If you're waiting for an excuse to plan your escape from Aotearoa's cold winter to a warm, tropical island, this could be the news for you.
Jetstar has announced a Cook Islands sale with one-way flights to Rarotonga from Auckland starting at $99, and from Christchurch or Wellington via Auckland from $145.
The sale airfares will be available to purchase for 48 hours ending at 11:59pm on Thursday night, unless they sell out sooner.
They will be for specific dates in travel periods including early June to late July and late July to late September, Jetstar said.
The sale is the second Jetstar has held to promote its launching a thrice weekly return schedule between Auckland and Rarotonga on June 2. The airline will operate an Airbus A320 aircraft on the route, departing Auckland every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 2:50pm, and Rarotonga every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:35pm.
Rival airline Air New Zealand currently flies Auckland-Rarotonga at least once per day.
Tourists heading to the Cook Islands don't need to complete a pre-departure COVID-19 test or undergo self-isolation upon arrival but do need to show proof of being fully vaccinated. People are exempt from the vaccination requirement if they're aged under 16 or hold a vaccination medical exemption from either the Cook Islands Secretary of Health or the New Zealand Director-General of Health.
To enter you also need to complete an online COVID-19 information form within 96 hours of departure.
Bookings made in the Jetstar sale will benefit from the airline's 'Fly Flexible' policy, which allows one fee-free date change.
The lowest-price sale tickets don't include checked baggage and have other conditions - like any airfares, customers should check out and understand all the conditions before they purchase.
