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 1839063 times)

Offline blue eyes

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Looking for award flights on Emirates from NY to Ath Apr 5-19
I know i can transfer amex or chase points.
i want to use other options.
I have AA & Delta Miles
is it possible to book with those?

Offline Philthethrill

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I have an odd question/request if somebody is maybe able to help me. I want to figure out how many United miles the following trip would cost me, (either one way or round trip)

SNG-SYD-NAN-AKL-PPT
Vietnam-Sydney-Fiji-New Zealand-Tahiti

I am kind of confused (even after reading many articles) about how the excursion perk and stopovers work with United. Ideally, we would like several days in Fiji and New Zealand. (Sydney we don't care so much about) I have also checked flyermiler but I don't think I can put in something so complicated. Thank you!

Offline CZ60

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Posting for someone at the office:

Need the following itinerary for 2 people in any class, all nonstop:

July 12/13 NYC --> TLV

July 16 TLV --> FCO - this leg is not so necessary bec there is a low cost carrier that does this flight. Only add it to the mileage ticket if it won't increase the award.

July 19 FCO --> NYC

Not really flexible on the dates except outgoing can be 12 or 13.

Only has MR and doesn't have the biz plat. Has 50k AA as well and would be willing to top off if necessary.

Offline Shua

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Multi City:
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1
From: NYC
To: OGG
Departure dates: August 6th or August 13th
From: OGG
To: LIH
Departure dates: August 10th or August 17th
From: LIH
To: NYC
Departure dates: August 15th or August 22nd
Class: First/Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Any

I have 575K Chase UR and 120 SPG (but will probably need to use the SPG for hotels). I can also switch the island order (meaning starting from NYC to LIH, then LIH to OGG and from OGG to NYC). Need to be back at work Wednesday (can only take so much off of work) so would want to take the red eye home Tuesday afternoon/night.

As an incentive, I'll offer a $50 Amazon gift card  if you can find me first class saver availability for those dates. Max 1 stop each way. Ok with short stop in mainland on the way there, would need direct from HNL to NYC on the way back.

Thank you!
« Last Edit: March 03, 2017, 12:09:40 AM by Shua »

Offline shmuels2

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What's the best way to look up the distances for a JAL Emirates award? And how are they booked, is phone only?

Or, if someone knows offhand: how many JAL would it cost for FLL>DXB>BKK in Emirates F one way and how many round trip?

Offline CZ60

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What's the best way to look up the distances for a JAL Emirates award? And how are they booked, is phone only?

Or, if someone knows offhand: how many JAL would it cost for FLL>DXB>BKK in Emirates F one way and how many round trip?

They have a distance based award chart, and I believe they break it up per segment and add them together. They don't add fuel surcharges for partner awards.

Look at this, it should have most of what you are looking for: http://www.ar.jal.com/ar/en/jalmile/use/partner_air/p_jmb/jmb_mile_ar.html

Offline Berenstein Bear

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Round trip
Non-stop
From: JFK, EWR, PHL
To: TLV
Departure dates: AUG 2- AUG 7
Return dates: AUG 13- AUG 20
Class: COACH
Seats: 3
Alliance/Airline: LIKELY UNITED (BOOKED VIA SINGAPORE)

FROM READING UP SEEMS LIKE THIS IS THE BEST NON-STOP OPTION USING CHASE UR (CSR) POINTS. AM I MISSING SOMETHING ELSE? ALSO, ON UNITED SEEMS LIKE TICKETS ARE 85,000 ONE WAY NS- WHEN I BOOK THROUGH SINGAPORE WILL IT BE 75,000 RT? JUST NEED TO KNOW BEFORE I TRANSFER, STILL NEW AT THIS. THANKS

Offline rollingstone

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Round trip
Non-stop
From: JFK, EWR, PHL
To: TLV
Departure dates: AUG 2- AUG 7
Return dates: AUG 13- AUG 20
Class: COACH
Seats: 3
Alliance/Airline: LIKELY UNITED (BOOKED VIA SINGAPORE)

FROM READING UP SEEMS LIKE THIS IS THE BEST NON-STOP OPTION USING CHASE UR (CSR) POINTS. AM I MISSING SOMETHING ELSE? ALSO, ON UNITED SEEMS LIKE TICKETS ARE 85,000 ONE WAY NS- WHEN I BOOK THROUGH SINGAPORE WILL IT BE 75,000 RT? JUST NEED TO KNOW BEFORE I TRANSFER, STILL NEW AT THIS. THANKS
You would only be able to book with SQ if there is saver availability on United.

If it's showing up as 85k that means there isn't saver availability.

Offline Berenstein Bear

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You would only be able to book with SQ if there is saver availability on United.

If it's showing up as 85k that means there isn't saver availability.

Thanks! Am I doing something wrong because saver award is only avail on stopover flights all the way through Feb? All direct flights are 85k

Online mochjas

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Thanks! Am I doing something wrong because saver award is only avail on stopover flights all the way through Feb? All direct flights are 85k
you're not doing anything wrong. saver non-stop J is very rare on this route

Offline rollingstone

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you're not doing anything wrong. saver non-stop J is very rare on this route
IINM he is looking to book Y.
Apparently there is no direct saver Y either, if it's pricing out at 85k.

Online mochjas

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IINM he is looking to book Y.
Apparently there is no direct saver Y either, if it's pricing out at 85k.
yes you are right. Are you searching for one seat or for 3 always do one at a time and take it from there.

Offline lindnuck

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Looking to fly UA Business from LAX, through Dublin, to either London/Paris/Rome/Vienna/Berlin. Leave LAX 8/6, leave Dublin 8/10.

I can get a direct flight for 70k to Dublin, can't seem to get a free "layover" in Dublin.  Any tips?

Offline rollingstone

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Looking to fly UA Business from LAX, through Dublin, to either London/Paris/Rome/Vienna/Berlin. Leave LAX 8/6, leave Dublin 8/10.

I can get a direct flight for 70k to Dublin, can't seem to get a free "layover" in Dublin.  Any tips?
You should be able to add a stopover, if you book with SQ for $100.

Offline CHEAPAVEDA

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Hi All,

Looking for 12 tickets from NYC to SJU , nonstop.  Around June 30 + 1 week. Time is slightly flexible.  Whats the best route to get group tickets?

Offline lindnuck

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You should be able to add a stopover, if you book with SQ for $100.

Seems like I can only do that if I book a RT, and in Economy. Or am I wrong?

Online mochjas

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Seems like I can only do that if I book a RT, and in Economy. Or am I wrong?
you are wrong: singapore allows a FREE stopover on a round-trip whether economy or business.

On a one way they charge $100 for a stopover again wheter economy or business.

Again this is if you book with Singapore

Offline Eli.E

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cheapest one way. YYZ - LGAorJFK. nonstop.
march 12th, leaving toronto after 9
arriving to ny before 1ish
have UR, american united and alaska
« Last Edit: March 08, 2017, 04:20:35 PM by Eli.E »

Offline Knak Yankel

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One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: max 1 stop
From: nyc tri state area
To: tlv
Departure dates: may 7
Return airports: nyc
Return dates: may 15
Class: Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: any

i have 430k Chase points and 130k SPG points .

Offline Albee412

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Hi looking nyc-tlv around 4/25-6/4 I have 80k spg willing to spend. Will do a stop over up to 4hrs but not in turkey. Economy  any options?