Waldorf Astoria Maldives award space currently open at the old rates

If you've recently been unsuccessfully searching for award space at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives, we've got fantastic news: Hilton has opened up standard award space at the resort starting near-term and running through the end of the calendar. While there are scattered dates available in most months, there are noticeable clusters to be found between Feb. and May 2022, as first reported by View From the Wing.

A few weeks ago, we reported that award rates at this property were increasing from 120,000 to 150,000 Hilton Honors points per night for a standard room. The good news is that while the rates on some dates have gone up, you can still find some award space at the old rates.

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While searching for availability last night, I was able to find several two-night stays in June for 120,000 Hilton points per night. You might find similar deals by searching in one to two-night increments, but keep in mind that Hilton elites also get the fifth night free.

Both the 120,000-point rate and the fifth-night free amount to a 20% discount on award nights. In the ideal scenario, you'd book a five-night award stay at the 120,000 point rate, plus the fifth night free on a five-night booking. However, finding five award nights in a row at the lowest available rate may or may not be possible even with this increase in availability.

As you can see, the lower standard award room rate isn't always available for multiple days in a row, so you may still need to book a mix of awards and paid stays and keep an eye on those paid stays to see if a reasonably priced award becomes available.

Related: 8 ways to maximize your Hilton redemptions

And keep in mind that a standard room redemption at this resort is really anything but standard. For example, this villa that pricing as low as 120,000 points comes in at over 3,000 square feet with two queen beds, its own infinity pool and direct ocean access.

Bottom line

If you've been stocking up on Hilton points thanks to the current welcome bonus on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership. TPG values Hilton points at 0.6 cents each, but you can often get two cents or more when redeeming the points at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives. Just remember that even if you use points you'll still be on the hook for expenses such as the $650 per adult 40-minute yacht ride from the Velana International Airport.

With standard room availability being more widespread than normal, this might also be a great opportunity to redeem your Hilton free night certificate from the Hilton credit cards. The expiration dates on these certificates have been extended and they're now valid any night, not just on weekends.

• Any certificate issued prior to May 1, 2020, is valid through Aug. 31, 2021
• Any certificate issued between May 1 and Dec. 31, 2020, is valid for 24 months from the date of issuance
• All newly issued Free Weekend Night Reward certificates will be valid through Dec. 31, 2022.

If the Maldives is on your bucket list, the Waldorf Astoria is a great property to redeem your Hilton points. While the transfer fees are steep, it can be worthwhile for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. And considering the standard room is a partially over-water Reef Villa, you're getting more than just a typical hotel room.