May 9, 2025
Reader Success Story to the Maldives and Dubai
Pam
Here is a truly glamorous example of a credit card points-and-miles redemption: a reader success story to the Maldives and Dubai! Rachel’s redemption is certainly aspirational.
Rachel’s Story on Earning Credit Card Points and Miles
My husband and I just returned from a two-week dream trip to the Maldives and Dubai. This was my first international trip, which was planned entirely with points. We would never have been able to make this happen so quickly if it had not been for Travel Mom Squad and learning about credit card points and miles. I also have to give a special shout-out to Point.me, where I was able to find all the flights!
To make it happen, my husband and I worked on accumulating Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Marriott points over the course of about a year. We each opened a card_name, multiple Chase business cards, and a Marriott credit card that had a welcome offer of five free nights.
Finding Flights to the Maldives
I started looking for flights about 12 months in advance. I knew I wanted to fly business class. We were planning on flying out of Miami to Malé (the main airport in the Maldives).
I found the perfect Emirates flight, which was to be booked via Air Canada, but by the time my points arrived in my account, the flight was gone! I had a moment of panic, but I was determined to make this trip happen.
Luckily, I was able to find a similar flight from Chicago, so I jumped on it! We used about 70K Ultimate Rewards® per person, booked via Air Canada, to fly Emirates Business Class from Chicago to Malé. [Such a good redemption and great job pivoting where to fly from! —Pam]
To get to Chicago, we paid cash for a cheap positioning flight from Miami to Chicago. Let me say that Emirates Business class has RUINED me. It was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had on an airline, and I don’t think I can ever return to economy class.
Flying Emirates business class has ruined Rachel! 😜
Getting to Malé
We had to take a seaplane from Malé to our resort, which, unfortunately, was cash-only at $520 per person for the round trip. We spent a wonderful week at Le Méridien Maldives in an overwater bungalow, booked with Marriott free-night certificates and topped off with points. (Shout out to Travel Mom Squad for talking about this gem in the past!)
Seaplanes are a necessary expense when you visit the Maldives.
The seaplane transfer to the island and the meal plan at the resort were not cheap, but knowing how little I paid to get there made the price much easier to handle.
Marriott Le Méridien Maldives
At the Marriott Le Méridien Maldives, we went scuba diving and paddle boarding, took a tour of the hydroponic garden, and just relaxed on the pristine beaches. Even at full capacity, the resort did not feel crowded. But I recommend making dinner reservations if you want to eat at one of the specialty restaurants.
#DestinationUnlocked with credit card points and miles!
Part Two: Dubai on Points
After a relaxing week of lounging on the beach, we headed for an adventure in Dubai! We paid cash for a cheap flight from Malé to Dubai. We stayed at the Habtoor Grand Resort in Dubai, booked with Marriott free-night certificates. The rooms were okay, but the location and outdoor resort area were nice. The hotel had about eight different restaurants from which we could choose.
We booked a tour on our first full day in Dubai, including stops at a spice market and the Burj Khalifa. It was a good way to start our time in Dubai and help us get a lay of the land. We could also tour the desert, ride a dune buggy through the sand, and have a traditional BBQ.
Dubai Spice Market
Not quite as comfortable of a ride as Emirates business class
Flights Home
We booked business-class flights from Dubai to Miami on Air France to return home. The flights were about 70K points per person. Air France business class pales in comparison to Emirates, but it was still way more comfortable than being in economy!
Overall, the cash value of the business-class flights, positioning flights, seaplane transfer, and hotels was over $35,000. Out of pocket, we paid about $2,000 (but this does not include food or activities). Here’s to planning my next dream trip! Thanks, Travel Mom Squad!
Wow, Rachel! What an amazing redemption! $2,000 for $35,000 worth of travel is incredible—we are so excited that you could make this happen! Your reader success story to the Maldives and Dubai is aspirational!
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