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Food and Activities No Longer Included for Al Maha Award Bookings

Dec. 26, 2018
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3 min read
al maha resort Dubai
Food and Activities No Longer Included for Al Maha Award Bookings
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Using points and miles to book an all-inclusive stay can help you save big — especially at resorts where food and drink would otherwise set you back hundreds of dollars. TPG did this himself at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, enjoying not only food but two complimentary activities per day during his award stay.

Unfortunately, though, it appears award bookings at Al Maha no longer include food and activities. If you complete a search for an award stay at this Category 7 property in the combined Marriott/Starwood program, you'll find a line in the rate details that notes "meals, activities and other activities are to be paid directly at the property."

Bookings made with cash still show meals included, but with rates approaching $2,000 per night, that's hardly an easy sell.

This is, to say the least, a huge bummer. Previously, booking an Al Maha award stay could get you tremendous value. The activities previously included in award stays cost 250 AED (~$68) per person, and there are some great options like falconry, a camel trek and a sundowners tour. But the loss of complimentary meals is a much harder pill to swallow, since you have to eat during your stay; you don't exactly have tons of other options nearby; and prices on the property aren't cheap. Award stays previously included room-service orders, so even if you were feeling lazy you could eat for free.

Breakfast starts at 160 AED per person ($43), while dinner can easily top 515 AED ($140) per person. With three meals, alcoholic drinks and activities each day, you could spend well over $500 per day as a party of two even if you book an award stay.

This change should only apply to new reservations, not existing ones, and you can still book rooms at this property for 60,000 points per night. Although the suites come with luxe amenities like a private pool, incredible desert views and gorgeous interior decorating, you'll now have to weigh whether it's worth the points plus the cash you'll part with to enjoy on-property dining and activities during your stay.

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There are several other resorts around the world where families and couples can redeem even fewer points per night for an all-inclusive experience, and while they might not match Al Maha in terms of luxury and uniqueness, they could be worth a look if you're trying to spend as little cash as possible on your next award trip.

TPG contacted Marriott for more details but did not hear back in time for publication.

H/T: One Mile at a Time

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.