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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you’re using The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through the Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia’s courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to get the time away from work or family.
Although it’s obviously more fun to fly to the Maldives in business class on points and miles, we are seeing some cheap deals for economy flights to the Maldives. These flights are perfect for those who wisely invested all of their Marriott points into overwater villas at just 60,000 Marriott points per night.
$717 round-trip might not sound like a great deal at first. However, remember that the Maldives are located at the equator on the other side of the world. Also, while part of the allure of the Maldives is how remote it is, that also means it’s hard to get the necessities to operate an airport all the way out there. So, these fares are quite cheap considering.
The Singapore Airlines fares are showing up on Google Flights starting at $736 round-trip and will keep this price when you click through to an OTA (Online Travel Agency) to book. However, you can save a bit by heading directly to Priceline to search and book the flights.
Airlines: Singapore, Turkish
Routes: SFO/IAH/JFK to MLE
Cost: $717+ round-trip in economy
Dates: late October-November 2018 and late January-May 2019
Booking Link: Priceline, Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airline
Pay With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare), Citi ThankYou Premier Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare plus excellent trip delay insurance) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
San Francisco (SFO) to Male, Maldives (MLE) for $717 round-trip on Singapore in April via Priceline:
San Francisco (SFO) to Male, Maldives (MLE) for $717 round-trip on Singapore in March via Priceline:
Houston (IAH) to Male, Maldives (MLE) for $831 round-trip on Turkish:
New York Kennedy (JFK) to Male, Maldives (MLE) for $844 round-trip on Turkish:
Maximize Your Purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Premier Rewards Gold, Citi ThankYou Premier, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
H/T: The Flight Deal