Uncover Top African Beach Locations Accessible with Mileage Rewards
**Article Title: Redeeming Frequent Flyer Points for African Beach Getaways**
Discovering the hidden gems of Africa's coastline has never been easier, thanks to a variety of frequent flyer programs that cater to travellers seeking sun, sand, and adventure. Here's a guide to help you make the most of your miles when planning a trip to some of the continent's most popular beach destinations.
**Seychelles**
Air France-KLM Flying Blue is highly recommended for Seychelles, offering award flights via Paris (CDG) on Air France and via Nairobi on Kenya Airways, which serves Seychelles. With better award pricing than Delta SkyMiles and a multitude of transfer partners, it's a convenient choice for U.S. travellers.
**Zanzibar**
Flights to Zanzibar can often be booked through partnerships with airlines like Kenya Airways (part of the SkyTeam alliance) and Ethiopian Airlines, which has a hub in Addis Ababa and extensive African connectivity. Flying Blue can be useful here as well since it partners with Kenya Airways.
**Sharm El Sheikh**
Sharm El Sheikh is in Egypt and often served by airlines flying via Cairo or directly from Europe or the Middle East. Star Alliance members like EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways offer good connectivity, while Middle Eastern carriers' programs like Qatar Privilege Club via Doha or Emirates Skywards via Dubai provide redemption options with stopovers.
**Cape Verde**
Cape Verde is served mainly by TAP Air Portugal from Europe. Using TAP Air Portugal’s Miles&Go program or Star Alliance partners like United MileagePlus can be advantageous, as TAP is a Star Alliance member with routes to Cape Verde.
**General Top Frequent Flyer Programs**
| Airline Program | Alliance | Notes | |-----------------------------|----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Air France-KLM Flying Blue | SkyTeam | Great for Seychelles, Zanzibar via Nairobi; better award pricing than Delta SkyMiles[5] | | Ethiopian Airlines Mileage | Star Alliance | Strong African coverage including Zanzibar and Addis Ababa stopovers[4] | | United MileagePlus | Star Alliance | Good for Cape Verde via TAP and South Africa flights; good saver awards for Africa[3] | | TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | Star Alliance | Best for Cape Verde with Lisbon stopovers[4] | | Emirates Skywards | No alliance | Good Middle East hub with flights to Egypt and some African destinations; stopovers[4] | | Qatar Airways Privilege Club | Oneworld (Partner with African airlines) | Doha hub offers connections to Egypt and East Africa[4] |
**Tips for Maximizing Redemptions:**
- Look for airlines offering stopover programs (Emirates, Ethiopian, TAP) to have longer layovers at hubs and add value. - Use programs with transfer partners (Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards) to convert points into miles for the above airlines. - United MileagePlus offers some of the lowest mileage rates to Africa, including lesser-served airports[3]. - Flying Blue does not publish award charts but often has competitive dynamic pricing and extensive partners for African destinations[5].
Beyond the beaches, Seychelles offers a wealth of experiences, from hiking in Morne Seychellois National Park and visiting Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the famous Coco de Mer palm, to engaging with local artists who often perform during sunset evenings in Essaouira, Morocco. Essaouira is particularly popular during festivals like Gnaoua World Music Festival in June.
Zanzibar, Tanzania, is famous for its historical Stone Town and idyllic beaches, while Kenya's Diani Beach stands out with its turquoise waters and lush greenery. Cape Town, South Africa, pairs stunning beachfronts with urban experiences, and Mauritius is home to more than 60 beach resorts, each contributing to a thriving tourism sector, with an estimated revenue of $1.5 billion annually.
For those seeking adventure, Punta del Este, Senegal, offers peak wind conditions for kite surfing, while Praia de Chaves on Boa Vista impresses with its remote setting. The Skeleton Coast in Namibia offers an extraordinary blend of ocean and desert, and the 2025 Tourism Report highlights an increase in eco-friendly resorts as sustainability becomes more prioritized among travellers in Zanzibar.
Whether you're chasing sunsets in Essaouira, exploring the Seychelles, or unwinding on Zanzibar's pristine beaches, the right frequent flyer program can make your dream vacation a reality.
- Traveling to Seychelles or Zanzibar can be facilitated with Air France-KLM Flying Blue, which offers award flights via Paris or Nairobi and partners with Kenya Airways.
- For those planning to visit Sharm El Sheikh, Star Alliance members like EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways provide good connectivity, while Emirates Skywards and Qatar Privilege Club offer redemption options with stopovers.
