Maximize Points and Miles for Your Dream Seychelles Trip

An oasis of paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this archipelago of 115 islands boasts a unique blend of white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and rich culture. It’s the perfect destination for honeymooners and adventure travelers alike, offering a wealth of activities like snorkeling amid colorful coral reefs, picturesque hikes, and exotic wildlife. Whether you’re looking to relax in a luxury resort or explore its unique landscape, the Seychelles are an excellent location to do just that.

However, traveling to the Seychelles can be expensive and arduous. Between the high-priced luxury hotels and long-haul flights, you can easily accrue thousands of dollars in travel expenses. That’s where points and miles come in – you can lower your out-of-pocket cost and travel to the Seychelles in comfort and style. Here’s how to use rewards programs to book your dream trip to this paradise:

The Cheapest Award Flights to the Seychelles for 2024

Flights from the US to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) can be expensive and take over 18 hours. If you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars flying halfway around the world in a cramped seat, there is a way to save money and even fly business class for less than the cost of coach. You can do this by leveraging travel credit cards for their welcome bonuses. This strategy allows you to stretch your travel budget further while enjoying a premium experience.

Several airlines offer flights to the Seychelles from major international hubs like Doha (DOH), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Istanbul (IST), and more. Mileage rates are also reasonable, costing only slightly more than tickets to Europe. Here’s an overview of the cheapest award flights to the Seychelles and how to accrue the necessary miles:

• All Nippon Airways Mileage Club: From 65,000 points round-trip
• American AAdvantage: From 88,000 points round-trip
• Turkish Miles&Smiles: From 90,000 miles round-trip

All Nippon Airways Mileage Plan

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club offers some of the lowest award flights to virtually anywhere in the world. They have incredibly low mileage fares to the Seychelles, with an economy class ticket costing 65,000 miles round trip, while business class costs 104,000 miles.

American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines partners with Etihad and Qatar Airways for flights to the Seychelles, ensuring a more comfortable long-haul journey. You can book a round-trip economy class ticket for 80,000 AAdvantage miles, while business class costs 150,000 AAdvantage miles. This can be a worthwhile investment considering the luxury experience.

Turkish Miles&Smiles

Turkish Miles&Smiles provides some of the lowest redemption rates on flights to the Seychelles. With Turkish miles, you can book flights to Mahe on a variety of partner airlines. Award rates are quite reasonable at 90,000 miles round-trip in economy class and 150,000 miles in business class.

Seychelles Hotels You Can Book with Points

Every major hotel chain has properties in the Seychelles where you can use points. The nightly rates at these properties can top $1,000 per night, providing excellent value for your points. Here’s a look at Seychelles hotels you can book with points across different chains:

Hilton Honors

Hilton currently has four hotels in the Seychelles, with pricing ranging from 70,000 to 110,000 points for a standard award night. Here are some popular Hilton properties:

• DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles – Allamanda Resort and Spa: From 70,000 points per night
• Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa: 90,000 points per night
• Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa: 95,000 points per night
• Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts: 110,000 points per night

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott currently has two hotels in the Seychelles. The Laïla Seychelles offers poolside deluxe rooms starting at just 50,000 points per night. Additionally, guests can enjoy the fifth night free on consecutive night bookings using points.

Activities and Ground Transportation

When budgeting for your trip, remember to consider transportation costs between Mahé Island and your resort, as well as meals, tours, and activities. These expenses can add up quickly, particularly if you’re staying in a more remote location.

Bottom Line

Traveling to the Seychelles with points and miles can be an effective way to experience this remarkable island. By understanding airline reward programs and leveraging the right credit cards, you can redeem points for various travel expenses, leaving you with extra cash to enjoy your trip even more. Plus, many travel rewards cards provide additional benefits like foreign transaction fee waivers and added travel protections.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

This article was first published Oct 26, 2023 and updated Aug 21, 2024.