carrier travel maldives

The best ways to get to the Maldives on points and miles

Editor's note: This post has been updated with current routes and mileage costs.

Sun-kissed atolls, coral reefs teeming with marine life, tropical weather and world-class hotels: The Maldives has all the trappings of a great beach destination.

It's a dream-like set of islands with no testing, quarantine, vaccination or visa requirement . However, the Maldives has long been considered a once-in-a-lifetime trip thanks to its remote location and ultra-expensive resorts (think overwater villas that can cost upwards of $2,000 per night).

Recently, the Indian Ocean archipelago has attracted flights from more cities than ever, and new resorts keep cropping up. If you want to travel to the Maldives yourself, you are in luck. There are plenty of points and miles options for award tickets and stays at its gorgeous hotels.

Today we're going to look at some of your best options. Note that some flight options discussed below may be temporarily unavailable due to the pandemic.

Ready to plan that bucket-list trip to the Maldives? Visit TPG's Maldives destination hub for more stories about traveling to the region on points and miles, where to stay and what to do while you're there.

Tips for finding award space to the Maldives

Two quick notes: If you're having trouble finding award availability or cheap fares to Malé, you can consider flying to Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB) instead and purchasing a cheap ticket from there (usually around $200 round-trip). Interestingly, Emirates operates a daily fifth-freedom flight from Colombo to Malé.

Second, although options on single carriers are listed below, chances are your awards will involve a mix of carriers. You may need to book a separate ticket to get to an international gateway within the U.S., or you may have to fly on another airline via a hub in Europe or Asia before connecting to a partner that flies to Malé.

Bottom line: Keep an open mind and consider all the choices. Don't be afraid to mix and match airlines. You might even consider breaking up your long trip with a stop in Europe or Asia to give you better odds of finding the award space you need.

Related: These are the best times to visit the Maldives

Award redemption rates

Here are the various mileage and points currencies (and the airlines to which they apply) that you might be interested in using to fly to the Maldives. Note that this isn't an exhaustive list, just the programs that provide the best value to North American-based travelers.

We also haven't listed all the partners of each program. Instead, we're focusing on the ones which would be a good use of miles to fly to the Maldives or include as part of an award containing a mix of carriers. The mileage numbers cited are specifically for round-trip travel to or from the U.S., though you'll notice some are ranges due to overlapping mileage charts for specific partners.

Also, since most airlines have moved to dynamic award pricing models, these figures reflect starting award rates.

The best way to book awards to the Maldives

Now that you know the many good options available, let's talk about the best ways to book them. Again, this is not a comprehensive list but instead includes the most convenient options and ones on which award seats are (relatively) readily available. Award availability varies heavily so make sure to use ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures) to set alerts to keep you updated when new seats open up.

Here's a list of some of the best airlines to get you to the Maldives on points and miles:

Air France flies from Paris Charles De Gaulle International Airport (CDG) to Malé seasonally from November to March. The Paris-Malé flights depart on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while the Malé-Paris returns depart on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. These flights are operated by a 787-9 with the airline's fully flat, reverse herringbone, business-class seats .

The airline usually flies to nearly a dozen U.S. airports from its base in Paris, including Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., using a mix of A350s , 777s , 787s and A330s

Where to search: I'd suggest searching for awards either on Delta.com or directly on Air France's site . Here are some of the best websites for searching SkyTeam award availability .

Miles to use: Flying Blue miles are your best bet, since the airline releases more award space to its members than to partners. Unfortunately, Flying Blue's switch to dynamic award pricing makes it nearly impossible to predict how much a ticket on this route will cost. Here's a price calendar from New York to Malé in economy and business class.

It's extremely rare, but if you have a lot of flexibility on your travel dates, there are some Air France business class flights for 95,000 miles one-way.

Flying Blue is one of just two programs that partners with all five major transferable points programs. This means you can transfer points at the following rates to your Flying Blue account:

• Amex Membership Rewards 1:1.
• Bilt Rewards 1:1.
• Chase Ultimate Rewards 1:1.
• Citi ThankYou Rewards 1:1.
• Capital One Miles 2:1.
• Marriott Bonvoy 3:1 (5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred).

Related: The ultimate guide to earning and redeeming with Air France/KLM Flying Blue

British Airways

With its expansive U.S. network, British Airways is another solid option for award tickets to the Maldives.

BA used to operate its flights to Male out of London's Gatwick Airport (LGW), which made transfers difficult. Now, however, the flights to Male operate out of London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) making for much easier connections.

Unfortunately, on a round-trip, business-class ticket, you'll pay around $3,000 in taxes and fees alone. That's because of the exorbitant U.K. air passenger duties . There's no way to bypass these — unless you opt to transfer in an airport other than London.

Where to search : You can search for award availability on American Airlines' site or on another alliance partner like British Airways.

Miles to use: Your best option will be AAdvantage.

In business class, American charges 70,000 miles one-way.

On the other hand, for the exact same seat, you'll up end up spending 137,500 Avios booking with British Airways.

Qatar Airways

Qatar's Qsuite is one of the best business-class products in the world, and certainly one of the most comfortable ways to fly to the Maldives. The airline has expanded in recent years and now serves over 10 U.S. cities.

Most of these flights are aboard 777s and A350s that feature the newest Qsuite. From Doha, the airline flies A350s to Malé which either have Qsuite or Qatar's older (but still excellent) reverse herringbone seats.

Where to search: Qatar is a member of Oneworld so you can search for award availability on American Airlines' site or another alliance partner like British Airways.

Miles to use: One of the best programs for QSuite bookings is AAdvantage, though award space is limited. If you manage to find space, here's what you can expect to spend:

• Economy: 80,000 miles.
• Business: 140,000 miles.

I've only listed business class because you won't find first class on the aircraft Qatar uses on these routes.

Related: The ultimate guide to Qatar Qsuite

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines flies a Boeing 737 MAX 8 from its hub in Singapore to Malé (so no first class on this flight). Despite this aircraft being a narrow body jet, it has lie-flat seats in business class . In the U.S., it operates a number of interesting fifth-freedom routes to Europe and Asia as well as nonstop flights to Singapore from the West Coast and New York .

Where to search: I'll keep this simple and suggest you use Singapore's KrisFlyer miles to fly the airline, since it generally does not release premium cabin award space to partner programs. In that case, use SingaporeAir.com to search.

Miles to use: Singapore KrisFlyer miles are far and away your best choice here for the reasons listed above and the fact that the program's a transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital One and Marriott Bonvoy. The possibilities to boost your account balance are endless — but there's no guarantee that you'll find any award space.

Here's how many miles you'll need from the West Coast to the Maldives (round-trip).

• Economy: 102,000.
• Business: 246,000.

One last note about Singapore Airlines: Since Singapore Airlines doesn't sell mixed cabin awards, you'll need to find something entirely in economy class or business class. Remember that Singapore Airlines doesn't have an economy class product on its East Coast flights. So the only awards from the East Coast to the Maldives using Singapore Airlines are in business class for 273,000 miles round trip.

Related: Ultimate guide to Singapore KrisFlyer

Turkish Airlines

Between opening a new global hub in Istanbul and beginning the long-overdue process of updating its long-haul fleet with new 787 aircraft , Turkish Airlines is becoming a much more appealing choice for Star Alliance travelers flying to the Maldives.

From Istanbul, the airline flies an Airbus A330 to Malé, while it flies a mix of A330s and Boeing 777s to its nine U.S. destinations including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.. On top of that, award availability tends to be pretty good.

Where to search: I'd suggest using United , Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles — the Star Alliance mileage currencies you're likeliest to use booking awards on the airline — to find award seats.

Miles to use: As noted above, your best options are probably United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles. United and Aeroplan are transfer partners of Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy , while you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One and Marriott points to both LifeMiles and Aeroplan.

If you want to use Aeroplan miles, it'll cost you the following amounts:

• Economy: 140,000.
• Business: 200,000.

Avianca LifeMiles offers significant savings, charging the following rates:

• Economy: 85,000.
• Business: 156,000.

Bottom line

Though it was once one of the world's hardest-to-reach destinations, the Maldives is more accessible than ever thanks to plentiful flight connections on all three major alliances and many non-alliance airlines. The islands are open and ready to welcome tourists.

The keys are knowing which miles you can use on which airlines and coming up with a strategy for maximizing their value (such as booking one-way awards so you can fly one carrier there and another back).

If you want to plan your own Maldives vacation, look at your points portfolio and the mileage options available to you, then leverage them for the award ticket you want.

Additional reporting by Benji Stawski, Ethan Steinberg and Kyle Olsen

13 things to know before going to the Maldives

Feb 8, 2024 • 5 min read

Be ready for your visit to the Maldives with this guide to planning and etiquette © Jannoon028 / Getty Images

Paradise personified. Heaven on earth. Screensaver goals. The Maldives has earned a lot of monikers since it opened to tourists in the 1970s.

Over the past 50 years, it’s become known as a honeymoon hot spot, a family-friendly getaway and one of the world’s most coveted vacation destinations.

And while it may seem like a lot of hype for one small, spread-out island nation in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives really does live up to it. From coconut-fringed islands and colorful reefs to warm smiles and even warmer curries, it’s often a once-in-a-lifetime getaway for travelers. Whether you’re heading off to a ritzy private island resort or a more affordable local island, there’s a handful of things to know before departure. Here are our top tips and best advice ahead of a trip to the Maldives.

1. Plan for at least 5 nights in the Maldives

For all travelers, it takes a plane ride or three to land in this far-flung slice of paradise. So, while a weekend to the Maldives may work for travelers based in Asia, five nights will suffice if you’re crunched for time and budget. And if neither is an issue, plan for at least a week to fully unwind and embrace island life.

2. You can get around via seaplane or speedboat

When choosing your island resort, pay attention to whether it’s reachable by seaplane or speedboat. Although seaplane transfers give picture-worthy views of the pearl-shaped atolls, they often cost much more. And be aware there’s a 25kg (55lbs) total luggage per person allowance on seaplanes. So, if you’re looking to save money, pick a resort closer to Male that you can transfer to via speedboat. You can also take a domestic flight to another atoll in the Maldives and a speedboat to the resort.

3. Island-hopping is doable (and encouraged)

Many travelers spend weeks poring over which private island resort is the best for them, but you don’t have to choose one. Beach bums can split their time between resorts. You’ll need to travel back to Male airport, where a representative from your next resort will meet you and transfer you there via seaplane or speedboat. If the resorts are close together, you can charter a speedboat from one resort to another.

4. Aim to land in Male in the morning

If you’re staying at a resort accessible by seaplane transfer, arriving in the morning is crucial. Once the sun sets, seaplanes stop flying, so you’d need to stay overnight in Male or Hulhumale to wait for the next seaplane. If your resort is accessible via a speedboat or water taxi, arriving at night is less of an issue, but the Maldives scenery is so stunning you’ll want to be able to see it.

5. Understand “island time”

These tiny private islands operate by their own rules, including their own time zones. Some resorts will ask guests to set their clocks to “island time,” an hour forward to give them an extra hour of sunlight for snorkeling or swimming .

6. Stock up well (there are no grocery stores for tourists)

There are no grocery stores or Walmarts on these tiny private islands. So, triple-check that you’ve got everything you need, including reef-safe sunscreen to help protect one of the Maldives’ most precious natural habitats. Every resort has a boutique store where you can pick up necessities you may have forgotten, but prices are often insanely expensive.

7. Familiarize yourself with the prohibited items list

The Maldives is a devout Muslim country with strict rules. So travelers entering cannot bring alcohol, pornographic materials, pork products or idols of worship  among other things . If anything prohibited is found, it will be taken away on arrival.

8. Local islands are a bargain but come with caveats

The local islands are a great and safe option for travelers on a budget and those not willing to shell out thousands for an island getaway. Small Maldivian-run guesthouses offer a much more intimate look at daily life, but there are a few things to know first. Alcohol is illegal on local islands, so don’t expect to enjoy a beer by the beach. Travelers must also dress conservatively on local islands by covering their shoulders and knees. Women don’t need to cover their heads, but wearing a bathing suit outside of designated “bikini beaches” is not allowed and could land you with a fine.

