Best way to fly Australia to Maldives

[markis10]

Anyone waiting on a reply from the Conrad might heed their latest post on FT commenting on the points change notifications and resulting rush:

"we got 700 emails in 24 hours and the emails are still pouring in"

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island - Page 238 - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[Gold Member]

Anyone waiting on a reply from the Conrad might heed their latest post on FT commenting on the points change notifications and resulting rush:

"we got 700 emails in 24 hours and the emails are still pouring in"

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island - Page 238 - FlyerTalk Forums

lol, count me as 1 of the 700 that enquired about OWB upgrade from beach villa on points! I'll be patient...

 

[Gold Member]

In addition to EY, it seems we can also redeem with AA on QR on a published fare from AUS to MLE.

 

[kpc]

I have just booked 2x Sq J award seats Syd-Sin-Mle return (incl A380 between Syd and Sin) for late February 2014. We have booked 6 award nights at the Conrad Maldives (beating the hefty points increase), spending an extra night there instead of the originally planned 5 nites, and foregoing a stopover in Singapore on the way back as "we can and do go to Singapore anytime"

To say I'm rather pleased is an understatement:mrgreen:

(now to keep fingers crossed that our plans do not change in the next 11.5 months:shock: as any changes in dates will result in the new HHonors award levels applying, meaning we then only have enough points for 2 nites at Conrad Maldives:evil:!)

 

[Pumbaa]

I'll be there late Jan kpc so looks like I'll just miss you!

 

[kpc]

I'll be there late Jan kpc so looks like I'll just miss you!

You will need to give me a run down on the costs for activities, food etc. (and let me know whether I need to pack a supply of 2 minute noodles in my suitcase). How many nights are you there for, Pumbaa?

 

[Pumbaa]

6 nights kpc! I manages to get the VIP discount so it only cost 37500 a night in HH points Amazing value considering they are asking $2700 a night currently!

Planning on filling up on the free breakfast for HH golds and skipping lunch and enjoying an early dinner! Will let you know if it works well

I'm not a very good swimmer so I'm planning on learning over the next few months

 

[elbarto]

6 nights kpc! I manages to get the VIP discount so it only cost 37500 a night in HH points Amazing value considering they are asking $2700 a night currently!

Planning on filling up on the free breakfast for HH golds and skipping lunch and enjoying an early dinner! Will let you know if it works well

I'm not a very good swimmer so I'm planning on learning over the next few months

Well just make sure you pack your floaties.

 

[smart1999]

Currently on Rangali and we just decided to log in a couple more trips for 2014 and 2015 using Hilton points before devaluation hits tonight. Only problem is my BMI redemptions are no longer available and I'm back to the drawing board of how to get there in style (ie business class) and if possible free (ie award).

How is everyone getting AA miles being based in Australia? I can't see them as an AMEX transfer partner. Wouldn't our best bet be to convert AMEX to SQ Krisflyer and then redeem via SQ? The other option I see is redeeming CX miles on MH but I can't find anywhere online the cost of a C award on MH from SYD to MLE using CX miles. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

One alternative I had found before is not free but quite a good bargain. You need to get to MLE one-way somehow and then buy a return ticket from CMB via BKK to Sydney on TG in C class. Cost of this was (from memory) only around $1500 return...maybe $2k. But if you like us come here every year it's on option worth thinking about. I haven't done it and I believe you will get an etix, so no need to collect ticket in Colombo, but maybe someone more travelled than us can tell me whether that's a good option worth considering. I don't want to be stranded in CMB with no ticket to Australia in the end. Ah, and of, course you would also need to buy a cheap eco MLE-CMB return on Sri Lankan...I think that's around $200, so no biggie.

 

[markis10]

Currently on Rangali and we just decided to log in a couple more trips for 2014 and 2015 using Hilton points before devaluation hits tonight. Only problem is my BMI redemptions are no longer available and I'm back to the drawing board of how to get there in style (ie business class) and if possible free (ie award).

How is everyone getting AA miles being based in Australia? I can't see them as an AMEX transfer partner. Wouldn't our best bet be to convert AMEX to SQ Krisflyer and then redeem via SQ? The other option I see is redeeming CX miles on MH but I can't find anywhere online the cost of a C award on MH from SYD to MLE using CX miles. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

One alternative I had found before is not free but quite a good bargain. You need to get to MLE one-way somehow and then buy a return ticket from CMB via BKK to Sydney on TG in C class. Cost of this was (from memory) only around $1500 return...maybe $2k. But if you like us come here every year it's on option worth thinking about. I haven't done it and I believe you will get an etix, so no need to collect ticket in Colombo, but maybe someone more travelled than us can tell me whether that's a good option worth considering. I don't want to be stranded in CMB with no ticket to Australia in the end. Ah, and of, course you would also need to buy a cheap eco MLE-CMB return on Sri Lankan...I think that's around $200, so no biggie.

I think you need to read the dividend miles and life miles threads!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I think you need to read the dividend miles and life miles threads!

Or even this thread re advice MH "specials". Can be considerably cheaper than the TG quoted and even without a special is not much more (circa AU$150 or so).

 

[NM]

How is everyone getting AA miles being based in Australia?

Most of mine came from flying OneWorld airlines.

I can't see them as an AMEX transfer partner.

I launder Amex through SPG to get to AA. makes for a reasonable exchange rate.

 

[Cynicor]

Any thoughts appreciated on the following:

I have SIN-PER returns so use SIN as my launching pad. One return is the night prior to a stay at the Conrad Maldives. My plan so far is to fly PER-SIN already booked, stay a night in SIN, then fly to MLE the following morning. I am planning on returning via KUL on MH in J, as I think my next Asia return will be KUL-PER-KUL to position for a Niseko ski holiday early 2014.The outbound options are:

1. SIA Y at ~$440 arriving at ~1130
2. UL J at about ~$670 arriving at ~1500

Option 2 is in J but is a long flight and gets in later. My aim is to make the daytime seaplane transfer or I wouldn't bother spending a night in SIN. Is UL J worth paying a slight bit extra for? I credit to QF currently, so I would get SCs and points too I think.

Thanks!

 

[NM]

Is UL J worth paying a slight bit extra for? I credit to QF currently, so I would get SCs and points too I think.

You will only earn QFF SC and Points after UL officially joins OneWorld. They are currently at "member elect" status and not an official OneWorld member. I cannot find a target date for becoming a full member, except that they are "on track" to join in the next year.

 

[Cynicor]

You will only earn QFF SC and Points after UL officially joins OneWorld. They are currently at "member elect" status and not an official OneWorld member. I cannot find a target date for becoming a full member, except that they are "on track" to join in the next year.

Ah, the usefulness of the forum. Thanks for this, I thought they were a member already. Will go for SQ then I guess, and the shorter (slightly cheaper) flights. Any other thoughts?