Travel guide · Routes
LAX to Bora Bora on Points: The Best Ways to Fly to Paradise
By The Beyond Points Team · Published 2026-06-15 · Last verified 2026-08-31
The short answer: You can't actually fly to Bora Bora — no international flights land there. Every trip goes LAX → Papeete (Tahiti), then a short Air Tahiti hop to Bora Bora (BOB). The LAX–Tahiti leg is very bookable on points: Air France (via Flying Blue) and Air Tahiti Nui fly it nonstop, with economy from ~35,000–55,000 miles and business from ~80,000+. The inter-island hop, though, is cash (~$300–$400 round trip) and can't be booked with points. And here's the honest part: on this premium leisure route, economy or a cheap cash fare (French Bee) is often smarter than a pricey business redemption. Here's how to plan the flights.
The two-flight reality
This is the single most important thing to understand about getting to Bora Bora:
- Fly LAX → Papeete (PPT) on Tahiti — the international leg, ~8 hours nonstop, and the part you book on points.
- Connect to Air Tahiti PPT → Bora Bora (BOB) — a ~50-minute inter-island flight on the local carrier (not Air Tahiti Nui), which runs cash-only (~$300–$400 round trip) and only in daylight.
Because the hop is daylight-only and doesn't always line up with international arrivals, you'll often need a night in Tahiti on the way in or out. Plan that on purpose — missing the last hop to Bora Bora is the classic first-timer mistake. This route guide covers the flights; for hotels, islands, and the full trip, see Bora Bora on points.
The airlines that fly LAX → Tahiti nonstop
- Air France — LAX to Papeete (SkyTeam), bookable via Flying Blue. The most points-friendly option.
- Air Tahiti Nui — French Polynesia's flag carrier, LAX to Papeete nonstop, with its Poerava business class. Bookable via American AAdvantage as a partner.
- Delta — LAX to Papeete (SkyTeam), dynamic pricing via SkyMiles or Flying Blue.
- French Bee (budget) — LAX to Papeete nonstop on cash fares. Not a points play, but genuinely competitive (more below).
(United flies to Papeete from San Francisco, not LAX, so West Coast travelers near SFO have that Star Alliance option too.)
The best loyalty programs for this route
Point costs are typical one-way for the LAX–Papeete leg — confirm live. This is a premium leisure route, so business pricing runs higher than a standard transatlantic.
| Program | Books | ~Business | ~Economy | Transfer partners | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Blue | Air France, Delta | ~80,000+ | ~35,000–55,000 | Amex, Chase, Citi, Cap One, Bilt | Most accessible; occasional Promo Rewards |
| American AAdvantage | Air Tahiti Nui | ~80,000+ | ~40,000+ | Citi, Marriott | Books ATN's Poerava business; Citi 1:1 needs a premium card |
| Delta SkyMiles | Delta | Dynamic (often high) | Dynamic | Amex | Nonstop but frequently poor value |
| Virgin Atlantic | Air France (partner) | Varies | — | Amex, Chase, Citi, Cap One (via Virgin Red), Bilt | Worth checking as an alternate into Air France |
Flying Blue on Air France or KLM metal: since 8 September 2026 these awards come in Light, Standard and Flex fares, and the "from" price above is the Light fare — no voluntary changes, no refund, and no checked bag for most members. Matching what the old award included means buying Standard, reportedly around 25% more miles. Promo Rewards take 25% off the miles only; taxes and carrier surcharges are unchanged. Partner redemptions through Flying Blue are reported unaffected. Confirm live before you transfer.
Takeaways:
- Flying Blue is the most reachable — fund it from any card (see Amex transfer partners) — and it occasionally discounts the route via Promo Rewards.
- Air Tahiti Nui via AAdvantage is a quiet sweet spot for its business product, though AA miles are harder to accumulate (mainly Bilt, Marriott, and AA cards).
- Delta's dynamic pricing is usually the weakest value — compare it against cash.
Business class vs. economy — and the French Bee factor
This route breaks the usual "business is the best redemption" rule.
- Business runs expensive on points. At ~80,000+ miles one-way, a lie-flat seat on this ~8-hour flight is nice but pricey — the value-per-point is lower than a transatlantic business award. Reserve it for when you have miles to spare and want the experience (see best business class under 60,000 points for how the value math works — this route sits above that threshold).