9. There’s no standard tipping etiquette

Tipping on top of your restaurant bill at the resort is not expected because a 10% tip is already included. However, if you want to leave something for your favorite server at the end of your stay that is more than OK. Guests can also write a review calling out their favorite team members; management often rewards staff for stellar service. Leaving a tip ranging from US$2 to US$10 per day for housekeeping is also customary. And if you have a butler, tipping 10% of the cost of your stay is a good rule.

10. You can pay in USD

The local currency is the Maldivian rufiya, but US dollars are also accepted. You can get some local currency from the ATM at the airport on arrival. If you want to exchange money for rufiya, you can do so in the airport at the Bank of Maldives Foreign Exchange. Keep your receipt with you so you can change anything extra back into your local currency when you leave.

11. Resort doctors can help with health concerns

The vast majority of travelers will go straight from the plane to a private island resort. Should you have any health issues during your stay, the on-island doctor will be able to assist you.

12. There is a “green tax” for tourists

Every tourist is charged a government tax to stay in a hotel, liveaboard or guesthouse. The tax is US$6 per day unless you’re staying in a guesthouse on a local island with 50 or fewer registered rooms, then the tax is US$3 per day. The charge will be included in your overall bill.

13. Sustainability initiatives are everywhere 

As the world’s lowest-lying country, the Maldives is under serious threat from climate change. Nearly every resort has sustainability initiatives, which might include coral regeneration, onsite gardens, turtle rehabilitation and/or unique mosquito trapping methods instead of chemical spraying. A few of the more sustainable resorts to choose from are Soneva , Six Senses , Four Seasons , Kudadoo and Gili Lankanfushi . Beware of greenwashing , where organizations claim sustainability credentials that aren't as impactful as they suggest.

Explore related stories

Art and Culture

Mar 4, 2024 • 4 min read

Ramadan Mubarak! Here's everything travelers need to know about visiting Muslim-majority places during Ramadan.

Feb 27, 2024 • 5 min read

Feb 22, 2024 • 5 min read

Feb 7, 2024 • 6 min read

Jan 17, 2024 • 8 min read

Jan 2, 2024 • 7 min read

Dec 15, 2023 • 7 min read

Oct 15, 2023 • 3 min read

Aug 31, 2023 • 10 min read

Oct 10, 2022 • 5 min read

• Select hotel
• Get a quote

Airlines that fly to the Maldives

Despite the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic , the Maldives continues to be one of the most coveted tourist destinations. According to statistics, in the first six months of 2021, the Maldives was visited by about 500,000 tourists from different countries.

To provide numerous international flights, as well as good air connections between the atolls, the Maldives has four main international air harbors and a number of small home airports.

Major international airports in Maldives

When going on vacation, check out some basic information about Maldives International Airports that can be helpful when planning your trip.

Male International Airport

This hub (also known as Velana International and Ibrahim Nasir International Airport) is located on Hulhule Island near Male and is the country's main and busiest airport. You can get from the airport to the Maldives capital by public ferry, speedboat or bus. Travel time will be approximately 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the chosen mode of transport.

Male airport offers passenger flights to more than 20 countries, including India, USA, Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Great Britain and many others.

Gan International Airport

This small international airport is located on the eponymous island of the Addu Atoll in the southern part of the Maldives. Originally built by the British as a foothold for the British Air Force, the airport was later modernized and today receives passenger flights from Sri Lanka, as well as a number of inland islands, including Male.

The following resorts are located in the immediate vicinity of the airport

• Equator Village Resort (5 minutes);
• Shangri-la's Villingili Resort & Spa (10 minutes);
• Canareef Resort Maldives (20 minutes).

Maafaru International Airport

This airport, located on the eponymous island of Noonu Atoll, was opened in 2019 in order to develop Noonu Atoll as a luxury tourist area. It is infamous for its negative environmental impacts, including the threat of destruction of turtle nesting sites.

Maafaru has flights to India, as well as to selected local islands (including Hanimaadhoo, Hoarafushi, Ifuru) and Male. The airport is serviced and operated by Maldivian National Airline.

Hanimaadhoo International Airport

This small airport is located on the Hanimaadhoo island of Haa Dhaalu Atoll and has a single airstrip. From here international flights to India, Bangladesh and the Maldives hinterland are carried out. It is separated from the capital by about 300 kilometers.

Major domestic airports in Maldives

In addition to international, the Maldives has a number of domestic airports scattered across the islands.

Among them:

• Maamigili (Villa Airport, Alif Dhaal atoll, during the operation of the airport its status has changed, at the moment it serves only domestic flights);
• Kadhdhoo (Kadhdhoo island, Laamu atoll);
• Kaadedhdhoo (Kaadedhdhoo island, Gaafu Dhaalu atoll);
• Dhaalu (Kudahuvadhoo island, Dhaalu atoll);
• Fuvahmulah (Fuvahmulah island, Gnaviyani atoll);
• Thimarafushi (Thimarafushi island, Thaa atoll);
• Kooddoo (Kooddoo island, Gaafu Alifu atoll);
• Ifuru (Raa Atoll);
• Hoarafushi (Haa Alif Atoll).

Dharavandhoo airport is worth a separate mention - the most popular domestic airport in the country. It serves flights to  from Male, as well as a number of islands, including Hanimaadhoo, Hoarafushi and Maafaru. Travel time to Male is 30-35 minutes. Schedules and prices can be viewed on the websites of the carriers Maldivian and Manta Air. It is interesting to note that the cost of flights for the local population and for international travelers with Maldivian can vary significantly. Therefore, before booking a ticket, it is worth talking to a representative of your hotel (guesthouse), as there is a possibility that they will be able to arrange a flight for you at the best prices.

International airlines flying to Maldives

Today, the Maldives is connected to the world by more than 30 airlines operating both regular and charter flights.

List of airlines with scheduled flights to Maldives:

• Qatar Airways;
• Turkish Airlines;
• Etihad Airways;
• Azur Air Russia;
• Austrian Airlines;
• Srilankan Airlines;
• Saudi Arabian Airlines;
• British Airways;
• Singapore Airlines;
• Air Seychelles;
• Blue Panorama;
• Air France;

List of airlines operating charter flights to Maldives:

• Air Astana;
• Azur Air Ukraine;
• Scat Airlines;
• Ukraine International Airlines;
• Uzbekistan Airways;
• Air Vistara;
• Lot Polish Airlines;

More articles

• Holidays with children in Bora Bora: flights, resorts, hotels, tips
• Weather in Tahiti: when to go on holiday to the islands
• Surfing in Indonesia: Prices, Best Places and Times
• Indonesian Cities Awarded by ASEAN Tourism Awards 2024
• Nusa Ceningan Island in Indonesia: what the smallest island of Nusa will delight tourists with
• How to get to Bali
• Diving in Fiji: features, best sites and prices
• Nusa Lembongan Island in Indonesia: what's interesting about your vacation
• Indonesia's Top Travel Destinations 2024
• Fiji - when is the best time to vacation on the islands

Related articles

Alcohol in the Maldives: where it is allowed, importing alcohol into the country and other nuances

Maldives transfer: speed boats, ferries, seaplanes

Maldives: prices and cost of an island vacation

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Destinations

Your Trip to the Maldives: The Complete Guide

• Best Time to Visit
• Weather & Climate
• Male International Airport Guide
• Top Romantic Resorts
• Sustainable Resorts
• Top Things to Do
• Best Beaches
• Snorkeling & Diving
• Nature Experiences
• Food to Try
• Best Restaurants

Made up of nearly 1,200 coral islands strung north to south in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is one of the most popular beach destinations on the planet. Known for world-class diving, miles of empty white-sand beaches, and resorts oozing with luxury, the Maldives isn’t always the most budget-friendly destination (though bargains can be found). But if you’re looking for mind-blowing sunsets, sugary sand, and the most turquoise water you’ve ever seen, break out your credit card and book a flight. Read on for our complete Maldives visitor’s guide, and learn the best places to stay, eat, dive, and explore in this spectacular tropical locale.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time To Visit: In true tropical island style, temperatures in the Maldives average 83 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius) year-round, and there are only two main seasons; dry and wet. The dry season comes in fall and winter, from November through April, with temperatures ranging from 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) to 89 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). The low, monsoon season runs from May through October, with the wettest month usually falling in June. Temperatures in the rainy season range from 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) to 87 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius).

Getting Around: As an island nation spread across hundreds of miles of the ocean, it’s only natural that boats are the country’s transport mainstay, so prepare your sea legs (or Dramamine). For those staying near the capital or attempting a more budget holiday, ferries are offered between some of the more populated islands in the Malé Atoll capital area. Speedboat taxis can be hired for short-distance island hopping, and private resort speedboats whisk guests away to properties in the immediate vicinity. For resorts set in distant atolls, further transport will be via seaplane or a domestic flight to one of the more far-flung airports followed by speedboat transfer to the resort.

Travel Tip: Many visitors to the Maldives must travel by seaplane to reach their final destination, so it’s important to note that seaplanes only operate during daylight hours. If your flight arrives after dark, consider staying at a nearby hotel on either Hulhulé Island or in nearby Malé city.

Things to Do

This is a country surrounded by water, water, and more water, so it's only natural that water sports have emerged as the leading activity in the Maldives. Landlubbers can bask in the sun on deserted sandbanks, or perhaps spend the day in one of the dozens of spas dotted at upmarket resorts throughout the nation.

• Diving: Some of the world's best diving can be found in the Maldives' coral atolls. Spot whale sharks and manta rays from May through November in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, or dive deep with octopi and reef sharks to explore some of the area's famed shipwrecks.
• Water sports: Snorkeling, stand-up paddle, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, and every other water sport imaginable are available year-round. Most resorts include access to non-motorized water sports equipment, and the larger populated islands generally have water sports rental facilities.
• Spa experiences: The Maldives is home to some of the most indulgent hotel spas in the world. These havens of tranquility offer everything from Thai massages set in overwater villas, to underwater treatment rooms, to complete detox, rejuvenation, or restoration packages. Most resorts have a spa on the property, so it's only a matter of choosing which will best suit your budget and relaxation desires.
• Nothing: Perhaps the ultimate activity of all in the Maldives is doing absolutely nothing. This definition of "nothing" means laying on a sun lounger on one of the country's best beaches , staring into the sea-green distance while sipping ice-cold coconut water and reading a novel.

What to Eat and Drink

Maldivian cuisine borrows mainly from India and Sri Lanka, which both highlight hot, spicy flavors. But in the Maldives, what you’ll eat largely depends on where you stay. High-end resorts offer a variety of a la carte local and international fare in a host of luxurious settings, including in overwater and underwater restaurants .

Budget resorts are more likely to provide buffet meals with both Western and Asian options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are also small local eateries and cafes on many of the inhabited islands, purveying specialties such as fish cakes, soups, and curries.

Alcohol is prohibited in the Maldives (except for tourists at licensed hotels and resorts), so don’t expect to wash down your curry with a beer in any of the local establishments. Many of the more upmarket resorts, however, have full bars, and even wine cellars with hundreds of vintages to choose from.

Where to Stay

If visitors stay in the city of Malé, it’s rarely for more than one night, as there’s not much going on in the capital other than commerce, a few restaurants, and a museum or two. Most visitors stay in one of the dozens of resorts, which are often set on private islands in one of the country’s myriad coral atolls.

Accommodations vary widely in the Maldives, from rustic local guesthouses to some of the world’s most expensive resorts. If you’re on a budget, there are a handful of guesthouses and small hotels in many of the inhabited islands, such as in the North Malé Atoll or Ari Atoll.

There are also a variety of all-inclusive resorts, which range widely in quality. Check out Adaaran Prestige Vadoo , which is only 20 minutes by speedboat from the airport and has overwater villas with private pools, or the chic design and five restaurants at LUX* South Ari Atoll .

The Maldives’ lineup of five-star resorts are the stuff holiday dreams are made of. Postcard-perfect beaches, overwater villas, serene spas, and private butlers are only a taste of what to expect should you choose to splurge. Some of the most popular (and expensive) options include chains such as the Four Seasons , St. Regis , and the Six Senses , plus properties like Soneva Jani , which features massive overwater villas with private pools and waterslides, or Huvafen Fushi Maldives which has the world’s first and only underwater spa.

