How to reach the Seychelles using points and miles in 2024

This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and travel budgeting is presented in partnership with The Points Guy.

Advertiser Disclosure: This post contains references to products from one or more advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers mentioned on this page. This relationship may affect how and where links appear on this site. Not all financial companies or offers are included. All information regarding the American Express® Green Card, various Citi cards, Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Hilton Honors American Express Business Card,the World of Hyatt Credit Card, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card has been independently gathered by Dinogo Planet. These cards are not offered through Dinogo Planet.  Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be necessary for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com for more information.

An oasis of paradise nestled in the Indian Ocean, this archipelago of 115 islands features a stunning mix of white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a vibrant culture. It’s an ideal destination for both honeymooners and adventure seekers, offering a variety of activities such as snorkeling among colorful coral reefs, scenic hikes, and encounters with exotic wildlife. Whether you wish to unwind in a luxury resort or discover the island’s unique landscapes, the Seychelles is the perfect place for both pursuits. 

However, visiting the Seychelles can be costly and challenging. With expensive luxury accommodations and long-haul flights, travel expenses can easily reach thousands of dollars. This is where points and miles come into play—helping you minimize out-of-pocket costs and allowing you to travel to the Seychelles in comfort and style. Here’s how to leverage rewards programs to book your dream getaway to this paradise:

Getting started with travel points and airline miles

The most affordable award flights to the Seychelles for 2024

Flights from the US to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) can be pricey and often exceed 18 hours of travel. If you’d prefer not to spend a fortune flying across the globe in a cramped seat, there’s a way to save money and potentially fly business class for less than the cost of economy: Utilizing points and miles to reduce travel expenses. You can achieve this by taking advantage of travel credit cards and their welcome bonuses. It’s an excellent strategy to maximize your travel budget while enjoying a premium experience. 

Multiple airlines provide flights to the Seychelles from major international hubs such as Doha (DOH), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Istanbul (IST), and more. Mileage rates are quite reasonable, often only slightly higher than those for tickets to Europe. Here’s a breakdown of the most affordable award flights to the Seychelles and how to earn the required miles:

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

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All Nippon Airways Mileage Club

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club provides some of the most affordable award flights to nearly any destination worldwide. Looking to travel to Europe using points? ANA features one of the lowest business-class fares available. Is Japan on your travel wish list? ANA offers fantastic redemption rates to Tokyo. The same applies to the Seychelles: ANA provides remarkably low mileage prices. An economy class ticket is just 65,000 miles round trip, while business class costs 104,000 miles.

The business class fare is an exceptional deal and is quite comparable to what many other airlines charge for an economy class round-trip ticket to the Seychelles. However, the only way to earn ANA miles is by transferring them 1:1 from the Amex Membership Rewards program. Here are some credit cards that can help enhance your ANA balance:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership.
• American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Additionally, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide in the first 6 months, up to $100 back. Limited time offer; ends 11/6/24.
• American Express® Green Card: Earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first six months of card membership.

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American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines collaborates with Etihad and Qatar Airways for flights to the Seychelles, offering a great travel experience. Both airlines provide excellent economy and business class seating, making long-haul journeys far more enjoyable. A round-trip economy class ticket can be booked for 80,000 AAdvantage miles, while business class will set you back 150,000 miles.

Given that you can accumulate 150,000 miles through various credit card welcome bonuses, splurging on business class could be worthwhile. Additionally, American Airlines is a 1:1 transfer partner with Bilt Rewards, which is handy for quickly boosting your mileage balance.

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $7,000 in the first three months of account opening. 
• CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 within the first six months of account opening.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 in the first three months of account opening.
• Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee within the first 90 days.

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Turkish Miles & Smiles

Turkish Miles & Smiles boasts some of the most competitive redemption rates for Star Alliance flights to the Seychelles. Using Turkish miles, you can secure flights to Mahé on airlines like Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, and United, among others. Award rates are quite reasonable, at 90,000 miles for a round-trip in economy and 150,000 miles in business class.

You can transfer Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, and Citi ThankYou points to Turkish Miles & Smiles at a 1:1 ratio. A couple of credit card welcome bonuses can easily cover the miles needed for a flight:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
• Citi Premier® Card: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.

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Seychelles hotels available for booking with points

All major hotel chains feature properties in the Seychelles where points can be redeemed. Nightly rates at these hotels often exceed $1,000, making points redemption particularly valuable. With properties spread across the islands, consider which island suits your travel preferences along with transportation expenses. Due to the steep costs at the Six Senses Zil Pasyon (around 300,000+ points per night), we’re omitting IHG One from this roundup, focusing instead on hotels that are more attainable for points redemption.

