It’s annoying when I read about the best uses of free night awards only to find there is no availability. For example, not that I have any genuine interest in staying at the Conrad Koh Samui (the real party is across the way in Koh Phangan) but for the sake of maximizing my weekend certificates I inquired as to the availability of this isolated resort. The standard room, the 1 bedroom king ocean view pool villa is seldom available. The 1 bedroom waterfront pool villa, is always available but it doesn’t qualify for the redemption. The difference in price is nominal yet it’s enough to disqualify points travelers from burning their certificates.
The same can be said of the InterContinental : Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa which has virtually no availability though I was able to snag a couple nights for next spring using a defunct trick.
This week I received my IHG Chase Anniversary Free Night, a $49 charge that is worth $700 if timing and opportunity are on your side. And wouldn’t you know it, a random check of IHG’s site yielded free night availability at the InterContinental : Le Moana Bora Bora. In full disclosure, the resort doesn’t look as nice as the other InterContinental and the booking is for a Double Beach Bungalow, not an overwater one but I’ll get over it. The alternative was to do something unthinkable, spend cold, hard cash for the extra night.
Though it’s a remote possibility, perhaps I’ll be upgraded to an overwater bungalow on account of my prestigious platinum elite status or perhaps an overwater room will open up by then. In any event, I’d call this booking a success.
Here’s where I stand in my constructing Tahiti Triumph Trip Report:
- Shanghai – Papeete via Auckland on 787 Dreamliner Business: 60,000 United Miles Round Trip!
- InterContinental : Le Moana Bora Bora: Double Beach Bungalow; 1 Night; Stay Certificate; $0
- InterContinental : Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa ; Overwater Villa; 2 Nights; 100k ; $0
- Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa: King Guestroom Garden; 5 Nights; 280k; $0
- Papeete via stopover in Auckland to either Bangkok or Shanghai; $103
Obviously, I’ll have to pay for the upgrade at the Hilton but as it stands, $103 for 8 nights in Tahiti ain’t too shabby. The real problem is what I’m supposed to do there the whole time considering that I found Samui to be boring.
I recently split a stay between the two IC properties in Bora Bora. I had 4 nights at Thalasso then one at Le Moana then back to Thalasso for the last 2 nights. It was actually good having that one night on the main island, just plan accordingly. Book a tour for that day and dinner for that night. The tours and restaurants won’t pick you up or drop you off at Thalasso but they will at Le Moana so it makes sense. That way you can just enjoy every second at Thalasso. You won’t get bored. It’s insane.
I like, I like. Thanks for the tip. It’s been such a hassle trying to put it all together that I’ve lost sight of how great it is to go where I’m going.
call me crazy, i was bored in bora. 4 nights at thalasso (on points) and 1 at ic papeete (chase ihg free annual). maybe you need to splurge on pricey excursions to have a good time (helicopter tour, scuba dive). while it’s tranquil on the motu, there’s not much to do over there in isolation. i found snorkeling better in hawaii.
Nope not crazy at all. As I write in the follow up post, “TPOL is more of a big city guy, a thrill seeker, and libations binger than a Corona, find your beach retiree.” But I feel compelled to go because 1) It was a points challenge to get there. 2) It’s obviously beautiful and tranquil. 3) I have a lot of other trips more my style coming up.
http://thepointsoflife.boardingarea.com/finalized-5-nights-at-hilton-moorea-for-280k-points/ it’s