Bora Bora—a name whispered by the sea. Picture yourself awakening in an overwater sanctuary, your toes caressing the azure waters, and the sun brushing the sky with shades of warmth. Now, let me weave a tale of how we turned this dream into reality, leveraging Marriott and Hilton rewards points alongside American Airlines miles, all for our family of six.

The Flight to Paradise

Our adventure commenced with a search for flights. Since Bora Bora lacks a direct airport, we landed in Pape’ete, Tahiti, departing from Austin, TX. We faced two choices: American Airlines, which required 40K miles, or United Airlines, which demanded 60K per person (one way). The decision was clear—we opted for AA.

• American Airlines: From Austin, TX, to Pape’ete, Tahiti, we used 40K miles per person (one way). The lie-flat seats cradled us as we crossed the vast expanse of the Pacific.
• Air Tahiti: From Pape’ete to Bora Bora airport we paid $400 per person for a round trip flight, we covered this with our Travel Credit Cards that provide us with travel credit statements when redeeming our travel points.

Booking our Stay with Hotel Points

• The Decision: Initially, we had our hearts set only at The St. Regis Bora Bora. But as fate would have it, the Conrad Bora Bora Nui emerged as the better deal in terms of points. Sometimes, paradise reveals itself unexpectedly.
• Award Availability: We set out on a quest to find award availability for both properties. After some treasure hunting, we secured our rooms at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui for 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night, using our free night certificates. As for The St. Regis Bora Bora, we utilized 94,000 Marriott Points per night for a Reef Side Garden Villa. This was a dream come true, especially when compared to the usual $700-to-$1,500-per-night rates for entry-level rooms at both properties. And the best part? No resort fees when redeeming points!
• Room Choices: Standard rooms are typically displayed as the most favorable option for redeeming hotel points. It’s a smart choice to use points for the base-level room and supplement it with a cash copay for the highly sought-after overwater villa. Our Diamond Hilton Honors status and Titanium Marriott status allowed us to save a substantial amount of money during our fantastic trip.

The St. Regis Bora Bora: A Slice of Heaven

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort felt like a dream—a place where time slowed, and worries vanished. We used Marriott points for our stay, and it was like winning the lottery. Imagine waking up in an overwater villa, waves lapping below, sun filtering through thatched roofs, and frangipani scent (my favorite flower) in the air. The St. Regis Butlers catered to our every whim, ensuring our stay was nothing short of magical.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui: A Slice of Paradise

The Conrad Bora Bora Nui—a name whispered by the trade winds, a promise of unbridled luxury, and an invitation to immerse yourself in the enchantment of French Polynesia. Close your eyes and picture this: overwater bungalows perched like pearls above the azure lagoon, their thatched roofs casting gentle shadows on the water. Infinity pools, their edges seemingly dissolving into the vast expanse of the horizon, beckon you to lose yourself in their crystalline depths. Here, time pirouettes to the rhythm of the waves, and worries dissolve like sugar.

The Result: A Memory Unfolds

Our Bora Bora experience went beyond a typical vacation. It became a cherished chapter in our family’s story. The expansive lagoon stretched before us, the sun painted the sky in soft pastels, and the gentle waves cradled our dreams. Not only did we save money, but we also preserved a fragment of our hearts in this idyllic tropical sanctuary.

The Easy Magic of Travel

Bora Bora isn’t just for the elite; it’s for dreamers, wanderers, and savvy travelers. With points and miles, we unlocked this paradise. So, pack your swimsuit, leave your worries behind, and let the magic of Bora Bora carry you away.