Getting to the Maldives?

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Feb 7, 2008 | 4:34 am

#16

Kagehitokiri

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Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: IAD/DCA

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charters like condor from europe, or from asia.

SQ is scheduled out of SIN
MH is scheduled out of KUL

QR now has WAS-DOH-MLE

Feb 7, 2008 | 9:23 am

#17

FlyerBeek

Join Date: Aug 2002

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Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al

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Quote:

Originally Posted by littlejimmy112

Ok, what I've got at this point is LAX-SIN-CMB on SQ for miles (60k/thinking of getting C) then $271 on Emirates (thanks for the $50 business class tip!). Definitely the long way, but given that an award seat to Maldives is 80/120K, the $274 seems a reasonable alternative.

Certainly sounds like the absolute best use of UA miles to get to the Maldives! Just one additional thought here (if you do go for a J award), you could also fly to BKK on TG (thus avoiding an SQ SIN-CMB J->Y downgrade for J class UA redemptions) and then connect on Bangkok Airways (PG) nonstop to MLE. I have found reasonable Y and J MLE fares in the past, and I have always enjoyed PG's domestic service.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri

charters like condor from europe, or from asia.

SQ is scheduled out of SIN
MH is scheduled out of KUL

QR now has WAS-DOH-MLE

Also, don't forget that China Eastern (3Q) now has a twice-weekly PVG-MLE-JNB service. I haven't heard of FTers using 3Q to MLE yet, but it does present another (albeit interesting) option to the Maldives.

-FlyerBeek

Feb 7, 2008 | 11:56 pm

#18

littlejimmy112

Original Poster

Join Date: Feb 2008

Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Amb, HH Diamond, Hertz PC

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Quote:

Originally Posted by estnet

Don't forget if you are going to the Conrad that 1 - reward rooms are hard to get even if you have the points and
2- you have to pay for the seaplane from MLE to the island about a 20 minute (VERY loud) ride around $300/pp with strict luggage wt restrictions.

Ouch! Didn't realize it was $300/pp. Current several award rooms available the dates we want.

Feb 8, 2008 | 10:15 am

#19

pvs001d

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: DME

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Posts: 294

PG fared to MLE are rather expensive, and I doubt you can use UA miles on PG

Feb 8, 2008 | 10:58 am

#20

FlyerBeek

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: WAS/TYO

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pvs001d

PG fared to MLE are rather expensive, and I doubt you can use UA miles on PG

PG has fares starting at ~$600 (USD) r/t BKK-MLE, which I don't view as too bad (especially considering SQ's SIN-MLE fares). Also, I didn't mean to imply that UA miles were redeemable on PG, and thought this was pretty clear with my mention of PG airfare.

I'm simply suggesting that some might prefer to save 30k-40k UA miles by not having to redeem a Central Asia reward. Further, flying PG directly might be more desirable than connecting in CMB given the political instability, and necessity for another connection on an already long trip from the States. YMMV.

-FlyerBeek

Feb 10, 2008 | 8:41 am

#21

jpatokal

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: Terra Australis Cognita

Posts: 5,353

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlejimmy112

Has anyone been to the Maldives? Or (what I'm really asking) why is it so expensive?

Do a search on the Asia forum -- you'll find quite a few threads, including my little review of the Maldives experience at a lower-end hotel.

Feb 10, 2008 | 5:14 pm

#22

Kagehitokiri

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: IAD/DCA

Posts: 31,871

there are more low cost resorts than luxury ones, and those that are closer to MLE use cheaper boat transfers instead of air.

its the only place you can get a beachfront villa with pool at four seasons / one & only / etc for ~$1000/night. thats fantastic value, comparatively speaking.

definitely the best beach destination IMHO.

Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Feb 10, 2008 at 5:20 pm

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