Topic Wiki

Please follow the following rules when posting in this thread. Failure to do so may result in you request being ignored or deleted.

(If you are looking to purchase a paid ticket, please post here)

FAQs:

Q: How can I use my credit card points to book a USA-TLV ticket?
A: Please read Dan's very helpful and informative guides found here and here

Great tool to see the mileage cost for a route http://www.awardhacker.com

Q: Do I have to pay a lot of money when using miles for a ticket?

A: Sometimes. For more information read this

Q: How do I find award availability?
A: For Star Alliance (United, AirCanada, Lufthansa, Swiss, and others) see this guide

For OneWorld (AmericanAirlines, BritishAirways, Iberia, Malev, and more) You can use BA's award search engine (you need to have a free BA account to access the engine). In addition, you can use Qantas' engine (free account needed as well), which will (to an extent) search Elal. As of this posting, the Elal business flights that show up are coach, and vice verse.

For Delta and AirFrance, use their respective sites. While not perfect, they are quite manageable for the casual searcher.

And of course, many of us here will take time out to help someone who is trying to learn.

Q: All this searching is making me crazy. Is there an easier way?
A: Yes, but it might cost you. Check out AwardNexus.com, KVStool.com, and expertflyer.com.

Q: I see AirCanada availability, but when I call AirCanada they say I can't use my United miles with them. Aren't they partners?
A: You can only use miles with the airline that issued them. Through that airline (in our case United) they can issue a ticket on a partner (ie AirCanada). Trying to call AirCanada with United miles, is like trying to use shekels in Mexico.

Q: I can't find availability on my dates. What should I do?
A: You should try to be as flexible as possible. Can you add a stop or 2? Can you be more flexible with your dates? The airports?
If all else fails, keep trying. Availability is constantly opening up.

Q: Can someone please help me find a ticket?
A: No! Find it yourself.  ;D ;D Just kidding. Please copy the following lines, delete the non bolded parts, and fill it out in your post.

One way/Round-trip:
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:
From: All airports from which you can depart
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible.
Return airports:If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One-way tickets
Return dates: Delete this line for One-way tickets
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with

IF you have any airline status or credit cards (Ie, United CC or status) that gives extended seat availability, please add that. Would be helpful to find you correct availability.

An additional note about using miles for direct flights from NYC-TLV

NYC-TLV is only served by 3 carriers non-stop, United, Delta, and El Al. Saver availability on Delta is non-existent. Saver availability on United is rare but sometimes available close-in. It is almost never available on or near holidays or holiday weekends, or around yomim tovim. Any award space that opens will be snatched up immediately so you have to constantly be checking if you hope to snag it if/when it opens. El AL awards are more readily available but prohibitively expensive using Matmid points (El Al's frequent flyer program) but may be able to be booked using Quantas points (transfers from Citi & Amex) at a much more reasonable rate.

This leaves the following options if no saver availability:

The Chase travel portal will let you use Ultimate Rewards, or a combination or UR and cash to book flights. If you have a Sapphire Reserve or a Sapphire Preferred, the redemption rate will be 1.5 cents per point or 1.25 cents per point respectively, instead of the regular 1 cent per point without them. (A, Ink cash or Ink Preferred will also give you the 1.25 cpp redemption rate.)

The Amex travel portal will let you redeem points at 1 cent per point towards the cost of air travel. If you have a grandfathered Business Platinum card, you will get 50% of the points you redeem back around a month after you book the ticket. If you have a non-grandfathered card, you will get 35% of your points back. (This is only available when redeeming points for tickets on your selected American carrier in economy class or on any airline in business or first class.)

The Citi travel portal also lets you redeem points at 1 cent per point towards travel and seems to have better pricing on El Al in business class.

Alternatively, you can sell your points (not here on DDF) and use the cash to buy regular tickets. This is usually the best option for people without either a Chase Sapphire Reserve or grandfathered Business Platinum who are flying economy.

Those are your only options for nonstop travel. For options with a stopover and more information in general, see https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/milespoints/the-ultimate-israel-mileage-award-chart/

This keeps on getting asked over and over. Besides Dan's comprehensive list of how to get to, or from, TLV here is a short list of options for travel to or from NYC in Y:
Lowest point per RT is FB 50K (less with promo, but YQ of ~$500 unless you can find unicorn DL availability), AA 80k (AA metal for transatlantic), AC 80k (LX or LO for low YQ) and UA 85k. Half that for OW.

