Author Topic: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV  (Read 11748 times)

Offline Daniel

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Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« on: February 21, 2010, 02:32:19 PM »
Hi All,

Anyone have any suggestions as to the best place to stopover in Europe on a one way AA reward ticket back to NYC in mid-may. We would like to stay overnight in a lower category starwood that is very close to the main sites. We have one baby. My wife likes scenic stuff but not hiking (flowers, gardens, waterfalls, mountains etc...)

Also, when would I need to book by on AA? What are the change rules?

Thanks for any advice!


Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2010, 08:16:12 PM »
So you would use AA miles?

That leaves us to BA, Iberia and Elal and Malev that have a connection in europe.
With the stuff your wife likes, I'd get rid of BA and Iberia (London and Madrid that is).

I'd look for a combination of elal to Europe, and AA to NYC.

If you have a full day, you can try Copenhagen (tivoli, expensive but nice park in center of town) or Amsterdam (surroundings), Zurich (lake and surroundings, cheap boat ride on lake).

You might have to travel via LHR for those destinations, + I did not keep track of the hotels.

Does your wife also like not-natural-scenic-stuff, such as medieval towns, etc.... then you can add Brussels (visit Ghent and or Bruges) .

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2010, 02:10:44 AM »
Thanks!
I was thinking about the Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel and taking the train to the city. Does anyone have any experience doing this or staying there (especially with a baby/stroller on the train)?

What airline would AA use to go from TLV to Amsterdam and then from there to NYC?

Thanks!

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2010, 04:57:28 AM »
Im a little confused. Your first post suggests that you will use AA, so that would be elal to AMS.

Stroller on train is no problem.

I never stayed there in a hotel.

AMS (schiphol), is well connected by train to the city.

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2010, 07:05:59 AM »
Thanks. I will be using AA miles. SO it's ElAl to amsterdam and then what airline to NYC?
Someone told me Amsterdam is dirty and not worth seeing, what do you say?

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2010, 07:43:25 AM »
dirty spiritually if you go to the wrong hood. Quite a picturesque city otherwise. i took some photos for Mishpacha's sukkos edition.

dunno if you have an AA directly, but if you find availability with Jetairways (9w) from BRU it would be a nice experience.

9w flies non-stop to JFK and EWR.

9w is probably the nicest airline around, immediately followed by Singapore, cathay, thai and king fisher, so that should be an experience on its own.

There is a train directly from Amsterdam to Brussels. Hop off at Brussels North Station, and take the short train to the airport.

For 2 people the train should cost you approx Euro 53 in total (little kids are free).

Offline damaxer91

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2010, 09:07:05 AM »

dunno if you have an AA directly, but if you find availability with Jetairways (9w) from BRU it would be a nice experience.

9w flies non-stop to JFK and EWR.

9w is probably the nicest airline around, immediately followed by Singapore, cathay, thai and king fisher, so that should be an experience on its own.


Have you ever had luck finding seats on 9W using AA miles (in Business or First)?

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2010, 09:24:09 AM »
good question, yes but only 1 per business or first.

but maybe in eco there is more.

Offline damaxer91

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2010, 09:40:12 AM »

but maybe in eco there is more.

Economy? Whats that?

Offline moish

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2010, 09:50:05 AM »
how do you use aa miles for jet airways?

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2010, 10:38:41 AM »
call Advantage.

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2010, 10:50:08 AM »
Economy? Whats that?

Good one, but as you see, I stated "maybe in economy" meaning that Im not used to it.

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2010, 12:12:53 PM »
Don't bother signing up for a 9W account to check award availability, you can't check anything with no mileage balance.

Any other partners that let you search 9W availability online?
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.

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #13 on: February 22, 2010, 12:48:15 PM »
since when is jet airways a partner

Offline Dan

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #14 on: February 22, 2010, 12:54:03 PM »
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.

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #15 on: February 22, 2010, 12:54:31 PM »
dirty spiritually if you go to the wrong hood. Quite a picturesque city otherwise. i took some photos for Mishpacha's sukkos edition.

dunno if you have an AA directly, but if you find availability with Jetairways (9w) from BRU it would be a nice experience.

9w flies non-stop to JFK and EWR.

9w is probably the nicest airline around, immediately followed by Singapore, cathay, thai and king fisher, so that should be an experience on its own.

There is a train directly from Amsterdam to Brussels. Hop off at Brussels North Station, and take the short train to the airport.

For 2 people the train should cost you approx Euro 53 in total (little kids are free).

wait, there is no direct AA partner from Amsterdam to NYC?

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #16 on: February 22, 2010, 01:06:48 PM »
wait, there is no direct AA partner from Amsterdam to NYC?

I said its possible, I didnt check, are you asking me to check?

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #17 on: February 24, 2010, 05:21:30 PM »
I spoke with AA.  After May 15th, Europe to USA is 30k instead of 20k.

However, I realized that if I want to take 2 bags/person of 70lbs each, it would cost me $300 from Europe to US alone plus whatever ElAL charges  (see below)

If I went ElAL direct using AA miles- it would only cost me $100 in baggage charges.

The problem is there is absolutely no direct availability for the entire month of May. Do things ever open up or if it's not available now, it will never be?

-----------------
ElAl stupidity:
1.5% of the Full Fare Economy Class ticket price (Y class)for every kilogram, in each direction
* The exact rate will be given at the EL AL counter at the airport.                       
                   

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2010, 05:25:08 PM »
I spoke with AA.  After May 15th, Europe to USA is 30k instead of 20k.

However, I realized that if I want to take 2 bags/person of 70lbs each, it would cost me $300 from Europe to US alone plus whatever ElAL charges  (see below)

If I went ElAL direct using AA miles- it would only cost me $100 in baggage charges.

The problem is there is absolutely no direct availability for the entire month of May. Do things ever open up or if it's not available now, it will never be?

-----------------
ElAl stupidity:
1.5% of the Full Fare Economy Class ticket price (Y class)for every kilogram, in each direction
* The exact rate will be given at the EL AL counter at the airport.                      
                  
What about with a different AA partner airline?

It's definitely possible for seats to still open up.
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 Daniel

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Re: Best Place to Stop Over in Europe From TLV
« Reply #19 on: February 24, 2010, 05:43:06 PM »
What about with a different AA partner airline?

It's definitely possible for seats to still open up.

Who else besides ElAl flies direct?
Any connection in Europe would subject me to outrageous baggage fees, no?
« Last Edit: February 24, 2010, 05:50:33 PM by Daniel »