Getting There

The gateway to the Maldives is Velana International Airport (MLE), formerly Malé International Airport, which is set on an island adjacent to the capital city of Malé. Upon arrival, the best transport mode depends on where you’re staying. A bridge connects the airport (on Hulhulé Island) to adjacent Malé city, or there are taxis, speedboat taxis, and regularly scheduled (though not always on time) ferries.

The Maldives’ seafaring past and Indian Ocean location means the remote country has been heavily influenced by its closest neighbors, India and Sri Lanka, as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Africa. Many visitors will only see the surroundings of their chosen resort, but the Maldives possesses cultural treasures on the local islands and in Malé that are also worth exploring.

• One of the oldest mosques in the Maldives is the Malé Hukuru Miskiy, or Old Friday Mosque, which was built from ornately carved coral in 1658. The mosque is set on Hulhulé Island, an easy taxi ride from the airport.
• The Maldives National Museum in Malé is a compact yet illuminating repository for the country’s prized artifacts. Displays range from ancient to modern times and contain everything from religious carvings to whale skeletons to lacquered wood boxes handmade by Maldivian craftspeople.
• Across Sultan Park from The Maldives National Museum is The National Art Gallery. Established in 1999, this relatively new museum houses collections of Maldivian art from both past and present.

Money-Saving Tips

• May through October is monsoon season in much of Southeast Asia, and the Maldives is no exception. Although summer can sometimes bring heavy rainfall and severe storms, most often there are only afternoon showers, and risking a visit during these monsoon months (particularly June, considered the wettest month) means deep discounts compared to visiting the country during the peak season.
• Since alcohol is heavily taxed and marked-up in the Maldives, a drinks bill at the end of your trip can pose a hefty surprise. To keep the holiday stress-free and the umbrella drinks coming, consider choosing an all-inclusive package if you plan to indulge in adult libations during your stay.

Related Articles

More related articles.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

The Best Ways to Fly and Stay in the Maldives With Points and Miles

Brandon Brunner

4 Published Articles

Countries Visited: U.S. States Visited:

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

44 Published Articles 3392 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 50 U.S. States Visited: 28

Director of Operations & Compliance

6 Published Articles 1206 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20

Table of Contents

Best programs to book award flights to the maldives, best programs to book hotels in the maldives, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

The Maldives is considered one of the most sought-after luxury vacation destinations in the world. Made up of more than 1,000 coral islands, the Maldives is a tropical archipelago located in the Indian Ocean.

With its incredible white sand beaches, extensive coral reefs, and crystal-clear blue water, the Maldives is the perfect island excursion for a relaxing vacation or special honeymoon destination.

And the Maldives can be a fun adventure, too! With an endless amount of water sports to choose from, no visit is complete without experiencing some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the world (think manta rays and whale sharks).

While the Maldives does have some budget-friendly accommodations, most of those are in or very close to the capital city of Malé (MLE), and might not meet your high expectations for the Maldives.

This guide will help explain the best award programs for you to upgrade your entire dream vacation to the Maldives. From flights to hotels, we’ve got you covered to help you experience the Maldives in style without the high price tag.

Update: In light of the spread of  COVID-19 , the suggested routes below may not immediately be available for booking. Please contact the airline for the most current available options and review COVID-19 updates for the Maldives.

Getting to the Maldives sounds like it could be a difficult task — a group of islands thousands of miles away in the middle of the Indian Ocean doesn’t seem like it would be super easy to get to!

But since this is such a sought-after destination, many airlines do offer flights to the Maldives. While no U.S. airlines offer flights directly to the Maldives, there are plenty of other options utilizing your flexible reward points and partner award charts.

Award availability may be a challenge when looking for flights to the Maldives, but we’ve got a great guide to help make searching for award space easier.

Hot Tip: If you’re running into a lot of dead ends, consider flying into Colombo (CMB), Sri Lanka. It’s just about an hour away by air to the Maldives and often has much more award availability.

American Airlines AAdvantage

The American Airlines AAdvantage program can help you get to the Maldives even though American Airlines doesn’t operate flights there.

On its partner award chart, the Maldives falls into the Indian Subcontinent region. Here are the one-way rates for award flights on Oneworld Alliance partners and partner airlines from the U.S.:

• Main Cabin : 40,000 AAdvantage Points
• Business : 70,000 AAdvantage Points
• First : 115,000 AAdvantage Points

American Airlines offers some great options to get to the Maldives by booking on its partner airlines. Here are some of our favorite partners to redeem AAdvantage miles to the Maldives.

Etihad offers flights from the U.S. to the Maldives via Abu Dhabi (AUH) in the United Arab Emirates.

American Airlines does not show Etihad award availability or allow you to book these award flights online. You can search for award availability directly on Etihad and look for Etihad Guest seats since those are what American Airlines usually has access to.

Etihad offers an incredible first and business class product on its long-haul flights from the U.S., including the famous Etihad First Class Apartment on its A380 aircraft, which flies from New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport.

Etihad flies to Abu Dhabi from the following cities in the U.S.:

• Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
• Los Angeles International (LAX)
• New York-John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
• Washington Dulles International (IAD)

Award availability is usually pretty decent. Be sure to search segment by segment to increase your odds of finding the Etihad Guest award seats.

Hot Tip: If you are looking specifically for business or first class award seats on Etihad, the U.S. reservation agents are known to have difficulty in seeing that award space. Try calling other American Airlines reservation centers like Australia or Singapore, who can usually see Etihad’s availability.

Want to know other ways to book Etihad airways to the Maldives in style? Check out our in-depth guides to the best ways to book Etihad business class flights and Etihad first class flights in a step-by-step guide.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific offers flights to the Maldives via Hong Kong International (HKG), where it operates direct flights 4 times a week.

American Airlines also does not allow you to book or see award availability on Cathay Pacific flights on its website. You can search award availability on British Airways or Qantas, and once you find your preferred seats on Cathay Pacific, call AAdvantage to book.

Cathay Pacific offers an incredible business and first class product on all flights from the U.S., but only offers business class flights on the 6-hour flight to the Maldives from Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific flies to Hong Kong from the following cities in the U.S. and operates the Hong Kong – Malé route on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

• Boston Logan International (BOS)
• New York-John F. Kennedy International  (JFK)
• Newark Liberty International (EWR)
• San Francisco International (SFO)

There are a few more ways to get access to Cathay Pacific award seats using other airlines’ programs. Alaska Airlines actually beats American Airlines in rates, but it doesn’t seem to have as much access to award seats.

Hot Tip: You do have other options to fly up front with Cathay Pacific to the Maldives. Check out our step-by-step guide for  booking business class flights and first class flights on Cathay Pacific .

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways offers flights to the Maldives via Hamad International in Doha (DOH) and operates flights from 10 U.S. cities while providing daily flights from Doha – Malé.

Award bookings and availability for Qatar Airways flights are not available when searching on American Airlines. Instead, it’s best to check the award search engines on British Airways or Qantas to find availability before calling AAdvantage.

Qatar Airways does not offer any of its first-class products from its U.S. destinations. Don’t let that deter you if you’re going for ultimate luxury since its business class product can easily be compared to some other first class products out there!

We would highly recommend trying to get availability on its business class product QSuites , which is among the best business class products on the market.

Qatar Airways flies to Doha from the following U.S. cities:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
• Dallas-Ft. Worth International (DFW)
• George Bush Intercontinental-Houston (IAH)
• Miami International (MIA)
• Philadelphia International (PHL)

Best of all, all Qatar Airways U.S. routes have QSuites!

For even more information, check out our article on the best ways to book Qatar Airways QSuites .

Bottom Line: American Airlines AAdvantage provides some of the best award rates (70,000 one-way in business class) and best premium cabins in first and business class (Etihad Apartments) when using its award miles to book flights to the Maldives on partner airlines. 

How to Earn Enough AA Miles to Fly to the Maldives

There are so many ways to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles . Some of our favorite methods to earn lots of AAdvantage miles are the many credit cards that earn with (or can transfer to) American Airlines.

Both Citi and Barclays offer quite a few different flavors of American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards for both personal and business use. Each comes with unique benefits that will help you earn lots of AAdvantage miles and other great perks when you fly American Airlines.

Marriott Bonvoy has also enhanced its airline transfer program and added even more partner airlines you can transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to, including American. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to American at a 3:1 rate with a transfer time of 2 days.

Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card.

The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

• Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
• 2x points at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services
• 5 Elite Night Credits each year
• Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
• Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier
• Earn 60,000 Bonus Points plus 1 Free Night Award after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Free Night valued at 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card from Chase ® !
• Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Card.
• New! Earn 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services.
• 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• New! Travel now, pay later – Break up purchases into equal monthly payments with no interest plus no plan fees on qualifying travel purchases. Terms apply.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 21.49%–28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card . The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

• Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
• Automatic Silver Elite Status
• $95 annual fee
• Marriott Silver Elite Status is the lowest status tier
• Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
• Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
• 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
• Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ®  with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ®  Card.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  $0

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with  no credit score impact.

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card , the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2x points)
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
• $250 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit
• Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy ® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy ® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit, available for Qualifying Rates.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card ® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy ® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Plan It ® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
• $250 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card  is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy   program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• Steep annual fee of $650 ( rates & fees )
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card
• Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy ® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy ® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy ® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton ® or St. Regis ® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ® : Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck ® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy ® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is a unique award program since it doesn’t belong to any airline alliance. Instead, Alaska Airlines has direct partnerships with several global airlines to expand its reach.

Each partner airline has a special award chart with Alaska Airlines, and the Maldives falls into the India and South Asia region category for its awards.

Here are the one-way rates for award travel on its partners that fly to the Maldives — and don’t forget to check out the best ways to earn lots of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles .

• Coach: 50,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles
• Business : 62,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles
• First: 70,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles
• Coach: 42,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles
• Business: 82,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles
• First: 150,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles
• Coach: 100,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles
• Business: 140,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles

We’ve already discussed flying Cathay Pacific with American Airlines miles. Even though Alaska Airlines has better rates, it seems it has even more limited award access compared to American Airlines AAdvantage.

Here, we’re going to focus primarily on Emirates award flights using Alaska Airlines miles.

Emirates offers multiple flights via Dubai International (DXB) on its exclusive A380 and Boeing 777 fleet, with both first class and business class options all the way to Malé.

Making an award booking on Emirates using Alaska Airlines miles is easy. Both award availability and booking can quickly be done online using an Alaska Airlines award search .

Want to add a couple of days in Dubai on your way to the Maldives? Alaska Airlines awards are perfect since they allow a free stopover , even on one-way flights!

Emirates has an incredible first and business class product on its fleet — including the showers on its A380 — and award availability is usually easy to find using Alaska Airlines miles. You can get an in-depth look at flying first class on the Emirates A380 with our detailed review.

Emirates also offers the most flights to the Maldives via Dubai, with several nonstop options and even more with short stops in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Emirates flies to Dubai from the following U.S. cities:

• Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL)
• Orlando International (MCO)
• Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)

Want more options to get to the Maldives with Emirates? We have a step-by-step guide with the best ways to book business class flights and first class flights on Emirates .

Bottom Line: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offers incredible rates to the Maldives, but they’re different for each partner . The best part about booking Alaska Airline award flights is when you have the opportunity to utilize a free stopover in the airline’s “hub” city. 

How to Earn Alaska Airlines Miles to Fly to the Maldives

Alaska Airlines has co-branded credit cards with Bank of America that can help you earn some extra Mileage Plan miles . Alaska Airlines also is a partner airline for Marriott Bonvoy, giving you even more flexibility when looking to book Alaska Airline partner awards.

We’ve covered some of the great benefits of transferring Marriott Bonvoy with partner airlines above, but you can see our guide on how to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points if you need more inspiration.

Korean Air SKYPASS

Korean Air offers flights to the Maldives via Seoul Incheon airport (ICN), but it’s important to note that the flight from Seoul to Malé makes a quick stop in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Your best use of Korean Air SKYPASS miles will be directly on Korean Air award flights.

Hot Tip: With the loss of Korean Air as a transfer partner for Chase Ultimate Rewards, you might think it’s difficult to get more Korean Air SKYPASS miles — check out our favorite ways to earn lots of Korean Air SKYPASS miles .

