Disclosure: Basic Travel Couple, LLC has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Basic Travel Couple, LLC and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
It doesn’t get more picturesque than a Maldivian overwater bungalow. Imagine waking up in paradise and walking down a private set of stairs into the ocean. This aspirational experience is certainly on many basic traveler’s bucket lists. Despite the high sticker price, there are money saving strategies. In this basic guide, learn how to book an overwater bungalow at the Conrad Maldives for cheap!
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The Resort
Conrad Maldives is located on Rangali Island which is a short 30-minute seaplane transfer away from Male International Airport (MAL). Spread throughout the Conrad Maldives are both beach and water villas. The most premium room is called the Muraka which includes a bedroom completely submerged underwater. For dining, there are a variety of restaurants to choose from including the famous underwater ITHAA restaurant. To top off the serenity meter, enjoy a massage overlooking the Indian ocean!
Cost of an Overwater Bungalow
A night in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives is expensive – but it doesn’t have to be. To get an idea of the cost, the overwater bungalow at the Conrad Maldives ranges from $700 to $4,400 per night. The price is lowest during the low/shoulder season which runs from May 12th through September 30th. In order to save more money, the Hilton Honors program is important to understand.
Saving Money with Hilton Honors
The Hilton Honors program offers tremendous value to its members. Hilton Honors points can be earned from paid stays, spending money on a co-branded credit card, and even on Lyft Rides. Additionally, Amex Membership Rewards points can be transferred to the Hilton Honors program at a 1:2 ratio. After earning points, it’s easy to combine them between friends and family through Hilton’s points pool program. By combining points, the premium award bookings can become more feasible!
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How to book an Overwater Bungalow at the Conrad Maldives for Cheap
Book with points
The first strategy is to use Hilton Honors points for booking the Overwater Bungalow. Start by searching in the Hilton hotel search and selecting the “use points” toggle.
If no water villas appear that means they are not available for award bookings. It helps to book far out in advance for the Conrad Overwater Bungalows or use flexible dates. Eventually, the standard award rate will appear at 95,000 Hilton Honors Points per night.
Select “Book Reservation” and place a safety deposit on a credit card. By using points to book the night(s), there are no taxes or resort fees levied!
The Best Value (4 + 1)
To receive the best value for a Hilton Honors points redemption at the Conrad Maldives is to book five nights. Thanks to the “4 + 1” Hilton Honors perk, the 5th night is free when using points to book the first four. This perk will lower the overall number of points needed for five nights from 450,000 down to 380,000 points. Saving 20% of the points results is a tremendous discount and value!
Book with Award Night Certificates
There are a number of co-branded Hilton credit cards that offer annual free weekend night certificates. The certificates can be used to book one standard night on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Most Hilton properties worldwide are eligible for these certificates including the Conrad Maldives. To book, follow the same steps from above to find availability. Notate the dates and then call the Hilton Honors Reservation number (1-800-445-8667).
If you have more then one certificate you can book each weekend night that shows availability. This is a good opportunity to combine certificates with a friend or spouse to book the Conrad Maldives overwater bungalow for FREE!
Amex Hilton Honors Credit Cards that offer Weekend Certificates
| Credit Card | Free Weekend Certificate 1 | Free Weekend Certificate 2 |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | One Weekend free night after $15K spend | No Second Free Night Available |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | One Annual Weekend free night included in Annual Fee | One weekend free night after $60K spend |
| The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card | One Weekend free night after $15K spend | One weekend free night after $60K spend |
Book with Hilton Honors Points + Cash
An alternative option to book the Overwater Bungalow at the Conrad Maldives is to use the Hilton Honors “Points + Cash” feature. Basically, Hilton allows you the option to mix points and cash within one booking by using a sliding scale. This is a great option for folks who are shy of the required amount of points for the number of days they would like to stay.
It’s important to note that the only way to qualify for the “4+1” option discussed above is to use all points for the first four nights. The points + cash option will not activate the 5th-night free perk.
American Express Hilton Honors Credit Card Options
AMEX Hilton Honors Credit Card
Earn 80,000 bonus miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Terms Apply. Learn More Here.
AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass Credit Card
Earn 130,000 bonus miles once you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Terms apply. Learn More Here.
Hilton Honors Aspire AMEX Credit Card
Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Terms Apply. Learn More Here.
Hilton Honors American Express Business Credit Card
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Points once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Terms Apply. Learn More Here.
Basic Breakdown
There are a handful of strategies to cut costs on staying in an overwater bungalow at the Conrad Maldives. Using the Hilton Honors program will provide the best value but there are others. For cash bookings, it’s important to review the cashback portals in order to get the best rate. Another option to cut costs would be to use a travel eraser card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. I hope this guide helped to turn a bucket-list item for many into a more practical vacation option!
Have you booked an overwater bungalow at the Conrad Maldives? How did you do it? I’d love to hear from you down in the comments or over in the 4,000 + Member Basic Travel Facebook Group!
More Basic Reading
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- How I saved $2,570 on travel for the Bills game in Las Vegas!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn a 100,000 welcome bonus once you spend $20,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. You can earn 50,000 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. You will then have 12 months to spend the remaining $17,000.
Basic Thoughts: We love these Venture Miles as they are incredibly easy to use and redeem. You also always earn an unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day.
Learn More Here.
Disclosure: Basic Travel Couple, LLC has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Basic Travel Couple, LLC and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
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