Author Topic: Science for Mileage redemption to Israel  (Read 2666 times)

Offline kivabb

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Science for Mileage redemption to Israel
« on: March 14, 2010, 09:30:39 PM »
Is there any science in mileage redemption on EL Al (through AA) or Continental? Let's say I want to fly 8 people to Israel with mileage. I find that AA is pretty easy to redeem domestically, but to fly 8 people on EL AL is more of a challenge. Continental seems to be even tougher. I always thought that 330 days before the flight is the earliest time you can book, so I figured as long as I'm the early bird then I'll get my seats. But lately I see the don't open the seats until 1-4 months beforehand in larger quantities.

Are there certain tricks of the trade or science to know when to look for availability on either CO or EL AL (through AA) , or do I just need to call back every 2-3 days until I hit the jackpot of when they made seats available? Again, this is for 8 seats to Tel Aviv on coach.

Offline Dan

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Re: Science for Mileage redemption to Israel
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2010, 10:23:03 AM »
CO generally opens up more mileage flights the closer it gets to the flight. Availability can change daily.
They also offer better coach availability to all elites and better First availability to top-tier elites.
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 flyingace

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Re: Science for Mileage redemption to Israel
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2010, 07:44:25 PM »
If you are willing to take a stop-over it can be done. I booked 9 tix to TLV twice and got almost everyone on the same flights. It is best to call for these flights as partner airlines don't always show up online. In both cases I booked it more than ten months out, and in the second case paid a change fee to switch to non-stops when they opened up.

Offline Dan

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Re: Science for Mileage redemption to Israel
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2010, 07:55:37 PM »
If you are willing to take a stop-over it can be done. I booked 9 tix to TLV twice and got almost everyone on the same flights. It is best to call for these flights as partner airlines don't always show up online. In both cases I booked it more than ten months out, and in the second case paid a change fee to switch to non-stops when they opened up.
Good advice.

With many airlines (AA, CO, UA, etc.) you wont pay a change fee if there's no change to the origin and destination cities.
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 SuperFlyer

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Re: Science for Mileage redemption to Israel
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2010, 08:02:50 PM »
I got on LH flights already 9 seats in first.
My personal record was getting 4 people in biz, on a zero availability flight.
I somehow found an inspiration to tell the lady over the phone a story that made her cry. It was worth it, as I was able to overcharge 4x 1700 euro extra.
I did however deliver for a very nice sum of money delrey chocolates (godiva stye).

Offline flyingace

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Re: Science for Mileage redemption to Israel
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2010, 03:17:51 PM »
I have no status, so could not "pull anything off". These were booked the regular way, but it did take many hours to find the flights and many emails to straighten out some tax issues with Flying Blue.

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Science for Mileage redemption to Israel
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2010, 08:21:38 PM »
Was it at the time I suggested using klm on DD?
I did not use any status to get those spots.
You should a status at least by 1 airline, from there you just statusmatch.
With a nick like flyingace that shouldn't be a problem, unless it represents your kills...

Offline flyingace

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Re: Science for Mileage redemption to Israel
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2010, 08:41:45 PM »
I used FB because they are the cheapest mileage wise to TLV. All I had were AMEX/SPG points to transfer and the only way to make it was to use them @40,000 SPG etc... On average, including taxes,infant fares,change fees, etc... I paid 65,000 points and $245.00 per person. Got me and my family to E"Y for a super trip, so in my book it was worth it, but it took MONTHS of work.
« Last Edit: March 15, 2010, 08:46:44 PM by flyingace »

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Re: Science for Mileage redemption to Israel
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2010, 08:45:43 PM »
I hope that was not in coach.

Offline flyingace

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Re: Science for Mileage redemption to Israel
« Reply #9 on: March 15, 2010, 08:47:48 PM »
It absolutely was. That was all I could afford with the amount of points I had. I should also add that it was high season-ben hazmanim-August...

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Re: Science for Mileage redemption to Israel
« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2010, 08:50:51 PM »
For a business you got a good deal. No time wasted there. And paying less taxes with another airline, would have been "compensated" with more miles required.