The Maldives falls into the Southwest Asia region on the Korean Air award chart; here are the award redemption rates for one-way flights:

• Economy: 42,500 Korean Air SKYPASS miles
• Business: 85,000 Korean Air SKYPASS miles
• First: 105,000 Korean Air SKYPASS miles
• Economy: 70,000 Korean Air SKYPASS miles
• Business: 127,500 Korean Air SKYPASS miles
• First: 157,500 Korean Air SKYPASS miles

Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth guide to booking first class on Korean Air since you can only experience Korean Air’s first class is by using its own SKYPASS miles. Partner airlines do not have access to Korean Air’s exclusive first class seats.

Korean Air offers an incredible first and business class product on flights to the U.S., which provides easy connections to the Maldives. The flight from Seoul to the Maldives also offers first class, but it’s basically the same seat as business class with an enhanced menu.

It’s easy to search and book award flights using Korean Air SKYPASS miles directly on its website . Just watch out for those taxes and fees , since they’re on the higher side compared to other programs.

The good news is that award availability is usually pretty easy to find on Korean Air, and most of it will fall in the off-peak rates.

Korean Air flies to Seoul from the following U.S. cities:

• Honolulu International (HNL)
• Harry Reid International (LAS)

Even though Korean Air makes its first class redemptions exclusive to its own SKYPASS mileage program, there are other ways to book business class. Take a look at the best ways to book Korean Air business class flights  for other redemption options with other travel programs.

How to Earn Korean Miles to Fly to the Maldives

Korean Air does have co-branded credit cards with U.S. Bank. It also used to be one of our favorite transfer partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards, but unfortunately, that partnership has ended.

Hot Tip: The best way to earn lots of Korean Air SKYPASS miles is by transferring from Marriott Bonvoy . Here is our guide on how to earn lots of Marriott Bovnoy points so you can transfer them to Korean Air.

United Airlines MileagePlus

United Airlines is a member of Star Alliance , which allows quite a few different options when looking for award flights to the Maldives using the United MileagePlus program .

United MileagePlus uses a variable award pricing system, but you can expect this approximate mileage price on flights from the U.S. to the Maldives.

• Economy: 44,000 United MileagePlus miles
• Business: 99,000 United MileagePlus miles
• First: 154,000 United MileagePlus miles

Star Alliance carriers that offer regular service to the Maldives are Air India, Singapore Airlines , and Turkish Airlines. Other carriers sometimes operate seasonal service to the Maldives.

When using MileagePlus, you could easily be flying with multiple carriers on a wide range of routes throughout the U.S. and beyond.

The best part of the program is that there are so many ways to earn lots of United MileagePlus miles !

Hot Tip:  Don’t forget to check out our review of United Airlines in its own dedicated piece!

How to Earn United Miles to Fly to the Maldives

We’ve covered many ways of earning United MileagePlus miles, but if you’re in a rush for a one-way business class ticket to the Maldives, check out our guide on how to earn 100,000 United MileagePlus miles in 90 days !

Chase Bank does have United Airlines co-branded credit cards , but our favorite way to earn MileagePlus miles is by transferring from Chase Ultimate Rewards — it has lots of great airline transfer partners  that transfer 1:1.

Marriott Bonvoy is another flexible option when looking to transfer points into United MileagePlus.

Here are our favorite Chase Ultimate Reward credits cards that will help you earn points to transfer directly to United Airlines:

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable

Chase Ultimate Rewards

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable

If you’re a business owner, see our list of the best Chase business credit cards .

The Maldives is a very popular bucket-list destination, but you have to book right to make it live up to the hype. Staying at the right hotel in the Maldives will definitely help this dream destination live up to your expectations.

Luckily, there are plenty of options to find your perfect stay in the Maldives using points. Here, we’ll cover the top hotels in the Maldives to stay at using points.

It’s important to consider the additional costs of staying at a popular but remote tourist destination.

For example, traveling from the international airport in Malé to some of these resorts can cost $500+ per person to transfer by seaplane or speedboat !

Hilton Honors

The Hilton Honors loyalty program is a great way to have a luxurious stay in the Maldives. It can be incredibly easy to earn lots of Hilton Honors points and make sure you have an extended stay in paradise.

There are currently 3 Hilton resorts in the Maldives: the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi , and the SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton .

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is one of the best options to book using points in the Maldives because it’s the only one that offers an overwater bungalow for the standard award price.

That’s right: you can stay in an overwater villa in the Maldives on points ! The Conrad Maldives is one of Hilton’s highest-tiered properties, costing 95,000 points per night for the standard award rate.

But you don’t have to stay in an overwater villa for 95,000 points per night if you don’t want to — the resort offers some fabulous beach bungalows in the same award category. Beach bungalows are generally around double the size of overwater villas and have easy beach access. Beach villas tend to be popular for smaller families, while overwater villas tend to be popular with the younger crowd.

Having elite status with Hilton Honors will give you even more value for your points for longer stays. Starting at Silver status, Hilton Honors members get the fifth night free on a standard room award booking.

That means you can stay in an overwater bungalow for 5 nights for just 380,000 points . That might sound like a lot of points, but there are plenty of American Express Hilton Honors credit cards to consider signing up for that can help you get there and even enhance your stay!

Some of these Hilton Honors credit cards give you Gold or Diamond status, which will provide tremendous value when staying at this resort. For example, Gold status gives you free breakfast during your entire stay, which includes 2 different restaurants (one on each island) at this resort.

The Conrad Maldives also goes above and beyond to provide a complimentary afternoon tea and happy hour for elite guests. You can get afternoon tea each day from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. with small sweets and light snacks. Immediately afterward, Gold members also are invited to a free happy hour with beer, wine, and mixed drinks at the Rangali bar from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.!

Bottom Line: For an average of just 76,000 Hilton Honors points per night , you can stay in an incredible overwater bungalow using the fifth-night free benefit and get free breakfast, tea, and happy hour with Hilton Honors Gold status — which is instantly earned just by having a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card .

How to Earn Points to Stay at Hilton Hotels in the Maldives

American Express has quite a few co-branded Hilton Honors credit cards that can easily get you enough Hilton Honors points for your stay in the Maldives.

Another huge perk is that some of these credit cards can instantly get you elite status with Hilton Honors. As mentioned above, that benefit alone can save you hundreds of dollars with free breakfast and other perks during your stay at Hilton properties in the Maldives.

Hilton Honors is also an Amex transfer partner  — it often has a transfer bonus, but the standard transfer rate is 1:2.

Don’t forget to bring your Hilton credit card with you to the Maldives and use it for any extra charges during your stay — you could be earning up to 14 Hilton Honors points per dollar on eligible purchases at Hilton properties.

Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card ® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $199 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: CLEAR ® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.¤
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR

American Express Membership Rewards

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
• $325 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• No lounge access
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
• Get the American Express ® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards ® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards ® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express ® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express ® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express ® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• Annual Fee is $325.

Business owner? Several American Express business cards earn points that can be transferred to Hilton.

Recommended Hilton Cards

Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!

You can’t beat a comfy king-sized bed and room service. For many travelers, it’s the hotel that really makes or breaks an experience. If you’re one of those people, you’ve probably stayed at a Hilton hotel.

Whether your visits are for work or pleasure, the Hilton brand has you covered with more than 6,200 locations in 100 counties and territories.

To enjoy a host of great benefits, you may want to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card .

• 7x points per $1 on Hilton stays
• 5x points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations
• 3x points per $1 on all other purchases
• Not great for those who want multiple redemption options
• Offers the least benefits of all Hilton cards
• Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• No Annual Fee.

Hilton Honors Loyalty Program

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status to up to $200 in Hilton credits every year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.

• 12x points per $1 at Hilton hotels
• 6x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
• 4x points per $1 at U.S. online retail purchases
• Annual fee of $150 ( rates & fees )
• Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
• Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card.
• Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
• Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental ® Emerald Club Executive ® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club ® program is required. Terms apply.
• $150 annual fee.

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists , but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

• 14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
• 7x points per $1 on select travel and at U.S. restaurants
• 3x points per $1 on all other eligible purchases
• High annual fee of $550
• Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card membership
• Earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio
• Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible travel purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
• Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• Earn 3x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for other eligible purchases on your card
• Enjoy up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually) on your card each anniversary year when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio
• Enjoy complimentary Diamond status
• $550 annual fee
• APR: 20.99% - 29.99% Variable

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.

Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status and travel protections.

Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.

• Earn 12x points per $1 on eligible Hilton purchases
• Earn 5x points on other purchases made for the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3x points thereafter.
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond status
• $195 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
• Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
• Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
• You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the calendar year if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
• Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental ® Emerald Club Executive ® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club ® program is required. Terms apply.
• Terms apply.

Hilton Honors loyalty program

World of Hyatt

The World of Hyatt loyalty program is another fantastic option to consider for staying at an incredible remote resort in the Maldives.

There are plenty of opportunities to earn lots of World of Hyatt points to help you get there. You will have only one Hyatt property to choose from, but the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is definitely worth a visit.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

The Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is an incredible resort with a 360-degree house reef just steps away from each villa. The standard award room is a Park Villa, and direct beach access makes it easy for you to snorkel just by walking out the door.

Your standard award room rate will be 30,000 World of Hyatt points per night . While you can’t get an overwater bungalow just on points, hotels will often offer you paid upgrades, which could be worth it in this case. Those rates can depend on status but mainly depend on availability.

To get any exclusive benefits from elite status , you’ll have to go big — only Globalist elite members receive extra benefits.

If you are a World of Hyatt Globalist elite member , you’ll get free breakfast for up to 2 guests, plus complimentary cocktails and canapés from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There’s also a chance you could get a complimentary Pool Villa upgrade.

The hotel also provides snorkel gear for all guests that you can borrow from its dive shop for your entire stay, and free yoga classes and kayaking to keep you active!

You can also stay active by participating in some of the paid activities to really enhance your experience in the Maldives. This could include a private island picnic, visiting a local island, or snorkeling with whale sharks and manta rays!

Hot Tip: There’s nothing worse than forgetting to pack essentials. To ensure you’re beach ready, explore our Ultimate Beach Vacation Packing List to make sure you have everything you need. 

How to Earn Points to Stay at Hyatt Properties in the Maldives

Chase offers The World of Hyatt Credit Card and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card , but another way to rack up even more World of Hyatt points is by transferring from Chase Ultimate Rewards. World of Hyatt is a Chase transfer partner with Chase Ultimate Rewards at a rate of 1:1.

Hot Tip: Check out our guide on the best ways to redeem your World of Hyatt points , which includes the easiest way to earn points transferring from Chase Ultimate Rewards.

You have lots of options to use the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program for your stay in the Maldives. Bringing together 2 major hotel brands also offers many great opportunities to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points .

Marriott currently operates 6 resort properties in the Maldives, including the Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa, Lhaviyani Atoll .

Don’t forget that all Marriott Bonvoy members get a fifth night free on award bookings, which can add significant value to your reward stay in the Maldives.

St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort can go for thousands of dollars a night, but luckily this property is now much easier to get on points. That’s if you can find availability, which is rare. Award rates start around 70,000 points but get progressively more expensive during times of demand.

Hot Tip: Award availability is hard to find for the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. Be sure to check the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app when looking for your reward stays because sometimes it shows more availability than what’s on the website. The search is definitely worth it, because this property is one of the best St. Regis hotel point redemptions out there!

It’s important to account for the cost of transportation to these remote resorts in the Maldives. This property probably has one of the most expensive seaplane transfer costs , running at $665 per person !

But with high costs come high rewards, and the St. Regis Maldives won’t disappoint on service. It provides a butler to help plan your stay with dinners and activities, offers free bike rentals to ride around the island, and also provides free yoga and other group exercise activities daily.

You can even rent your own 68-foot private yacht named Norma to go island-hopping (or escape the island for an overnight getaway)!

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort will definitely make your dream of the Maldives a reality and provide the most value for your points, especially if you take advantage of the fifth-night free!

The W Maldives is an incredible private island resort and makes for a great redemption using your Marriott Bonvoy points.

This could cost you as few as 70,000 points per night but the price will increase during times of higher demand .  It’s also possible to book an overwater bungalow on points. This will be at a higher rate than the standard room and starts at  135,000 points per night.

