Advice for Dubai and Maldives

[lizzieappleton]

Looking for advice. For two separate queries but linked together.

I have a gold Amex with approx 41k points on. Which I’m going to keep building up. My card ends in february.

I’m torn between whether to keep it and pay or switch to another Amex whether it be free rewards or BA free card.

I wanted the card for help towards flights. Preferably an upgrade over reducing cost of flights. I usually fly long haul once a year and Europe twice a year.

I’m trying to do Dubai Maldives next june for my partners 30th.

With the gold card I can convert my points to air miles not avios.

Eitihad and emirates both have really good flights except emirates is £100+ compared. Etihad is £800
And emirates £900.

I have 11k each on skywards me and my partner so 22k miles for emirates.

Etihad I have 0 but they have an offer for spend £800 get 15k points

Like I said I want it towards an upgrade

But any thoughts opinions I’d really appreciate as it’s driving me mad.

Do I go off air miles? Or do I cancel my gold card and switch to a card where I can have avios points?

There is currently no flights BA for dubai Maldives only Etihad emirates. But if not I did see last week the flight sale
To Dubai and prices were really good

[Man of Kent]

You should be able to convert your Amex Gold card Membership Rewards points to Avios. As well as to Emirates and Etihad points.

https://www.headforpoints.com/2023/10/30/this-is-the-best-card-for-a-miles-and-points-beginner-4/

[NorthernLass]

BA fly to Dubai and also Maldives direct, so you can’t book a stopover like you can with, e.g. Emirates. You’d need to book a separate flight from Dubai, though you might find it more convenient to use points to upgrade a flight to Dubai then connect to MLE in economy.