Here’s an overview of Seychelles hotels that you can book with points across various hotel chains:

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Hilton Honors

Hilton currently operates four hotels in the Seychelles, with plans for two more. While Hilton no longer publishes an award chart, you can utilize the calendar feature to identify the lowest rates throughout the year. A complimentary night at one of these Hilton properties costs between 70,000 and 110,000 points for a standard award.

• DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles - Allamanda Resort and Spa - King Grand Deluxe room with ocean view (starting at 70,000 points per night)
• Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa - King Garden Villa (90,000 points per night)
• Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa - King Sunset Villa (95,000 points per night)
• Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts - King Deluxe Room (110,000 points per night)

As a Hilton Silver elite member or higher, you’ll receive the fifth night free on point bookings. Booking consecutive nights is an effective way to conserve points, and you can achieve this status with the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors Credit Card. Alternatively, you can redeem an annual free night award from a Hilton credit card at one of these hotels.

How to accumulate Hilton points

Earning enough Hilton points for a stay in the Seychelles is relatively straightforward. American Express Membership Rewards transfers to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio. However, it may be more beneficial to save those points for flights and earn Hilton points through a co-branded credit card:

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card*: Earn 150,000 bonus Hilton Honors points after spending $6,000 within the first six months of card membership.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on the card in the first six months. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
• Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card*: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on the card in the first six months. Offer ends 1/8/2025.

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Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott has two hotels in the Seychelles, but only one can be booked using points. Laïla Seychelles offers deluxe rooms by the pool starting at 50,000 points per night. This charming boutique resort is located in Anse Royale (King’s Bay) and features 84 rooms, creating a private island escape atmosphere.

For an authentic private island experience, consider North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort. This property boasts eleven villas and offers unparalleled exclusivity. While North Island joined the Marriott Bonvoy program years ago, award availability is very limited. Reports suggest that rooms can exceed 300,000 Marriott points per night, with no availability showing on the Marriott calendar through next year.

No matter which Marriott property you choose in the Seychelles, all Bonvoy members enjoy a complimentary fifth night when booking consecutive nights with points.

How to accumulate Marriott points

Marriott points are quite easy to earn, thanks to 1:1 transfer partnerships with Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. Additionally, Marriott offers six co-branded credit cards that provide generous welcome bonuses, which can be used for free nights.

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express Card®: Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after making $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card: Get 85,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card*: Receive 5 Free Night Awards, each valued at up to 50K points, for eligible stays after using your card for $8,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. Offer ends 10/16.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of account opening with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Earn 60,000 Bonus Points plus 1 Free Night Award after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. The Free Night is valued at 50,000 points. Note that some hotels may charge resort fees.

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World of Hyatt

The L'Escale Resort Marina & Spa stands as the sole Hyatt hotel in the Seychelles, featuring mountain view rooms available from just 35,000 points per night. This is a fantastic deal compared to other hotel chains, especially since this waterfront haven boasts luxurious amenities in a serene setting ideal for both relaxation and adventure.

How to earn Hyatt points

You can accumulate points for your stay at the L'Escale Resort Marina & Spa by transferring them 1:1 from Bilt Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you need more points, consider earning them through one of these Hyatt credit cards:

• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Receive 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in your first 3 months from account opening. Additionally, earn up to 30,000 more Bonus Points by accumulating 2 Bonus Points for every $1 spent in the first 6 months on purchases that typically earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening, plus an additional 15,000 Bonus Points after spending $12,000 in the first 6 months.

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Activities and ground transportation

When planning your budget using points and miles, don’t forget to include additional expenses. You’ll need to consider transportation from Mahé Island (where you arrive) to your resort, as well as the costs of meals, tours, and activities. These can quickly add up, especially at more isolated resorts, which often charge higher prices due to their captive audience.

You can use points to cover many of these costs by charging them to your credit card. For instance, both the Capital One Venture and Capital One Venture X cards allow you to redeem one cent per mile towards any travel-related purchase. Make sure to charge your meals and activities to the hotel and use your card at checkout to classify them as qualifying travel expenses.

With a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can book tours and activities via the Chase Travel℠ portal and redeem points at a fixed rate. Cardholders of the Sapphire Preferred can redeem points for 1.25 cents each, while Sapphire Reserve points are valued at 1.5 cents each.

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Final thoughts

Using points and miles to travel to the Seychelles is a smart way to enjoy this tropical paradise. By mastering airline loyalty programs and choosing the right credit cards, you can cover most travel costs with your points, leaving you extra cash to spend. Plus, the travel rewards cards mentioned above help eliminate foreign transaction fees and offer additional travel protections. It's a win-win situation!

*Terms apply to benefits and offers from American Express. Enrollment may be necessary for certain benefits. For more information, visit americanexpress.com.

Editorial disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel brand, and have not been reviewed or endorsed by these entities.