Episode #16: French Polynesia With Kids: How to Visit Bora Bora, Tahiti & Moorea Affordably (with Irina Gaysina)
Today, I'm joined by Irina, the creator of On Points with Kids, where she helps families travel more often and for less by using points and miles strategically. She just got back from an epic family trip to French Polynesia. So if this beautiful part of the world is on your bucket list, listen up and take notes.
After becoming a mom, Irina wanted to keep exploring the world without breaking the bank. And she quickly discovered how to turn everyday spending into unforgettable adventures. She just got back from an incredible family trip to French Polynesia. And today she's sharing what it's really like to visit this bucket list destination with kids from how they made it affordable using points and miles to their favorite kid friendly activities and lessons learned along the way.
🌴 What We Covered in This Episode
1. How Irina Started Traveling With Kids
Travel has always been part of her life — even before kids.
After becoming a mom, she dove into points & miles to make family travel affordable.
Using rewards opened doors to places she never thought possible, like Japan, Scotland, Spain… and now French Polynesia.
2. Why They Chose French Polynesia
Always a bucket-list dream destination
Realized it was far more accessible using points
Beach destinations are naturally kid-friendly
Using points made Bora Bora and Tahiti realistic instead of “someday”
3. Making an Expensive Destination Affordable
Used points & miles for both flights and hotels
Successfully fit a family of four into one room at every Hilton property
Strategically emailed hotels: “We’re excited to visit — can you accommodate two kids?”
Highlight: kids under 12 often eat free at Polynesian Hilton properties!
4. Kid-Friendly Activities
Snorkeling right off the beach
Feeding colorful fish
Family snorkeling tour: swimming with reef sharks, stingrays & manta rays
Overwater villa fun + swimming for hours
Free cultural hotel activities like crown-making and coconut husking
5. Their Itinerary Overview
Tahiti: 1-night layover in Papeete
Bora Bora: 5 nights at the Conrad Bora Bora
Moorea: 2 nights + full day exploring before ferry
Multiple transportation legs: boat → plane → taxi → ferry → taxi
Kids handled travel days surprisingly well!
6. Staying at Hilton Properties Using Points
Stayed at all 3 Hiltons in French Polynesia
Booked Bora Bora on points → standard room
Negotiated a paid upgrade to an overwater villa with private pool
Leveraged Hilton benefits: status = free breakfast, 5th night free
Used both Hilton cards + Amex Membership Rewards transferred at 1:2 ratio
7. Cost-Saving Tips for French Polynesia
Kids under 6 eat free at many Hiltons; kids 11 and under often get 50% off
Book with points to offset high hotel rates
Rent a car in Moorea — taxis are very pricey
Use free unique experiences offered at hotels
Choose group tours to save vs. private tours
8. School & Travel Logistics
Kids attend public school → used an Independent Study request
Middle school was more challenging due to online assignments
Younger child had a much easier workload
A reminder: older kids = more planning for school absences
9. Timing the Trip
Traveled in October, during shoulder season
Lower crowds + decent weather
Trip aligned with Irina’s milestone birthday
Availability of 5 nights in a row on points made the trip possible
10. Pinch-Me Moments
Hearing her daughter casually say, “We’re going snorkeling to see sharks”
Kids debating whether they saw a stingray
Watching her daughters experience wildlife up close, not just in books
Feeling that all the planning and logistics were worth it
11. Final Advice for Families Dreaming of French Polynesia
Start early and plan intentionally — even 12–13 months out
Book hotels on points first → build the rest around it
Don’t overpack your itinerary
Leave room to swim, explore, and enjoy slow moments as a family
🌺 Connect With Irina
Instagram: @onpointswithkids
Blog: OnPointsWithKids.com
