Author Topic: Master Thread: Getting To Israel Using AMEX Membership Rewards Points (Read 50375 times)

AsherO · « **Reply #40 on:** June 05, 2011, 04:08:51 PM »

Quote from: Nitantnel on June 05, 2011, 04:07:18 PM

Any. I have BA, MR and AA points. BA, like you said, is darn expensive: 190K +$600 in FS! So anything that is first and cheaper than that. (I promised my father a FC ticket thinking it is only 130K, I didn't realize that 130 is for business and not for first - so that's my dilemma.

CO BF not good enough for you?

Dan · « **Reply #41 on:** June 05, 2011, 05:48:49 PM »

As AsherO said, I didn't include F in the comparison because from North America there is a dearth of F service to TLV.

AC from YYZ is Y/J
CO from EWR is Y/J.
DL from ATL/JFK is Y/J.
US from PHL is Y/J
Only LY has F and it can't be booked with AA miles, only LY points which are ridiculously high in points required and fuel surcharges (although availability is accordingly quite good)

Of course there are some connecting options in F to TLV (BA, LH, and LX come to mind). Perhaps someone wants to the research on it?

Nitantnel · « **Reply #42 on:** June 05, 2011, 06:34:54 PM »

Quote from: AsherO on June 05, 2011, 04:08:51 PM

CO BF not good enough for you?

Is their BF better than regular business? (assuming that BF means the highest class in a two cabin plane) Also, for the dates I'm looking for, Jan 25 -Jan 31, I do not see any direct flights in BF or F. I am therefor open F class tickets for all indirect carriers.

Quote from: Dan on June 05, 2011, 05:48:49 PM

As AsherO said, I didn't include F in the comparison because from North America there is a dearth of F service to TLV.

AC from YYZ is Y/J
CO from EWR is Y/J.
DL from ATL/JFK is Y/J.
US from PHL is Y/J
Only LY has F and it can't be booked with AA miles, only LY points which are ridiculously high in points required and fuel surcharges (although availability is accordingly quite good)

Of course there are some connecting options in F to TLV (BA, LH, and LX come to mind). Perhaps someone wants to the research on it?

I am not that good at this, but I did look up a few: BA (three times the price of coach)=190, US airway=150, and Continental=72,500 on Saver pass, and 160,000 on easy pass.

Yungerman · « **Reply #43 on:** June 05, 2011, 08:19:06 PM »

Quote from: Nitantnel on May 30, 2011, 04:21:53 PM

I'm missing something here: if your advising him to fly continental, why do you suggest transferring to ANA?

Umm.......because ANA books on continental with less miles required.

AsherO · « **Reply #44 on:** June 05, 2011, 09:44:58 PM »

Quote from: Nitantnel on June 05, 2011, 06:34:54 PM

Is their BF better than regular business? (assuming that BF means the highest class in a two cabin plane)

CO flies the Boeing 777 on their EWR-TLV route. This aircraft's BF seats are all lie-flat (180 degrees).

Nitantnel · « **Reply #45 on:** June 05, 2011, 09:53:34 PM »

Quote from: AsherO on June 05, 2011, 09:44:58 PM

CO flies the Boeing 777 on their EWR-TLV route. This aircraft's BF seats are all lie-flat (180 degrees).

Is it better than BA's business?
I don't really care about the Fuel Surcharge, as he will be paying for it (

). Also, it is a lot easier finding availability with BA.

AsherO · « **Reply #46 on:** June 05, 2011, 10:29:37 PM »

Quote from: Nitantnel on June 05, 2011, 09:53:34 PM

Is it better than BA's business?
I don't really care about the Fuel Surcharge, as he will be paying for it ( ). Also, it is a lot easier finding availability with BA.

I haven't flown any, see what the experts say.

Avidan · « **Reply #47 on:** June 06, 2011, 01:06:24 PM »

I have a little over 115,572 points on my platinum amex, with available 60,000 points advance. I want to go at the end of this month to Israel with my wife (her first time) from Miami. What do you recommend? I got a quote on Iberia’s direct website for a little over $3,000 (including all fees/taxes) on American Express website it was about $700 more.

What is the best option to use my points to get the cheapest deal and maybe even an upgrade?

myb821 · « **Reply #48 on:** June 06, 2011, 01:47:05 PM »

did u read this thread cause it has all the answers

doublejay · « **Reply #49 on:** July 04, 2011, 12:56:34 AM »

Quote from: Dan on October 10, 2010, 11:28:28 AM

Using Delta miles
-You can also transfer to Delta Skypesos to avoid fuel surcharges for travel originating in the US (Delta charges fuel surcharges for travel originating outside of the US), but their mileage rates are variable. Coach can be between 80,000 and 190,000 and business can be between 120,000 and 370,000.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anyone know what this "skypesos" thing is? Fuel surcharges?

I just booked a ticket with Delta to Israel and I didn't notice any major fees or surcharges. (I think there was $45 fee or something - is this what Dan is referring to?