The W Maldives offers both seaplane and speedboat transfers — the seaplane costs around $500 and the speedboat costs $350.

The W Maldives does have a house reef, so you can just snorkel right out from your room. It also has plenty of additional activities you can book, like swimming with whale sharks and manta rays, or sunset sail cruises.

JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

JW Marriott opened in 2019, and it’s shaken up the competition in the Maldives.

It’s is situated on Vagaru Island on the Shaviyana Atoll, meaning you’ll have to pony up $600 per person for a round-trip seaplane transfer to access this resort.

Perhaps the coolest part about this resort is that the “base” level rooms are overwater villas, which means you can book these for as few as 70,000 points per night during periods of low demand.

There are 5 restaurants and 3 bars, in addition to 2 outdoor pools, a kids’ pool, game room, gym, spa, and even a salon. If you’re looking for activities during your stay, you can go boating, kayaking, snorkeling, jet skiing, sailing, scuba diving, water skiing, and even play table tennis or volleyball!

Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is a Marriott property focusing on sustainable luxury. Standard rooms at this property start at around 50,000 points per night during periods of low demand. 

This is one of the newer Marriott options, which makes it an appealing property for honeymooners and other demographics.

You’ll also have to take a 35-minute seaplane flight to get to this resort costing $550 per person round-trip, but once you’re there, you can explore all the resort has to offer.

Located on Baa Atoll, this property features 3 eateries, a luxe bar, barbecues, and even tennis courts. Notably, this resort is within a biosphere reserve, and you’re close to snorkeling with sharks and manta rays.

Of course, water sports are available, such as kayaking, jet-skiing, and more. To pamper yourself, you can check out the spa with a classic glass floor looking into the depths of the sea.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa

The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa would probably be our last choice when looking to redeem points for an award stay in the Maldives.

It is not far from the international airport (only 15 minutes by speedboat), making it a less remote destination compared to other resorts. Also, the shared speedboat transfers are complimentary to all guests at this resort. That does help save a bundle on costs, especially compared to the $500-$800 per person you’ll pay at other properties.

The Sheraton Maldives  starts at 40,000 points per night during periods of low demand. 

While redeeming points at this property will still provide tremendous value, it is usually the least expensive when booking regular rates with cash.

How to Earn Points to Stay at Marriott Properties in the Maldives

We’ve already covered multiple ways to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points from our favorite Marriott Bonvoy credit cards .

If you’re not transferring your Marriott Bonvoy points to its many airline partners to get you to the Maldives, using your points to cover your stay is another great option!

With tons of fantastic properties available, you have plenty of options to use your Marriott Bonvoy points for your stay in the Maldives.

We hope that this guide will help you make the trip to the Maldives — one of the most sought-after dream vacation destinations — for a fraction of the cost by utilizing your points and miles.

While the Maldives is a luxury destination, we don’t want you to pay luxury prices! Taking a special trip to the Maldives is the perfect time to start using your hard-earned points and miles to upgrade your travel style.

Our recommendation for the best airline reward program for your luxury business or first class flight is either:

• American Airlines AAdvantage for Qatar Airways QSuites — 70,000 one-way in business class
• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan for Cathay Pacific — 70,000 one-way in first class

For the best hotel loyalty reward program to use for your exotic private island resort in the Maldives, we recommend:

• Conrad Maldives for 78,000 points per night using the fifth-night free benefit
• W Maldives for 68,000 points per night using the fifth-night free benefit during the standard season

We know availability can be tough to find, but it’s worth spending some time looking into all your options! Persistence is key — sometimes hotels and airlines release reward space sporadically, so it’s always best to keep checking and using different avenues to search for award space.

The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® card, click here . For rates and fees for The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card, click here . For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here . For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here . For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click  here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business ® American Express ® Card, click here .

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

• Countries visited: 115
• Currently in : Singapore 🇸🇬
• Partner with us
• SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS COMMUNITY

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here . Never leave without travel insurance .

Seaplanes in the Maldives: 10 things you need to know

This article on Seaplanes in the Maldives was last updated in June 2020.

There are hotel transfers, and then there are Maldives seaplane transfers. Arriving to a luxury resort in the Maldives on a seaplane is the best way to start a holiday .

Instead of a lousy hotel car, you get a few minutes (or even an entire hour) of amazing views that are better than many sightseeing flights so you can land at the destination in the perfect island mood.

But if you have never flown on a seaplane before, you may be a bit nervous or just plain curious about what to expect.

How long are seaplane rides in the Maldives? What is the seaplane schedule in the Maldives? What is the baggage allowance on a seaplane? How big and comfortable are seaplane seats? What does a seaplane look like inside?

These and other questions are commonly asked by most visitors to the Maldives.

At the time of writing I have taken 10 seaplane transfers on my various trips across the Maldives and I was just as excited the first time I flew as I was on the 10th.

What is it like to fly on a seaplane in the Maldives?

Read on to find out what you can expect pre-flight, during the flight and at arrival at your destination. In brief, everything you need to know about seaplane transfers in the Maldives . When you’re done reading about the seaplanes in the Maldives, you can read my guide to the best luxury hotels in the Maldives here . 

The seaplane airlines in the Maldives

Firstly, let’s talk about the airlines that make seaplane transfers possible.

There is more than one seaplane airline in the Maldives but Trans-Maldivian is by far the largest. In fact, it is the largest seaplane operator in the world with a fleet of 48 De Havilland Twin Otters.

Trans-Maldivian Airlines (TMA) started as a helicopter operator in 1989 under the name Hummingbird Island Helicopters and only added seaplanes in 1997 when the company’s name changed to Hummingbird Island Airways and the company eventually became an all-seaplane airline in 2000. 

Today, TMA serves over 60 resorts with 120,000 flights transporting close to a million passengers every year. It has more than 170 pilots from 21 nationalities and operates 23 airport lounges used by the passengers of the most premium resorts.

The other major national airline in the Maldives is Maldivian Air which not only operates about nine seaplanes but also has a fleet of propeller aircrafts for domestic flights to 11 domestic airports and serves some international destinations in India and China among others. This is similar to the larger propeller planes you will catch in Bora Bora. If you would like to compare taking a vacation in Bora Bora compared to the Maldives, you can read my in-depth article on the topic here . 

Maldivian Air is the Maldives’ national carrier. It is fully owned by the government and was rebranded in 2008 from the original Island Aviation.

If you are staying at one of the furthest resorts like the Six Senses Laamu or the Shangri-la , chances are you will be taking a domestic flight from Maldivian. I also flew them on my way back from Joali as our departing flight from Male was not until the evening and seaplanes only fly during daylight.

How seaplanes work

Most of the Maldives seaplanes are twin-otter DHC-6-300s aircrafts, also called de Havilland Twin Otters , common aircrafts used for short distance take off and landings.

They are compact and efficient and can safely carry up to 15 passengers around the more than 1,200 atolls of the Maldives that are within seaplane reach.

DHC-6-300s are actually amphibian aircrafts meaning they can take off and land on water and on land. While the wheels of a seaplane are required in cases where planes depart from an airport (like the seaplane I took to Bawah Island ), in the Maldives, the seaplanes all take off and land on water as the seaplane terminal is right by the water. This is pretty unique to the Maldives.

Seaplanes in the Maldives are similar to the propeller planes you fly when on safari in Africa . They fly low, sometimes very short distances (as short as five minutes when island hopping between nearby resorts), and do not have pressurised cabins.

That means that there is no air conditioning inside and so it can get quite hot with just a few small fans. It also translates into very high levels of noise , so earplugs are usually provided.

Usually, seaplanes can carry a maximum of 15 passengers in six rows with a 2-1 seat configuration.

What resorts are reachable on a seaplane

If you are very keen on a seaplane transfer in the Maldives, you should make sure to book one of the resorts that are reachable by seaplane.

Not all resorts in the Maldives use seaplanes , some, like the uber-luxurious Gili Lankanfushi or the One&Only can only reached by speedboat because they are near Hulhumale and the airport.

You may spot one of the few domestic runways as you fly over the islands. These are used by the domestic flights. When you land there, you will be picked up and taken to the resort on a speedboat. This is the case for resorts that are further away, beyond the reach of a seaplane, like the Six Senses Laamu , in the southernmost part of the country.

Lastly, some of the resorts reachable by seaplane may also offer the option of a domestic flight if there is a runway nearby. As mentioned above, this is for guests departing or arriving after daylight hours.

There are more than 60 luxury resorts in the Maldives that use seaplane transfers so you should be able to find a good choice among them.

Seaplane operating times in the Maldives

All seaplanes in the Maldives take off from Velana International Airport which is adjacent to Male’s International Terminal, where passengers coming to the Maldives land.

There isn’t a schedule for seaplane departure and arrival times like with most flights. Instead, the routes are worked out daily based on the number and destination of the passengers who arrive on the day.

Your seaplane transfer time will depend on the time you land in Male and on what resort you are transferring to.

Seaplanes are only allowed to fly during daylight hours so if you land after 3,30pm you will most likely not be able to fly out on the same day but will need to spend a night at a hotel in Male or Hulhumale and fly out the next morning.

Likewise, if your return flight is late in the evening, as is the case if you fly to Singapore for example, you would arrive at Male Airport no later than 6pm.

There is not a lot to do at Male Airport and limited waiting space, so bear that in mind if your resort can only be reached by seaplane and your return flight is late. Check in for international flights may only open three hours before your flight so even your airline lounge access may not save the day.

Alternatively, some resorts offer the opportunity use or pay for access to their lounges while you wait for your international flight, but this can come with a hefty price (over $50 per person).

The best time to arrive in the Maldives is therefore the early hours of the morning so you can take the first seaplane out (as early as 7am) and have the full day at the resort.

Resort staff and TMA assured me that guests don’t usually wait longer than a couple of hours for their departure, but delays are common , as I found out for pretty much every single one of my seaplane transfers.

It is important to note that your departure seaplane time will only be communicated the evening before your arrival and usually not to you but to your hotel in Male/Hulhumale.

This is because the airline determines the routes and times based on the arrival numbers and times of all guests and the resorts they are visiting. The daily routing of seaplanes is an incredible jigsaw I can only begin to imagine the complexity of.

If you are staying in Male the night before, your resort in the Maldives will deal directly with your hotel in Male/Hulhumale and let them know your departure time ahead of your arrival so when you arrive, they will already know at what time you need to be at the airport.

All hotels in Male and Hulhumale have airport pick and drop off services which should not cost more than $10 for Hulhumale.

If you are landing from an international flight and transferring directly to your seaplane, you will simply be met upon arrival and the departure time will be communicated then, always with the ideal 2h window waiting time in mind.

How to book a seaplane transfer

Seaplane tickets are not booked by guests but by the resorts directly and charged to your booking . The cost of a seaplane transfer varies by resort but is usually a flat fee of $450 per person return.

Some of the more premium resorts charge higher than that. For example, the seaplane transfer cost can go as high as $990 per person for the more premium resorts that charge at the top end of the villa rates in the Maldives like Joali .

Seaplane check in and departure in Male

When you land in Male from an international flight, you will find your resort’s airport counter at the arrivals area and a hotel representative will be waiting for you. Depending on the resort and how premium it is, you will either wait for all guests to arrive and go to check-in together, or be escorted individually to the seaplane check-in counter.

Check in is usually pretty quick and consists of baggage weighing and labelling and boarding pass issuance.

You will be issued a boarding pass on the way out from Male to the resort, but not on your way back when you will not even have to check in but will simply board the seaplane from the resort’s jetty or floating platform and your luggage will be labelled by the resort’s staff.

After check in, most resorts in the Maldives have their own or shared lounge you will be escorted to while waiting for your departure. These lounges vary in comfort and facilities depending on the resort but are all walking distance to the boarding jetty.

For example, LUX* has a beautiful and well-stocked lounge with internet and a huge range of foods and drinks. The Conrad Rangali lounge has a family area and a decent selection of food and drinks. While others like Milaidhoo had a more basic lounge with some snacks and drinks. You are guaranteed to have internet in all.

Baggage allowance on a Maldivian seaplane

When you arrive at the seaplane check-in counter, you will have to weigh your luggage, both hand and check-in.

