Fiji Airways Nadi to Tonga: The Best Business 737 Experience

Fiji Airways Nadi Tonga Business Class is part of the Bula! Fiji Hub Trip Report.
I have flown many 737s in my day. Some were better than others (see Ethiopian Business JNB-ADD: The Worst Flight Experience). Undoubtedly, the Fiji Airways flight from Nadi, Fiji to Tonga was the best.  a group of airplanes parked on a tarmac a plane on the ground Here’s why: Bula! Service  I wrote about the great service aboard Fiji Airways on my first flight from Vancouver to Nadi (see Bula! Fiji Airways Vancouver to Nadi Flight Review). That service isn’t only found on long-haul. It was also provided on this short 1.5 hour flight to Tonga. a close up of a sign
a glass of liquid and a glass of orange juice on a tray
Welcomed with a welcome drink.
So Much Space  Some airlines cram in as many business class seats as possible. Fiji Airways had a total of 4. two chairs in an airplane a seat in a plane Food Despite the short duration of the flight, there was great meal service. a plate of food on a tray Fiji Water a two bottles in a small cabinet Cost  It only costs 12,500 Avios and $52 versus $466 to fly business (see Bus-Ted: Bula! Fiji Hub Points & Cash Summary). Another Go Around The Fiji Airways experience lasted a little longer than expected. Right before landing, the wind picked up and the pilot had to abort and go around one more time.
a building with a sign on it
Welcome to Tonga!
Overall I didn’t have any luck finding business class flights on Fiji Airways for islands in the Pacific. I am glad I was able to experience it when I could.

2023 What I Spent (And Received) in Annual Fees

Here is what I have spent in annual fees historically: Here is what I spent in 2023 and what I received: New Cards  Total: $2168 Renewed Cards 
  • $95 Chase Ink: 3X marketing
  • $99 IHG Personal: 1 free night
  • $95 Chase Hyatt: 1 free night
  • $125 Amex Marriott Business: 1 free night
  • $95 Amex Marriott: 1 free night
  • $95 Chase Marriott: 1 free night
Total: $604 TPOL’s Total: $2772 I don’t have to calculate how much value I have received out of these cards. My redemptions speak for themselves. Still, $2772 is not a small amount of money to pay for fees. This doesn’t include Ms.TPOL’s annual fees in the amount of $1205.06 Grand Total: $3977.06
a man in a canoe in the water
It’s worth it.

Sheraton Fiji: We Appreciate Your Loyalty!

Sheraton Fiji Hotel Review is part of the Bula! Fiji Hub Trip Report.
Getting There There is no Uber in Fiji. You have to negotiate to get to the hotel. $40FJD ($18USD) is what I paid from the airport. On the way back, there is a set price of $52FJD ($23USD).
Introduction a fountain in a streeta large lawn with trees and a building in the background Bula! And welcome to the Sheraton Fiji where they appreciate your loyalty. My flight landed at 5:20AM (see Bula! Fiji Airways Vancouver to Nadi Flight Review), and I arrived at the hotel far too early to check-in. At check-in, I was offered espresso and was told that it may take some time for my room to be ready. Instead of taking a nap at the pool like I did when I arrived too early in Barbados (see Radisson Barbados: Beach Club Or Resort?), I found a comfy couch and worked on my laptop. After a half hour, the manager of the hotel came to greet me. He apologized that my room was not ready and offered me complimentary breakfast. Breakfast  There are two choices for breakfast. One is a buffet zoo full of children, the other is an adults only, all-you-can-drink mimosa experience. Which would you select? two glasses of yellow liquid on a table As far as the breakfast goes, it was basic but filling. I had it both days I was there. Had I stayed longer, I may have braved the screaming children in exchange for variety. a tray of food on a table a plate of breakfast with sausages and eggs At the conclusion of breakfast, I received this surprise: a plate with a piece of cake on it Time to Check-In  After three hours of too many mimosas, I was told that my room was ready.
a glass of orange liquid next to a bottle of water
Stay hydrated.
Room  The room was in a private caseta with a view of the ocean. a room with a bed and a television a bed with a fan in a room a bed with white sheets and blue headboard in a room a room with a television and a couch a round table with pillows on it outside with a view of the ocean palm trees on a beach Bathroom  a bathroom with a white bathrobe and a mirror a shower with a shower head and soaps a group of black bottles on a tile wall Champagne Anyone?  Ready to unwind, I heard a knock on the door:
a bottle of champagne in a bucket with ice and two wine glasses on a table
Another welcome gift!
two bottles of water on a table
Water was also complimentary.
Champagne Party  As a lifetime elite, I was invited to an art exhibit in the hotel where I was offered even more champagne. a banner with a bottle of champagne a group of champagne bottles in a container with ice a group of cartoon characters on a white wall art on a table two glasses of wine on a table a glass of wine on a table with food on it
a man standing at a podium with a sign behind him
The keynote speaker.
Resort Itself  I live in a golf resort in Rio Mar, Puerto Rico. For me, the experience of unwinding at a resort is not my idea of travel, especially when there are so many kids running around. But that isn’t to say that the resort was not beautiful. a pool with palm trees and a building in the backgrounda pool with tables and chairs and palm trees
a pool with palm trees and a building
Adults only pool, next to adults only breakfast.
a pool with a lounge chair and palm trees a pool with a plant in it a grass lawn with palm trees and a body of watera beach with palm trees and a gazebo a group of palm trees on a beach Golf Like the golf course in Rio Mar, the Sheraton’s golf course is in need of hydration and irrigation. I did not inquire how much it would cost to play but given the condition of the course and my previous experience of golfing in Tahiti (see Golf in Tahiti? Not in This Town), I am glad I passed.
a golf cart with a person in the back
Only golf cart I used was to get to my room.
Overall “We appreciate your loyalty,” is a phrase that is used but not meant. At the Sheraton Fiji it was sincere and I appreciated it.

