63,300 United miles + ~$132 in taxes and fees
Honolulu (HNL) – Guam (GUM) – Saipan (SPN) one-way in United Airlines first class from 47,600 United miles + ~$18 in taxes and fees
Honolulu (HNL) – Guam (GUM) – Yap (YAP) one-way in United Airlines economy class from 27,500 United miles + ~$13 in taxes and fees
Honolulu (HNL) – Marshall Islands (MAJ) – Kwajalein (KWA) – Kosrae (KSA) – Pohnpei (PNI) – Chuuk (TKK) – Guam (GUM) one-way in United Airlines economy from 27,500 United miles + ~$13 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – Tahiti (PPT) one-way in United Polaris business class from 90,000 United miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees

You’ll notice that almost all of the above redemptions start in Hawaii. The explanation for this is pretty simple: United offers flights to the South Pacific through its Honolulu and/or Guam hubs, and Saver-level flights connecting to Hawaii from the mainland U.S. are nearly impossible to add on to these award tickets.

Follow these steps to book your flights using United miles:

Go to United Airlines’ homepage.
Click the checkbox that says Book with miles.
Enter the search details and click Find flights.
Choose your flights.
Ticket the reservation by redeeming United miles and paying for taxes and fees with a credit card.

Earning United MileagePlus Miles

United MileagePlus is a transfer partner of Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy programs.

Bilt and Chase transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio, while Marriott Bonvoy points transfer in 3 business days at a 3:1.1 ratio.

For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to United, you’ll get a bonus of 5,500 United miles! That means when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at once to United, you’ll end up with 27,500 United miles.

You can also earn United miles from any of its Chase co-branded credit cards, but using Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards is generally better because of the Ultimate Rewards program’s more useful bonus categories and flexibility.

Recommended United Cards

United℠ Explorer Card

U.P. Rating

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United℠ Explorer Card

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Welcome OfferEarn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
50,000 bonus miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$600

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

You travel United all the time, but you have heard that there could be ways to make your travel experiences even better, including priority boarding, free bags, and more miles.

You should consider the United℠ Explorer Card, because this card does all that and more!

Pros

2x miles per $1 on United purchases, dining purchases (including delivery services), and hotel stays
1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
First checked bag free for you and up to 1 traveling companion
25% statement credit on United inflight purchases
Priority boarding
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit
2 United Club 1-time passes each year
Premier upgrades on award tickets
Travel and purchase protections

Cons

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United^® purchases
Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck^® or NEXUS fee credit
25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

United MileagePlus Frequent Flyer Program

United Club℠ Infinite Card

U.P. Rating

Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Club℠ Infinite Card

Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 80,000 bonus miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$960

Annual Fee

$525

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-850)

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is a premium card designed for the most dedicated of United frequent flyers who are looking for a card that provides the opportunity to earn extra United MileagePlus miles and receive lounge access via a yearly United Club membership.

United frequent flyers will find that the United Club Infinite card provides an enhanced experience on their United flights thanks to the money saved on each flight and the conveniences it provides.

Pros

4x miles per $1 on United purchases
2x miles per $1 on travel and dining purchases
Complimentary United Club membership
Free first and second checked bag for you and 1 traveling companion
United Premier Access
25% back on United inflight purchases
Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated award tickets (when available)
Expanded award availability
Up to 10,000 Premier Qualifying Points
$100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
Trip protections like trip delay insurance, lost and delayed luggage insurance, and rental car insurance
Shopping protections like return protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection
IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status and a $75 annual credit
Avis President’s Club elite status
10% discount on United Economy Saver Awards within the continental U.S. and Canada

Cons

$525 annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards

Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access^® travel services
10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

United Quest℠ Card

U.P. Rating

The United Quest card is a fantastic option for United flyers looking to earn more miles and enhance their flights.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Quest℠ Card

The United Quest card is a fantastic option for United flyers looking to earn more miles and enhance their flights.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
60,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$720

Annual Fee

$250

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The newest addition to United’s lineup of cards is the United Quest℠ Card. With it, you can bolster your United MileagePlus miles, thanks to the bonus categories, while enjoying the card’s many perks designed to help save you money on each United flight.

With an annual fee that falls between the United℠ Explorer Card and United Club℠ Infinite Card, the United Quest card makes for a fantastic card option for United frequent flyers.

Pros

3x miles per $1 on United purchases
2x miles per $1 spent on travel, dining, and select streaming services
$125 annual United credit
2 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits
Free first and second checked bag for you and 1 traveling companion
Priority boarding
25% back on United inflight purchases
Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated award tickets (when available)
Expanded award availability
Up to 3,000 Premier Qualifying Points
Up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
Travel and shopping protections including trip delay insurance, lost/delayed luggage insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection

Cons

Does not earn transferable rewards
Does not offer airport lounge access
$250 annual fee

Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and priority boarding
Up to a $125 United^® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

United Gateway℠ Card

U.P. Rating

The United Gateway card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without paying an annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Gateway℠ Card

The United Gateway card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without paying an annual fee.

Welcome OfferEarn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Learn more.
20,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$240

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months; after that, 21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The United Gateway℠ Card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without wanting to pay a credit card annual fee. Plus, the card offers other solid benefits like a 25% back on United inflight purchases, purchase protection, and rental car insurance.

Pros

2x miles per $1 on United purchases
2x miles per $1 at gas stations and on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit
1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
No annual fee
25% back on inflight purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
Rental car insurance
Purchase protection
Extended warranty coverage

Cons

If you are a frequent United flyer, other cards offer more perks
It does not earn transferable rewards

Earn 20,000 bonus miles
No annual fee
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months; after that, 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

United Club℠ Business Card

U.P. Rating

The United Club Business card is a great option for frequent United flyers looking for United Club access.

United Club℠ Business Card

The United Club Business card is a great option for frequent United flyers looking for United Club access.

Welcome OfferEarn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
50,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$900

Annual Fee

$450

APR

21.99%–28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The United Club℠ Business Card is a premium card option for dedicated United loyalists seeking a card that offers complimentary United Club access, helps them earn and retain status, and doesn’t skip on the benefits.

From free checked bags to upgrades on award tickets and the ability to earn Premier qualifying points, there is plenty to the United Club Business card that United flyers are sure to love.

Pros

2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases
1.5x miles per $1 spent on all other purchases
Complimentary United Club membership
Free checked bags
Premier Access travel services
Discount on inflight purchases
Upgrades on award tickets
No foreign transaction fees
Employee cards at no additional cost
Travel and purchase protections

Cons

$450 annual fee
Earning rate for United purchases is poor compared to other United cards

Earn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
Earn 2x miles on United purchases
Earn 1.5x miles on all other purchases
Employee cards at no additional cost
United Club membership — up to a $650 value per year. Relax in comfort while waiting for your flight with complimentary beverages, snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more
Free first and second checked bags for you and a companion, save up to $320 per round-trip
25% back on United inflight purchases
No foreign transaction fees

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.99%–28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Card Categories

Avianca LifeMiles

Air New Zealand Boeing 787 business class cabin reverse herringbone — Try Air New Zealand in business class on your next flight to the South Pacific. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

The last program we’ll talk about is near and dear to our hearts: Avianca LifeMiles.

This program allows you to easily earn miles and then use them for Star Alliance award travel with no fuel surcharges. And, on top of it all, it offers good redemption rates.

We recommend using LifeMiles for Air New Zealand business class flights, simply because United’s Saver-level business class flights are nearly impossible to book with partner miles.

Unfortunately, Avianca LifeMiles does not allow complimentary stopovers, which makes this a great option for those who want to get to through final destination as quickly as possible and don’t care to make a stop on the way.

Hot Tip: Even though Avianca LifeMiles has a set of great redemption prices, remember the program charges up to $200 for cancellations and $150 for changes!