Your checked in luggage baggage allowance is 20kg and your hand luggage can weigh another 5kg. Over that, you could be charged a per kilo amount.

However, it is rare to get charged as most staff are quite friendly and understanding and you don’t really need a lot of luggage for a destination where the most important item are swimming suits. I was well over the 5kg with all the electronics and equipment I bring and nobody raised any issues.

Boarding a seaplane

Seaplane boarding passes don’t have seats assigned so you basically just walk to the plane and sit wherever you want.

Because the configuration is 1-2, there are two seats on one side and one on the other. Couples usually take the double seats, even if the person in the aisle does not get window views.

Boarding should be done from the front to the back although it is pretty much free for all. If the majority of the guests have picked seats at the back and the plane is not full, you will be asked to move to the front. This is to balance the plane as most of the luggage is at the back.

When you are at the resorts, boarding can vary. Some resorts have their own seaplane jetty right by the resort’s shore so you just walk to the plane. Others, like Soneva Fushi or Milaidhoo , have a floating pontoon in the middle of the ocean where the seaplanes dock and passengers get on and off. A speedboat then connects the pontoon to the island.

This is so that the seaplanes don’t land on the resort’s island and bother guests as they can be quite loud and the constant noise adds up in the end.

After everyone is seated, the seaplane is pretty ready to take off and from Male, it usually will do so straightaway barring some small delays. From the resorts, departure is almost immediate. Watch this video of a seaplane taking off from LUX* . Bye bye beautiful overwater villas !

Or maybe this live video I did when we took off from Soneva Fushi back to Male. 

Inside a seaplane in the Maldives

As you may imagine from the pictures, seaplanes are pretty compact inside and if you have claustrophobia you may feel very uncomfortable .

Aircrafts are small and short, and the ceiling is so low that you cannot stand up straight. Seats are also small, and there is no armrest separating the two passengers in the double seats. I could barely fit and I am only 1.70m tall.

There are seatbelts and sick bags in case anyone needs them, and of course emergency exits, but no tray tables and very limited space under the seat.

Most seaplanes have pouches at the back of the seats and Trans-Maldivian even has its own inflight magazine although I saw the same issue for the entire 2018.

Seaplanes can carry up to 15 passengers plus the crew (that is the 16th person at the back of the plane) and the two pilots at the front.

Passengers are split across six rows of two seats each with two window seats. On one side, the seats are double and can sit two passengers.

The luggage is usually stored at the back of the plane either in a small compartment or at the end of the seats, strapped with belts that keep it in place and prevent the items from moving during take off and landing.

If you have a small piece of hand luggage, you can take it with you to the seat but if it is larger you will be better off leaving it at the back because there is no space under the seat to place any luggage and it can get really crowded. Best is to keep your camera bag with you and leave the rest at the back .

The first row seats are closest to the pilots, so you have first row tickets to the take-off and landing show, although you will not be able to see anything through the windshield because the pilot seats are raised.

Most of the pilots I saw in all my trips were flying the planes in shorts and barefoot. That is most convenient I suppose, and also gives a true island vibe. In contrast, the pilots in similar propeller planes you will fly in Africa are wearing high boots.

The best seats in a seaplane are the one in the first row. They are the most spacious, provide first row viewing of the pilots and the landing and do not have the seaplane wings obstructing your view for pictures or videos, so you can get the best views.

What to wear for your seaplane journey in the Maldives

Bear in mind that some of the farthest away resorts may take an hour to reach so wearing comfortable clothing is important .

The most important point to be aware of is the fact that there is no air conditioning inside the seaplanes, so it does get really warm.

While I always carry a jacket for international flights, I wear the lightest clothes I can on a seaplane. It is hot outside and the sun is hopefully shining so it can get really stuffy inside the seaplanes.

The first row usually has some small fans at either side that will blow throughout the flight. I found this more a nuisance than a help because it was constantly blowing on my face so bear that in mind when you board.

If you’re a fan of airline reviews, check out more Business and First Class reviews below:

• Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class review
• Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class review
• Etihad A380 Business Class review
• Singapore Airlines Suites Review
• Emirates A380 Business Class review
• United Airlines Business Class review
• Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300 Business Class review
• Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300 ER Business Class
• Lufthansa Business Class Airbus A350
• Lufthansa A380 Business Class
• Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Review
• Ethiopia Business Class 787 Dreamliner
• Is Singapore Airlines Premium Economy worth it?

Pin this to your #luxtravel Pinterest board!

• Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa .
• Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing .
• I find all of my flights on KAYAK . Check their Deals section too.
• Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform Bookaway .
• I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide , they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance.
• Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb .
• Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com .
• Compare car rental prices at Rentalcars.com

You may also like

Why the six senses laamu in the maldives..., what to do at six senses laamu in..., review of soneva fushi, the maldives luxury jungle..., review of singapore airlines boeing 787-10 business class, review of new lufthansa business class airbus a350, review of milaidhoo – everything you need to..., review of joali maldives, the country’s ultra luxury..., review of gili lankanfushi, the best resort in..., review of etihad a380 business class abu dhabi..., maldives vs bora bora, where will you have....

21 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO THE MALDIVES FOR THE FIRST TIME

Wondering what you need to know before travelling to the Maldives? Have burning questions about what to expect on your Maldives holiday? This is your one-stop comprehensive guide for Maldives travel information.

1.WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT MALDIVES?

The weather is most favourable during the dry season from November through to April. Peak tourist season falls inside this period, from Dec – Feb. Prices are most expensive & availability is in high demand during this time. The wet season runs from May through to October & travellers can certainly expect sunny spells within this period. Prices are less expensive during these months, with many travel deals on offer. The surf season is the same as the wet season (April – October) & diving can be year round, island depending.

2. WHICH AIRPORT DO I FLY TO IN MALDIVES?

Velana International Airport (Malé). The airport is located on Hulhule Island, which is actually attached to Hulhumale Island (the transit island). Hulhumale Island is accessible via taxi& bus and is ideal for travellers arriving late at night. The capital cityof Malé is also close by – just a 5 minute ferry ride / 10 minute taxi ridefrom the airport.

3. DO I NEED A VISA FOR MALDIVES?

Maldives Immigration issues a 30 Day Tourist Visa On Arrival to all nationalities, subject totourists being able to produce a passenger arrival card (given in plane or upon arrival inside airport), a confirmed reservation for each night of theirintended stay and documentation for a departing flight. Tourists may be requested to produce these items to an Immigration Officer upon entry into Maldives, soplease be prepared – save a copy to your smart phone or have these printed beforehand.

At Indulge Maldives Holidays, we provide you with an Immigration voucher that you can produce, containing all of your travel details. All passengers arriving in Maldives must havea machine-readable passport in order to be allowed entry. Your passport must also have at least 6 months validity from your departure date from Maldives to be granted the Tourist Visaon Arrival.

4. DO I NEED TO HAVE MALDIVES ACCOMMODATION PRE-BOOKED?

Yes. All tourists must have a valid hotel reservation for the duration of their stay as this is a condition of entry to be granted the 30 Day Tourist Visa on Arrival.

5. WILL SOMEONE GREET ME AT THE AIRPORT ON ARRIVAL?

Yes. Once you arrivein Maldives, you must first clear Immigration. From the moment you step throughthe automatic sliding doors of the arrival hall, the resort or hotel staff ofwhere you are staying will greet you with their property signboard. If staying at a resort, you can alternatively proceed to the respective resort counterinside the airport. The resort / hotel representatives will assist you with your speedboat, sea plane or domestic flight transfer. Upon your departure from Maldives, the property will again assist you with your return to the airport toensure a smooth departure process from Maldives.

6.  CAN I ARRANGE ISLAND TRANSFERS FROM THE AIRPORT IN MALDIVES?

No. It is not possible to arrive in Maldives & book yourself atransfer from the airport. There are no public ferry, speedboat, sea plane or domestic flight services available from inside the airport. All transfers must be pre-booked through your tour operator, guesthouse, hotel or resort. Speedboat transfers to islands may only run once daily & need to be timed with flights. Our team has knowledge of all island transfers & can assist you with this. For more details on types of transfers & how to arrange, please read our ‘How to book a Maldives Island Transfer’ guide here.

All transfers are dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change, pending poor weather. Transfers are often combined with other flights so there may be a short wait upon arrival / and on departure. Your island representative will advise you of this when meeting you at the airport.

7. WILL SOMEONE GREET ME WHEN I ARRIVE AT AN ISLAND? 

Upon arriving at your intended holiday island, a representative from the guest services team of your hotel, resort or guesthouse will meet you on the jetty. Transport to the hotel will beprovided. You will be assisted with your check in process and escorted to your room shortly after arrival.

8. ARE ANY ITEMS PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING MALDIVES?

Yes. As the Maldives is 100% Muslim country, no alcohol, pork, pornography, religious artifacts,idols of worship, narcotics and psychotropic substances, explosives or weapons are allowed to enter Maldives. When departing Maldives, no sand, turtle shells, seashells or marine products can be taken out of the country by tourists.

9.  WHERE CAN I PURCHASE ALCOHOL IN MALDIVES?

Maldives is a 100% Islamic nation, meaning the sale & consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited. Alcohol cannot be brought into Maldives & it is not sold induty free. Resorts & liveaboards/safari boats are the only exception where guests can freely enjoy alcoholic beverages during their vacation. If staying on a local island, there is no alcohol sold due to the strict Islamic laws. Travellers can however visit a designated floating bar boat located off selected islands (Maafushi, Thulusdhoo), & purchase alcoholic drinks for consumption onboard. Budget approximately US$10 per drink on safari boats.

10. WHAT IS THE MAIN CURRENCY USED IN MALDIVES?

The main currencies used in Maldives are US Dollars (USD) & Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR).The official exchange rate is USD$1 = 15.42 MVR.

LOCAL ISLAND VACATIONS: We highly recommend using MVR / USD cash on local islands. Travellers should withdraw or exchange MVR cash on arrival at the airport. It is only possible to withdraw MVR currency from ATMs. Please note currency conversion rates & international bank fees will apply. Travellers cannot withdraw USD cash from ATMs. Not every local island will have ATM services available, so it is best to withdraw MVR cash at the airport onarrival. If paying in USD cash, it is common for change to be given in MVR. The standard conversion rate of USD & MVR is USD$1 = 15.42MVR will be applied. The use of Credit / Debit Cards is very limited on local islands.

RESORT VACATIONS :  We highly recommend using USD / Credit / Debit cards at resort islands. There is no cash withdrawal services on resort islands. MVR currency will not be accepted on resort islands.

MVR can only be exchanged back into your original currency upon your departure from Maldives, only if you have the original receipt issued to you on your initial exchange, at the airport Bank of Maldives exchange counter.

11. DO I NEED TO TIP IN MALDIVES?

Tipping is not compulsory in Maldives, however if you are happy withthe service you have received by the local people who take care of you during your Maldives vacation, a tip is would be appropriate & very much appreciated by the local people as wages are considerably low in Maldives. The amount to tip is completely up to you and your budget, however as a generalized guide, a tip of USD$10 (150MVR) – $20 (300MVR) would be appropriate. Also note,you will not be haggled in Maldives as this is against cultural customs and traditions.

12. ARE THERE TOURIST TAXES IN MALDIVES?

All service industry purchases such as accommodation, restaurants, cafés & excursions will attract a 10% service charge & 12% Government Tax. For accommodation a mandatory government Green Tax of USD$3 per person per night is charged by local island properties & USD$6 per person per day by resorts. Our Indulge Maldives Holiday packages are inclusive of all taxes, however if eating out or purchasing additional excursions, please note that the above may apply. The airport departure tax of US$25.00 is included when you purchase your airline ticket.

13. DO MALDIVIANS SPEAK ENGLISH?

Yes – almost all Maldivians speak fluent English. Dhivehi is the national language and it uses its own alphabetic system, reading from right to left.

14. DO I REQUIRE ANY VACCINATIONS BEFORE TRAVELLING TO MALDIVES?

It is always advisable to discuss with your doctor before travelling to Maldives for current up to date information. We recommend ensuring your Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B and Diphtheria vaccinations are up to date. Whilst there is no Malaria in the Maldives, Dengue Fever is often present. Wearing mosquito repellent is recommended, especially around sunset. We advise to bring medication to treat common conditions such as travellers diarrhoea & vomiting.

