This post isn’t about which beach was the best or what we did with our days (that’s coming next). It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we made the trip happen: business-class flights to Tahiti, a quiet stay on the island of Huahine, and how we used a mix of points, miles, and cash to make it work. If you haven’t caught on yet, we use miles and points for just about everything. So while the social media clickbait might sound like we spent a fortune, the real story is how we didn’t. Here’s what we spent, what we saved, and how we made it all come together.
If you didn’t read our original post, check it out:” Trippin’ to Tahiti: Tahiti in Business Class with Miles and Points.” This will be a quick recap.
Lie-flat business class seats are incredible! We were super excited, and it lived up to our expectations. I could go on for hours talking about how great they were, but I’ll spare you. We booked the flights a year ago using miles and points from American Express Membership Rewards and Capital One Miles. We used 228,000 points and $590 in taxes and fees to book round-trip business-class flights from LA to Papeete. These cash tickets would’ve cost us $13,000. Hard to beat a deal like that. If you want economy, you can book a round-trip ticket for about 50,000 points and $50.
To get to LAX, we used 15,000 Delta Skymiles and $11. To get back, we spent $120. Sometimes you’re just left with cash. No complaints about the price.
We also took a flight from the island of Huahine back to Tahiti. The inter-island flights in French Polynesia are crazy expensive. This 30-minute flight cost $450 for the two of us. Thankfully, we had some Capital One travel portal credits from our Venture X card and a recently opened Venture card. This brought our tickets down to $88.
Flights Wrap Up
The total cost of all the flights we took would have been $13,670, which is absolutely ridiculous. By using miles, points, and travel credits, we only spent $810. I feel pretty good about that; the flights were awesome.
That said, there is no scenario where we would have spent that kind of money. So it is not really fair to say we saved that much. What we did was use miles and points to unlock a travel experience we never could have pulled off otherwise. And that is the real win.
Note: Many people get confused when it comes to what miles and points are worth? There isn’t a universal answer because it depends on how you redeem them. But it’s worth showing what they can be worth.
In our case, these business class flights, at the time of booking, would have cost $13,002 in cash. Instead, we spent 228,000 points + $590 in taxes and fees.
That means our points gave us about 5.5 cents of value per point (($13,002 – $590) ÷ 228,000). To put that in perspective, most people value airline points at around 1–2 cents each, so this redemption was a fantastic deal.
Want to learn more about how miles and points are valued? What are Miles and Points Worth?
Stays
French Polynesia is expensive, no way around it. For our first and only night on Tahiti, and our only hotel stay, we used the same Capital One travel credits to cover the cost. It would have been $188. The hotel was nice, nothing fancy. It was downtown and close to everything, specifically the port for our morning ferry ride.
The rest of the trip, we stayed in Airbnbs on Huahine. These were paid out of pocket, no tricks. The first two nights cost $190 total. It was a great little place not far from Fare, the main town on the island. The last three came to $451. Both places were great, but the second one was something else. It was on a motu, a small island just off the main island. We were completely secluded. No neighbors, no noise, just the ocean and some palm trees. It felt like we had our own private paradise, and we really did. Our host dropped us off by boat, and we relaxed, snorkeled, and had a great time.
One thing to know about Huahine is that there are not a lot of lodging options if you are not going for a luxury resort. Airbnb is probably your best bet. The tradeoff is that you might be more isolated, so you will want some way to get around or just be ready to stay put. For us, that slower pace was exactly what we were looking for.
The Stays Concluded
We spent 7 nights in French Polynesia for what would have been $830. We were able to bring that down to $642. It can definitely be done for less. Tahiti is more affordable overall if you choose to stay there, and if you are willing to dig a little, there are always cheaper Airbnbs and hotels available. We were happy with how we did it and would recommend the experience to anyone looking for a mix of adventure and relaxation without going broke.
Transportation
We did not move around a lot since the goal was to relax, but we did take a ferry, rent a scooter, and use a few taxis.
The ferry got us to Huahine. We had considered flying, but as mentioned earlier, inter-island flights in French Polynesia are expensive and often not worth it unless you are tight on time. The ferry was slower, took about 3.5 hours, but it saved us money and gave us a chance to enjoy the scenery. It cost $157 for two people. Just know that ferry schedules are limited, so you will want to plan ahead. Also, a fun reference for everyone that wants to go to Bora Bora, the ferry takes like 7-8 hrs.
