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Goods For Sale/Trade / Re: Staples gift cards for sale
« on: March 21, 2021, 08:28:33 AM »Selling $333 Staples GC @ 90%
Offer updated to 88% ($333 card @ 88%)
Good way to save on Apple stuff, etc.
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Offer updated to 88% ($333 card @ 88%)
Good way to save on Apple stuff, etc.
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Up In The Air / Re: What Award Itinerary Did You Just Book/Hold?
« on: March 19, 2021, 12:15:25 AM »
Follow-up #2:
I ended up doing 2 tests here in upstate NY to play it safe in terms of turnaround time (both free even for uninsured): a NYS-provided drive-thru test at the local SUNY and a drive-thru test at a Rite Aid in partnership with the Google Baseline project. Both were the correct PCR type required by Israel.
Rite Aid test came back after only 23 hours (done at 10AM, results received 9AM next day). The NYS test turnaround was 34 hours (done at 8AM, results received 6PM next day).
However, very good decision to do two tests: the specimen collection time was omitted in error (listed as 00:00) from the NYS test and would not have been accepted for travel!
I ended up doing 2 tests here in upstate NY to play it safe in terms of turnaround time (both free even for uninsured): a NYS-provided drive-thru test at the local SUNY and a drive-thru test at a Rite Aid in partnership with the Google Baseline project. Both were the correct PCR type required by Israel.
Rite Aid test came back after only 23 hours (done at 10AM, results received 9AM next day). The NYS test turnaround was 34 hours (done at 8AM, results received 6PM next day).
However, very good decision to do two tests: the specimen collection time was omitted in error (listed as 00:00) from the NYS test and would not have been accepted for travel!
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COVID-19 Discussion Board / Re: Israel Reopening Ben Gurion, Still Closed To Most Foreigners
« on: March 19, 2021, 12:07:24 AM »Where is the drive-thru?
Tamar Gate, it should come up in Waze.
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Goods For Sale/Trade / Re: Staples gift cards for sale
« on: March 18, 2021, 04:35:48 PM »
Selling $333 Staples GC @ 90%
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COVID-19 Discussion Board / Re: Israel Reopening Ben Gurion, Still Closed To Most Foreigners
« on: March 17, 2021, 06:27:43 PM »
If the airport check2fly drive-thru is convenient and more or less on your way/in your area, I recently did the cheaper test (14 hour results) and got results in only 2.5 hours. Nice English PDF with all required details.
No fuss or headaches.
No fuss or headaches.
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COVID-19 Discussion Board / Re: Israel Reopening Ben Gurion, Still Closed To Most Foreigners
« on: March 15, 2021, 03:50:44 AM »Main question is inventory management for 3k passengers across all destinations
I was wondering the same thing. Any experts: please chime in!
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COVID-19 Discussion Board / Re: Israel Reopening Ben Gurion, Still Closed To Most Foreigners
« on: March 14, 2021, 11:17:08 AM »PCR tests were done in the "tent" next to zone G of arrivals. ie, exit customs and turn left (can't go right, it's boarded up)
Not strict, I entered my scheduled arrival time. I think for now (may change in the future) it's to save time entering your details at one of the desks/booths. I had a QR code already in my phone and was directed to the very short line to get stickers printed for the test.
No documents at all, no Vaccination certificate or entry form. Maybe it's all connected via the passport and ID number. If so, well done to the Israeli government offices on streamlining.
Many thanks for the fast reply and helping to lower my stress level
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COVID-19 Discussion Board / Re: Israel Reopening Ben Gurion, Still Closed To Most Foreigners
« on: March 14, 2021, 07:59:36 AM »I flew EWR-TLV on Thursday
PCR test done in NYC, was checked at UA checkin, unable to upload it or check in via the app. Needed an agent to verify it at the counter. That was all.
Usual, Clear, TSA-PRE, took a few mins, very empty.
No Polaris lounge yet. The agent stamped my boarding pass to get "free drinks, as many as you want at the bar"
Now for the fun....
Boarding was at gate C123 however, first there was a line, took me 38 minutes, of documents checks at gate C121.
There, all they wanted to see was my Israeli Passport and the "Entry form" Note, not the email wording, rather, the PDF which is a printout of all the fields entered in the form.
THERE WERE 2 denied boarding: 1) Expired Israeli passport - he was shouting "so what, I'm an Israeli citizen, they'll deal with me in Israel, don't worry about it United" 2) Didn't have the entry form.
