Alaska Airlines and Air Tahiti Nui established a collaboration in March that would let their customers accrue and use points on one another's flights.
Only the reciprocal mileage earnings have been accessible up until this point.
However, starting later today, members of the Mileage Plan will be able to use their Alaska miles to book flights on Air Tahiti Nui.
When Air Tahiti Nui redemptions launch, expect the following.
Alaska Mileage Plan redemption for Air Tahiti Nui
Today, June 28, 2022, at 12 p.m. EST, Alaska Mileage Plan redemptions for Air Tahiti Nui flights will become available.
All Air Tahiti Nui flights, including those to its South Pacific hub, Faaa International Airport (PPT), and its fifth-freedom service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, will be eligible for redemptions (CDG).
The costs for the long-haul flights come out to $540 for economy, $810 for premium economy, and $1,080 for business at 1.8 cents per Alaska Mile.
Taxes and fees charged by Air Tahiti Nui are often quite low.
In contrast, flights between the United States and the South Pacific cost 40,000, 65,000, and 80,000 miles, respectively, on American Airlines AAdvantage, another Air Tahiti Nui partner.
Awards purchased through Air France/KLM Flying Blue, however, are entirely variable and can cost anything between 30,000 and over 80,000 miles one-way for economy.
You should keep in mind that these are only starting prices.
In the future, Alaska might charge more miles for lengthier journeys, such those between the East Coast and the South Pacific or during busy travel times.
Additionally, if Alaska has access to additional award capacity not offered by other partner airlines, we might see higher costs.
For instance, Alaska occasionally charges more for flights on Aer Lingus, Icelandair, Qatar, and Condor while also providing improved inventory access.
It's also crucial to keep in mind that you cannot mix airline partners with Alaska, but you can include Alaska flights in a partner itinerary.
On long-haul routes between regions, you can as usual add a free layover in Air Tahiti Nui's Tahiti hub.
In conclusion
Since Air Tahiti Nui is not a member of any significant alliances and has a small number of airline partners, the opportunity to book awards through Alaska Mileage Plan is definitely appreciated.
Especially better, the award rates are fair, even in business class, in contrast to some of Alaska's other new redemption partners.
Some people might be concerned by Alaska's decision to just post starting rates rather than fixed prices or price ranges.
However, given on what we've observed thus far with Alaska's other partners, you ought to be able to book awards for the lowest award rate when there is saver-level availability.
There is, however, no assurance.
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