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 1838882 times)

Offline dfeldman92

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8420 on: December 04, 2017, 03:36:19 PM »
Hi all,

I was hoping someone could help me. I'm pretty new at this and don't really know how to USE the miles that I have.

One way/Round-trip: RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Prefer non-stop
From: JFK, LGA
To: PBI, FLL
Departure dates: Ideally would like anytime the week of December 24th
Return dates: Anytime the week of December 31st
Class: Coach
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Any. I have AMEX and Starpoints which I can transfer.

Thank you so much for your help. I'm realizing that this time of year does not have much award availability, but I've also never booked an award trip before so I don't really know what to do.

Offline springles

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8421 on: December 06, 2017, 12:27:09 PM »
Thats all we wanted to know. No one will feed it to you without some effort on your part.
That being said it seems that Saver availability is open, so use Singapore miles to book. Transfer from UR
Thank you for your help. I called Singapore and the person on the phone told me that there were no seats available from JFK to TLV the entire week of June 24. I called the day that you told me this and then i called again yesterday.
Did I not do it correctly? I want to make sure that I can book it before transferring the points to Singapore. Also, I know that the reduced rates using Singapore is expiring tomorrow so i can really use some help to book it now.


Quote
Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1 stop Max
From: JFK/EWR/LGA
To: TLV
Departure dates: week of june 24
Return dates: around 3 weeks later
Class: Coach
Seats: 2 adults + 1 12 turning 13 year old + 3 2-10 year olds
Alliance/Airline: Have ~600k UR + 200k united

Offline springles

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8422 on: December 06, 2017, 04:16:12 PM »
If I look on United and they have award flights available at saver level but only with a stop over and on another airline (swiss or austrian) would I be able to book for cheaper with Singapore?

Offline hvaces42

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8423 on: December 06, 2017, 04:22:29 PM »
If I look on United and they have award flights available at saver level but only with a stop over and on another airline (swiss or austrian) would I be able to book for cheaper with Singapore?
Fewer points, more YQ.
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Offline springles

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8424 on: December 06, 2017, 09:38:47 PM »
Fewer points, more YQ.
oh, then not worth it. So I have to find another way to get there using chase points

Offline emak

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8425 on: December 06, 2017, 11:08:48 PM »
One Way
NYC-TLV
1/3
Direct
Business
Any points
Searched United and Delta but nothing under 200k Points. Elal has for 2225 plus $175. Is my best bet to transfer Amex to Elal and book that?

Offline hvaces42

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8426 on: December 06, 2017, 11:12:45 PM »
One Way
NYC-TLV
1/3
Direct
Business
Any points
Searched United and Delta but nothing under 200k Points. Elal has for 2225 plus $175. Is my best bet to transfer Amex to Elal and book that?
Biz Plat?
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Offline emak

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8427 on: December 06, 2017, 11:16:33 PM »
Biz Plat?
For a revenue flight? Cheapest is $4000

Offline JewJitSew

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Paris to Tel Aviv for Family of 5
« Reply #8428 on: December 08, 2017, 02:49:21 PM »
One way/Round-trip: One Way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Up to 1
From: All Paris airports
To: TLV
Departure dates: December 21st
Class: Coach
Seats: 5 total, 2 adults and three children between 2 and 7
Alliance/Airline: Star Alliance would be great but any is fine. Looking for cheapest option that does not require an overnight night stop.

Offline jew

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8429 on: December 10, 2017, 02:00:50 PM »
I am looking at Europe to Australia in the July,
i found business availability on all 3 alliances
(on AA saw Qantas business, BA first,  or finnair business etc
on Delta saw on KLM and Air china etc
united saws on Scandinavian and Thai or Brussels and Thai etc
on Singapore had the best option (only one stopover for business)

But i am looking for the best partner to use to buy. So far i found 136k on ANA for the star alliance option
but is there a cheap partner for the skyteam or one world?
And also, is it possible to book that singapore business on a partner (wasn't showing up on united)? Is the problem that it is too far in advance? or do they never release them?
IF anyone can help me with any of my questions that would be much appreciated. G-D bless you!

Offline mendy from lakewood

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8430 on: December 11, 2017, 10:19:20 AM »
can I book a round trip ticket with united airlines using points for one way and money for the other way?
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Offline mochjas

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8431 on: December 11, 2017, 10:30:30 AM »
can I book a round trip ticket with united airlines using points for one way and money for the other way?
no it has to be 2 one ways

Offline ludmila

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Offline chasidishkiet

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8433 on: December 12, 2017, 10:05:44 AM »
Did anyone have success yet booking a ticket from Ord to tlv with Singapore airlines Buissness?
Would you know of any other membership rewards airlines that has flights from Ord - tlv?
Looking for the month of feb 2018
Thanks in advance

Offline springles

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8434 on: December 12, 2017, 03:30:55 PM »
Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1 stop Max
From: JFK/EWR/LGA
To: TLV
Departure dates: week of june 24
Return dates: around 3 weeks later- July 17ish
Class: Coach
Seats: 2 adults + 1 12 turning 13 year old + 3 2-10 year olds
Alliance/Airline: Have ~600k UR + 150k united

On United I dont really see any direct flights for the 42.5k miles. And the non direct are on other airlines. So which ones do not have surcharges?

Offline yelped

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8435 on: December 12, 2017, 03:37:56 PM »
Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1 stop Max
From: JFK/EWR/LGA
To: TLV
Departure dates: week of june 24
Return dates: around 3 weeks later- July 17ish
Class: Coach
Seats: 2 adults + 1 12 turning 13 year old + 3 2-10 year olds
Alliance/Airline: Have ~600k UR + 150k united

On United I dont really see any direct flights for the 42.5k miles. And the non direct are on other airlines. So which ones do not have surcharges?
If you book through United, you won't get charged surcharges on any airline.

Offline mochjas

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8436 on: December 12, 2017, 03:43:52 PM »
Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1 stop Max
From: JFK/EWR/LGA
To: TLV
Departure dates: week of june 24
Return dates: around 3 weeks later- July 17ish
Class: Coach
Seats: 2 adults + 1 12 turning 13 year old + 3 2-10 year olds
Alliance/Airline: Have ~600k UR + 150k united

On United I dont really see any direct flights for the 42.5k miles. And the non direct are on other airlines. So which ones do not have surcharges?
sell your points and book revenue non stop flights

Offline Yitzshpitz

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8437 on: December 14, 2017, 10:08:50 AM »
Need help with finding a good flight for:
For 2
1/7-1/17  (something close to that)

NYC-Costa Rica- Miami (for shabbos)- back to NYC

I have Mr, UR, DL, BA and Delta companion pass.

Whats the best way to book it. Anyone finds great price I'd def compensate. thanks

Offline jose34

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8438 on: December 17, 2017, 04:05:54 PM »
Trying to find LHR - LAX, with Avios its 12500 + $350. Anyway to book using Avios with out surcharge.

Offline mb

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #8439 on: December 18, 2017, 09:13:02 AM »
Trying to book a flight from YVR-JFK using Avios in business or first, but there has been no availability for a couple weeks. There are many seats available if I were to book HKG-JFK via YVR for the needed date, but to just book the leg of YVR-JFK, it’s not available. Any suggestions or work around to book the YVR-JFK leg using avios?