Author Topic: Going ElAl with AA miles (Read 4959 times)

Mutty · « **on:** November 28, 2010, 09:59:24 PM »

First off all THANKS A MILLION DAN. I got the two cards for me and two cards for my wife - aadvantage citi cards - and will be getting the 300,000 bonus miles. I booked a trip to israel business class - 135,000 each. We are very excited. My question to the folks is, do I get all the business class benefits from elal? Like the lounge, etc? Also, if I have grandkids going on the same flight but in couch can I take them through business checkin? Is elal business free luggage? Anything else I should know?
Mutty

md · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2010, 10:50:03 PM »

You get all privileges of flying ElAl in biz,(because you are). You can almost always check in the rest of your group via the biz class check in.

Mutty · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2010, 10:51:10 PM »

Thannks. Looking forward!

MLM · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2010, 09:26:27 AM »

If I begin travel on an AA business leg to JFK then have a connection on LY Biz, will AA allow me to take 3 bags at 70lbs each like LY?

aussiebochur · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2010, 09:41:24 AM »

Quote from: MLM on November 29, 2010, 09:26:27 AM

If I begin travel on an AA business leg to JFK then have a connection on LY Biz, will AA allow me to take 3 bags at 70lbs each like LY?

If its the same day, should work.
You may want to call to confirm.

YOSEF · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2010, 10:14:00 AM »

Quote from: MLM on November 29, 2010, 09:26:27 AM

If I begin travel on an AA business leg to JFK then have a connection on LY Biz, will AA allow me to take 3 bags at 70lbs each like LY?

Last year AA told me that it goes by the Transatlantic Carrier's policies, so yes.

nis965 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2011, 07:11:15 PM »

Why ElAl with AA miles? Can you use your AA miles and fly British Airways?

deals · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2011, 07:29:30 PM »

Quote from: nis965 on March 03, 2011, 07:11:15 PM

Why ElAl with AA miles? Can you use your AA miles and fly British Airways?

1 elal is direct
2. Ba has higher taxes

aussiebochur · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2011, 08:06:09 PM »

Quote from: deals on March 03, 2011, 07:29:30 PM

1 elal is direct
2. Ba has higher taxes

That's if El Al is available. BA's availability is generally much better then El Al, especially for multiple seats.
Can't use AA miles to fly EL AL First.

Two sides to every coin...

Mutty · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2011, 10:30:47 PM »

Who said you can't go elal with aa miles? I had a choice of business or first class and chose business, but first class was available

aussiebochur · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2011, 10:38:47 PM »

Quote from: Mutty on March 09, 2011, 10:30:47 PM

Who said you can't go elal with aa miles? I had a choice of business or first class and chose business, but first class was available

If that's so, then I stand corrected. Are you sure you can book it?

Mutty · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2011, 11:32:18 PM »

Login to AA.com and check the mileage chart. From North America to the Middle East - Business class 67,500 one way (that's what I reserved for August with my wife - got the 300,000 miles from Dans advice on the citibank cards), First Class - 90,000 each way. Good luck. We reserved early because we heard that it's very hard to get mileage tickets later on.

Dan · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2011, 11:37:19 PM »

Just called AAdvantage and they confirmed that El Al awards are only for coach or business.
I've yet to hear of anyone who successfully booked an El Al F ticket with AA miles.

damaxer91 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2011, 11:37:22 PM »

Just because the chart shows 90k from N. Amercia to the Middle East doesn't mean that AA allows First
Class redemptions on ElAl. There are other airlines and cities in the Middle East you know. I am 1000% sure that AA does not allow it

Deal Guy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2011, 01:34:46 AM »

Quote from: Mutty on November 28, 2010, 09:59:24 PM

Also, if I have grandkids going on the same flight but in couch can I take them through business checkin? Is elal business free luggage? Anything else I should know?
Mutty

Hey, we have grandpa's on the forums.

Mutty · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2011, 09:45:41 AM »

First of all, I am definitely a grandfather BH. Many times over. Secondly, I guess I stand corrected about the first class tickets. I ordered business but at the time I asked how much it would be for first class and I was told 90 each way. Since I never went through with it I guess it probably wouldn't have happened based on the previous messages. Sorry.
BTW, you also cannot upgrade an elal ticket from coach to business with aa miles. Bummer! Anyone know if it can be done with starwoods points or am I hitting the stupid questions again.

AsherO · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2011, 09:54:34 AM »

Quote from: Mutty on March 10, 2011, 09:45:41 AM

BTW, you also cannot upgrade an elal ticket from coach to business with aa miles. Bummer! Anyone know if it can be done with starwoods points or am I hitting the stupid questions again.

Starpointa no longer have an El Al transfer option, so no.

nis965 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2011, 04:37:06 PM »

Thanx, but I was thinking more on the lines of, if I would want to stop for a day in Europe would that then be worth booking through BA. Or is it really that expensive with the taxes. (Also I would be taking an infant, if that would change anything....)

AsherO · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2011, 04:48:56 PM »

Quote from: nis965 on March 10, 2011, 04:37:06 PM

Thanx, but I was thinking more on the lines of, if I would want to stop for a day in Europe would that then be worth booking through BA. Or is it really that expensive with the taxes. (Also I would be taking an infant, if that would change anything....)

What route are you looking for? CLE-TLV return? If you don't specifically want to stop over in London, I'd say don't fly BA because UK fees/surcharges are highest in Europe.

HesderGuy · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2011, 09:19:15 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on November 29, 2010, 09:41:24 AM

If its the same day, should work.
You may want to call to confirm.

I flew a few months ago from JFK to Toronto via AA, and then EL AL to Israel on Business - using AAdvantage points (the direct flight was not available). No matter how hard I tried, I could not convince AA to let me take 3 suitcases of 70 lb from JFK to Toronto, even though I was able to prove to them that EL AL allows 3. They said they go by their own computer - not what's on the web...