If you’re struggling to redeem your factors and miles throughout the Pacific for lie-flat consolation, I’ve a tip for you.
It is an airline you won’t have thought of when flying between North America and Australia or New Zealand that is based mostly on a tropical island archipelago with fewer than 1 million inhabitants.
I’ve flown dozens of airways in enterprise class, however my latest flight from Fiji to Dallas was my first time on Fiji Airways.
It has leaped into my listing of high 5 airways I’ve flown — this is why.
Associated: Racing to Fiji: American Airlines vs. Cathay Pacific vs. Fiji Airways
Good award availability with companion miles
Though a small airline by way of fleet dimension, Fiji Airways provides a number of transpacific routes on its flagship Airbus A350 plane, flying from the next mainland North American gateways to its hub at Fiji’s Nadi Worldwide Airport (NAN):
- Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX)
- San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO)
- Dallas Fort Price Worldwide Airport (DFW)
- Vancouver Worldwide Airport (YVR) in British Columbia
Whereas business-class award availability throughout the Pacific may be exceptionally powerful to seek out, I’ve discovered Fiji Airways to be simpler to safe upfront on the lowest saver charges than Qantas- and American Airways-operated flights. Fiji Airways sometimes releases extra business-class award seats after preliminary seat availability is loaded 330 to 350 days upfront, so it is value setting alerts with the handy Seats.aero tool, as you would possibly get up to a pleasing shock (as I did).
As a Oneworld alliance member, you’ll be able to e-book Fiji Airways enterprise class with factors and miles from companion airline applications like Qantas Frequent Flyer and British Airways Club.
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Nonetheless, one of the best costs for business-class flights to Fiji are by means of the Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards program (simply 75,000 factors one-way) and the American Airlines AAdvantage program (80,000 miles one-way). You possibly can proceed on to Australia or New Zealand for a similar variety of AAdvantage miles or 10,000 extra Atmos Rewards factors, offered there may be saver availability for each flights.
We booked this flight from NAN to DFW with Alaska Airways Mileage Plan miles (now called Atmos Rewards points).
Associated: I’ve never flown Alaska Airlines before — here’s why I want its new premium credit card
Real but polished Fijian hospitality
The crew couldn’t have been kinder from the second I boarded till I deplaned. The eye to element impressed me with touches like wine bottles being offered at my seat and drinks poured in entrance of me, my tray desk being set with out using a tray for the primary dinner service, edible flowers and even an imitation candle for a moody eating impact.
The purser additionally approached me throughout descent, noting that my fixed photo-taking indicated I used to be an skilled traveler and asking whether or not I had any options for enhancing the expertise.
That is akin to the excessive stage of service I’ve witnessed in enterprise class on award-winning airlines like Qatar Airways.
Vacation mode as quickly as you step on board
There have been loads of enjoyable Fijian touches on board my flight that immediately put me on “island time,” like pineapple-scented scorching towels and signature cocktails with regionally distilled gin with notes of sun-dried kava and curry leaf.
Whereas I doubt many vacationers select an airline based mostly on its livery or font, I am unable to bear in mind a time when an airline’s branding left such a powerful affect on me as Fiji Airways. The barkcloth art work, designed by Fijian Masi artist Makereta Matemosi, mixed with the Bula customized typeface designed particularly for Fiji Airways was distinctive, elegant and immediately evoked emotions of being someplace enjoyable and peaceable.
Restaurant-quality, dine-on-demand delicacies
Reasonably than serving objects from trolleys wheeled by means of the aisles, all dishes had been served from the galley, like in a restaurant. Whereas orders had been taken throughout boarding, I used to be assured I used to be welcome to eat at any time and requested for my most well-liked meal instances (which might be adjusted through the flight).
The meals was of top quality and effectively offered, beginning with a smoked tomato tartare with avocado cream and basil oil, adopted by the native delicacy of grilled mahi-mahi fish with steamed ota (a crisp native inexperienced) and a scrumptious mango ginger cheesecake with a crystallized ginger almond crust for dessert.
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My feta parsley omelet with lentil fritters and tomato marmalade the next morning was one thing I might have been thrilled to be served at an upmarket breakfast cafe Down Below.
A calming stopover between North America and Australia or New Zealand
I spent a number of days in Fiji after flying in from Australia earlier than my flight to Dallas. It was my first time within the nation, and I used to be totally charmed by how relaxed, pleasant and hospitable everybody was, to not point out the spectacular seashores and glorious climate, even within the moist season.
For instance, I suffered a flat tire one night and pulled over to the aspect of the freeway to try to exchange it. Regardless of constant rain making the duty disagreeable, an area driving by insisted on stopping and altering the tire for me with a heat smile, a cheery wave and a “welcome to Fiji” when he departed quickly afterward.
If you’re in search of a number of days of downtime as you cross the Pacific in both route, Fiji is a peaceable, secure and straightforward possibility.
How you can earn factors and miles to e-book Fiji Airways enterprise class
It is easy to earn Atmos Rewards factors and AAdvantage miles with the appropriate bank card. Listed here are a few of the finest welcome provides obtainable proper now:
- Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card ($395 annual payment): Earn 80,000 bonus factors and a 25,000-point World Companion Award after spending $4,000 on purchases throughout the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card ($95 annual payment): Earn 70,000 bonus factors and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and costs from $23) after spending $3,000 on purchases throughout the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card: ($70 annual payment for the corporate and $25 per card): Earn 70,000 bonus factors and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and costs from $23) after spending $4,000 on purchases throughout the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® ($595 annual payment; see rates and fees): For a restricted time, earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® ($350 annual payment; see rates and fees): For a restricted time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases throughout the first 4 months of account opening.
- Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® ($99 annual payment, waived the primary 12 months; see rates and fees): Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases throughout the first 4 months from account opening.
You can too switch Bilt Rewards Factors to Atmos Rewards factors and Citi ThankYou Rewards factors to AAdvantage miles at a 1:1 fee.
Backside line
Fiji Airways’ Airbus A350 enterprise class was a pleasing shock. I wasn’t anticipating such a formidable product from a small and comparatively unknown airline, and it may simply compete with the world’s finest with a unbelievable onboard product, meals and repair.
Enterprise-class awards to Fiji begin at simply 75,000 Atmos Rewards factors or 80,000 AAdvantage miles one-way. Fiji Airways deserves a spot in your radar the subsequent time you are planning a visit to the South Pacific, Australia or New Zealand, particularly if you’re struggling to seek out fairly priced redemptions on nonstop companies throughout the Pacific.
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