Should I expect to get added fees?

Chaikel · « **Reply #50 on:** July 04, 2011, 01:11:25 AM »

Quote from: Dan on October 10, 2010, 11:28:28 AM

Using Delta miles
-You can also transfer to Delta Skypesos to AVOID fuel surcharges for travel originating in the US (Delta charges fuel surcharges for travel originating outside of the US), but their mileage rates are variable. Coach can be between 80,000 and 190,000 and business can be between 120,000 and 370,000.

Quote from: doublejay on July 04, 2011, 12:56:34 AM

Anyone know what this "skypesos" thing is? Fuel surcharges?

I just booked a ticket with Delta to Israel and I didn't notice any major fees or surcharges. (I think there was $45 fee or something - is this what Dan is referring to?

Should I expect to get added fees?

He wrote to avoid the fees

AsherO · « **Reply #51 on:** July 04, 2011, 01:18:54 AM »

Quote from: doublejay on July 04, 2011, 12:56:34 AM

Anyone know what this "skypesos" thing is? Fuel surcharges?

I just booked a ticket with Delta to Israel and I didn't notice any major fees or surcharges. (I think there was $45 fee or something - is this what Dan is referring to?

Should I expect to get added fees?

Their award chart has three tiers, and there's usually nothing available in the cheapest tier. The same award that is 25k (r/t) with AA or CO is sometimes 40k or even 60k with Delta. With Int'l it's even worse.

How many DL miles was your ticket to Israel, and what class did you travel (Coach, Biz or First)?

doublejay · « **Reply #52 on:** July 04, 2011, 01:19:45 AM »

Yeah...?

I don't have skypesos and didn't get fees. That's my point. (I don't believe Dan is freaking out about the $45 fee for booking. I believe that is standard. He is referring to $200+ fuel surcharges)

Anyways, I think I figured it out (old read up after you already post silliness) - He is referring to people booking tickets that originate outside of U.S. - i.e. for example TLV>JFK and then JFK>TLV - - - and not vice versa. I think.

Anyone able to confirm this?

doublejay · « **Reply #53 on:** July 04, 2011, 01:20:40 AM »

Quote from: AsherO on July 04, 2011, 01:18:54 AM

Their award chart has three tiers, and there's usually nothing available in the cheapest tier. The same award that is 25k (r/t) with AA or CO is sometimes 40k or even 60k with Delta. With Int'l it's even worse.

How many DL miles was your ticket to Israel, and what class did you travel (Coach, Biz or First)?

80k economy roundtrip.

AsherO · « **Reply #54 on:** July 04, 2011, 01:24:50 AM »

Quote from: doublejay on July 04, 2011, 01:20:40 AM

80k economy roundtrip.

Besides for the YQ (which would be nonexistent on some airlines), you got in at Delta's cheapest tier. The next two tiers are 130k and 160k R/T, making a DL award ticket potentially very expensive.

doublejay · « **Reply #55 on:** July 04, 2011, 01:27:47 AM »

Quote from: AsherO on July 04, 2011, 01:24:50 AM

Besides for the YQ (which would be nonexistent on some airlines), you got in at Delta's cheapest tier. The next two tiers are 130k and 160k R/T, making a DL award ticket potentially very expensive.

Ooh, Asher, some mercy with the newbie! Didn't understand your post....

Jargon help:
YQ?
DL?

doublejay · « **Reply #56 on:** July 04, 2011, 01:28:46 AM »

p.s. Should I start a "Jargon thread" $:-\$

AsherO · « **Reply #57 on:** July 04, 2011, 01:35:34 AM »

Quote from: doublejay on July 04, 2011, 01:27:47 AM

Ooh, Asher, some mercy with the newbie! Didn't understand your post....

Jargon help:
YQ?
DL?

YQ = Fuel Surcharges
DL = Delta

Quote from: doublejay on July 04, 2011, 01:28:46 AM

p.s. Should I start a "Jargon thread" $:-\$

No, there's more than enough spoonfeeding around here as it is.

Which reminds me, it's past my bedtime. Enough spoonfeeding you, goodnight.

doublejay · « **Reply #58 on:** July 04, 2011, 01:50:41 AM »

I am

wasn't expecting such a

response. I am

and want to

. I can

is that what you want? $:-\$

Maybe you acted that way cuz you were

?

Was I so annoying?

All I want is your love

- - -

Good Night,
Jay

p.s. I was trying to work in every

but couldn't which makes me

- - - oh wait! Got it now!

AsherO · « **Reply #59 on:** July 04, 2011, 01:57:48 AM »

Quote from: doublejay on July 04, 2011, 01:50:41 AM

I am wasn't expecting such a response. I am and want to . I can is that what you want? $:-\$

Maybe you acted that way cuz you were ?

Was I so annoying?

All I want is your love - - -

Good Night,
Jay

p.s. I was trying to work in every but couldn't which makes me - - - oh wait! Got it now!

Troll.

If I wasn't sure until now, now I am: You're not worth wasting time on.