---
title: "Maldives, February 2025"
url: "https://benefitsystems.io/en/case-studies/2025-02-maldives"
type: "Case study"
description: "How $4,724 in actual spending turned into a documented travel value of $36,284: Park Hyatt Maldives, Etihad business class, 448,500 points and miles."
countries: "Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, Maldives"
period: "2025-02-16 to 2025-03-02"
status: "abgeschlossen"
---

# Maldives, February 2025

*9 nights at the Park Hyatt Maldives in a Beach Pool Villa, combined with Etihad business class and points.*

## Short answer

Hadahaa and Abu Dhabi in February 2025: 6 flights and 11 hotel nights for $4,724 paid, against a documented comparison value of $36,284. We used 448,500 points and miles, 7.0¢ per point on average. Anything paid in cash appears without a comparison value. The comparison value is not money paid out.

## Key figures

| Paid | Comparison value | Difference | Points and miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| $4,724 | $36,284 | $31,560 (87%) | 448,500 |

## From Europe via Abu Dhabi to Hadahaa

For this trip we did not look at flights, hotel nights and points in isolation. We set the amount actually paid against the documented comparison value.

The route: from the home airport to Istanbul in economy, Istanbul via Abu Dhabi to Malé on Etihad in business class, then Maldivian Airlines from Malé to Kooddoo (paid in cash with no saving, so not part of the numbers) and on to the resort. The way back ran via Abu Dhabi and Istanbul, again on Etihad business class and finally home in economy.

## Business class as part of the trip, not as isolated luxury

Four Etihad segments connected Istanbul, Abu Dhabi and Malé. Together they add up to a documented comparison value of $15,474. The six flights in the numbers cost $1,985.

## The Beach Pool Villa was the centre of the trip

For nine nights at the Park Hyatt Maldives, from 19 to 28 February 2025, we used 315,000 Hyatt points. The documented comparison value is $19,090; we paid $2,640. The difference is $16,450, or 86% against the comparison value.

Points are not free. The useful question is what value a specific redemption creates compared with the price and the alternatives.

## Day by day

### 16 February 2025
- Outbound flight, Airport → Istanbul, Economy: Paid $176, Value $686, 9,000 points (5.7¢ per point)

### 17 February 2025
- Etihad Airways EY544, Istanbul → Abu Dhabi, Business: Paid $301, Value $2,898, 27,000 points (9.6¢ per point)
- Hawthorn Suites City Center, Abu Dhabi, 1 night: Paid $0, Value $245, 7,500 points (3.3¢ per point)

### 18 February 2025
- Etihad Airways EY376, Abu Dhabi → Malé, Business: Paid $301, Value $4,759, 27,000 points (16.5¢ per point)

### 19 February 2025
- Park Hyatt Maldives, Hadahaa, 9 nights: Paid $2,640, Value $19,090, 315,000 points (5.2¢ per point)

### 1 March 2025
- Etihad Airways EY379, Malé → Abu Dhabi, Business: Paid $513, Value $5,007, 27,000 points (16.6¢ per point)
- Hawthorn Suites City Center, Abu Dhabi, 1 night: Paid $99, Value $245, cash

### 2 March 2025
- Etihad Airways EY543, Abu Dhabi → Istanbul, Business: Paid $513, Value $2,810, 27,000 points (8.5¢ per point)
- Return flight, Istanbul → Airport, Economy: Paid $181, Value $544, 9,000 points (4.0¢ per point)

## The whole trip

| Category | Paid | Comparison value | Difference | Points and miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flights (6) | $1,985 | $16,704 | $14,719 · 88% | 126,000 |
| Hotels (3 stays, 11 nights) | $2,739 | $19,580 | $16,841 · 86% | 322,500 |
| Total (9 bookings) | $4,724 | $36,284 | $31,560 · 87% | 448,500 |

## Related topics

- [What business class means](https://benefitsystems.io/en/knowledge/what-business-class-means)
- [What a point is worth](https://benefitsystems.io/en/knowledge/point-value)
- [Hotel award categories](https://benefitsystems.io/en/knowledge/hotel-award-categories)
- [Fifth night free](https://benefitsystems.io/en/knowledge/fifth-night-free)
- [Points or cash](https://benefitsystems.io/en/knowledge/points-or-cash)
- [When points are not worth it](https://benefitsystems.io/en/knowledge/when-points-arent-worth-it)