Your Maldives Resort Transfer Could Get Cheaper Thanks to This New Airline
If the Maldives are on your bucket list, there's a new airline to help you island hop.
Manta Air opened for business this week after securing its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Maldivian Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA) and the hope is that a little competition will bring down the prices for that "last hop" to paradise.
For now, the airline has two ATR72-600 aircraft leased from Nordic Aviation Capital, flying between Malé (MLE) and Kudahuvadhoo (DDD) four times a day. Soon, it will take delivery of two DHC-6-300 seaplanes, and it hopes to expand its route network to include Dharavandhoo (DRV) in Baa Atoll and Thimarafushi (TMF) in Thaa Atoll.
AvGeeks will appreciate that Manta Air has tweaked the cabin layout in its ATR72-600s to give passengers extra legroom. Passengers can book two classes of travel. Comfort offers 32 inches of legroom, while Sapphire offers a seat pitch of 36 inches.
The Maldives tops the list of aspirational locales for many travelers, and for good reason. Resorts like Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Maldives Itaafushi offer otherworldly experiences that are worth the effort when it comes to pooling points and miles to book a stay.
One potential problem in paradise is the transfer. Most Maldivian resorts require another hop after you've arrived at Velana International Airport (MLE), the primary international gateway to the archipelago. These transfers can cost upwards of $500 to $1,000 per person on a round-trip basis, and outside of creative solutions such as Capital One's Purchase Eraser, there's no tried-and-true way to avoid that cost.
Manta Air's website is pricing round-trip jaunts between Malé (MLE) and Kudahuvadhoo (DDD) at around $390 per person. The hope is that another airline joining Flyme, Maldivian and Trans Maldivian Airways will create competition and pricing pressure to bring down the exorbitant last-hop cost when visiting one of the most spectacular destinations on Earth.
Be sure to check out our guide covering the best ways to get to the Maldives on points and miles.
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| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
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Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended 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.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month