Last updated on : Apr 16, 2021
NEWS FLASH: you can actually afford to take a dream vacation in the Maldives and make your Maldives holiday a reality!
Here are three fantastic ways to do just that.
Related post: Ultimate Beach Bucket List
One of the best resources for deals to the Maldives (and Middle East and Asia) is Emirates Vacations. Their air + hotel packages are very economical and incorporate flights on Emirates Airlines, one of the world’s best airlines! Since flights are one of the largest travel expenses, they are a big deterrent to traveling due to the huge upfront cost to purchase them.
Emirates Vacations packages regularly include full-board with hotel and flights that can be found for as low as $2,000 per person, which is a huge saving when you consider that flights to Male (the capital of the Maldives) can easily cost $1,000 per person.
I recently found Garden Villas at the Furaveri Island Resort in the Maldives for about $250 per night with breakfast included, an excellent deal since breakfast for two alone can easily be $250 at most resorts!
Another great site to find affordable deals to the Maldives and beyond is Groupon Getaways. Recently, I saw an 11-day flight + hotel trip to Dubai and the Maldives from $2,299 per person from several US gateways, which included half board and air transfers within the Maldives!
Perhaps, the most economical way to take a Maldives holiday is using miles and points. If you earn sufficient points from credit cards like American Express or Alaska Airlines, you can use those points for flights on Emirates, since American Express is a transfer partner of Emirates and Alaska Airlines is a partner airline with Emirates.
Other carriers like Delta, Air France, KLM, United, and Singapore Airlines offer award flights to Male, either directly or through airline alliances.
You could also build in a stopover using miles or a flight deal to fly to a nearby city such as Bangalore, India, or Colombo, Sri Lanka, and book a direct flight to Malé from there.
Sign up for airfare alerts with Google Flights, Airfarewatchdog, and the Hopper app and sign up for daily deals from The Flight Deal. If you find an airfare deal from your city, book the available dates and figure out the other logistics later!
For hotels, each of the major American hotel brands has resorts in the Maldives where you can redeem points for free nights, usually in standard rooms with upgrades for a fee.
The award redemption rates range from 25,000 points per night at the Park Hyatt Maldives to 95,000 points per night at the Conrad Rangali Island. However, both Hilton and Marriott offer the 5th-night free on award redemptions. Search Award Mapper to find additional hotels where you can redeem hotel points.
For bookings outside of American chain hotels, Accor Hotels has a rewards program that allows members to exchange 2,000 rewards points for €40 off the cost. And Accor Hotel has some really amazing properties like the Sofitel Metropole Legend in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Related post: Luxury at Hanoi’s Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel
Within the Maldives, Accor points can be used at a number of fantastic resorts, including Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Fairmont Maldives, and the Raffles Maldives.
Using Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book hotels stays via the Chase portal is also worth considering for booking hotels that you cannot otherwise use points for.
Additional costs to consider are internal seaplane flights or water taxis from Malé and the cost of meals, each of which can set you back a pretty penny.
However, the experience of relaxing on a remote island paradise in the lap of luxury with unobstructed views of the ocean is truly priceless!
Have you ever taken a Maldives vacation? If so, how was your Maldives holiday?
Related post: 3 Fabulous Places to Visit Now Before They Disappear
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small amount of income if you click the link and purchase something we have recommended. Clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, and all opinions remain our own.
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Men, bucket list. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully someday
I hope you get there one day soon, Michael. Thanks! 🙂
What a beautiful place! Seems fairly priced, I may just have to plan a vacation there!
Hi LoLo,
It’s a super expensive place to visit unless you use alternate means as described. I think it’s totally worth the price no matter what you do! 🙂
budget vacations are always have a lot in common with luck. Finding a proper discount can be real bliss. Miles and other programs are very useful too
Hi Lyosha,
With a little automation, you don’t need luck and find a good deal to almost anywhere. I agree that finding and book a deal feels like bliss! 🙂
Deals are always great, Finding them is not so easy. Thank you for the tips on finding good travel deals.
Thanks, Amber! 🙂
The Maldives is a huge bucket list item for me! Thanks for the tips.
Hi Alexa,
It doesn’t disappoint! Happy travels. 🙂
The idea of taking a leisurely vacation amongst the Indian Ocean country of the Maldives is indeed very tempting. The beauty of the place is just undeniable. Love the 3 options you have shared here to help make this a reality for many more people.
Thanks Nicole!
It is a truly magical experience! 🙂
Maldive is in my bucket list.Thanks for sharing
Awesome, Sudipa!
Travel is the way to examine the existence and learn to recognize it. Love to travel
OK, Genny. Glad to know you love travel, too!
It looks so beautiful. I have never been but I have friends who have and they have told me how amazing it is!
Who knew groupon did deals! I will be paying attention to their emails more often now! Would love to visit the Maldives! Great tips, thank you!
Yes, Rachel!
Groupon has some great deals. You’d love it!
Wow!! What a beautiful place to vacation! I would love to see it someday. If I ever go I’ll be sure to check it some of your suggestions for cheaper flights!
Thanks Megan! Good luck!
🙂
Thanks for the tips! I never been to Maldives and never thought about going till now. I might have to find out more about those Groupon discount.
It’s so worth it, aisasami! 🙂
I have been there. It is indeed a lovely place to explore so I agree with all your points here.
Thanks Monidipa!
I am looking to go back! 🙂
Beautiful . It’s on my bucket list, hope I can visit soon. Thanks for sharing! You have a great blog!
Thanks for the reply, Pon!
You are too kind. Let me know when you might be looking to go as I’d love to help!
Maldives is in my travel bucket list and I wish I can really make it come true one day. I don’t have miles yet since I’m not a frequent flyer but will take note of these tips!
Hi Janine,
You can certainly travel there without the miles/points. Check out Emirates Vacations. 🙂
I always enjoy staying closer to where there is ocean, the view is so beautiful. Great post I am adding this place to my bucket list. its such a great place for vacation
Maldives is also on my bucket list! Keeping these tips in mind when we finally decide to go!
Awesome tips for an affordable trip girl! Never knew there are groupon giveaways! Need to check it out 😉
Thanks Neha!!
xoxo 🙂
I haven’t even thought about groupon getaways! We do so many groupon events locally.
Hi,
We really love your content and we love following your page. We are a teacher recruitment site that attracts 100’s of teachers every year to the UAE. I’m just wondering if you would be interested to be one of our guest contributors on the blog section of our website.
If so, let us know and we’re happy to feature you on our site and share your articles with our over 50,000 followers across three different social media platforms.
Hi Angela,
Thanks for the message and compliment. I will check it out and message you! 🙂
Never tried groupon but I always have my points. And believe it or not it is super affordable way to have a great vacation.
I love my points, too, Alexandra. They offer amazing value!
These are great suggestions. I have seen the Groupons but I always thought there was a secret catch. I have always wanted to visit but the price really turned me off from visiting.
Thanks! You can really score big savings with Groupon Getaways! 🙂
I want to go here so bad! Will def be using your tips to make a trip soon.
I’m saving all of my miles and points to go here! The water color is so blue and pretty! I want to sleep in a hammock and drink fruity drinks!
Maldives is absolutely a dream destination but expensive! Loved your post and the pictures are so perfect. Thanks for the post. Would love to visit soon.
Awesome Madhurima!
I hope you get to go there one day soon. It is a dreamy place! 🙂