Bora Bora or Maldives

[Deleted member 29185]

What's the best way to get to each destination and earn VA SCs and points?

I'm thinking:
BNE-SIN-MLE on SQ if we choose Maldives; and

BNE-AUK-PPT on ANZ if we choose Bora Bora .

What's the pros and cons of each?

 

[Stone]

I didn't think Air NZ earnt points for Pacific Island flights. One of those ACCC things.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I didn't think Air NZ earnt points for Pacific Island flights. One of those ACCC things.

Thanks for the heads up on that one. I just checked and you're right, no SCs and no points. Oh well, I guess that means a point redemption flight is more attractive or opening an ANZ FFer account or chosing any airline based purely on price.

 

[yohy?!]

 

[haydensydney]

Have you thought about Aitutaki in the Cook Islands? It's stunning whilst being cheaper and closer Air NZ has direct flights from SYD on a seasonal basis.

Tourism Cook Islands | Cook Islands | Aitutaki

 

[Deleted member 29185]

No Hilton

Once I've used the points and long forgotten Hilton, I'll re-discover it!

 

[onezero]

If pricing is similar i'd highly recommend the Maldives over BOB!

 

[Bolthead]

Although a little OT I would choose the Maldives over Bora Bora. Why? I have been to both and there is something more primitive about the Maldives (and cheaper) than Bora Bora. Although depending where you will stay the level of primitivious (new word just invented) will vary.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

i'd highly recommend the Maldives over BOB!

I would choose the Maldives over Bora Bora.

The only thing against Maldives is whether local tensions in Male escalate to other islands.

 

[arraitch]

As it happens DFAT's Travel Advice for Maldives has been updated today, the first summary point of which is:

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution on Male Island at this time due to unresolved political tensions and risk of further unrest and violence. We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions elsewhere in the Maldives, including tourist and resort islands.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

As it happens DFAT's Travel Advice for Maldives has been updated today, the first summary point of which is:

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution on Male Island at this time due to unresolved political tensions and risk of further unrest and violence. We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions elsewhere in the Maldives, including tourist and resort islands.

I've still a long way to go, but BOB is sounding better and better!

 

[meloz]

The only thing against Maldives is whether local tensions in Male escalate to other islands.

I would not expect this to happen. The majority of workers on the islands come from the sub continent. The Islands may as well be a million miles away from MLE.

Meloz

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I would not expect this to happen. The majority of workers on the islands come from the sub continent. The Islands may as well be a million miles away from MLE.

Meloz

Have to go through MLE to get to the islands. When my family is involved I'd personally prefer to err on the side of caution.

 

[meloz]

Have to go through MLE to get to the islands. When my family is involved I'd personally prefer to err on the side of caution.

Last time I was in MLE I walked from the airport to a boat, gone. No-one hesitates to go Barcelona, London or NYC yet they all freak out at the slightest whisper of trouble elsewhere. I don't understand it. More tourists have lost their lives in the cities just mentioned than MLE. I suspect SYD as well.

Meloz

 

[Keith009]

I have no hesitation in recommending the W Maldives, where we had 7 days of sheer bliss in ultimate style over the Easter just gone. The overwater Ocean Oasis villas are the ones to go for. Don't bother with the lagoon view - the regular overwater villas are more than adequate and felt more private though make sure you're well away from the Welcome Jetty where the seaplanes land.

Must-do: Book out Gaathafushi island all to yourselves for dinner with your very own chef and customised menu (5 mins speedboat ride away from the main resort). Oh and the W app gets you very good deals on coughtails at Sip and 15 Below.

If your resort requires a seaplane transfer like the W does, make sure you plan your flight schedules accordingly as the seaplane only operates in daylight hours (8am-4pm). Otherwise you'll have to factor in an overnight stay near the airport.

The political troubles are confined to Male, a world away from the island resorts. We were more concerned about the potential tsunami on our last day after a big earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia. You don't have to set foot on Male at all, though the Traders in Male seemed a popular choice for overnight stays. If requiring an overnight stay there's an airport hotel on the airport island (forgot what it's called); in our case we booked the Sheraton on a special rate for W guests and the necessary transit arrangements to get from the Sheraton to the W were handled seamlessly.

 

[meloz]

We were more concerned about the potential tsunami on our last day after a brief earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia.

The Maldive Islands only suffered a slight increase in water level during the tsunami due to its local underwater topograghpy. The gentle surge appeared in the morning and staff had meals areas sorted out by lunch. Another day in paradise.

Meloz