Fly to a reopened Morocco this fall for just 44,000 miles each way in business class
Morocco restarted international flights and opened its borders to tourism from many countries on June 15, 2021. This includes the U.S., which is on the country's "List A." Those coming from countries on this list can enter Morocco with a negative PCR test administered within 48 hours of the date of entry or proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Many businesses have reopened in Morocco, but there is still an 11 pm to 4:30 am curfew in effect. We're hopeful that these restrictions will be eased over time. Regardless, you can now return to Morocco to experience its amazing food and cultural sights.
Royal Air Maroc is again flying to its Casablanca (CMN) hub from New York-JFK and Washington-Dulles (IAD). We're finding plenty of open award space on both routes in business class this fall and winter.
You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou points to Royal Air Maroc partner Etihad Guest and book tickets for just 44,000 points each way in business class. This is far cheaper than booking with other partners like American AAdvantage or British Airways Avios.
Let's take a closer look at the award space and how to book.
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The deal
Airline: Royal Air Maroc
Routes: New York-JFK, Washington-Dulles (IAD) to Casablanca (CMN)
Cost: From 88,000 Amex, Capital One or Citi points round-trip (transferred to Etihad Guest)
Dates: September through December 2021
How to book: Find award space with your favorite Oneworld search tool and call Etihad Guest to book
Pay Taxes/Fees With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or with American Express Travel; on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel) for travel protections on the award flight.
Related: To Morocco, in style: A review of Royal Air Maroc’s 787-9 in business from NYC to Casablanca
IS it worth it?
Business-class flights to Morocco are never cheap, and this fall is no exception. Nonstop flights from New York-JFK to Casablanca (CMN) start at just over $3,800 round-trip for the bulk of the fall schedule and get higher close to New Year's Eve.
You can book the same flights for just 88,000 Etihad miles and moderate taxes and fees (~$300) round-trip. This gives you over 4 cents per point in value which is excellent for any major transferable points currency.
That said, a country’s reopening plans can change at the last minute. Keep an eye on the U.S. Embassy in Morocco's website for up-to-date entry information and make sure you fully understand the change and cancellation policy of the loyalty program you book.
Related: 9 mistakes travelers often make in Morocco
Open Royal Air Maroc award space to Casablanca
Here's a look at open award space to Casablanca from Royal Air Maroc's gateways in New York and Washington D.C.:
New York-JFK to/from Casablanca (CMN)
Outbound:
- September: 1, 3, 7-9, 21, 27 and 28
- October: 3, 8, 11-12 and 31
- November: 4, 9-10, 13-14, 16-17, 19 and 27
- December: None
Inbound:
- September: 1, 3, 7-10, 16, 21-23, 25, 27 and 29
- October: 5, 7, 12 and 27
- November: 2-3, 5, 16, 18-19, 21, 24-28 and 30
- December: 1-2, 7-8, 10-19, 20-26 and 28
Washington-Dulles (IAD) to/from Casablanca (CMN)
Outbound:
- September: 4-6, 12, 15, 19, 24 and 26
- October: 6, 17, 20, 22, 24 and 31
- November: 3, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26 and 28
- December: 3, 5, 10, 29 and 31
Inbound:
- September: 3-6, 10, 15, 17, 22 and 24
- October: 1, 6, 22 and 29
- November: 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 24, 26 and 28
- December: 3, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26 and 31
Related: A first-timer’s travel guide to Morocco
Boosting your Membership Rewards balance
You can earn American Express Membership Rewards points by spending on an Amex card. Here’s a look at some of my favorite Amex cards and their current welcome offers. Each card has its own set of benefits and fees, so do your own research to find a good fit for you.
- American Express® Green Card: Earn 45,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Earn 3x points on dining at restaurants, travel and transit (including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services), 1x points on all other purchases ($150 annual fee; see rates and fees).
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of account opening. Earn 4x points on dining at restaurants; 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x points); 3x points on airfare purchased directly from airlines or American Express Travel; 1x points on all other purchases, ($250 annual fee; see rates and fees).
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Earn 5x points on airfare purchased directly from airlines or with American Express Travel (earn 5x points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), 5x on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts; 1x on all other purchases, ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees).
The information for the Amex Green card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Move over Sapphire: Why I almost always go for Membership Rewards instead of Ultimate Rewards
Bottom line
Morocco is an incredible country, and it's great to see it reopen to American tourists. If you're interested in traveling to the North African country this year, consider booking your tickets now before award space is booked up.
Feature photo by ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here
For rates and fees of the Amex Green Card, click here
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees