Scotiabank Gold American Express® CardScotiabank Gold American Express® CardEarn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points + no annual fee in your first year

Travel to French Polynesia with points & miles

Travel to French Polynesia with points & miles
Share

Find out in this article how to travel to French Polynesia with your miles and how to stay there with your points to save a lot of money on your trip!

French Polynesia with points & miles

French Polynesia is a region of the world that makes you dream just like the Maldives, the Seychelles, Mauritius or Bali. But unlike these 4 other terrestrial paradises, it was, until recently, still difficult and expensive to get to French Polynesia from Canada.

bora bora 3023437 1920

The new flight between San Francisco and Papeete with United

This was without counting the new flight that United has just opened between San Francisco (SFO) and Papeete (PPT).

united tahiti news

And since this American airline is a member of Star Alliance, that means you can book flights with your Aeroplan miles!

united star alliance

Here are the flight times:

FlightOriginDestinationDepartureArrival
UA115San Francisco SFOTahiti / Papetee PPT14h4521h25
UA114Tahiti / Papetee PPTSan Francisco SFO23h4509h50 (+1)

This will be operated year-round by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner:

787 united
Boeing 787 – Credit: United

The cost in Aeroplan Miles

The cost in Aeroplan Miles for this flight in the South Pacific region, departing from Canada / USA, is :

CabinOne wayRound trip
Economy45,000 miles90,000 miles
Business80,000 miles160,000 miles

Let me warn you right away: there is very little chance of seeing business class tickets for this flight. However, at the time of writing this article, there are a plethora of economy class tickets available with Aeroplan miles.

Round trip from Canada to Papeete with Aeroplan Miles

Here is an example for a March 2019 round trip from San Francisco – 90,000 miles + $74.40 tax:

sfo ppt

Here is an example of a fare from Montreal – 90,000 miles and $220 in taxes (plus carrier surcharge on Air Canada):

yul ppt

Multi-destination flight with a stop in San Francisco and/or Vancouver

Due to the length of the trip, we advise you to try to make a multi-destination flight by stopping en route. On this international flight, you are entitled to 2 stops in addition to your destination.

Here is an example with only 1 stop of a few days in San Francisco on the way there – 90,000 Aeroplan miles and $268:

yul sfo ppt

You could also add a stop on the way back, such as Vancouver. At that point, you will need to find availability for each segment and then call Aeroplan to set up this type of trip:

yul sfo ppt yvr

A new option for a mini-tour of the world!

And as Jean-Francois P. mentions in the facebook group « Travel for free (or almost…!) with your points & miles – milesopedia », this new route opens up a whole new opportunity for a mini world tour!

This type of trip would also cost 90,000 miles in economy and 160,000 miles in business class (with a stop in Papeete, a destination in Sydney and another stop in Singapore for example):

yul sfo ppt akl syd sin zrh

Aeroplan Mileage earning cards

The cards that make it easy to earn Aeroplan Miles in large numbers are the American Express Membership Rewards cards:

Please note: The American Express Cobalt? Card earns Membership Rewards points that are not directly transferable to Aeroplan Miles. That’s why we don’t present it as a direct option.

Hotels in French Polynesia with the points

It’s not all about getting an « almost » free ticket with miles! But you still have to be able to afford the stay on site, which is very expensive! Fortunately, there are options here too with Marriott Bonvoy hotel points.

There are 2 hotels belonging to the Marriott Bonvoy program in French Polynesia:

The St. St. Regis Bora Bora Resort with Marriott Bonvoy points

The most luxurious of all, The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort is classified as Category 7 through the end of 2018 in the Marriott Bonvoy program. That is, it is available for only 60,000 points instead of over CA$1,200 per night!

the st regis borabora marriott

This is typically the type of hotel one thinks of when one thinks of Bora Bora:

bobxr exterior 3950 hor feat
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort – Credit: Marriott

Le Méridien Bora Bora with Marriott Bonvoy points

The second hotel, Le Méridien Bora Bora, is also classified as a Category 7 until the end of 2018 in the Marriott Bonvoy program. It is therefore also available for only 60,000 points instead of more than CA$700 per night!

le meridien borabora marriott

Another landscape to dream about!

bobmd exterior 2912 hor wide
Le Méridien Bora Bora

This is when you realize the great value of Marriott Bonvoy points in order to obtain this type of hotel!

Marriott Bonvoy points cards

The guides to read when traveling in French Polynesia

The Ulysses travel guides have just released a new book: 50 dream itineraries in all seasons: In the sun, in which a chapter is dedicated to French Polynesia.

to the sun ulysse

Otherwise, you can consult all other publications about French Polynesia on this page !

Bottom Line

All this was made possible by the addition of this flight between San Francisco and Papeete. Before, you had to either pay for your ticket or use Flying Blue miles to fly from Los Angeles to Papeete (and the availability was not very good).

Annual fee
$799
Our valuation
$1,700
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

Terms of the offer

  • Unlock special experiences with the newly designed metal Platinum Card
  • New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 25,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards® points when you charge $2,000 in purchases to your Card in the first three months of Cardmembership
  • Earn 3 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining in Canada, 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel, and 1 point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
  • You will have access to a $200 CAD Annual Travel Credit to use towards any single travel booking of $200 or more charged to your Platinum Card and made on www.americanexpress.ca/travel or through Platinum Card® Travel Service
  • Take full advantage of the American Express Global Lounge Collection which unlocks access to over 1200 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience
  • Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $550 USD at over 1,000 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels & Resorts.
  • Platinum Cardmembers can enjoy access to special events and unique opportunities
  • Enjoy premium benefits at the Toronto Pearson Airport including security bypass, complimentary valet car service and discount car care and parking
  • You will also have access to many leading hotel and car rental companies’ loyalty programs. Our partners include Marriott International, Hilton Hotels and Resorts®, Radisson Hotel Group Hotels and Resorts, Hertz® and Avis®
  • As a Charge Card, the balance must always be paid in full each month. 30% annual interest rate applies to balances not paid in full. Payments must be received and processed by the date of the next monthly statement to avoid interest charges
  American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details, current product information and Terms and Conditions, click the Apply now link. Conditions Apply

The Platinum Card® is the best premium card in Canada for travellers.

With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points:

  • 70,000 points after charging $10,000 to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • 30,000 points when you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after your Cardmembership begins

With this Card, you get:

  • 2 points per $1 on eligible dining and delivery purchases in Canada
  • 2 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases charged to the Card
  • 1 point per $1 on all other purchases charged to the Card

You can use your Membership Rewards® points in many ways:

  • Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, etc.
  • Transfer points to hotel partners, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
  • Redeem points for statement credits to offset any travel purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
  • Redeem points for statement credits towards other purchases (1,000 points = $10)
  • And more!

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards® points to a partner loyalty program, you could earn up to:

  • 100,000 Aeroplan points
  • 100,000 Avios
  • 100,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this card, you also have advantages for your travels:

  • $200 Annual Travel Credit
  • An annual meal credit of $200
  • A $100 statement credit for NEXUS membership
  • Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to more than 1,550 airport lounges in over 140 countries
  • Hilton Honors Gold status
  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
  • Access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program

Last but not least, The Platinum Card® offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$799
Additional card$250

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xTravel
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,482
2nd Year Value$470

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Flying BlueAirline
  • Hilton HonorsHotel
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Our featured card

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.