While some issues remain with the SPG and Marriott Rewards merger, there has been recent progress for those looking to jump on the limited-time opportunity to book some previously out-of-range SPG suites and villa properties for just 60,000 Marriott Rewards points per night — or 48,000 points per night on a five-night stay. TPG staffers have successfully booked the St. Regis Maldives, St. Regis Bora Bora and beyond for just 48k Marriott Rewards points per night both over the phone and via the Marriott Rewards App (awards at villa properties are still not bookable via desktop).
Recently, there have been two new developments that make using your Marriott Rewards points in the Maldives even easier.
Increased Award Availability Reported at the St. Regis Maldives
First, TPG Senior Points and Miles Contributor Richard Kerr has kept a close eye on award availability at the St. Regis Maldives, and he reports a recent increase in the availability of standard award rooms (aka Garden Villas). In fact, today he was able to lock in a five-night trip to the St. Regis Maldives via the Marriott App for just 240,000 Marriott Rewards points. If you’ve run into a brick wall looking for availability in the past, now is a good time to check again — but be aware that some dates are still unavailable. However, there is a new option if you want to use Marriott Rewards points in the Maldives.
New Westin Maldives Accepting Award Bookings
If you can’t find the award availability you want at the St. Regis Maldives, you can now also try the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort. This soon-to-open new property is accepting reservations for travel beginning on October 12, 2018.
Like the W Maldives, Sheraton Maldives and the St. Regis Maldives, the Westin Maldives is also a Category 7 Marriott property that currently costs 60,000 Marriott Rewards points per night, or 48,000 points per night on a five-night award stay bookable on the Marriott App.
The standard villas at the Westin Maldives are 1,507-square-foot island villas that come with their own deck and pool. Opening rates start at $550+ per night if you prefer to spend cash rather than points.
Since this resort has yet to open, we obviously don’t have any reviews to turn to in order to determine what a stay will be like. What we do know is that the resort looks to have 41 island villas and 29 overwater villas, a rooftop bar, a kid’s club and a spa.
We also know that seaplane transfers to this resort are pricing at $400 per person, payable at the time you make your award reservation. This is less than the $645 per person transfer to the St. Regis Maldives.
The Westin Maldives currently has better award availability than the St. Regis Maldives, so this property might be an option if your set dates are unavailable at the St. Regis. However, keep in mind the two resorts are the same number of points per night, but the St. Regis is likely to be a more luxurious experience that sells for several times the going rate of the Westin if you were paying with cash. If you are locking in a speculative award reservation, but sure to note the cancellation penalties and dates.
To increase your Marriott Rewards account balance to lock in a trip to the Maldives or beyond, check out the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card, which is currently offering 100,000 Marriott Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, or the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express, which offers 75,000 Marriott Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
Featured image courtesy of the Westin Maldives.