The Best Ways To Fly to Seychelles With Points and Miles

Seychelles is an African destination that ranks high on the exotic beach scale. Similar to Bora Bora and the Maldives, Seychelles is a remote place offering secluded beaches and incredible views.

Located in the Indian Ocean off of the coast of East Africa, Seychelles is known for its beaches, reefs, and rainforests. Its main airport is in Mahé (SEZ), which is where all international flights fly into.

In this guide, we’ll show you how best to use your points and miles to fly from the U.S. to Seychelles!

Best Programs To Use To Book Flights

Seychelles does not have any nonstop flights to or from the U.S., which is one of the main reasons why American travelers may look elsewhere for their beach fix.

But if you’re planning a honeymoon, crave exotic beach spots, or just want to get away from hordes of tourists, this is one of the best spots to do so.

As is the case when booking most long-haul flights, it’s best to search for award availability far in advance to increase your chances of booking the flights that you want.

What you may have not realized is that Seychelles is serviced by all of the major airline alliances in Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam, as well as nonalliance airline partners like Emirates.

As we dive into the article, keep in mind that all award pricing shown is one-way unless otherwise specified (ANA only allows round-trips).

Here are all of the major airlines that operate 1-stop flights from the U.S. to Mahé (SEZ):

Aeroflot via Moscow (SVO)

Air France via Paris (CDG)

EL AL via Tel Aviv (TLV)

Emirates via Dubai (DXB)

Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (ADD)

Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi (AUH)

Kenya Airways via Nairobi (NBO)

Qatar Airways via Doha (DOH)

SWISS Air and Edelweiss Air via Zurich (ZRH)

Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST)

There are plenty of routes you can fly to Seychelles, and even more frequent flyer programs you can use. So to avoid completely overwhelming yourself, stick to the frequent flyer programs outlined in the next sections to get the best prices and experiences.

Emirates Skywards

Our top method to fly to Seychelles with points and miles is, undoubtedly, the most glamorous option available.

Emirates first class is world-famous for its opulence, including showers aboard its A380 aircraft, seemingly unlimited food, a phenomenal wine selection, fantastic service, and so much more.

In the case of Seychelles, Emirates first class is literally the only airline that operates first class itineraries the whole way from the U.S. to Seychelles (via Dubai).

So if you find yourself sitting on a ton of points, want the best luxury experience, and have an appreciation for 100% first class tickets, this will be the best option.

When you book first class award tickets using Emirates miles, you can add a complimentary stopover in Dubai for no additional cost, thanks to the Flex Plus fare type you’re booking.

You’ll spend around $300 in taxes and fees one-way, a relative steal compared to the $10,000+ in cash prices. Here are some phenomenal routes you can book using points:

• Houston (IAH) – Dubai (DXB) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Emirates first class for 168,750 Skywards miles + ~$320 in taxes and fees
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Dubai (DXB) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Emirates first class for 168,750 Skywards miles + ~$320 in taxes and fees
• New York (JFK) – Dubai (DXB) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Emirates first class for 160,000 Skywards miles + ~$320 in taxes and fees
• San Francisco (SFO) – Dubai (DXB) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Emirates first class for 168,750 Skywards miles + ~$320 in taxes and fees
• Seattle (SEA) – Dubai (DXB) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Emirates first class for 168,750 Skywards miles + ~$320 in taxes and fees
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Dubai (DXB) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Emirates first class for 160,000 Skywards miles + ~$320 in taxes and fees

Follow these directions to book your Emirates first class flight online:

1. Visit Emirates’ website.
2. Toggle the box on the homepage’s search box that says Classic rewards.
3. Enter your flight information, and click Search flights.
4. After finding an available flight, redeem your Skywards miles and a credit card to pay for taxes and fees.

Earning Emirates Skywards Miles

Emirates miles can be earned multiple ways since the program is a Chase transfer partner, American Express transfer partner, Citi transfer partner, Brex transfer partner, Capital One transfer partner, and Marriott transfer partner.

As you can tell, it’s easier than ever to earn Emirates miles.

Emirates is 1:1 transfer partners with Chase, Amex, Brex, Capital One, and Citi. All of these partners process transfers instantly.

Marriott Bonvoy is 3:1 transfer partners with Emirates, and transfers take 3 business days. Plus, if you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to Emirates, you’ll get a bonus of 5,000 miles.

Recommended Chase Cards

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A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Chase Ultimate Rewards

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Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.24% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel^SM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel^SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Chase Ultimate Rewards

ANA Mileage Club

A Star Alliance airline program to keep your eye on is the ANA Mileage Club program. This program is known for having a competitive award chart when booking its own and partner airline flights.

The main drawbacks with ANA are that partner award flights must be booked round-trip and its search engine isn’t the easiest to navigate.