Once on Huahine, we rented a scooter for $110 to explore the island. Totally worth it. The island is small, and we rode all the way around in about an hour and a half. It’s the easiest way to see local spots, just make sure you’re comfortable on a scooter. Some areas are steep and the roads can get narrow.
In Papeete, we used taxis twice. Once to get into town on our first day, and again when we walked too far to find snorkeling gear and didn’t want to walk back. Each ride was about $25. There’s no Uber, so if you plan to explore more, a rental car might make more sense.
On our last day, during a layover in Tahiti before flying home, we discovered a great scooter company called Hello Scoot, an online scooter rental service. We picked one up at the airport for $50 and spent a few hours riding around Papeete before our flight. A cheap, fun way to get around.
Food
We knew food in French Polynesia wouldn’t be cheap, especially on the smaller islands where almost everything has to be brought in. Even basics like groceries and snacks cost quite a bit more than we’re used to.
Most of the time, we kept it simple. We brought a good amount of gluten-free food from home, which definitely paid off. Otherwise, we shopped at local grocery stores, food trucks, and small markets, like the Roulettes ( food trucks and stalls) in Papeete and Super U in Fare, Huahine. Prices were higher than normal, but manageable if you avoid fancy meals every day.
One important thing to note is that our last Airbnb, the one on the motu, had no stores at all. Before heading there, we stocked up on everything we would need for the three-night stay. Planning ahead was a must, since once you’re on the motu, you’re basically on your own.
We did treat ourselves to a few meals out. The Huahine Yacht Club was probably the main restaurant in Fare, and we went there twice. It has great sunset views and simple food to order. We also discovered some roadside trucks and stands where we could buy fruit and small meals.
Having kitchens in our Airbnbs saved us a lot. Cooking many of our own meals helped keep costs down and let us eat on our own schedule.
Food conclusion
Overall, we spent about $400 to $500 on food and drinks. That number can swing quite a bit depending on how often you eat out or drink. It was also harder to track, since almost everything on Huahine required cash.
Some Useful Money Tips
Papeete was significantly more expensive than Huahine, which we found quite surprising. We thought we were dooming ourselves by going to a smaller island. We’re talking $32 for fish and chips in Papeete or $18 for the same thing in Huahine. My guess is Papeete is targeting tourists.
Cash is King – While Tahiti seemed to be more credit card-friendly, Huahine was not. Overall, I’d expect cash to be king in most places. Other than grocery stores, we mostly used cash. Even then, most places wouldn’t take a card under $20.
Bring snacks from home – If you have space, pack protein bars, trail mix, or other easy foods. Prices add up quickly, and having backup snacks helps when stores close early or you’re on a motu.
Self-catering saves – Airbnb kitchens are gold. Cooking your own meals, even just breakfast and lunch, cuts costs dramatically.
Skip bottled water – Tap water is safe to drink on most of the main islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora). Carry a reusable bottle and refill instead of paying for plastic bottles.
Transportation adds up – Taxis are expensive and there’s no Uber. If you want freedom, rent a scooter or car. Scooters are cheaper, but only if you’re comfortable riding.
Budget for activities – Excursions (like lagoon tours, diving, or ATV rides) aren’t cheap, but they’re worth prioritizing. Save by mixing in free activities like snorkeling off the beach or hiking.
Know your timing – Many shops and restaurants close early, especially outside Papeete. Don’t expect late-night dining, and plan your meals and shopping ahead of time.
Conclusion
All in all, we spent $2,446 for the two of us to spend a full week in French Polynesia. That covered business class flights, island-hopping, scooters, Airbnbs, food, and some incredible experiences. We kept costs down by using miles and points, which made the trip possible at a fraction of what it would normally cost. French Polynesia has a reputation for being crazy expensive, but with some smart planning and flexibility, it does not have to be. For us, every penny and every point was worth it.
If you are planning your own trip and have questions, feel free to reach out. And if you want more details, check out some of our other posts where we break down flights, accommodations, and ways to save on travel.
Some suggestions: