7 relatives from LAX-TLV and 3 SYD-TLV. Where to collect the points?

[Shimon]

Hi

The 3 relatives from Sydney are booked on Korean Air (Skyteam). Is there anything I can do with these miles? Is there any partner programs worthwhile collecting them in?

I need to book 7 relatives from LAX. Currently I can get tickets with Continental (100% miles), United (50% miles; Continental metal, United codeshare), or Delta (100%)  for about the same cost. For an extra $100 per ticket we can get El Al not direct (130 matmid points return). We are talking about 16,292 miles from LAX return. A total of 114014 excluding any bonus points from signing up.

How can we best use the points? I'd love to use the points while we are there for hotels. We would only have half the total points in Israel since no one has returned. I am not sure the points would post fast enough to use them in Israel.

I wouldn't mind sending them to my Priority Club for personal use if I could or consolidate them all into one frequent flyer account and using them for flights. I haven't looked into other hotel clubs.

What I am thinking of is sticking with Continental and sending their miles to Amtrak and redeeming them for about $1050 in gift cards. What do you recommend?

None of my relatives are members of any frequent flyer program expect of the possibility of one. None of them fly frequently.

[E]

you know you cant combine the points right?

[shmiel]

Used to be able to on BMI (not sure if their merger is complete) that would be good for the * segments. Correct me if I'm wrong

[SuperFlyer]

Pm me the Lax-Tlv data, and I will see what I can do.

Please describe what you need, not just guesses, so that I don't waste time.

[Shimon]

you know you cant combine the points right?

Yes I know that. 10,000 miles is $100 in gift cards at Amtrak. 6,000 is $50. I can get $1050 in gift cards. However, not the greatest value for 100,000 miles. If I could use each 16,000 miles account for a hotel rooms in Israel it would be great. Maybe you have some ideas?

[Shimon]

Used to be able to on BMI (not sure if their merger is complete) that would be good for the * segments. Correct me if I'm wrong

Yes you are still able to. You can 8 family members. I guess this will get me status and my relatives may get some perks on the way back.

[moshegold]

if you combine you won't get status, you'll only be able to use all the pooled miles. you can also fly BA & pool all your miles

[Shimon]

That sucks.

[SuperFlyer]

If status is important, www.aegean.com will get you very close to gold I believe.

[Shimon]

I am not flying. Just collecting miles.

[SuperFlyer]

and, what happened?

[Shimon]

The El Al tickets appeared for $1,000 per adult. We couldn't resist paying the extra and having direct flights. I am going to collect the points in Qantas and then send them to myself.

[Dan]

The El Al tickets appeared for $1,000 per adult. We couldn't resist paying the extra and having direct flights. I am going to collect the points in Qantas and then send them to myself.

LAX-TLV will earn a whopping 0 miles on Qantas.

[AsherO]

The El Al tickets appeared for $1,000 per adult. We couldn't resist paying the extra and having direct flights. I am going to collect the points in Qantas and then send them to myself.

Didn't El Al used to have family Matmid accounts? Is this no longer the case?

[Shimon]

LAX-TLV will earn a whopping 0 miles on Qantas.

Why? You can earn LY miles on Qantas.

[Shimon]

Didn't El Al used to have family Matmid accounts? Is this no longer the case?

For London flights & and an unpublicized program where all points are worth 50% less.

[AsherO]

For London flights & and an unpublicized program where all points are worth 50% less.

Ah, that kinda defeats the purpose.

[Dan]

Why? You can earn LY miles on Qantas.

Credit it and find out for yourself.

[SuperFlyer]

Shimon? Back to square 1?

You have 1 more chance. Pm if you need.