Author Topic: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points  (Read 50020 times)

Offline oisher

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #80 on: July 19, 2011, 10:43:09 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!

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #81 on: July 19, 2011, 10:45:13 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...

Offline Dan

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #82 on: July 19, 2011, 10:45:40 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.
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 leibima

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« 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.

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #84 on: July 31, 2011, 07:04:41 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.

Offline leibima

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #85 on: July 31, 2011, 07:29:51 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

Offline benarroc

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« 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

Offline Yid21

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« 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!!

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« 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.
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Offline Mocha

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #89 on: February 08, 2012, 01:48:42 PM »
200,000 sells for at least $3,500.
Curious where you get 1.75 cpm

Offline Chaikel

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #90 on: February 08, 2012, 01:53:34 PM »
Curious where you get 1.75 cpm
You mean "at least" 1.75
+1 I'm very curious as well
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Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #91 on: February 08, 2012, 02:03:04 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
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline meshugener

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #92 on: March 14, 2012, 06:27:58 PM »
Why is there no thread "flying to Israel using UR points"? Anyone?
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Offline Ergel

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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?
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Offline meshugener

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« 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?
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Offline AsherO

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #95 on: March 14, 2012, 10:51:33 PM »
Why is there no thread nullflying to Israel using UR pointsnull? Anyone?

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

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #96 on: March 15, 2012, 07:52:02 AM »
So I should transfer all my URs directly to United?
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Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #97 on: March 15, 2012, 08:14:40 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.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline meshugener

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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #98 on: March 15, 2012, 08:17:28 AM »
I'm looking for direct only. do they have direct NYC-TLV?
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Re: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points
« Reply #99 on: March 15, 2012, 08:22:05 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
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