Flying to Fiji on an Award Ticket

Paradise

The Islands of Fiji are the most stunning place in this world – nothing is more majestic, captivating, and beautiful than these islands of paradise. Flying to exotic destinations on award tickets can be tricky – due to limited flights and lack of award availability on major carriers. I previously explained how to fly to Iceland on an award ticket… however, flying to Fiji is a bit trickier due to the location in the South Pacific.

If you are having trouble finding award availability on your desired dates of travel, my number one suggestion for you would be to spend some time in Australia or New Zealand before/after your trip to Fiji – this way you can match up the flights and explore even more destinations.

Flying to Fiji

The major international airport in Fiji is in Nadi (NAN), located on Fiji’s main island. The flag carrier of Fiji is Fiji Airways – which partners with American and Alaska Airlines, meaning you can earn and redeem miles on Fiji Airways. Airlines that currently fly to Nadi:

• Air New Zealand
  • Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington
• Fiji Airways
  • Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Melbourne, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo–Narita, Wellington
• Virgin Australia
  • Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney

The only way to fly nonstop from North America to Fiji is with Fiji Airways from San Francisco or Los Angeles. If you wish to fly from Asia to Fiji, you can fly Fiji Airways from Hong Kong, Singapore, or Tokyo.

If you wish stay in Australia or New Zealand before/after your trip, then your best option is to either fly Fiji Airways or Virgin Australia to Australia or Air New Zealand or Fiji Airways to New Zealand.

Use Miles to fly to Paradise

Redeeming Miles on Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways partners with both American Airlines and Alaska Airlines – you can earn and redeem miles on flights with Fiji Airways. The one major exception is that you cannot redeem Alaska Airlines miles on Fiji Airways to/from Asia.

The cost in miles is:

• using American Airlines miles
  • North America to/from Fiji: 40k in Economy Class or 80k in Business Class (one-way)
  • Asia to/from Fiji: 30k in Economy Class or 40k in Business Class (one-way)
    • can route direct to Nadi on Fiji Airways
    • can route via Australia on Qantas Airways and Fiji Airways
• using Alaska Airlines miles
  • North America to/from Fiji: 40k in Economy Class or 55k in Business Class (one-way)
    • OR stopover in Fiji for however long you like and continue to Australia or New Zealand for the same price of 40k/55k (free stopover on Alaska Airlines award tickets)
  • Cannot use Alaska Airlines miles to fly Fiji Airways to/from Asia
  • Cannot mix Qantas and Fiji Airways on one ticket

You can also redeem American Airlines and Alaska Airlines miles for travel to/from Australia or New Zealand to/from Fiji – without touching North America. Please check each airline’s award chart for prices.

Searching Fiji Airways Award Space

How is Fiji Airways award space? In Economy Class, it is available on about half of the dates and in Business Class, it is rare (but not impossible). This applies to all Fiji Airways routes and not just on routes to/from North America. Fiji Airways does release a good amount of Economy Class award space, but Business Class awards are rare and will require extreme flexibility.

You should use Alaska’s website to search for award space on Fiji Airways if redeeming Alaska Airlines miles.

Redeem Alaska Airlines miles on Fiji Airways

If you are redeeming American Airlines miles, you can also use Alaska’s website to search for award space – however do note that Fiji Airways releases more award space to American Airlines than Alaska Airlines. Therefore even if Alaska’s website says there is nothing available, there still may be availability if redeeming American Airlines miles.

Flying to Fiji on other Airlines

To search for Air New Zealand award space, you can use United.com, though do understand that availability basically doesn’t exist on this route with Air New Zealand. If you do get lucky, you can search award space from North America and see if you can route all on one ticket from North America to Fiji via New Zealand.

In Conclusion

Fiji is paradise and while it can be tricky to fly there on an award ticket, it is possible if you have patience and are a bit flexible with your travel dates. If you can’t find any award space to Fiji from North America or Asia, I do recommend spending a few days in Australia or New Zealand as this should improve your chances of finding award space within the South Pacific.

Fiji is the most relaxing destination in the world and everyone needs to visit these islands of paradise at least once in their life. Please post questions if you need further assistance booking award tickets to paradise, I will be happy to guide you further!