With regular flights between Australia and Fiji commencing as soon as next month, you might be considering a tropical getaway. This guide shares our expert tips that will help you get to Fiji in business on points.
In this post:
Direct flights from Australia to Fiji
Fiji Airways, Virgin Australia, Qantas, and Jetstar are all set to resume flights between Australia and Fiji’s main international airport, Nadi, before the end of the year. Flights between Sydney and the Fijian capital, Suva, are set to resume in the new year.
Direct services to Nadi from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will return as follows:
Sydney
- Fiji Airways – four times weekly from 1 Nov 2021, twice daily from 1 Dec 2021
- Virgin Australia – daily from 16 Dec 2021, twice daily from 23 Dec 2021
- Qantas – four times weekly from 19 Dec 2021
- Jetstar – five times weekly from 17 Dec 2021
Melbourne
- Fiji Airways – daily from 1 Dec 2021
- Virgin Australia – four times weekly from 17 Dec 2021, daily from 23 Dec 2021
Brisbane
- Fiji Airways – weekly from 5 Nov 2021, daily from 1 Dec 2021
- Virgin Australia – up to times weekly from 18 Dec 2021
Best aircraft operating between Australia and Fiji
Qantas and Virgin Australia will run Boeing 737s between Australia and Fiji, while Jetstar will deploy their all-economy Airbus A320 aircraft. Both are the same as what you’d find on domestic flights.
Fiji Airways will also use Boeing 737s, although some routes will see widebody A350 and A330 aircraft. Of course, the Airbus A350 comes out on top, with a great reverse herringbone seat and direct aisle access for all business passengers, and noticeable improvements in economy. Fiji Airways A330s do trump smaller aircraft, albeit with angled “lie-flat” seats and a dated 2-2-2 configuration in business.
Want to know more? Check out our Fiji Airways A350 Business Review here!
Business class redemptions to Fiji
Booking flights with points or miles during a global pandemic is one of the best ways to ensure you don’t get shortchanged by the airline when it comes to changing or cancelling bookings. Redemption flights are super flexible even at the best of times, so it’s normally easy to cancel flights if plans change.
For the purpose of this guide, below we have listed business class redemption costs from Sydney (East Coast) and Perth (West Cost). If you plan to depart another city, redemption costs should be similar.
Travel with Qantas or Fiji Airways
Tip: check out our Fiji Airways A350 business class review here!
Qantas Frequent Flyer
- East Coast to Fiji: 41,500 points
- West Coast to Fiji: 68,400 points
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- East Coast to Fiji: 30,000 miles
- West Coast to Fiji: 61,000 miles
American Airlines AAdvantage
- East Coast to Fiji: 30,000 miles
- West Coast to Fiji: 30,000 miles
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- East Coast to Fiji: 32,500 miles
British Airways Executive Club
- East Coast to Fiji: 22,000 points
- West Coast to Fiji: 60,750 points
Travel with Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia is yet to reinstate international reward seats, though they’re expected to return soon. For now, here’s what you can expect to pay:
Velocity Frequent Flyer
- East Coast to Fiji: 35,500 points
- West Coast to Fiji: 71,000 points
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- East Coast to Fiji: 40,000 miles
- West Coast to Fiji: 77,000 miles
Etihad Guest
- East Coast to Fiji: 33,800 miles
- West Coast to Fiji: 67,600 miles
Air Canada Aeroplan
- East Coast to Fiji: 30,000 points
- West Coast to Fiji: 45,000 points
How can I earn enough points/miles?
There are several ways to rack up enough points or air miles to fly to Fiji in business. One method is to accumulate points on the ground via airline partners, such as filling up the car at BP or on the weekly shop at Woolies, but these methods can be slow. Applying for a rewards credit card or buying the required points/miles at a discount are our favourite ways to quickly earn the required miles.
Transferring from American Express
American Express credit cards are by far and away the best option when it comes to earning flexible rewards points through their Membership Rewards program. With these cards, you’ll earn Membership Rewards points which can then be transferred into several airline frequent flyer programs. Amex allows transfers to:
- Air New Zealand Airpoints
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Thai Royal Orchid Plus
- Virgin Australia Velocity
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
For an entry-level card, check out the American Express Explorer or Platinum Edge. If a premium card is what you’re after, the Amex Platinum is your best bet with a massive signup bonus, solid best earn rate and a raft of other perks.
Amex Explorer
Receive 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new card within the first 3 months.
- $400 travel credit to spend each year
- Two Amex lounge passes per year
- Domestic and international travel insurance
- Smartphone screen repair insurance
Want to know more? Check out our guide to the Amex Explorer!
Amex Platinum Edge
Receive 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards when you apply online, are approved and spend $1,500 on your new card within the first 3 months. Plus, score a $0 Annual Card Fee in the first year, saving you $195!
- No Annual Card Fee in the first year
- $200 travel credit to spend each year
- Domestic and international travel insurance
- Smartphone screen repair insurance
Want to know more? Check out our guide to the Amex Platinum Edge!
Amex Platinum
Receive up to 200,000 Membership Rewards Points! Earn 150,000 points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new card within the first 3 months. Plus, an additional 50,000 points in your second year upon fee renewal.
- $450 travel credit to spend each year
- Access over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide
- Domestic and international travel insurance
- Smartphone Screen Insurance
Want to know more? Check out our guide to the Amex Platinum!
Buying points and miles
We’re regularly on the lookout for deals when purchasing air miles. Our chief points nerd Immanuel recently used this trick to fly to New Zealand in business for only $257, on a flight that retails for around $900.
We recently wrote about buying American Airlines Miles at a 35% bonus (which at first was 70% as an error), and Alaska Airlines is currently offering up to a 60% bonus on purchased miles. Keep an eye on our page for when something new pops up!
Summing Up: my take
It’s great to see flights resume between Australia and Fiji. Our aircraft of choice is Fiji Airways’ new-ish A350, which delivers a far superior experience than a narrowbody 737 recliner seat.
The best part about booking with frequent flyer points is the option to change or cancel with little effort. If you’re able to pair this with flexible accommodation, there’s not too much to lose by planning a Fiji getaway.