- Economy is often the smarter play at ~35,000–55,000 points — or, notably, on cash via French Bee, whose budget nonstop fares (often $600–$1,000 round trip) frequently beat spending miles at all.
The honest read: unless you specifically want the Air France or Air Tahiti Nui business experience, economy on points or a cheap French Bee cash fare is usually the best value to Tahiti.
Cash vs. points
This is one route where cash is a genuine contender:
- Economy: French Bee's budget nonstops often beat points economy outright — compare before transferring.
- Business: points win if you want lie-flat, since cash business runs $3,000–$6,000+. But the high point cost means it's a "treat," not a value play.
- Delta: its dynamic award pricing usually loses to cash.
- The inter-island hop is always cash — budget for it regardless.
Run the value each time — the points vs. cash framework applies, and here it often points to cash economy.
Best time to book
Timing tracks Bora Bora's seasons (full detail in the destination guide):
- Dry season (May–October) — the ideal weather window and peak demand; award space is tightest and prices highest, especially June–August. Book premium seats early.
- Shoulder (May, late September–October) — the sweet spot: great weather, better availability.
- Wet season (November–April) — cheaper fares and easier award space, with the trade-off of more rain.
Award space on Air France and Air Tahiti Nui is limited, so book as far ahead as you can for peak dates — and lock the flight and the scarce hotel together.
Common mistakes
- Thinking you fly direct to Bora Bora. You don't — every route goes through Tahiti, then the Air Tahiti hop.
- Forgetting the inter-island flight and Tahiti overnight. Budget the ~$300–$400 hop and plan a night in Tahiti so a late arrival doesn't strand you.
- Overpaying for business on points. At ~80,000+ miles, business is a splurge, not a value redemption — compare with economy and cash.
- Ignoring French Bee. Its cash fares often beat a points economy booking; always check.
- Transferring points before confirming availability. Confirm the seat first — transfers are one-way and permanent.
- Underestimating peak-season scarcity. Dry-season award space vanishes early — book ahead.
How Beyond Points helps
This route has an unusual shape — a points-bookable international leg, a cash-only hop, and a case where budget cash economy genuinely competes with a points redemption. Working out whether Flying Blue economy, an Air Tahiti Nui business award, or a French Bee cash fare is the best deal (and remembering the Tahiti hop) is exactly the multi-part comparison people get wrong.
Beyond Points weighs these airlines, loyalty programs, and transfer partners against live cash prices, then recommends whether points or cash gets you to paradise for less on your dates — and tells you why.
Conclusion
Getting to Bora Bora on points means booking the LAX–Tahiti leg — Air France via Flying Blue is the most accessible, Air Tahiti Nui via AAdvantage the quiet business sweet spot — then paying cash for the short hop to the island. It's also one of the rare routes where economy on points, or a cheap French Bee cash fare, often beats a pricey business redemption. Plan the two flights and the Tahiti overnight, book peak dates early, and compare points against cash before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fly directly to Bora Bora?
No. Bora Bora (BOB) has no international flights. You fly LAX to Papeete (Tahiti), then take a ~50-minute Air Tahiti hop to Bora Bora. The international leg is bookable on points; the inter-island hop is cash (~$300–$400 round trip).
How many points do you need to fly LAX to Bora Bora?
For the LAX–Tahiti leg, roughly 35,000–55,000 miles one-way in economy or 80,000+ in business, plus about $300–$400 cash for the inter-island hop to Bora Bora. Flying Blue is the most accessible program.
What's the best way to fly to Bora Bora on points?
Book Air France via Flying Blue (reachable from any card) or Air Tahiti Nui via American AAdvantage for business. But compare against French Bee's budget cash fares — on this route, cash economy often beats a points redemption.
Is business or economy better to Bora Bora on points?
Economy usually. Business runs 80,000+ points on this premium leisure route, which is a splurge rather than a value play. Economy on points — or a cheap French Bee cash fare — is typically the better value.
Do I need to spend a night in Tahiti?
Often, yes. The Air Tahiti hop to Bora Bora only operates in daylight and doesn't always connect with international arrivals, so a night in Tahiti on the way in or out is common. Plan for it.
When should I book flights to Bora Bora?
Book peak dry-season dates (June–August) months ahead, when award space is tightest. The shoulder months (May, September–October) offer the best balance, and the wet season is cheapest.