If this all sounds good to you, your redemption to the South Pacific will be governed by this award chart:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Cabin Class	Avianca LifeMiles Cost (One-way)	Taxes and Fees
Economy	40,000	~$62
Business	80,000	~$62

Here are some routes to consider booking:

Chicago (ORD) – Auckland (AKL) – Nadi (NAN) one-way in Air New Zealand business class for 80,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$62 in taxes and fees
Houston (IAH) – Auckland (AKL) – Tahiti (PPT) one-way in Air New Zealand business class for 80,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$62 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – Auckland – Apia (APW) one-way in Air New Zealand business class for 80,000 Avianca LifeMiles + ~$62 in taxes and fees

Follow these steps to book your Avianca LifeMiles flight online:

Visit LifeMiles’ website.
In the top-right corner, you’ll see a small, circular flag icon. Click that and change the website language to English.
Log in to your LifeMiles account in the top-right corner.
On the homepage, click Fly.
In the airline dropdown box, select Air New Zealand.
Enter the flight departure and arrival airports, as well as the number of passengers and cabin class.
Click Find Flights, and select your desired travel dates.
Select the flight option you wish to book, redeem your LifeMiles and furnish a credit card to pay for taxes and fees.

Earning Avianca LifeMiles

Avianca LifeMiles is one of the easiest currencies to earn, thanks to transfer partnerships with Amex Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex, Brex, Capital One, and Citi transfer at a 1:1 ratio, and Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. Amex, Brex, Capital One, and Citi transfer instantly, while Marriott takes around 1 business day.

Avianca has also partnered with Banco Popular to offer co-branded credit cards that earn LifeMiles.

Finally, LifeMiles can often be purchased with a bonus of up to 200%, making it possible to effectively buy miles for around 1 cent apiece!

Recommended Capital One Cards

TOP PICK

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome OfferEarn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-840)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

Pros

10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Add authorized users for no additional annual fee (rates & fees)
No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)

Cons

$395 annual fee (rates & fees)
Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome OfferEnjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros

5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
Access to Capital One transfer partners

Cons

$95 annual fee (rates & fees)
Limited elite benefits

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Welcome OfferEarn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
20,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$360

Annual Fee

APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

Pros

No annual fee (rates & fees)
No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
Ability to use transfer partners
Fraud coverage

Cons

Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
No luxury travel or elite benefits

$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Final Thoughts

Flying to the South Pacific was a bit simpler back in the pre-pandemic era. Today, it’s still possible to get superb value with your points and miles, but your options are generally more limited.

Whether you choose to fly Fiji Airways to Nadi (NAN), Air Tahiti Nui to Tahiti (PPT), United Airlines to Guam (GUM), or any points beyond, you can use your points and miles to get you to some of the world’s most remote — and spectacular — places for a fraction of the typical out-of-pocket cost.

The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the United Club℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express^® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: InterContinental Bora Bora

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best airline to fly to the South Pacific?

In general, the best airline to fly nonstop to the South Pacific is Fiji Airways. But you’ll be comfortable with any airline you choose if you’re flying a wide-body aircraft in business class.

Are there any direct flights to Oceania?

Yes!

Air France and Air Tahiti Nui fly to Tahiti (PPT) from Los Angeles, while United Airlines and French Bee fly to Tahiti (PPT) from San Francisco (SFO). Air Tahiti Nui also flies to Tahiti (PPT) from Seattle (SEA).

Fiji Airways flies to Nadi (NAN) from San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX).

Air New Zealand flies to Auckland (AKL) from Chicago (ORD), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), New York City (JFK), and San Francisco (SFO).

United Airlines also flies to Guam (GUM) from Honolulu (HNL).

How long is a flight to the South Pacific?

A nonstop flight from the U.S. West Coast to Tahiti is around 8 hours, while a nonstop flight to Fiji is around 10 to 11 hours.

If you fly nonstop to the Cook Islands, it’ll take around 9.5 hours.

What are the best ways to fly to the South Pacific with points and miles?

To fly to the South Pacific (excluding Australia and New Zealand) using points and miles, you’ll need to be creative.

You can fly Fiji Airways using Alaska Airlines miles or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.

Fly Air New Zealand using ANA miles, Aeroplan points, or Avianca LifeMiles.

You can book United Airlines flights using United MileagePlus miles to get access to better award availability.

To book Air Tahiti Nui business class, you’ll want to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

Finally, you can book connecting flights on Qantas using Asia Miles.

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About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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