ANA considers the Seychelles part of its Africa and the Middle East region, joining the likes of South Africa, Mauritius, Jordan, and Lebanon, among others.

When you’ve built up enough points and miles to book a flight, here are a couple of options to consider:

• Chicago (ORD) – Istanbul (IST) – Mahé (SEZ) for 104,000 ANA miles in Turkish Airlines business class
• Denver (DEN) – Istanbul (IST) – Mahé (SEZ) for 104,000 ANA miles in Turkish Airlines business class
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Istanbul (IST) – Mahé (SEZ) for 104,000 ANA miles in Turkish Airlines business class
• Miami (MIA) – Istanbul (IST) – Mahé (SEZ) for 104,000 ANA miles in Turkish Airlines business class
• San Francisco (SFO) – Istanbul (IST) – Mahé (SEZ) for 104,000 ANA miles in Turkish Airlines business class
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Istanbul (IST) – Mahé (SEZ) for 64,000 ANA miles in Turkish Airlines economy class

With the ANA miles in your account, it’s helpful to follow these steps when you going through the booking process:

1. Go to the United website.
2. Search for your routing, dates of travel, cabin class, and the number of passengers.
3. Confirm the same availability on the ANA website.
4. Book the flight, and pay the taxes and fees with a credit card.

Earning ANA Miles

ANA doesn’t offer a co-branded credit card, so the best way to earn ANA miles is to transfer them since they are an Amex transfer partner and a Marriott transfer partner.

When you have enough points to book one of these award flights, transferring from Amex to ANA takes 2 to 3 days at a 1:1 ratio and the Marriott to ANA point transfer takes 4 days at a 3:1 ratio (you’ll get a 5,000-mile bonus when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points).

If you’re looking for recommendations on American Express credit cards, here are the ones we recommend:

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,760

Annual Fee

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Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

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Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

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Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel^® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel^®.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• With American Express Global Lounge Collection^® eligible Card Members can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion^® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club^® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express^® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
• A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Use the dedicated CLEAR Lane to confirm your identity without taking out your passport or ID – this can mean shorter lines, less waiting. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card^®.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
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• $695 annual fee.¤
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

BEST FOR DINING

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American Express^® Gold Card

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• 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 at 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.
• $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.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Bottom Line: ANA has the most competitive award pricing; however, Aeroplan and United allow you to book one-way Star Alliance award flights while ANA is less flexible with its round-trip requirement.

United MileagePlus

One of the least-known secrets of the United MileagePlus program is the ability to book Edelweiss Air and SWISS Air award flights on the same itinerary.

Admittedly, this is a bit niche, but if you love SWISS Air and want to fly to Seychelles, one of the only ways to book a single itinerary is with United miles; Aeroplan and Avianca don’t partner with Edelweiss!

Here’s how much it will cost (relatively similar to the 78,000 LifeMiles charged by Avianca in business class):

If you’re wanting to use your United miles, below are a couple of example flights that you can book:

• Chicago (ORD) – Zurich (ZRH) – Mahé (SEZ) for 80,500 United miles in SWISS Air and Edelweiss business class
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Zurich (ZRH) – Mahé (SEZ) for 44,000 United miles in SWISS Air and Edelweiss economy class
• San Francisco (SFO) – Zurich (ZRH) – Mahé (SEZ) for 80,500 United miles in SWISS Air and Edelweiss business class
• Tampa (TPA) – Zurich (ZRH) – Mahé (SEZ) for 80,500 United miles in Edelweiss business class

When the time comes to book your next flight with United, use the steps below:

1. Go to United’s website.
2. On the homepage, check off the box that says Book with miles. Fill in the search details. Click Find flights.
3. Log into your United MileagePlus account.
4. Select your flights and reserve them by paying with United miles and any taxes with your credit card.

Hot Tip: If you’re wanting to book a SWISS Air business class flight and are struggling with connecting your itinerary to Seychelles, use the United MileagePlus program to be able to fly on Edelweiss Air onwards from Zurich to Seychelles! 

Earning United MileagePlus Miles

United is both a Chase transfer partner and a Marriott transfer partner. The points that you earn in each of these programs can be transferred directly to United MileagePlus to book an award flight.

Points transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio for Chase. It’ll take around 3 business days for your Marriott Bonvoy points to transfer at a 3:1 ratio; and if you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you’ll receive a 5,500-mile bonus.

You’ll want to consider the United co-branded credit cards if you’re looking to earn United miles directly:

One additional way to earn more United miles is to buy them when a bonus is offered (up to 100%).

Air Canada Aeroplan

The Air Canada Aeroplan program is best known for the ability to maximize open-jaws and stopovers and should be on the radar for those looking to fly Star Alliance partner airline flights.

