Does Fiji sound like an appealing travel destination? What about Australia? New Zealand? These are popular destinations for many people, but the distance may discourage many from going. Luckily if you’re involved in the points/miles hobby, getting to Fiji, then to Australia or New Zealand is very affordable!
Using Alaska miles will allow you to fly to Fiji, then on to Australia or New Zealand for ZERO extra miles! How awesome is that?!
The great thing about Alaska Airlines awards is that it allows you a free stopover on one way awards. This allows you to continue your trip elsewhere without adding more miles to your award. In this scenario, we will be flying from Los Angeles to Fiji for 55,000 miles. Then after a few days we will fly from Fiji to Australia for zero extra miles. This award including the stopover is 55,000 Alaska miles one way in business class.
Searching for Award Space
The way I like to search for award seats is to search by segment. It makes it easier to pair up award seats when searching by segment. So to do this, go to the Alaska Airlines website. Within the search box, click on “All search options”.
Select “One way” and “Use miles” then enter in your first segment and click “Find Flights”
If award space is available on your desired date, it will show business class for 55K miles on Fiji Airways
Take a screenshot, or make note of the flight information, date, etc, as you will need this information later when you try to piece together the award. Next, search for the second segment. At the top, click on the “Change your search” option.
This will allow you to search for the next segment. Make sure to select “One way” and “Use miles”, then enter in your flight information and click “Find flights”. In this segment, make sure to enter in a date later than the one used in the first segment. This will determine the length of your stay (stopover) in Fiji. In this example, we will arrive in Fiji on August 26, so I will plan to fly out on September 1st from Fiji to Australia.
If award space is available on your desired date, it will show business class for 32.5K miles on Fiji Airways. Don’t worry though, this will not be added to the 55K miles from the previous segment. This is just to see if there is award space available.
Take a screenshot, or make note of the flight information, date, etc, as you will need this information in the following step. Next, search for the entire award. At the top, click on the “Change your search” option.
This will allow you to search for the entire award route. Here you will select “Multi-city” and “Use Miles”. Enter in your flight information for both segments that you found award space for and click “Find flights”.
Notice that the award pulls up for 55K miles, and includes the stopover!
Select the flight to put it into your cart. Here you’ll see your award total.
Keep in mind that if you just wanted to fly to Fiji, the award would be 55K miles. Just search for award space on the first segment shown above and add it to your cart when you find it. I’m personally looking to book this award with a stopover for my wife and I soon. If you’d rather fly to New Zealand instead of Australia, you’re able to do that as well. Just search for Fiji to New Zealand on the second segment. See below.
If award space is available on your desired date, it will show business class for 32.5K miles on Fiji Airways.
The entire award search from Los Angeles to Fiji (stopover) to New Zealand should look like this
If award space is available on your desired dates, you should see the flights available for 55K miles in business class
This should be your total
Pack your bags! You’re on your way to the South Pacific in business class!!
Conclusion
Traveling to exotic islands and far flung places can be very expensive with either cash or miles. However with this sweet spot you’re able to take out two birds with one inexpensive stone. Maximizing awards with free stopovers increases the value of your miles and allows you to see more of the world than you thought possible. Earning Alaska miles is pretty easy and the value you can get from them is amazing.