Luggage Storage: Nadi, Fiji Airport

Luggage Storage Nadi is part of the Bula! Fiji Hub Trip Report. This post is also part of the Melbourne & Bangkok Residencies.
Some blog topics are sexy. Some are useful. This one is the latter. Typically, I only travel with a small roller and a backpack. However, since I was embarking on my residency in Melbourne & Bangkok Residencies, I also had one checked bag. The issue with a checked bag is that I was going to be going to Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, and back to Fiji before heading to Melbourne. There was no way that I was going to bring that extra suitcase to all those countries. Fortunately, Fiji Airport has an affordable bag storage. For $30, I was able to store my bag for nine days. a sign on the side of a building a paper with text on it TPOL’s Tip: The baggage storage is right after customs in the arrival terminal.

Bula! Fiji Airways Vancouver to Nadi Flight Review

Fiji Airways Vancouver to Nadi Flight Review is part of the Bula! Fiji Hub Trip Report. This post is also part of the Melbourne & Bangkok Residencies.


I was exhausted after exploring Vancouver (see Guns & Butter: Vancouver, Canada Travel Guide (Organic Edition)). I looked forward to my 11-hour business class flight aboard Fiji Airways to Nadi

Bula!

Bula was a word I would hear frequently throughout this trip. It means hello or welcome in Fijian, but the sincerity of the word cannot be translated. This warmness of the flight attendants and the Fijian people is authentic. 

Booking 

Recall the work I put into getting the lie-flat seats from Toronto to Vancouver (see Booking Miles & Smiles on Air Canada: Takes Calls, Emails, Luck). That was worth the effort (see Worth It! Lie Flat Toronto to Vancouver on Air Canada). Finding business class for two on Fiji Airways was no small challenge either (see 55K Alaskan to Fiji And My New Melbourne Residence). It too was worth the effort. 

Seats 

Look at these beautiful seats: 

a seat in a plane a row of white chairs in a room with purple lighting a seat in a plane a television on a tableWelcome Drink

Off to paradise, I had the prerequisite glass of champagne. 

 

Amenities Kit

Here is a wild twist on eyeshades. The rest of the amenity kit was basic. 

a group of objects on a table

Sleep

I was so tired that I fell asleep almost immediately after the welcome drink. I didn’t have the strength to ring the call button for the bedding. 

Dinner

I slept for 8 hours and missed dinner. 