15. DO ANY DRESS CODES APPLY IN MALDIVES?

If staying at a resort island – you can wander around in your bikini all day if you please.

When staying on local islands, it is however important to dress a little modestly when moving through the local village area & passing by the houses where local people and children live. This aims to prevent offending Maldivian locals. Local island tourism is still quite new in Maldives, and local people are adjusting to having tourists on their islands. Wearing longer skirts, dresses, shorts, thick-strapped singlet tops & t-shirts is considered appropriate when walking through the village areas. Never walk through a village island wearing only a bikini, as this is strictly against local laws.

Walking around the beach & tourist areas of an island, it’s generally acceptable to wear shorts & singlets, having arms / legs exposed. Tourists must only wear bikinis at the designated bikini beaches of an island. Always check first if it is a bikini beach before swimming. Your guesthouse or hotel can advise you on this. It is necessary to wear a sarong, light beach dress, t-shirt & shorts etc when moving to & from a bikini beach. Bikinis are also fine to wear on sandbanks, snorkeling trips, & at resorts – always ask your guesthouse /hotels if you aren’t sure if your clothing is appropriate.

If visiting the capital city Malé, we recommend to dress modestly – knee length shorts & t-shirts as a minimum.

16. CAN I DRINK THE WATER IN MALDIVES?

No, not unless you like drinking salt water!

Each hotel will provide bottled drinking water for guests. It’s also easy to purchase extra water bottles from local shops, for around 30c for 1L. If you bring a refillable drink bottle, this will help to cut down on plastic as re-fill stations are available. Brushing your teeth with the water is fine.

17. DO MALDIVES HOTELS HAVE WIFI / WILL I NEED A SIM CARD?

WiFi is supplied by some hotels & guesthouses. The Maldives has a fast and reliable internet connection. If you wish to connect to internet when you are out & about each day, it may be advisable to purchase a SIM card. This is easy to do at the airport from Ooredoo & Dhiraagu, the two main phone/internet coverage providers in Maldives. USD$20 will provide around 3-5GB of data.

18. WHAT TYPE OF ELECTRICAL ADAPTOR WILL I REQUIRE FOR MALDIVES?

The three-pin (British style) socket is mostly used in Maldives. Some guesthouses provide international powerpoints and will have adaptors available for hire, however weadvise on bringing your own.

 19.  WHAT SIZE SUITCASE SHOULD I BRING TO MALDIVES?

You will probably have a 30kg luggage limit with your airline ticket, however this isn’t to say that you will need to bring 30kgs of luggage to Maldives! Remember you will be travelling via speedboat and you may need to carry your luggage on and off boats. You may also need to wheel / lift your suitcase through sandy roads at times.

20.  DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?

YES – this is a must when travelling internationally & should be arranged at least 1 week in advance of your trip commencement. Travel insurance can cover the cost of medical treatment, travel misadventure & baggage mishaps. Always read your policy in depth before purchasing. Travel Insurance is compulsory in joining our retreats.

21. WHAT TO BRING TO MALDIVES

Maldives is a tropical destination so daytime temperatures are usually around 28-30 degrees.

We recommend bringing:

• Lightweight,comfortable & cool clothing
• Atleast one or two modest outfits to wear through island villages / to Malé City e.g. long skirt / pants / long dress / t shirt / long sleeve top
• Day time casual clothing for the islands – shorts, t-shirts, skirts, singlets etc
• Smart casual clothing for any special dinner nights / resort day trips
• Shoes– thongs/flip flops or sandals. No need for enclosed shoes unless you want to workout. Possible booties for surfing.
• Bikinis, swimmers, rash vests, board shorts
• Sunglasses & hats
• Dive certification & log book if you wish to dive
• Electricalchargers, cables & batteries
• Electrical  equipment: ipad / phone / laptop / camera / go-pro
• 50+Sunscreen
• Mosquitorepellent
• Motionsick tablets / wristbands
• Prescriptionmedication along with actual prescription
• Aftersun gel
• Moisturiser
• Beach Towel – often be supplied by hotels
• Hand Sanitiser
• Ear plugs & eye mask
• Travel Money Card
• USB– for photos

BOOK YOUR MALDIVES TRIP WITH US…

We love providing affordable & personalised service for our guests. We take care of everything from the planning right through to your departure from Maldives. We offer you:

• The very best rates – cheaper than your will find anywhere online
• We match your holiday wish list to the perfect island & property – saving you time & money.
• Free Maldives phone / email consultation
• A complimentary Maldives holiday itinerary
• Free FAQ Guide to Travelling the Maldives for the First Time
• Free 18 page Maldive on A Budget e-book
• Arrange all excursions & island transfers in accordance with your flights
• We are also Surf Travel Specialists
• Professional Photography Services (drone, underwater, lifestyle)
• We are available on What’s App throughout your entire stay in Maldives should you require assistance during your stay

CONTACT OUR FRIENDLY TEAM TODAY 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

HOW TO BOOK MALDIVES ISLAND TRANSFERS

BEST TIPS FOR TRAVELLING THE MALDIVES ON A BUDGET

THE 10 BEST BUDGET ISLANDS IN MALDIVES

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

INDULGE MALDIVES

Indulge Maldives Holidays is an exclusive Maldives Travel Agency. We specialise in both affordable & luxury vacations to Maldives, group style island hopping retreats & surfing holidays. Our Australian Founder & Travel Specialist Kristie has lived in Maldives for almost 8 years & has travelled to over 50 Maldives islands. She works alongside Maldivian locals & takes exceptional care of her clients'​ needs, from planning to departure. Indulge Maldives proudly partners with over 30 local island hotels & 60 Maldives resorts. Our holiday packages start from as little as US$50 per night. Contact Kristie today & let her help you create your dream Maldives vacation, no matter your budget!

Suggested Posts

10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BOOK YOUR MALDIVES HOLIDAY WITH INDULGE MALDIVES HOLIDAYS

DHIFFUSHI ISLAND GUIDE

FOOD REVIEW: SHELL BEANS MALÉ

TRENDING NOW

Indulge insta, monthly sponsors.

More Stories

BEST LOCAL ISLANDS IN MALDIVES: MARIE AND JAKE’S MALDIVES ITINERARY

Plan and Book your Next Trip

Connecting Maldives and beyond

Maldives Tax Refund

Fly with the national airline.

Book your travel on the go.

Manage your trips and get the latest updates and offers by Maldivian with the Maldivian mobile app.

Best Airline to Fly to Maldives | Top Luxury Air Carriers

Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has everything needed for the perfect summer vacation. With crystal clear waters, gorgeous white sandy beaches, and coral reefs, it’s not hard to see why so many people are absolutely in love with the over 1,000 islands.

Plus, the Maldives is renowned for having some of the most luxurious all-inclusive resorts and best honeymoon resorts in the world. What’s not to love? 

Recently, this stunning destination has attracted more flights from a number of cities around the world, making it super easy to access the islands from almost anywhere on the globe.

With an ever-increasing number of airlines offering services to the islands, here’s a guide to the best airlines to fly to the Maldives.

Which Airlines Fly to Maldives?

If you’ve been wondering, ‘what airlines fly to the Maldives?’ here are the top options for you to consider.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is known for many things, but what they really stand out for is their exceptional service and passenger comfort. It’s no wonder that they have won the Skytrax Award for the best airline in the world six times, most recently claiming the title in 2021.

The airline offers flights to the Maldives via the Hamad International Airport in Doha. If you’re flying to Maldives from the US, you’ll be happy to know that Qatar operates flights out of more than 10 cities in America. They also operate daily flights between Doha and Male, the Maldives’ capital.

Flying in Qatar’s economy class is great, but why not amp up the luxury by booking your flight to the Maldives in their Qsuite? It’s highly regarded as the best business class in the world, and is a more than comfortable way to fly to the Maldives.

In addition, this airline is part of the Oneworld Alliance. This means you can earn loyalty points using their rewards program and have access to over 600 airport lounges in over 900 destinations.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines follows closely on the heels of Qatar Airways and was voted as the 2nd best airline in the world in 2021. The great thing about them is that they operate direct flights to the Maldives from their hub at the Jewel Changi Airport.

Based in Asia and with a strong presence in the region, they operate a number of daily flights to the Maldives, making it easy and fast to get to the islands.

Their flights to the Maldives are operated on a 787-10 Dreamliner. Whichever class you fly, you can rest assured that your flight will be comfortable with world-class service, on-board entertainment and services, and great amenities.

Since they are a member of the Star Alliance , you can also earn mileage points with their own rewards programs or with other airlines.

Emirates Airlines

Emirates Airlines is another airline known for its high level of service and luxurious first class and business class cabins. This Dubai-based airline offers direct flights to the Maldives, as well as flights that stop over in nearby Colombo, Sri Lanka.

They fly from over 160 destinations from over 85 countries, with stopovers in Dubai. They also operate from over 12 airports in the US. This makes flying to the Maldives from the US quick, easy and convenient.

Their flights to the Maldives are operated on their A380 and Boeing 777 fleets, meaning that they offer premium economy, first class, and business class options. Their first class and business class cabins even have private suites, showers, and spas.

Onboard you’ll be able to enjoy the best food, great flight entertainment, and exceptional service from their cabin crew. If you have a long layover, you can book access to one of their luxurious lounges, where you can enjoy gourmet dining, showers, and comfortable recliner seats and beds.

The French are known for their sophistication and luxury, and flights aboard their 787-9 Dreamliners are no different. Offering flights in economy, premium economy, and business class, flying to the Maldives with Air France couldn’t be any more comfortable.

Their business cabin seats adapt to the shapes of their passengers and also extend to become a six-foot bed with a soft duvet and feather-down pillow, for some great quality sleep.

Their other cabins feature perks like a multi-position footrest, extra legroom, and broader tray tables.

While they only operate seasonal flights to the Maldives from November to March, they are still worth considering. They offer flights three times a week, with return flights to Male during this period.

Plus, they are members of the SkyTeam Alliance, so you can earn mileage points from their partner airlines.

Etihad Airways

Etihad is an Abu Dhabi-based airline. They offer several flights weekly to the Maldives from the Abu Dhabi Airport. They are also highly regarded as one of the most luxurious airlines in the world.

They fly from over 60 destinations worldwide, including four cities from the US. Their long-haul flights from Abu Dhabi to the Maldives are on their A320 and Boeing 787 carriers, which feature both business and first class cabins.

If you’re flying to Abu Dhabi from the US, you’ll have a stopover in the UAE on its A380 carrier. This aircraft is well-known for featuring its Etihad First Class Apartment, which allows you to travel in the ultimate comfort and luxury.

They also have incredible lounges at numerous airports that you can book access to and enjoy showers, gourmet dining and comfy beds to refresh before landing in the Maldives.

Turkish Airlines

In recent years, Turkish Airlines has become one of the top air carriers in the world. They are known for their friendly cabin crew, excellent quality service, high emphasis on comfort, and great quality food.

They fly to over 200 destinations from 125 countries, making it easy to travel. They offer direct flights to the Maldives from the Istanbul Airport, which has become one of the fastest-growing global hubs.

Their flights to the Maldives are on their Airbus A330-200 carriers, which have economy and business class options. You can sit back, relax and enjoy delicious gourmet food, and a wide range of onboard entertainment comfortably.

They’re also a member of the Star Alliance, so you can earn rewards points through them and their partner airlines.

Korean Air is another airline that has a good presence in the Asia region. They fly to over 150 destinations around the globe, including the Maldives, from the Seoul Incheon Airport.

While they do have a stopover in Colombo, Sri Lanka, they are one of the best airlines to fly to the Maldives since they offer year-round weekly flights. Plus, they offer flights in economy, business and first class.

All their cabins provide comfortable seats, great onboard entertainment and fantastic food. Their business and first class cabins offer extensive menus with a number of fine dining options to enjoy.

Your flight to the Maldives with Korean Air is bound to be a good one, so you can just sit back and try to relax while they take care of everything else.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific is one of the best airlines to fly to the Maldives. They operate flights four days a week, all year round from their base at the Hong Kong International Airport.

