It may be halfway around the world and at least a day away for many of us in the United States, but the South Pacific is readily accessible as long as airlines keep offering these great fare sales. Many of them are even bundling in free stopover offers in nearby islands. Typically, these types of sales are based on Los Angeles departures, but finding cheap flights there should not be too difficult for those who are coming from elsewhere in North America. Here's a few late-breaking deals we've encountered.
Air New Zealand (tel. 800/262-1234; www.airnewzealand.com) has a few fare sales from the United States to destinations in New Zealand and the South Pacific, including a deal priced from $798 per person for flights departing Mondays through Wednesdays from Los Angeles to Auckland, and $908 per person for San Francisco departures. It's also possible to fly to other destinations in New Zealand. From L.A., choose among Christchurch ($897), Wellington ($874), and Queenstown ($966), for example. You must book by February 28 and the special is valid for travel April 1-May 31.
Air New Zealand also has a web fare sale for Fiji and the Cook Islands that gives you two tropical destinations for the price of one. It's priced from $844 per person to Cook Islands and Fiji from L.A., and the price includes the fuel surcharge. Fiji's rainy season ends in February, and flights to just one of these islands typically fetch about $1,000. You must book by March 15 and travel April 15-June 30.
Air Tahiti Nui (tel. 877/824-4846; www.airtahitinui-usa.com) has several fare sales with stopovers at the moment, including one called "Toru Fare." Toru is the Tahitian word for "three," so the trip incorporates the experience of three countries -- Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti -- starting from $1,078 for flights from L.A. or $1,278 for flights from New York-JFK. For add-on fares, you can extend your trip with stops in Cairns, Christchurch, or other Tahitian islands such as Bora Bora or Moorea. You must book by March 31; your date of travel determines the price. Low season goes from May 1 through June 8 -- this price reflects the lowest price, from $1,078. Right now, we're in the shoulder season and will be through April 30; the price starts at $1,298 for flights from L.A. and $1,498 for New York.
Another special gives you a free, one-night stay and stopover in Tahiti if you fly to Sydney or Auckland from New York-JFK. The offer is based on availability and valid for new bookings for travel through June 10; the free hotel night at the Sofitel Tahiti Resort is based on double occupancy. If you aren't booking from either of those departure cities, you can still stop in Tahiti from $50 per night person per night; scroll down on the page and there is a list of five properties to choose from. Yet another stopover special includes a free stopover in Tahiti if you are flying from Los Angeles to Auckland; the fare is priced from $848 per person for travel April 1 through May 2007 on Mondays through Wednesdays. You must book this special by February 28. Two additional stopovers are permitted at $150 each.
Australian Pacific Touring (tel. 800/290-8687; www.aptouring.com) has an offer in conjunction with its 80th anniversary for a "Free Fiji" two-night, three-day stopover offer through its escorted vacations. The "free" part of it basically means you save $920 per couple. The offer is only available on the company's "22 Day Royal Escorted tour" when you book your airfare with Qantas. The trip includes sightseeing, first-class accommodations, transportation, tours, most of your meals, the services of a motor coach and a tour director. The three-day Fiji stopover puts you at a five-star resort on the Coral Coast. Departures through March start at $6,405 and April 2007-March 2008 it is priced at $6,060. You must book by March 31 and travel by March 31, 2008.
It's not a fare sale, but it is Club Med (tel. 888/WEB-CLUB; www.clubmed.us). The company will give you two free nights if you book a weeklong trip. Among other destinations, Bora Bora is included, priced from $1,190 per person for bungalow accommodations. The resort, located on the island's south coast, includes activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, spa, windsurfing and sailing. The special is valid for travel now through April 21 and the price does not include airfare.
Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers on our South Pacific Message Boards today.