Save up to 57% / $6,911 with miles or cash on Air New Zealand and United
This report is for upgrade open-minded and bags-packed travelers, just the kind of people we love here at FCF.
Business Class fares to the South Pacific can be volcano-hot —and not in a good way. I’m talking prices of $7,500 to $17,200, which I know will make you turn your outrigger around and head straight back home.
[aside headline="Awesome Auckland" alignment="aligncenter" width="big" headline_size="big"]
Auckland, with a population of 1.5 million people, is New Zealand’s largest city, located on the North Island. It’s a hub for fantastic adventuring and interesting activities:
- Visit Hobbiton, the movie set for Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings
- Cruise Auckland Harbour to see whales, dolphins, and sea birds.
- Marvel at the famous geothermal bubbling mud pools of Rotorua.
- Take a winery and rainforest day tour out of Auckland.
- Get your bearings up in Auckland’s majestic Sky Tower (and even bungee jump off it if you dare).
- Admire the beautiful natural wonders and pristine waters at Huka Falls.
- Kayak across to Rangitoto Island.
- Learn Māori history at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
- Explore rugged coastline beaches.
- Use Auckland as your home base for further NZ adventures, including the spectacularly mountainous South Island.
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And if you’re flying coach? That’s a long way to be folded up like an assistant in a magic show.
Or paying with miles? In that case, you’re typically looking at double or triple mileage-award pricing to get to New Zealand — in the 400,000- to 700,000-mile-price range, round-trip.
If that doesn’t spin your mind like a hammock in a hurricane, then I don’t know what will.
So, the big question is: Where is the happy middle ground for a dream trip to the South Pacific?
It could be right here: We found a trend of close in upgrade seats on United’s Los Angeles-to-Auckland route for up to four travelers.
For example, Los Angeles to Auckland in Business Class on United in November (a good time to go) typically runs from $7,500 to $12,100 round-trip. But if you buy a coach ticket for $1,311, you can upgrade to Business Class for a $500 co-pay and 30,000 miles each way and net a total savings of between $5,189 and $9,800, plus miles.
Or Save up to 55% / $5,990 with Air New Zealand using your United miles or Chase points (or buy them if you don't already have them)
Let’s look at a new trend with Air New Zealand’s Houston-to-Auckland route using United miles for up to four travelers.
This route can cost from $10,900 to $17,200 when traveling close in. With United’s most recent buy miles bonus promo you could buy the miles at 2.2 cents through November 20 with taxes about $180. So, it would cost you $4,910 for 220,000 United miles including about $180 in taxes. If you’re short on miles, here’s how to get around the buying miles maximum limits.
Award availability chart below.
FCF’s Bucket List Destination Treasure Map
Air New Zealand Flights Using United Miles
If you don’t live in Houston or Los Angeles, try to get a free connection to the gateway city or get a positioning flight, if you have to.
Start planning today because these deals won’t last, as we’ve repeatedly pointed out. Studies show that even just planning and booking a trip makes us happier people, so who am I to argue with that?! Throw in the fact that it’s to the South Pacific and your happiness level goes through the stratosphere.
Kiwi Translations Chilly bin: a cooler Togs: swimsuit Knackered: really tired Jumper: sweater or pullover Hokey Pokey: an ice cream brand beloved down there Tramping: hiking Sweet as: great, good. Choice as: see: sweet as. Kia ora: hello