Arrival in Israel, passports control via the automated machines, luggage claim, seemed like everyone had bags scanned by customs. PCR test, note: save time and get an "appointment before" via: check2fly.co.il with code "free1" (there were also staff walking around in the luggage claim area telling people to register for a test) and get a QR code. PCR test took a few mins.
Total 43 mins from landing to leaving the airport with a cab
Thanks for the great info!
Where is the arrivals PCR done? Do you have to go all the way to Tamar gate like with the departures test? And how strict are they about the appointment time (i.e. if the flight is delayed, do I have to make a new appt.)?
Were there additional document checks in Israel (PCR results, etc.)?
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Up In The Air / Re: What Award Itinerary Did You Just Book/Hold?
« on: March 11, 2021, 05:23:09 AM »Can you ask about NAAT?
As a follow-up and in case anyone finds themselves in a similar situation, I found the following provider with offices in multiple NYC locations that can provide a real PCR test (the type required by Israel) with results in an hour. Unfortunately, it costs $225 for the privilege, but good to know that there's some kind of Plan B (not United...
) if the test(s) I do upstate doesn't come back in time.https://www.medicalofficesofmanhattan.com/rapid-pcr-covid-test/
*Not affiliated with them in any way and never used their services before (and hope not to!)
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Up In The Air / Re: What Award Itinerary Did You Just Book/Hold?
« on: March 10, 2021, 12:57:20 PM »Can you ask about NAAT?
I honestly don't even think it's worth trying. The uncertain level is wayyyy too high right now, and I can easily see the airline or border people refusing to acknowledge even written confirmation that NAAT is acceptable since it isn't mentioned anywhere in the official literature.
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Up In The Air / Re: What Award Itinerary Did You Just Book/Hold?
« on: March 10, 2021, 12:10:59 PM »Is NAAT acceptable?
The official gov't site says PCR taken 72 hours or less prior to departure, and I couldn't find any fine print or official document with any expanded guidelines...
On the outbound, I have no problem doing the airport drive-thru test for only 45 shekels or so with results within 14 hours.
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Up In The Air / Re: What Award Itinerary Did You Just Book/Hold?
« on: March 10, 2021, 12:01:27 PM »
TLV-JFK (via CDG) using FB miles on AF for immediate travel: 137,500 miles + $300 or so in business
JFK-TLV (via CDG) using FB miles on AF for return a week later: 53,000 miles + $200ish, business
Absolutely 0 availability on my required dates using Qantas, AA, or Aegean miles (I have decent stashes of them all), so props to AF for even offering the space during this period of high demand to/from TLV.
Sadly still narrow-body on the TLV-CDG legs.
Bummer about the high price on the outbound, but getting in a quick visit to the family in NY after not seeing them for over a year now, before they close the skies again after elections. At least I snagged saver on the return. Overall happy to be in the miles/points game, which enabled me to not pay through the nose cash and sit in economy.
OT: Any tips on where to get a PCR covid test in NY (ideally upstate NY) with a near certain 48 hour or less turnaround would be highly appreciated!
JFK-TLV (via CDG) using FB miles on AF for return a week later: 53,000 miles + $200ish, business
Absolutely 0 availability on my required dates using Qantas, AA, or Aegean miles (I have decent stashes of them all), so props to AF for even offering the space during this period of high demand to/from TLV.
Sadly still narrow-body on the TLV-CDG legs.
Bummer about the high price on the outbound, but getting in a quick visit to the family in NY after not seeing them for over a year now, before they close the skies again after elections. At least I snagged saver on the return. Overall happy to be in the miles/points game, which enabled me to not pay through the nose cash and sit in economy.
OT: Any tips on where to get a PCR covid test in NY (ideally upstate NY) with a near certain 48 hour or less turnaround would be highly appreciated!
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Credit Cards And Finance / Re: united travel bank no longer working,
« on: February 22, 2021, 06:56:19 AM »What did the charge post as?
Just like the good old days, special service ticket.
Another charge has since posted and credited. I would not hesitate...
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Credit Cards And Finance / Re: united travel bank no longer working,
« on: February 21, 2021, 02:20:17 PM »Details please.
I bought bank credit for $50 and $100 a few days ago, both credited quickly.
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Up In The Air / Re: LY TLV-MIA $549 rt July/August/October
« on: February 21, 2021, 07:06:48 AM »I don't know alice.co.il personally and haven't heard that story
But writing "I think" - maybe check facts first?
Besides the embezzling part, all the rest is 100% concrete and not "I think." I think (pun intended) that even without the last part (which is most likely accurate), those are enough reasons to pass on doing business with them.