Author Topic: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points (Read 55150 times)

oisher · « **Reply #80 on:** July 19, 2011, 10:43:09 AM »

Quote from: AsherO on January 07, 2011, 01:01:15 AM

But you can't compare US Bank with Amex when it comes to customer service and benefits.

Asher, Just to muddy the waters somewhat, Diners Club offers a better redemption rate to Matmid than does Amex MR.

Amex 70 points = 1 Matmid point
Diners Club 50 points = 1 Matmid point

i.e. Diners Club (which is a branded MASTERCARD, accepted everywhere, with CDW protection, buyers protection and more)
is 40% cheaper than using American Express!

aussiebochur · « **Reply #81 on:** July 19, 2011, 10:45:13 AM »

Quote from: oisher on July 19, 2011, 10:43:09 AM

Asher, Just to muddy the waters somewhat, Diners Club offers a better redemption rate to Matmid than does Amex MR.

Amex 70 points = 1 Matmid point
Diners Club 50 points = 1 Matmid point

i.e. Diners Club (which is a branded MASTERCARD, accepted everywhere, with CDW protection, buyers protection and more)
is 40% cheaper than using American Express!

If you can get one...

Dan · « **Reply #82 on:** July 19, 2011, 10:45:40 AM »

Quote from: oisher on July 19, 2011, 10:43:09 AM

Asher, Just to muddy the waters somewhat, Diners Club offers a better redemption rate to Matmid than does Amex MR.

Amex 70 points = 1 Matmid point
Diners Club 50 points = 1 Matmid point

i.e. Diners Club (which is a branded MASTERCARD, accepted everywhere, with CDW protection, buyers protection and more)
is 40% cheaper than using American Express!

Sure, but Matmid stinks and Diners Club cards haven't been offered for years.
I got mine right before they stopped taking applications back in '07 (maybe '08?) or so.

leibima · « **Reply #83 on:** July 31, 2011, 06:09:14 PM »

I want to go to Israel (4 people in total). I searched all the direct flights and can't find a cheap reward ticket. Does anyone have any idea which airline i can search with that may have cheaper award even if it means a stopover?

Travel dates are 8/16 or 8/17 to 8/28

Thanks for your help.

aussiebochur · « **Reply #84 on:** July 31, 2011, 07:04:41 PM »

Quote from: leibima on July 31, 2011, 06:09:14 PM

I want to go to Israel (4 people in total). I searched all the direct flights and can't find a cheap reward ticket. Does anyone have any idea which airline i can search with that may have cheaper award even if it means a stopover?

Travel dates are 8/16 or 8/17 to 8/28

Thanks for your help.

If you're looking for multiple business or first class seats, your best bet is usually LH or BA.

leibima · « **Reply #85 on:** July 31, 2011, 07:29:51 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on July 31, 2011, 07:04:41 PM

If you're looking for multiple business or first class seats, your best bet is usually LH or BA.

I am looking for economy

benarroc · « **Reply #86 on:** August 15, 2011, 08:10:49 PM »

I am trying to book a trip to Israel from LA for next summer using amex points. I want to transfer into ANA and fly continental. Ideally, I'd like to fly the family (6 tickets) business class, but I assume its impossible to get 6 business class mileage tickets on the same flight.

I checked the Continental site for availability and all the tickets are either 75000 or 150000. My travel dates are flexible.
What strategy can I use to redeem a lower point reward?
The continental site will only allow booking of tickets for travel up to July 17th. How can I book round trip tickets , at the cheapest reward level, that extend beyond the current date allowed by Continental?

Thanks

Moshe

Yid21 · « **Reply #87 on:** February 08, 2012, 11:53:56 AM »

I am trying to get my family of 3 to Israel from NYC using AMEX MR points in April/May (post pesach), but I have noticed that alot of the airline policies have changed over the last several months. I have 200K MR points but I was also hoping not to get flooded with fuel surcharges. I have 150K BA points but as we know those fuel charges are the worst.

Does anyone have any good ideas for getting from NYC-TLV with 200K MR points and not paying $500+ on fuel charges? I tried the flying blue promo but the only return dates in May were on Shabbos. ANA was only 60K miles with decent availability but they told me no flights booked through them will be less than $600 in fuel charges.

Any help is much appreciated!!

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #88 on:** February 08, 2012, 12:18:10 PM »

200,000 sells for at least $3,500. Coach tickets to Israel in that period are a bit over $900.
Miles are best utilized for premium classes where the dollar to mile price ratio is much bigger, hence unless you're looking for complicated stopovers or extra flexibilty it is rarely worthwhile to use miles.

Mocha · « **Reply #89 on:** February 08, 2012, 01:48:42 PM »

Quote from: PlatinumGuy on February 08, 2012, 12:18:10 PM

200,000 sells for at least $3,500.

Curious where you get 1.75 cpm

Chaikel · « **Reply #90 on:** February 08, 2012, 01:53:34 PM »

Quote from: Mocha on February 08, 2012, 01:48:42 PM

Curious where you get 1.75 cpm

You mean "at least" 1.75
+1 I'm very curious as well

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #91 on:** February 08, 2012, 02:03:04 PM »

Quote from: Mocha on February 08, 2012, 01:48:42 PM

Curious where you get 1.75 cpm

wasn't thinking. Meant to say $3000. The guy on the mainsite gives 1.6 for large accts somewhere on the forums people discussed getting more.
Anyway my point still holds, since you also have to count at least $120 fees.
The only scenario I see this making sense is if DL runs a transfer promo that's better tjan their 1.1 CPM seasona mile price

meshugener · « **Reply #92 on:** March 14, 2012, 06:27:58 PM »

Why is there no thread "flying to Israel using UR points"? Anyone?

Ergel · « **Reply #93 on:** March 14, 2012, 07:48:27 PM »

Quote from: meshugener on March 14, 2012, 06:27:58 PM

Why is there no thread "flying to Israel using UR points"? Anyone?

Because UR points are a relatively new currency, especially in their current quantity.
Why do always seem to take such a combative tone?

meshugener · « **Reply #94 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:55:23 PM »

Where do you see a combative tone in my question? I was just asking why, and if anyone can please create one because I plan using them for my upcoming. So can you please?

AsherO · « **Reply #95 on:** March 14, 2012, 10:51:33 PM »

Quote from: meshugener on March 14, 2012, 06:27:58 PM

Why is there no thread nullflying to Israel using UR pointsnull? Anyone?

Because UA is basically the only reasonable (non-YQ) option.

meshugener · « **Reply #96 on:** March 15, 2012, 07:52:02 AM »

So I should transfer all my URs directly to United?

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #97 on:** March 15, 2012, 08:14:40 AM »

Quote from: meshugener on March 15, 2012, 07:52:02 AM

So I should transfer all my URs directly to United?

first find availability. If there's skyteam and not star alliance - transfer to korean.

meshugener · « **Reply #98 on:** March 15, 2012, 08:17:28 AM »

I'm looking for direct only. do they have direct NYC-TLV?

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #99 on:** March 15, 2012, 08:22:05 AM »

Quote from: meshugener on March 15, 2012, 08:17:28 AM

I'm looking for direct only. do they have direct NYC-TLV?

Delta. Nyc-tlv is probably never open, but ATL-TLV might very well be. Afaik u have to search delta.dumb. (For the low level availability). Star has us from phl co 2 flights from EWR AC from toronto