Please add any other information to this wiki that you feel might be useful.



Author Topic: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)  (Read 1839750 times)

Offline myi

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8320 on: September 26, 2017, 09:17:18 AM »
Haven't lately been following the prices for a ticket from airlines for a RT flight from,
Nyc to tlv.

 Seems the El AL. Deal for 60K or 30K should I depart from Canada is a great price,but one slight problem don't have those amex MR to transfer to miles at this moment,but have a couple of chase UR to spend, any ideas on which airline would be the best bet for a simple economy seat? Or even a seat in buss. ? Thanks

 Can you use UR points to book through Asian for a united flight or is that only possible with SPG?
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Offline newbie118

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8321 on: September 26, 2017, 09:18:03 AM »
Can someone please help me find a ticket Please!


I need to go to china and have about 150K in amex points I am trying to use and was wondering if anyone could help me find the most bang for my buck.

I would need to travel from the Washington DC area (DCA, IAD, BWI) to Beijing on January 9th 2018. I then need to return from Shanghai back to Washington DC on January 21st 2018. I just need 1 seat and am not very loyal to a specific airline!

If i can use all my points and get a business class seat there and back that would be great. If not economy is okay. I prefer non-stop if possible if not one stop will do.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance

Offline Sola

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8322 on: September 27, 2017, 12:58:47 PM »
One way/Round trip: One way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non-stop preferred, 1 stop is ok if the layover is short (under 4 hours)
From: JFK (preferred) or LGA
To: TLV
Departure dates: January 1,2,3,4 2018
Return airports: JFK (preferred) or LGA
Return dates: January 7,8,9,10 2018
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Cheapest I can book

I have to be there Shabbos 1/6/18 for a Bar Mitzvah and am looking to stay 3-6 nights total.

I have just under 60K Avios, and plenty of Chase UR

Offline myi

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8323 on: September 27, 2017, 01:26:51 PM »
One way/Round trip: One way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non-stop preferred, 1 stop is ok if the layover is short (under 4 hours)
From: JFK (preferred) or LGA
To: TLV
Departure dates: January 1,2,3,4 2018
Return airports: JFK (preferred) or LGA
Return dates: January 7,8,9,10 2018
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Cheapest I can book

I have to be there Shabbos 1/6/18 for a Bar Mitzvah and am looking to stay 3-6 nights total.

I have just under 60K Avios, and plenty of Chase UR
If you happen to have the ability to book Off peak dates on ba it can be a decent price in avios for around 60k or less, but will cost you a few $ for fuel surcharge, so I wouldn't go with that option, unless you can use your ba miles to book with a partner airline which would come out to be a bit cheaper, and that has avlbty.
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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8324 on: September 27, 2017, 02:04:21 PM »
One way/Round trip: Roundtrip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non-stop preferred, 1 stop is ok
From: IAD, DCA or BWI
To: Beijing….Return from Shanghai
Departure dates: January 7,8, or 9  2018
Return airports: IAD, DCA or BWI
Return dates: January 21 2018
Class: Economy or Business
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Cheapest I can book

Dates are pretty firm

I have just over 120k in Amex points I am trying to use.

Offline GAM Z.

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8325 on: September 27, 2017, 02:28:33 PM »
Haven't lately been following the prices for a ticket from airlines for a RT flight from,
Nyc to tlv.

 Seems the El AL. Deal for 60K or 30K should I depart from Canada is a great price,but one slight problem don't have those amex MR to transfer to miles at this moment,but have a couple of chase UR to spend, any ideas on which airline would be the best bet for a simple economy seat? Or even a seat in buss. ? Thanks

 Can you use UR points to book through Asian for a united flight or is that only possible with SPG?
If you only have UR, than Singapore would be your best option at 75,000 round trip in economyor 115,000 in business. Sometimes you can get a good deal on Flying Blue promos.

Offline myi

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8326 on: September 27, 2017, 02:31:23 PM »
If you only have UR, than Singapore would be your best option at 75,000 round trip in economyor 115,000 in business. Sometimes you can get a good deal on Flying Blue promos.
Thanks will take a peak and what's the taxes? Would you know off hand?
 And don't really have much time to wait around for a promo while I need to have 2 flights for the end of the month in oct.
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Offline GAM Z.