Also, Aeroplan has a handy partnership with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways that could be instrumental in helping you plan a vacation to Seychelles. That’s because Etihad Airways has a solid business class product, and you can even book Etihad Airways first class from select U.S. cities using Aeroplan points!

Currently, Air Canada Aeroplan uses a distance-based award chart for flights between the U.S. and the Atlantic region (which includes Seychelles):

If you’re ready to book a flight, below are a couple of example flights that can be booked with Aeroplan points:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Istanbul (IST) – Mahé (SEZ) for 70,000 Aeroplan points one-way in Turkish Airlines economy class (add 5,000 points for a stopover in Istanbul)
• Chicago (ORD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Mahé (SEZ) for 100,000 Aeroplan points one-way in Etihad Airways business class (add 5,000 points for a stopover in Abu Dhabi)
• Chicago (ORD) – Addis Ababa (ADD) – Mahé (SEZ) for 70,000 Aeroplan points one-way in Ethiopian Airlines economy class (add 5,000 points for a stopover in Addis Ababa)
• Houston (IAH) – Istanbul (IST) – Mahé (SEZ) for 100,000 Aeroplan points one-way in Turkish Airlines business class (add 5,000 points for a stopover in Istanbul)
• New York (JFK) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Mahé (SEZ) for 130,000 Aeroplan points one-way in Etihad Airways first class and business class (add 5,000 points for a stopover in Abu Dhabi)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Mahé (SEZ) for 130,000 Aeroplan points one-way in Etihad Airways first class and business class (add 5,000 points for a stopover in Abu Dhabi)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Addis Ababa (ADD) – Mahé (SEZ) for 100,000 Aeroplan points one-way in Ethiopian Airlines business class (add 5,000 points for a stopover in Addis Ababa)

With Aeroplan points, you’ll want to focus your efforts on booking Ethiopian through Addis Ababa (ADD), Turkish Airlines through Istanbul (IST), or Etihad Airways through Abu Dhabi (AUH).

When you have enough Aeroplan points in your account, the steps below will help you to book your next award flight:

1. Go to the Aeroplan homepage.
2. Enter your travel dates, origin and destination airports, number of travelers, and desired class of booking.
3. Book the flight on the website and pay the taxes and fees with a credit card.

Earning Aeroplan Points

It’s easy to earn Aeroplan points because the airline partners with Chase, American Express, Capital One, and Marriott Bonvoy.

You can also opt to acquire the co-branded Chase Aeroplan^® Credit Card, which earns 3x points per dollar spent on dining, groceries, and Air Canada, as well as 1x point per $1 spent everywhere else.

For those of you looking to transfer points from Amex, Chase, Capital One, and/or Marriott Bonvoy to Aeroplan, keep these transfer ratios and transfer times in mind: Amex, Capital One, and Chase points transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio and Marriott Bonvoy point transfers take 5 days at a 3:1 ratio.

To earn more Capital One miles, here are some of the personal cards that we recommend:

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

American Airlines AAdvantage

The first Oneworld member on our list is American Airlines. The AAdvantage program has been gutted over the years of many of its sweet spots, however, you may be able to find value when booking its partner airline flights (such as Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways) to the Middle East.

For flights to Seychelles, American Airlines considers Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Seychelles, South Africa, and Tanzania among those in its Africa region.

Here are a couple of flight options to consider if you have the necessary American Airlines miles to book a flight:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 75,000 American Airlines miles in Qatar Airways Qsuites
• Boston (BOS) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 40,000 American Airlines miles in Qatar Airways economy class
• Chicago (ORD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 40,000 American miles in Etihad Airways economy class
• New York (JFK) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 75,000 American Airlines miles in Etihad Airways business class
• Philadelphia (PHL) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 75,000 American Airlines miles in Qatar Airways Qsuites
• Seattle (SEA) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 75,000 American Airlines miles in Qatar Airways Qsuites
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 75,000 American miles in Etihad Airways business class

You’ll want to follow the steps below to a flight with American miles:

1. Head to the American Airlines website.
2. Search for your routing, dates of travel, cabin class, and the number of passengers.
3. Book the flight and pay the taxes and fees with a credit card.

Earning American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

It’s easy to earn American Airlines miles due to the number of co-branded American Airlines credit cards that are available and its partnership with Marriott Bonvoy.

The easiest way to earn miles is by putting your spending on an American Airlines credit card. A second way to earn American miles is to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, and then transfer those points to American Airlines.

For those looking to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines, the point transfer takes 2 days at a 3:1 ratio.

We provide an in-depth analysis of the various Marriott credit cards available.

Bottom Line: Delta and United have now moved their award programs to dynamic award pricing. Both American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have kept award charts, however, based on some award pricing we’re seeing on the American Airlines website, dynamic award pricing seems eminent.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Our second Oneworld program to use to book flights to Seychelles is Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, known for its ability to book Qatar Airways Qsuites flights at reasonable mileage prices.

However, keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for hefty fuel surcharges of $450 to $550 each way.

The Cathay Pacific Asia Miles program doesn’t have an award chart when you’re flying 1 Oneworld airline partner. To figure out the number of miles needed for award flights to Seychelles, you’ll need to use the flight awards calculator.

Here are some great example redemptions you can make:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles in Qatar Airways Qsuites
• Dallas (DFW) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles in Qatar Airways Qsuites
• Houston (IAH) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles in Qatar Airways Qsuites
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles in Qatar Airways Qsuites
• Miami (MIA) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles in Qatar Airways Qsuites
• New York (JFK) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 94,000 Asia Miles miles in Qatar Airways economy class
• San Francisco (SFO) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles in Qatar Airways Qsuites
• Seattle (SEA) – Doha (DOH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way for 90,000 Asia Miles in Qatar Airways Qsuites

For those who want to book a flight with Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, use the steps below to your next award flight:

1. Head to the British Airways website.
2. Search for your routing, dates of travel, cabin class, and the number of passengers.
3. Select the flight that you want.
4. Call Asia Miles at 866-892-2598 to confirm award availability.
5. Book the flight and pay the taxes and fees with your credit card.

Earning Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Asia Miles partners with American Express, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, making it easy to earn Asia Miles.

For each of these programs, keep the transfer ratios and transfer times in mind: American Express point transfers take 1 to 4 days at a 1:1 ratio, Capital One mile transfers take 36 hours at 1:1 ratio, Citi point transfers take 24 hours at a 1:1 ratio, and Marriott Bonvoy point transfers take 5 days at a 3:1 ratio.

Cathay Pacific also offers a co-branded credit card from Synchrony Bank for another way to earn Asia Miles. When you spend money on this credit card, you will earn miles directly with your spending.

Recommended Citi Cards

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Welcome Offer

For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• $100 annual hotel benefit

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.
• Earn 10X points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations.
• Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

The very last frequent flyer program is Air France-KLM Flying Blue, which is essentially the only program you should use to book SkyTeam flights.

In almost all cases, Flying Blue has better award pricing than Delta SkyMiles — plus, it has more transfer partners than Delta, so it’s almost all upside.

The most relevant airlines to examine for flights between the U.S. and Seychelles are Air France via Paris (CDG), Kenya Airways via Nairobi (NBO), and Aeroflot via Moscow (SVO).

Although Flying Blue doesn’t publish an award chart, you can click here to access an award flight calculator.

Here are some of our favorite redemptions you can make:

• Boston (BOS) – Paris (CDG) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Air France business class for 91,000 Flying Blue miles
• Chicago (ORD) – Paris (CDG) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Air France business class for 91,000 Flying Blue miles
• Dallas (DFW) – Paris (CDG) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Air France business class for 91,000 Flying Blue miles
• Denver (DEN) – Paris (CDG) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Air France business class for 91,000 Flying Blue miles
• Houston (IAH) – Paris (CDG) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Air France business class for 91,000 Flying Blue miles
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Paris (CDG) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Air France business class for 91,000 Flying Blue miles
• Miami (MIA) – Paris (CDG) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Air France business class for 85,000 Flying Blue miles
• New York (JFK) – Nairobi (NBO) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Kenya Airways business class for 91,000 Flying Blue miles
• San Francisco (SFO) – Paris (CDG) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Air France business class for 91,000 Flying Blue miles
• Seattle (SEA) – Paris (CDG) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Air France business class for 115,000 Flying Blue miles
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Paris (CDG) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Air France business class for 91,000 Flying Blue miles

Follow these instructions to book a SkyTeam ticket using Flying Blue miles:

1. Visit Air France’s U.S. site.
2. In the top-right corner, click Log in and enter your login credentials.
3. Once you’re back on the homepage, click the Book with Miles button on the top-left of the flight search bar.
4. Choose Round trip or One-way.
5. Enter your flight information.
6. Click Search flights.
7. Find your preferred flight itinerary and redeem your Flying Blue miles and use a credit card for any taxes and fees.

Earning Air France-KLM Flying Blue Miles

Earning Flying Blue miles is easier than ever, thanks to transfer partnerships with Amex Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex, Brex, Chase, Capital One, and Citi all transfer almost instantly at a 1:1 ratio.

Marriott transfers in around 3 business days at a 3:1 ratio with a bonus of 5,000 miles if you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to Flying Blue.

Final Thoughts

Seychelles is an exotic place that you’ll hear and see on many travelers’ lists. It’s not the easiest to get to from the U.S., but once you’re there, you’ll experience some of the best beaches on the planet.

What’s important to know is how best to get there. With this article, you have all of the award programs at your fingertips and an outline of how to earn points and miles to get you to Seychelles.