They fly to over 80 destinations in 35 countries, and have a good presence in Asia and South-East Asia. Their Maldives flight is operated on their A330-200 Airbus, which means you’ll have a choice between economy and business class.

One thing that Cathay Pacific is known for is their exceptional menu served in both classes. You can have a range of delicious dishes in economy, while in business-class you’ll have an even wider variety of options.

Cathay Pacific also has some of the most comfortable seats in the world and the best onboard entertainment. You can be assured that no matter which class you fly, Cathay Pacific will take care of your every need and ensure you get to the Maldives feeling rested.

What Other Airlines Fly to the Maldives?

The airlines mentioned above are the best airlines to fly to the Maldives, because they have  direct flights to the islands all year round.

Other airlines such as British Airways, Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa also operate direct flights, but these are mainly seasonal. So if these are your preferred airlines, its best to check ahead of time during which periods they will be flying to the Maldives.

Final Thoughts on Flying to the Maldives

It’s never been easier to travel to the Maldives than now. There are a substantial number of airlines operating flights directly to the Maldives or through their partner airlines. Even airlines that are not part of a major alliance network are making it easier to reach this stunning location.

What’s more is you can earn loyalty points on most airlines for flying with them through their great rewards programs. So all that’s left to do is book your tickets. Whether you choose to fly economy, business or first class, you’re bound to arrive in style.  

Recent Posts

• Honeymooning in the Maldives: A Dreamy Escape to Paradise
• Best Flight Routes to the Maldives
• Best Maldives Resort Spas

Go Ocean is a travel agency based in the Maldives that offers amazing holiday packages at great prices. With years of experience in the tourism industry. We know how to create unforgettable holidays for our guests.

Quick Links

• Search for a Resort
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• +960 7573983
• [email protected]

Follow us on:

CNN values your feedback

The new ‘private jet’-style airline set to fly to maldives.

Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get the latest news in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments.

Traveling to Maldives – the 1,000-island archipelago off the western coast of India that’s one of the world’s most glamorous beach destinations – is always a special occasion. Now, a new airline aims to make it even more so.

Beond – pronounced “beyond” – aims to create a “private jet” experience by using narrow-body aircraft (rather than the wide-body often used on routes to the Maldives), and offering an all-premium cabin with lie-flat seats which share components with Ferrari cars.

“We want to do something completely new,” Beond’s chief commercial officer Sascha Feuerherd tells CNN. “We deliberately chose to go for a luxury destination, which is a little paradise by itself, where people travel to relax and spend quality time. We want to ensure that they can travel there also in comfort, so that they are arriving fully relaxed.”

Based in Malé and set to start flying in fall 2023, Beond will initially operate a small fleet of Airbus A319 aircraft, before switching to the larger Airbus A321. Dubai and Delhi are the first two confirmed destinations.

Chasing the competition

About three dozen airlines currently offer service to Velana International Airport, Maldives’ main airport near the capital island Malé. To compete against them, Beond plans to choose its destinations carefully and fly customers directly to the island, rather than going through a connection in a hub, as the likes of Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines do.

“We’re going for the airports with big catchment areas, with a certain wealth behind it, and then fly people directly,” says Feuerherd. So in Germany, for example, Beond wouldn’t target Frankfurt – a business hub with plenty of competition. Instead, they’d go for Munich, which has less competition and a higher incidence of leisure travelers.

In other markets, like Asia, Beond plans to enter into direct competition with other carriers and differentiate itself with a higher-quality service instead. “The Maldives is one of those markets that can fill an aircraft, even a mostly economy class cabin,” says Feuerherd. “But that is making the Maldives lose some high-end passengers, because if they don’t find adequate transportation, they’d rather go somewhere else. That’s where we really come into the game.”

He's a millionaire with a private jet. But now he's selling it for the sake of the environment

Beond will offer a total of just 44 seats on its Airbus A319s, even though the plane can carry up to 156 passengers in an all-economy layout. On the larger A321s, which will enter service in 2024, they plan to have 68 seats on a plane that normally has room for up to 220 economy passengers.

This means there will be no dreaded middle seats – the two-abreast configuration aims to provide a sense of luxury and comfort. Designed by Italian manufacturer Optimares, which supplied similar interiors for a custom-designed Four Seasons A321 private jet, the seats share components with LaFerrari, a luxury sports car that was priced at about $1.5 million upon its release in 2013, and now sells for much more at auction.

“I’m about six feet tall and so is our CEO, and that was pretty much the size reference we worked with, to avoid getting the feeling that we were slipping out of the bed,” says Feuerherd. “We also very quickly decided that we wanted to have two abreast, because of the nature of our passengers, which is a lot of couples.”

Competing on price

Jointly owned by UAE-based firm Arabesque and Maldivian hospitality company SIMDI, Beond’s operating certificate is from Maldives as a designated carrier. It has a 50-year agreement with the Maldivian government.

Although it plans to start flying as early as September, the airline is still coy on its launch destinations beyond Delhi and Dubai, but Feuerherd says that, once at capacity (by the end of 2024), roughly 60% of the airline’s traffic will come from Europe, with around 20 destinations.

Asian routes will include Japan, South Korea and China, and Beond will also offer direct connections to Australia, starting with Perth, and South Africa, initially to Cape Town.

By the end of 2024, the airline plans to operate about a dozen aircraft, all on lease, including some brand new A321LR airplanes – long-range versions of the popular A321.

Using narrowbody aircraft will be unusual on some of Beond’s longer routes, which are normally served by larger, wide-body planes such as the Airbus A350 or the Boeing 787.

However all-business class airlines have used narrow-bodies before. La Compagnie, a French boutique airline connecting Paris to New York, has two A321LRs in its fleet of four (the others are A321neos). The Four Seasons private jet is also an A321LR. British Airways, meanwhile, used an A318 – the smallest aircraft in the Airbus A320 family – for its erstwhile all-business class flight from London to New York.

And perhaps the small plane is the key. EOS, Maxjet and Silverjet, which all offered all-business class transatlantic flights before going bust in 2007 and 2008, all used wide-body aircraft.

According to Feuerherd, the smaller plane won’t be a problem for most passengers, because although the cabin will lack the “airiness” of larger aircraft, it’ll increase the private jet feel.

“I do believe the advantages and disadvantages are really equalizing each other there,” he says. “We wouldn’t be able to fill a wide-body with this concept – it would be slightly too big. But we have significant cost savings with a narrow-body, in terms of cost of ownership, fuel burn, staff involved, landing and handling charges, which is something that really gives us a competitive advantage over the big birds.”

As a result, Beond will be priced “attractively,” with fares from Europe starting at around $3,000 return, but increasing during peak season – which, for Maldives, is December to April.

For comparison, the cheapest business class flight CNN could find from London to Malé in peak season was $3,133 with Etihad in January 2024. From Frankfurt, Oman Air has flights from $2,762 – a cheaper peak season fare than Beond is suggesting for its off season fares. However, neither flight is direct.

Meanwhile, Emirates is currently selling Dubai-Malé tickets from December to April next year from around $3100 in business class. There are no direct flights from Delhi, but carriers including Air India have business class seats from around $750 with a single connection.

“My personal target on the commercial side is that if we become too greedy, it’s not going to be helpful,” says Feuerherd. “We will not want to be the leader in terms of price.” He adds that most bookings are projected to come from tour operators rather than directly from customers.

A niche market

According to Rob Morris, global head of consultancy at Cirium, an aviation consultancy, the initial routes that Beond is targeting – Dubai and Delhi – have differing potential.

“Dubai is presently well served from Malé, with an average of seven daily rotations in August 2023 and more than 60,000 seats each way in the month,” he says, citing schedule data that Cirium has pulled.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport proposes a ban on private jets

“This includes around 12% of those seats in premium class. Competition on that route will be challenging.

“In contrast, Delhi-Malé is presently unserved, at least directly, hence there may be more opportunity.”

Mike Stengel, a principal at Aerodynamic Advisory, another aviation consultancy, says that in the history of aviation, the fortunes of all-business class airlines have not been great: “One reason is that their destiny is tied to these concentrated niche markets; they simply don’t offer the same type of connectivity options that network airlines do.”

By being tied to only premium class travelers, he adds, they’re susceptible to downturns or softening in business travel demand: “In the long term, I think they’re going to face some pretty stiff competition, especially from the large Middle East airlines. It’s hard for anyone to beat out first or business class from Emirates or Qatar or Etihad.”

However, he believes that Maldives is certainly the right market for a new luxury option. “I think there are some legs to this, especially if they can channel demand from luxury travel agencies that are selling it as part of a package,” he says.

“There probably is a niche to carve out of premium travelers who want more of a private jet experience, but maybe don’t have the private jet budget.”

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories

Shantnu & Nikhil brought their latest collection to life at this bespoke resort in Maldives

In a realm where travel, creativity and style converge, designer duo Shantnu & Nikhil embarked on a journey to OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, Maldives. A sanctuary for opulence, rejuvenation and bespoke experiences, this resort served as the perfect backdrop for their Travel Luxe Collection. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI welcomed Shantnu & Nikhil Mehra into a world where grandeur is seamlessly intertwined with authenticity. Their villas offer an impeccable blend of traditional Maldivian aesthetics and modern luxury. Here, panoramic backdrops, grandeur design, sumptuous culinary spread and thoughtful comfort come together for an unforgettable experience.

Shantnu & Nikhil embraced the resort’s lavish atmosphere throughout their stay by taking their personal styles out for a spin. They wore relaxed yet refined outfits that epitomise finesse and ideal travel clothing—pieces that embody the spirit of their Travel Luxe Collection. These outfits were not just a testament to their sartorial sensibilities but also a reflection of the inspiration drawn from the serene and sophisticated surroundings of the island resort.

Vogue India speaks to the designer duo to know more about their stay at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, Maldives and how it inspired their latest collection.

The serene yet luxurious backdrop of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic of our Travel Luxe Collection. Surrounded by the pristine waters and tranquil beauty of the Maldives, we were inspired to create designs that encapsulate a sense of effortless elegance and relaxation. The resort’s harmonious blend of natural beauty and refined luxury deeply influenced the collection’s ethos—celebrating the balance between opulence and simplicity, which is evident in the relaxed yet sophisticated silhouettes of our pieces.

The Maldives’ breathtaking seascape, with its endless hues of blue and the gentle sway of palm trees, sparked our interest in integrating a palette that mirrors this natural beauty. We were particularly drawn to the seamless flow of the ocean and the lush surroundings, which inspired us to incorporate fluid, breathable fabrics and designs that move gracefully with the wearer—much like the rhythmic dance of the waves against the shore.

The Travel Luxe Collection was designed with versatility at its core, allowing pieces to transition effortlessly from day to night, beach to dinner, without compromising on style. We focused on creating modular outfits that can be easily mixed and matched, featuring luxe fabrics and contemporary cuts that offer comfort and style in equal measure. This collection is all about offering the modern traveller a curated wardrobe that is both adaptable and sophisticated, perfect for any journey.

Absolutely. The extraordinary experiences at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI —ranging from adrenaline-pumping water sports to indulgent culinary adventures—inspired us to infuse a sense of adventure and luxury into the collection. Each garment reflects a commitment to quality and detail, much like the resort’s dedication to crafting unforgettable moments for its guests. The collection is designed for those who seek to explore the world in style, just as OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers a world of bespoke experience.

The tranquil surroundings of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI provided us with a rare opportunity to reconnect as brothers and creative collaborators. Away from the usual hustle of our work lives, we found space to relax, reflect, and draw inspiration from our shared experiences. This personal bond is woven into the fabric of the Travel Luxe Collection, evident in its cohesive yet diverse pieces that reflect both our individual and collective vision. The collection speaks to a journey of togetherness, celebrating the elegance of brotherhood and shared creativity.

This synergy between Shantnu & Nikhil and OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI represents a fusion of two worlds that value the art of living well and the pursuit of timeless elegance. The Travel Luxe Collection captures the essence of this unique experience—a collection that speaks to the modern traveller who seeks opulence, authenticity, and the quiet sophistication that only a place like OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI can provide. To know more about Shantnu & Nikhil's collection, visit their website .