USING AIRLINE MILES FOR THE TAHITIAN CRUISE
These constantly change this is a guide

AMERICAN AIRLINES – Flights on Air Tahiti Nui – preferred carrier – best schedules

70,000 Miles for Coach from most US gateways

100,000 Miles for Business Class from most US gateways

 First class not available for miles as of June 2002

You cannot purchase a ticket and upgrade to business.
 

DELTA AND CONTINENTAL AIRLINES – Flights on Air France – terrible schedule and business and first class VERY expensive in my opinion.

80,000 Miles for Coach from most US gateways

160,000 Miles for Business Class from most US gateways

200,000 Mile for First Class from most US gateways

You cannot purchase a ticket and upgrade to business.
 

UNITED MILES – Flights on Air New Zealand – terrible schedules.

60,000 Miles for Coach from most US gateways

90,000 Miles for Business Class from most US gateways

120,000 Mile for First Class from most US gateways

You cannot purchase a ticket and upgrade to business.

There is some information I thought you should be aware of regarding the use of frequent flyer awards in conjunction with a cruise on the Paul Gauguin. When the air is purchased from Regent in conjunction with the cruise you receive extra benefits.  When you use miles to pay for the air portion of the cruise you lose all of these extra benefits, that have a value in the range of $600 per couple.  These items can be purchased separately from Regent and added to your cruise.

·        An overnight room and buffet breakfast at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton the night before departure. Free transfers   from airport to the hotel by Hilton. 

·        On arrival in Papeete transfers from the airport to the ship.

·      On disembarkation a 3 hour tour of the island of Tahiti

·                                A day room the day of departure at Le Meridien including a buffet lunch

·        Transfer back to the airport for departure to Los Angeles.

If you decide to use your miles you might consider flying back from the cruise on Friday night. The ship docks in plenty of time for you to make the Friday night Air Tahiti Nui flight.  The day in Papeete is not worth the cost involved in my opinion if it is not included in the package. The charge through Regent for a day room in Tahiti and transfer to the airport on Saturday night is $200 per person. The charge for the LAX Hilton package is $95.00 per person.