San Francisco – Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. $652 (Basic Economy) / $812 (Regular Economy). Roundtrip, including all Taxes – The Flight Deal

Traveling to this pricey island can be quite costly.

United offers a $812 fare, which includes a standard economy ticket with one checked bag and a standard carry-on.

They also have a $652 fare, marketed as Basic Economy / Economy Light. Important details for these fares include:

• Advance seat assignments are NOT allowed.
• Checked bags are NOT included—each checked bag costs $55 for the first and $100 for the second each way.
• Changes to tickets are NOT permitted.
• Cancellations are NOT allowed, so if you cancel after the 24-hour risk-free period, the Basic Economy fare will hold no future value.
• Many online travel agencies do not accurately display these fares with United, Air Canada, Austrian, Lufthansa, or Swiss Air as Basic Economy.

If a trip to Bora Bora is on your list, you’ll need to book an additional ticket with Air Tahiti, which can cost around $500 round-trip. Note that Air Tahiti is not a redemption partner in any mileage program.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia – Photo: tensaibuta via Flickr, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)

Sample Travel Date:

• January 23rd – 30th, 2026

• This is just ONE SAMPLE travel date; for additional availability, please refer to the “Fare Availability” and “How to Search for Availability” sections below.

Fare Availability:

• Valid for travel until mid-December or mid-January 2026, early July 2026, or late August to early September 2026. Availability is limited; tickets must be purchased at least one day before departure.

• Note: While this fare is valid at the time of posting, it may no longer be available if this update is over two days old.

How to Search for Availability:

• This section is for checking availability only. To purchase tickets, scroll to the “How to Buy” section below.

• Use Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software with the following criteria:
  • Origin: SFO
  • Advanced Routing Code:
    • Routing Codes: ua
    • Extension Codes:
      • This code instructs the Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software to look for the Basic Economy fare. Use these dates on United for the option to upgrade to the regular economy fare.
  • Destination: PPT
  • Return Advanced Routing Code:
    • Routing Codes: ua
    • Extension Codes:
  • (Click on Advanced Codes to enable routing code input)
  • Select “See calendar of lowest fares”
  • Duration: “3-10” (This is just a sample; feel free to use any 7-day range such as 3-10 or 7-14)
• See the Beginner’s Guide on Using Matrix by ITA Software
• Learn How to Read Airfare Rules to Your Advantage

• The Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software page should resemble the image below when all values are inputted.

• You cannot purchase tickets using Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software. To buy, refer to the “How to Buy” section below.

Fare Class:

Elite Qualifying Dollars:

Routing:

• SFO – PPT (Papeete, Tahiti) – SFO

Stopover:

Mileage:

• Total Miles Flown: 8,400 miles
• Redeemable Miles: 3,475 miles

How to Buy:

• Book through United using the dates found on Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software.

Accommodations:

• Explore TripAdvisor for the best hotel prices from over 200 sites.

Car Rentals:

• Check out Rental Cars, a leading car rental agency that includes major brands like Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar, and Enterprise.

Activities and Tours:

• Discover Viator, the world’s largest marketplace for destination activities and tours.

Background Information:

• Visa: US citizens do not require one. Other nationals should refer to the TIMATIC Visa Database.
• Currency: CPF France (XPF). $1USD = 102 XPF.

Tips for Saving with Credit Cards at International Destinations:

For the latest flight deals from San Francisco / Bay Area:

* The Flight Deal may receive a commission if you book accommodations, car rentals, or activities through our affiliate links or apply for a credit card using our links. Thank you for your support!

=====

To stay updated on our latest deals, LIKE our The Flight Deal Facebook page, follow us on Twitter @TheFlightDeal, join us on Threads @TheFlightDeal, or subscribe via Email (once daily) to The Flight Deal RSS Feed.

Please note that The Flight Deal does not sell travel products or services. We provide information about offers from third-party travel suppliers and link to their sites. While the information posted is accurate at publication, we do not control supplier offers and cannot guarantee their validity or availability. Check their sites for the most current offers and terms.