Planning the Ultimate Trip to the Maldives: Maximize Your Points for Luxury Travel
To the Point
Imagine escaping to the stunning overwater villas of the Maldives, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches. This luxurious dream vacation can become a reality with strategic planning and the right points and miles.
This guide will show you how to leverage three incredible deals to book Qatar Airways QSuites and a five-night stay at Le Meridien Maldives.
By taking advantage of the current Amex to British Airways 30% transfer bonus and Chase Ultimate Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy 70% transfer bonus, you can make the most of your points for a fraction of the cost. Let’s get started on planning your ultimate Maldives escape!
1. Book Your Flights with QSuites
Flying to the Maldives in Qatar Airways QSuites is an experience offering unparalleled comfort and luxury. Here’s how to book your award flight using the American Express to British Airways 30% transfer bonus.
Find Award Availability:
First, check for QSuites award availability on your preferred travel dates. QSuites are highly coveted, so flexibility is key.
Use Amex to British Airways 30% Transfer Bonus:
Normal Cost: 85,000 Avios one-way
With Bonus: 66,000 Amex Membership Rewards points one-way
Round-Trip Cost: 132,000 Amex Membership Rewards points
Steps to Transfer Amex Points to Avios (with British Airways)
Log in to your American Express account.
Navigate to the Membership Rewards section.
Select Transfer Points to British Airways Executive Club.
Enter the number of points you wish to transfer (taking the 30% bonus into account).
Confirm the transfer and book your flight.
Qatar Airways’ QSuites is consistently ranked as the best business class in the world and is the best way to get from the U.S. to the Maldives!
Example Flight:
Route: New York (JFK) to Doha (DOH) to Malé (MLE)
One Way: 66,000 Amex Membership Rewards points
Total Cost: 132,000 Membership Rewards points (round-trip)
Pro Tip: Make sure to always put the taxes and fees on a card with travel protection, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
2. Book Your Stay at Le Meridien Maldives
Le Meridien Maldives is the perfect retreat, offering stunning overwater villas and top-notch amenities. With the current Marriott Bonvoy promotion, you can book a significant discount for a five-night stay.
Promotion Details (varies based on dates)
Normal Cost: 177,000 Bonvoy points
Promotional Cost: 141,600 Bonvoy points
Villa Category: Overwater Pool Villa
Minimum Stay: Five nights (5 nights is the sweet spot for Bonvoy points redemptions)
Point Savings: 20% (reflected directly while booking)
Booking Period: Now – September 2024
Stay Period: May – September 2025
Note: previously, there was availability starting at 141,000 Bonvoy points before the 20% discount, which means it would only be 122,000 Bonvoy points for five nights.
Use Chase Ultimate Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy 70% Transfer Bonus:
Points Needed: 83,294 Chase Ultimate Rewards points (83,294 Ultimate Rewards x 1.7 Marriott transfer bonus= 141,602)
Steps to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to Marriott Bonvoy
Log in to your Chase account.
Navigate to the Ultimate Rewards section.
Select Transfer Points to Marriott Bonvoy.
Enter the number of points you wish to transfer (taking the 70% bonus into account).
Confirm the transfer and book your stay by booking directly with the Le Meridien Maldives.
The Le Meridien Maldives is a hidden gem in the Maldives!
Example Booking:
Hotel: Le Meridien Maldives
Room: Overwater Pool Villa
Duration: Five nights
Total Cost: 71,764 Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Additional Costs: Seaplane Transfer + Food & Drinks
To reach Le Meridien Maldives, you’ll need to book a seaplane transfer, which is an unforgettable experience in itself. This transfer costs approximately $515 per person, round-trip.
Seaplane Transfer Details
Cost: $515 per person (round-trip)
Booking: Book directly through Le Meridien Maldives. You’ll earn Marriott Bonvoy points for this expense, and you can earn even more if you use a Marriott Bonvoy card, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which earns 6x points per dollar.
Food & Beverage Costs
One expense you must pay for is the food & drinks. This can really add up, so I always recommend considering the all-inclusive package. We did both (pay-as-you-go vs. all-inclusive) on two different trips in 2023, and it’s much more enjoyable to have the all-inclusive so that you don’t have to think about the cost when you’re there. That said, it’s such a great place to use your points because you can have that extra cash to cover some of the expenses, such as the seaplane, food, drinks, and activities.
Stacking the Deals
Combining these deals allows you to enjoy an ultra-luxurious vacation at a fraction of the typical cost. Here’s the breakdown:
Flights: 132,000 Amex Membership Rewards points for QSuites (round-trip, per person)
Hotel: 71,764 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for five nights in an overwater villa at Le Meridien Maldives
Overwater Villas at the Le Meridien Maldives
Why Choose Le Meridien Maldives?
Le Meridien Maldives is a haven for those seeking tranquility and luxury. We’ve stayed at 5x different Marriott Maldives resorts, and the Le Meridien Maldives is certainly a hidden gem. It’s one of the newest Marriott Bonvoy resorts in the Maldives, and the culinary experience is out of this world! We’re foodies, and we totally enjoyed every bite! You can check out my full review of the Le Meridien Maldives on YouTube.
It’s a totally underrated way to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, and we’d go back in a heartbeat!
Final Point
Planning a trip to the Maldives doesn’t have to break the bank. By strategically using your points and taking advantage of current promotions, you can enjoy a lavish vacation at a fraction of the cost. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the Maldives in ultimate luxury with Qatar Airways QSuites and a stay at Le Meridien Maldives.
Start planning your dream vacation today and make the most of these incredible deals. Enjoy the journey!
Any questions about booking your dream trip to the Maldives? Feel free to DM us on Instagram, or by messaging us on Facebook! You can also email us anytime with any feedback or questions at hello@thepointspassport.com!
Note: All information has been collected independently by The Points Passport and has not been reviewed by the issuer.