Author Topic: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?  (Read 19974 times)

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« on: January 04, 2021, 10:32:26 AM »
El Al is in a more difficult position than ever due to COVID and upcoming ME3 competition.

What are your suggestions for how to fix El Al and Matmid and win back customers, while trying to survive?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25419
  • Total likes: 721
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: United Concierge Key; Delta Global Services; American Chairman; US Airways 1K; Hilton Sapphire; Hyatt Tritium; Marriott Californium; Starwood Kryptonium; Hertz Plutonium; National Adamantium, Avis Executive Proactanium
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2021, 10:33:58 AM »
I mean -- clearly -- they need to entirely revamp their FF program. It's not only not engaging, it's worse -- it's off-putting.

(Does this mean they've sought you out?)
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Ergel

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 12818
  • Total likes: 905
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2021, 10:40:42 AM »
Simplify. Simplify. Simplify
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline yandmk

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2014
  • Posts: 1959
  • Total likes: 254
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 28
    • View Profile
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2021, 10:49:11 AM »
1) Multiply earning rates and redemption rates by 50 to be in line with other mileage currencies.
2) Add the ability to change and cancel bookings online.

Offline tavster

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 3573
  • Total likes: 724
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 65
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: LY TP
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2021, 10:53:22 AM »
1) Get rid of points' expiration
2) Align elite benefits with other airlines, including systemwide upgrades, and dedicated fares to book award space

Has LY reached out to you?

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2021, 11:01:02 AM »
dedicated fares to book award space
What do you mean by this? Do award fare buckets not currently exist?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline El Capitan

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2019
  • Posts: 510
  • Total likes: 70
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: US
  • Programs: Haha I wish!
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2021, 11:09:32 AM »
This is a major side factor but... I believe they're charging YQ...
« Last Edit: January 04, 2021, 11:15:16 AM by El Capitan »
Still looking for a good MS method :)

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2021, 11:10:58 AM »
This is a major side factor but... I believe they're charging SQ...
Do you mean YQ on awards?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline tavster

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 3573
  • Total likes: 724
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 65
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: LY TP
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2021, 11:13:41 AM »
What do you mean by this? Do award fare buckets not currently exist?
There are award buckets for Y, P and J, which are available to all Matmid.

Atm they often open additional space on demand for good clients, but they should have additional classes available to elites. Not sure if it corresponds to PN at United.

And yes as @El Capitan rightfully flags, taxes and fees on award tickets are outrageous

Offline El Capitan

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2019
  • Posts: 510
  • Total likes: 70
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: US
  • Programs: Haha I wish!
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2021, 11:15:05 AM »
Do you mean YQ on awards?
Oops my bad. Correct. I'm a n00b who gets confused by the abundance of acronyms here
Still looking for a good MS method :)

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2021, 11:15:29 AM »
There are award buckets for Y, P and J, which are available to all Matmid.

Atm they often open additional space on demand for good clients, but they should have additional classes available to elites. Not sure if it corresponds to PN at United.

And yes as @El Capitan rightfully flags, taxes and fees on award tickets are outrageous
Yup, United has XN, IN, and PN buckets.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline El Capitan

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2019
  • Posts: 510
  • Total likes: 70
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: US
  • Programs: Haha I wish!
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2021, 11:17:05 AM »
Also in the case we're already talking about fixing the program... Partnering with a US bank (Chase or Amex or Citi etc) wouldn't be a bad idea either
Still looking for a good MS method :)

Offline YitzyS

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 5552
  • Total likes: 13697
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 34
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood, NJ
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #12 on: January 04, 2021, 11:19:28 AM »
El Al is in a more difficult position than ever due to COVID and upcoming ME3 competition.

What are your suggestions for how to fix El Al and Matmid and win back customers, while trying to survive?
They have to start advertising on DansDeals, silly!

Offline El Capitan

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2019
  • Posts: 510
  • Total likes: 70
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: US
  • Programs: Haha I wish!
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2021, 09:42:18 PM »
I just realized while everyone is getting worked up about the matmid side OP @Dan asked about el al as well... While I risk stating the obvious my suggestions are as follows. Don't strand people in Athens for shabbos. Treat your customers as customers not as prisoners (yes even in Y ) and market aggressively

Also operationally from a standpoint of delays etc...

I think this sums it up...
« Last Edit: January 04, 2021, 10:43:25 PM by El Capitan »
Still looking for a good MS method :)

Offline zagguru

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2014
  • Posts: 3107
  • Total likes: 171
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 70
    • View Profile
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2021, 10:17:46 PM »
I would start with them allowing you to publicly post the previous meeting you had with them

Offline tov hashem

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 438
  • Total likes: 86
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #15 on: January 04, 2021, 10:39:07 PM »
 MIKVAH IN FIRST. is a must to compete with ARAB CLASS F SHOWERS ;D
« Last Edit: January 04, 2021, 10:50:27 PM by tov hashem »

Offline El Capitan

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2019
  • Posts: 510
  • Total likes: 70
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: US
  • Programs: Haha I wish!
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #16 on: January 04, 2021, 10:42:38 PM »
MIKVAH IN FIRST. is a most to compete with ARAB CLASS F SHOWERS ;D
+1MM
Still looking for a good MS method :)

Offline Yef

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Aug 2017
  • Posts: 381
  • Total likes: 85
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #17 on: January 04, 2021, 11:24:47 PM »
Nicer FA s.
Better food ( might as well make all the food mehadrin)
Cooler air on planes

It’s been so long,that I forgot all my complaints with them

Offline lcm

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2019
  • Posts: 1599
  • Total likes: 639
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: 5th paragraph of https://www.dansdeals.com/sms/
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #18 on: January 05, 2021, 01:25:11 AM »
I noticed part of the question is "while trying to survive". Meaning all suggestions are nice, but they may cost to implement.
A general good idea would probably to look at southwest, they have a pretty economic yet decent experience, although obviously there are lackings and they aren't exactly the best comparison.

Offline ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15620
  • Total likes: 7712
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: What Would You Change About El Al/Matmid (2021 Edition)?
« Reply #19 on: January 05, 2021, 01:32:53 AM »
MIKVAH IN FIRST. is a must to compete with ARAB CLASS F SHOWERS ;D

With that, even I might choose LY over the alternatives!

On a serious note my suggestions would be:

1. Align currency with other airlines.
2. Add airline redemption partners.
3. Simplify awards and expand them to reflect #2.
4. Provide a way (or ways) to avoid mileage expiration.
« Last Edit: January 05, 2021, 01:36:19 AM by ExGingi »
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan