While I take a lot of crazy trips, usually they're structured that way by design. This trip was different, unfortunately. As you guys know, my goal is to review as many new airlines in business class as possible. While flying airlines like Pakistan and Saudia in business class might not sound like the most desirable…
Continue reading: Introduction: A Very Short Trip To Fiji
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Hoping Ford, his mom and you are all alright, but pretty sure you didn't book TN102 all the way from Auckland - it only flies PPT to LAX.
"08/18 TN102 Auckland to Papeete departing 2:55PM arriving 9:45PM
08/18 TN102 Papeete to Los Angeles departing 11:45PM arriving 10:55AM"
Did TN in biz a month ago PPT-LAX - not that exciting. The reclining seats that are angled are a real pain to try and sleep in. You keep sliding.. Food was ok, not spectacular. It was fine, unmemorable. There I just summed it up for you 🙂
Would be great if you could do a post about how it works to change or redeposit your AA award and how you managed that decision process. Did you just lose the 62,500 miles? What about if it had been with a carrier where you don't have elite status
Can you mention if you did, or will be using any form of trip insurance for this trip? That would be a useful post for lots of us as it's something that doesn't come up often but is very helpful when needed.
@ Alvin -- Thanks for the kind wishes. Might be missing something, but TN102 seems to be the "direct" flight from Auckland to Los Angeles (via Papeete), and is what I had booked. Did something change, maybe?
@ Stvr -- In this case not a terribly exciting story. Since I'm Executive Platinum I could cancel the ticket for free (and get the miles and taxes redeposited), though if I weren't Executive Platinum that would have cost me $150. That's still totally worth it to save the miles and taxes.
First of all, sorry for your loss, and I hope Ford and his mom are doing alright. That was great of you to be there for them in their time of need.
To piggyback off of Stvr's comment, I'd also be curious if the travel insurance on the credit card(s) you used to book these trips were able to defray some of the costs involved in rushing back home. Just a suggestion for a post once things settle down a bit.
When you paid $2,100 for the one way ticket return did you accumulate any mileage or points ? What credit card did you use ?
@ Justin H -- I credited the miles to American AAdvantage, and even benefitted from the fact that AAdvantage is now revenue based, since it earned me a lot of miles. I used the Citi Prestige Card to earn triple points on the airfare purchase.
@ MeanMeosh -- That's a great question, didn't even think of looking into that, but I will. Not sure if this situation technically applies since it's not someone I have a blood relation to, but I'll look into it and report back.
How far in advance did you book the Fijian flight? I want to take them in J with my family next year (is isn't open yet) and it will be tricky with 4 of us. We will end up splitting up, I am sure.
PS - Virtual hugs to Ford and my best to all of his family.
You write that when you returned to the U.S. unexpectedly, you flew from Fiji to Auckland and then were scheduled from lax to Jfk. But didn't you actually fly from Fiji to LAX, not Auckland?
Lucky, trip insurance may apply in this case if you and Ford live together, especially since you are a couple. It usually has to be a blood relation of you or someone in your household, so it may count. However, keep in mind that they usually only pay for economy flights, so I don't know if you'd be excluded altogether since you bought business class or if you'd just get reimbursed for the economy price. Each plan is different, but it's certainly worth checking into.
Sincerest condolences to you and Ford on the whole situation. Despite the tragic circumstances, it's been good to keep up with the things through your updates. I am looking forward to the forthcoming trip reviews/reports.
Sorry for the loss Ben and condolences to Ford! Regarding Air Tahiti Nui, I'd love to see you do a trip report in the future on them. Perhaps that time you could actually enjoy French Polynesia for a few days, maybe use the ambassador weekend certificate to stay at the Thalasso and check out Moorea. Had a great honeymoon there and would love to see a trip report from you on it.
I've done Fiji Air LA-Nadi several times, and even though I will go to Nadi again (business) I won't do so again on Fiji Air. Last time I got to the airport and they had no record of my reservation. Nightmare. Time before, I got to the airport and discovered the flight was cancelled -- they never called. I had to go the next day.
Going again in a few months and will take AA to Auckland and then Qantas to Nadi. Not even listed on AA website as an option, but it is.
the dozen or so times I've been to Nadi I always stay at the Denarau Westin. Best choice.
Sadly doesn't seem that Fiji Airways redemptions in J are actually a remotely real option with Alaska miles anymore. There's nothing between LAX/NAN or HNL/NAN through end of schedule (well, one or two random flights). RIP great redemption route...
Hey Ben quick question. Did alaska stop showing the award flights for Fiji Airways business class because I searches award flights for Fiji airways between LAX and NAN and for each day I saw the main cabin ticket for 40k miles but there was no partner business class option for Fiji Airways. Jusr wondering where it went.
Just had my first ever trip to Fiji. Unlike you, I flew into Suva, which has a much smaller airport than Nadi, despite being the capital city. You might be interested in this review of the Grand Pacific Hotel - the best hotel in Suva. And you should consider staying there if you get back to Fiji, and stay in Suva.
http://www.2paxfly.com/2017/10/11/grand-pacific-hotel-suva/