Qantas miles is a Citi transfer partner, and it has unique partnerships, making it one of the best networks for covering the Pacific.
The route options are limited, so it’s a short post, but it’s worth mentioning in case anyone can use the unique destinations, or if you want to hop around Polynesia for super cheap.
Best miles redemptions:
- Intra Fiji flights = 8,000 miles
- Getting around Polyenisia
Not shown on the map:
- Domestic Australia (and to New Zealand) on Qantas found here
- And JetAirways flights
- Domestic Fiji flights on Fiji Airways found here
- Domestic Vanuatu flights on Air Vanuatu found here
- Domestic Papua New Guinea flights on Air Niugini found here
Transfer options
Qantas is now Citi TY transfer partner – 1,000:1,000.
Award Chart
This means that small Pacific flights can be 8,000 miles. This includes flights within Fiji, or for example flights from Fiji to Tonga (TBU and VAV).
Even longer flights like Fiji to New Zealand or Sydney are only in the third category for 18,000 miles, which is a pretty normal price.
Stopovers. On a somewhat related note, the stopover rules state that “up to five free Stopovers are permitted”. Although I don’t have any personal experience with this to vouch for it.
Why Qantas?
Qantas miles are actually an interesting mileage option for getting around the pacific. I believe I also looked into these Qantas routes because of Stefan – or Rapid Travel Chai – mentioning them (as I said in the intro, he sparred the series).
They have the connection to Fiji and Air Vanuatu, which creates a good network of Pacific islands – many unique routes. Plus, the prices are competitive.
One frustrating aspect of Qantas is that their website doesn’t include some airports. I think they are capable of searching many partners, but only catalog destinations of some partners. This means I can’t type in an airport to search for routes that Fiji and/or Vanuatu actually fly.
Miles for Fiji Airways and Air Vanuatu
One of the best parts of Qantas is using 8,000 Qantas miles for intra Fiji flights. This could be such an interesting way to explore that part of the Pacific. Only 8,000 miles!
Again, Qantas is a great option because it has a unique non alliance partner, Air Vanuatu. Plus, it starts at 8,000 miles making short flights, including short Fiji Airways flights, really cheap.
Plain and simple, if your goal is to see Air Vanuatu destinations and/or hop around the Polynesian islands, Qantas is a great option.
Jetstar* (JetAirways is the Indian carrier, not Qantas owned airline servicing domestic routes in Australia)
Yeah, this is super good info- as those Air Vanuatu flights are not cheap, and pretty much the only way to get to different islands other than Efate. And you pretty much want to do that, not a ton to do on Efate, especially last year after the cyclone. Not sure what the status is now, back then it was lovely people, but in a wreck of an island.
PS- An awesome flight to take is TVU-NAN on Fiji Air, they put you in like a 12-15 seater. Just so scenic views. The ferry from Suva (I also took this) is super long so the flight is recommended. Definitely don’t miss Taveuni, my favorite part of Fiji!
Of course the best for island hopping around Polynesia is getting paid to do so by working on a cruise ship…tee hee. Looking forward to returning to this part of the world in the near future.
There is a way to pull other airports on their website, you just need a bit of hacking to do it. Also Drew what happened to your project? Are you getting ahead and any angel investors that already helped you out? I would be willing to help out with tech(if you hire remote that is – not moving from Boston at the moment). I am a full stack engineer working for Yelp Boston.
Excellent article. Just joined QF’s FF program after reading this.
Can you suggest some good/lucrative (or common) city pairings in the south pacific that can take advantage of this? The routemaps are kind of a mess, probably because there are so many islands there.
AKL-PPT on NZ not possible:
“These cities are not available on Classic Rewards. Unselect Show Classic Rewards to continue.”
I wonder if there is more inventory on NZ using QF miles, since it is notoriously difficult using United miles.
Someone suggested TVU-NAN above, but that’s $90/each way by cash, so not sure it’s a great use of miles. AKL-NAN is 18K each way. Interestingly, AKL->NAN is $180 but NAN->AKL is $300+. Perhaps cash one way, and miles on the way back makes sense here.
That TVU-NAN was over $200 when I booked so I think you’ve got a decent deal. Anyway, yeah, it would be interesting to see which routes are better value. Really it probably depends on the season also.
Very cool post, Drew. I live in Hawaii and am always looking for trip ideas. Island hopping in the Pacific sounds amazing and I won’t have to travel very far. I also have a number of Citi TY points. It’s good to see a number of routes from HNL and how I can finally put those TY points to use. Thank you.
“Five free stopovers” is only relevant to the “oneworld award” which is typically 140000 points for a RTW in coach.
“Classic” awards, what you are referring to from 8000 points, are one-way with NO stopovers.