Breakfast

I did wake up for breakfast. 

a plate with food on it a croissant on a plate a plate of food on a table

Fiji Water

This was a necessary photo: 

a bottle of water next to a computer

Overall

When I first started points travel, I used to stay awake during the entire flight, overeat, and overdrink. Having done this for so long, the pressure to do that is now gone. I can now rest knowing that the next business class flight is not far away. On Fiji Airways, given the comfortable seat and friendly service, this was easy to do. 

a white airplane on the tarmac
Bula!

Blogging Automation Fail

Disclaimer: This post is in response to a wellness check from my avid readers who wonder if I have quit the game. I have not!  For two months, I have been trying to set up a way to write more blog posts more efficiently. I have hundreds of posts from too many trips that I have not published. Instead of writing more, I have written nothing. We appreciate your patience as we look to bring you more original, quality, stunning, exhilarating content in the future. For now, all I can say is Go Bills! Go Lions! And leave you with a random photo:
a group of golf clubs
1/4 so far this year…
       

Michigan Wolverines National Champions! I Can Die in Peace

The following is the happiest post in the Wolverines Trip Report.
It’s been a long journey since I went to the Rose Bowl in 1998 to watch Michigan win a national championship. Yesterday, they did it again. My first feeling and it’s safe to assume the feeling of many of my fellow Wolverines is one of relief. The misery of App State, Rich Rod, Brady Hoke, the Aussie punt against MSU, among many, many other decapitating memories is washed away by the elation of hoisting the championship trophy. While detractors might say that I did not personally contribute to the championship, i.e., I did not score any touchdowns yesterday, they are wrong. The Michigan faithful have put in their time attending, watching, complaining, and cheering for this university. I have spent a small fortune running around the country following this team. Accordingly, here is my historical tribute to the 2024 National Champion Michigan Wolverines! The Sugar Bowl New Orleans: Celebrating Brady Hoke sugar bowl new orleans The Best Sports Stadiums: The Big House The Big House Remodeled Citrus Bowl Stadium: Where Even the Band Battles DSC_1314 The Game: A Wolverine’s Guide For Surviving Columbus When it appeared Michigan was in control Michigan vs Florida: A Review Of Cowboy Stadium a man in a sports uniform in a stadium Michigan v. Wisconsin: Formerly Camp Randall Stadium Review a football stadium full of people Finally, A Happy Thanksgiving: Hail to the Victors! a man holding a bottle of champagne in front of a television Cheaters! Spartan Stadium Review a stadium full of people As Michigan football goes, so goes my life. All problems feel tremendously worse with a Michigan loss. All problems feel trivial with a Michigan win. Today, I have zero problems and Ohio State ain’t #won.

Simply The Best: December 2023

December may be the laziest month in my blogging career. In an effort to increase blogging efficiency, I ended up doing nothing. Here are the posts from December: Happy Festivus! Airing of Points Grievances 2023

a man in boxing gloves and a man in boxing gloves
Dear shit talkers, let’s have The Feats of Strength in the ring!
Guns & Butter: Vancouver, Canada Travel Guide (Organic Edition)
a city with boats in the water
In terms of big Canadien cities, I prefer Toronto or Montreal over Vancouver. While the scenery in Vancouver is beautiful, I am not paying a premium for this organic tranquility. I suggest you spend your time outside where the experience is free.
SkyTeam Lounge Vancouver: Ready to Go
a bowl of soup and dumplings on a tray
Let the journey begin!

SkyTeam Lounge Vancouver: Ready to Go

SkyTeam Lounge Review Vancouver is part of the Bula! Fiji Hub Trip Report. This post is also part of the Melbourne & Bangkok Residencies.


a sign with a welcome sign

I have done spent so much on this trip already. It was time to reset at the lounge in anticipation for the real part of the trip, starting with one night in Fiji. Flying Fiji Airways business (see 55K Alaskan to Fiji And My New Melbourne Residence), I was given access to the SkyTeam Lounge Vancouver. 

Bar

After a day of exploring Vancouver (see Guns & Butter: Vancouver, Canada (Organic Edition)), I had no interest in drinking, only eating. 

a group of people standing at a bar
a display of objects on a wall

Food 

There was plenty of food, self-serve style. 

a bowl of food on a stove
a food in a container

But I would recommend made to order soup. 

a bowl of soup and dumplings on a tray

Overall

Let the journey begin!