How to fly to the Maldives for FREE using Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus points
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Friends, family, and followers of Daddy Travels Now on Facebook are going to the Maldives, we’re booked at You & Me Cocoon, an all-inclusive resort. With the Travelzoo post that I shared a few weeks ago, that resulted to nearly 60 folks who will be traveling to another part of the world. Many of us will get to go as one group, while the others, due to schedule conflict, they will have to go and book their arrangements on their own. Here’s what I wrote: 56 friends, family, and followers of Daddy Travels are going to the Maldives.
There’s a big buzz surrounding the Chase Sapphire Preferred‘s all-time highest bonus offer ever of 80,000 points. So, I decided to write an entry how such sign-up bonus could get someone to fly to the Maldives for FREE.
Ways to get to the Maldives
I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to share easy ways to get to the Maldives for free using miles and points. While a few of my friends who bought tickets are savvy travel hackers (you know who you are), a big part of our travel group is new or have never entertained the thought of flying for FREE using points.
There are many ways to skin a cat. Meaning, there are other options to fly to the Maldives for free. But for those who are just beginning to learn how to get started, I’ll show you an easy way to earn points and use it for travel.
How much does it cost to fly to the Maldives in economy or coach
In the month of March, I checked Google Flights, and the lowest coach airfare is around $900 per person round trip. These are the rates coming from Los Angeles. All I did was go to Google Flights, typed in my airport (LAX), and MLE (for the airport in the Maldives), and I chose the month when I plan on traveling.
NOTE: You can also search for other months and you will see that the ticket prices fluctuate upwards – closer to $2,000 per person. But for the purposes of this blog entry, I’m using March 2021 for the search.
What are your ticket purchase options
It’s quite simple really. The picture below is a SAMPLE fare to Maldives in March 2021 (exactly 1 year before our planned trip in 2022). History tends to repeat itself, so I somehow expect the airfare pricing to the Maldives to be right around $1,000 per person (coming from Los Angeles).
- Option 1 – Pay for your tickets out of pocket (use your credit card to pay). The screenshot below shows that this ticket flying Turkish Airlines from LAX to Male will cost $928.91 per person roundtrip in coach. You can follow the link directly from Google Flights, or go directly to the airline website, or visit other travel websites such as Travelocity, Expedia, etc. and find airfares for your desired timeframe.
- Option 2 – Get this flight for FREE using points. Looking at the screenshot again, this same airfare when you use points using the Chase Travel Portal will cost you 74,312 point round trip (using your Chase Sapphire Preferred‘s Ultimate Rewards points).
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Image courtesy of Chase
How do I access the Chase Travel Portal
You have to have a Chase account to access the Travel Portal. In my case, I have credit cards with Chase that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards, these rewards or points could be used towards purchasing airline tickets, hotels, or other vacation bookings.
I want to fly for FREE but HOW?
Where will you get those points? EASY. As of Sept 2020 thru November 7, 2020, there’s an amazing 80,000 bonus offer when you apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred. The offer is subject to change.
How do you get the 80,000 bonus?
When you apply using this link –> Chase Sapphire Preferred, these are the things you will need to do before getting your bonus points:
- Meet minimum spend of $4,000 within 3 months – channel all your expenses on this card, pay your bills, insurance, utilities, etc. You have 3 months to do this, and it can be done.
- Annual Fee = $95, yes, you have to pay $95, but look! In return you could get a FREE plane ticket worth $900+ to the Maldives (or to any other destinations around the world)
Two of us are flying, how can we get TWO FREE tickets?
You and your wife/husband, partner, or friend can apply SEPARATELY for the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Each of you will get 80K bonus points each = 160K total, and apply these points toward purchasing these tickets. Just know that doing this will mean you will have to meet two separate minimum spend amounts of $4,000 each.
So does this mean that I’m paying $4,000 for my ticket?
You might think that, but I don’t think of it that way. Why? When I get a new credit card, and work on meeting a new minimum spend, I spend it on our regular typical spend. We’re not out buying new computers or big TVs, or spending frivolously. But we use our new credit card wherever we can, wherever they accept a credit card. As mentioned above, we use it when paying for our utilities, insurance, dining, and any of our daily expenses.
Our Maldives trip is in 2022, will these points expire?
According to Chase:
There is no limit to the number of points you can earn. Points don’t expire as long as your account is open.
Can we only use our points to fly to the Maldives?
No, the reason why I love using our points with Chase, these Chase Ultimate Reward points are so flexible, so versatile. I’ve used them to fly all over the US, Europe, South America, and Asia. With these points, we’ve also booked hotel accommodations, and booked condos. For an in-depth review of this credit card offer, click here.
I’m ready to apply, how do I get the 80,000 points offer?
If you’re ready to apply, click here Chase Sapphire Preferred, and you could apply directly online. Some approvals are quick, others may take a few days. But if you really want to get the 80,000 bonus points offer, the link I have is good through November 7, 2020. I suggest not waiting long. These offers are limited, and are subject to change.