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8327 on: September 27, 2017, 02:34:39 PM »
Thanks will take a peak and what's the taxes? Would you know off hand?
 And don't really have much time to wait around for a promo while I need to have 2 flights for the end of the month in oct.
Depending  on the airline, but generally not too bad.

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8328 on: September 27, 2017, 03:04:59 PM »
Need help with booking India trip for May 2018

JFK - FRA in SQ F class Suite (380 preferred)
FRA - BOM in LH F class (380 preferred)
BOM - JFK in EK F class (380 preferred)

Offline hvaces42

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8329 on: September 27, 2017, 03:19:10 PM »
Need help with booking India trip for May 2018

JFK - FRA in SQ F class Suite (380 preferred)
FRA - BOM in LH F class (380 preferred)
BOM - JFK in EK F class (380 preferred)
LH does not release its F seats to partners until 14 days before so you can check M&M but you wont be able to book through partners. SQ is only bookable with its own currency.
So what exactly are you asking for help with?
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Offline slickdeal1

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8330 on: September 27, 2017, 04:45:42 PM »
LH does not release its F seats to partners until 14 days before so you can check M&M but you wont be able to book through partners. SQ is only bookable with its own currency.
So what exactly are you asking for help with?

I have miles/ points available in LH M&M, SQ Krisflyer and Alaska / SPG miles. how do you proceed  - should I've backup plan for SQ flight, since currently it shows waitlist option.

Offline hvaces42

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8331 on: September 27, 2017, 05:54:27 PM »
I have miles/ points available in LH M&M, SQ Krisflyer and Alaska / SPG miles. how do you proceed  - should I've backup plan for SQ flight, since currently it shows waitlist option.
Not familiar with that route though. You should definitely have backup plan for SQ waitlist. Maybe JFk-FRA-BOM on LH in F. Cancellation charge is only 50 Euro  IIRC
YQ will kill ypu though.
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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8332 on: September 27, 2017, 06:35:44 PM »
Not familiar with that route though. You should definitely have backup plan for SQ waitlist. Maybe JFk-FRA-BOM on LH in F. Cancellation charge is only 50 Euro  IIRC
YQ will kill ypu though.

Thanks, appreciate tips!

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8333 on: September 28, 2017, 02:41:21 PM »
Round Trip
Any
From: JFK, EWR, PHL
To: HNL, LIH, OGG
Departure dates: 12/24, 12/25, 12/23 all 2017
Return airports:If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets
Return dates: 1/02, 1/01, 1/03 all 2018
Class: First/Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Want to use Chase points to transfer to Korean to fly on Delta

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8334 on: September 29, 2017, 04:04:14 AM »
I need help finding 2 tickets using united miles
1 ticket in economy 1 in business. preferably on the same flight
syd-tlv
dec 19,20,21
tlv-syd
jan 7,8

I have tryed everything i can think of to work out routing, but this is beyond my skills.
would very much appreciate it if one of you rose to the challenge

Offline chinagel

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8335 on: September 30, 2017, 10:42:09 PM »
any way to find business award tickets from tlv-pvg OW on oct. 14th/15th? i have a bunch of one world miles. also, 150k UR. would be willing to fly just to HKG too

Offline high end hobo

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8336 on: October 01, 2017, 02:04:56 PM »
any way to find business award tickets from tlv-pvg OW on oct. 14th/15th? i have a bunch of one world miles. also, 150k UR. would be willing to fly just to HKG too
use Etihad points to fly on Hanian

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8337 on: October 01, 2017, 05:14:44 PM »
use Etihad points to fly on Hanian
i dont have etihad, just AA AS CX and BA

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8338 on: October 09, 2017, 10:23:18 AM »
jfk-tlv

end november -dcember

have
spg 50k
amex 60k
AA 200k

would like a non stop flight

Offline hvaces42

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8339 on: October 09, 2017, 10:29:53 AM »
jfk-tlv

end november -dcember

have
spg 50k
amex 60k
AA 200k

would like a non stop flight
Feel like this is deja vu all over again...commence spoonfeeding...

1. One way or round trip?
2. What did you find on your own?
3. There are only 2 options for nonstop from JFK
   A. Delta
   B. ELAL
4. Delta nonstop saver is nonexistent.
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