TLV-VCE questions

[Moisheleh]

Hi all,

I'm looking at a possible trip from TLV to VCE on the evening of 6/23, and back to TLV on the night of 6/26. Searching ANA shows availability, particularly through Germany. But IIRC from the "Getting to Israel using Amex MR points" thread, booking through ANA is cheapest... as long as you're using a US-based carrier. So my questions are:

1) What's the best airline to transfer my points to for booking this trip, in terms of paying the least miles + avoiding fuel surcharges?

2) I happen to also have some Lufthansa Miles and More miles sitting around, which would be perfect seeing as how the connection is in Germany... except that Lufthansa has massive fuel surcharges. Anything I can do about that? Or do I have to stick to MR points? And if that's the case... what are Lufthansa miles good for, anyway?

[yare]

check swiss avail through zrh, they're usually pretty good from tlv.   if you find avail on them, then transfer to co, its 17.5k ow or 35k rt in coach. 27.5/55k in biz.   

[gdam]

what are Lufthansa miles good for, anyway?

They are particularly good for getting to Europe with Miles & More profile set to an israeli address .

Fly Smart award : Only 15K miles from TLV to anywhere in Europe + fuel charges.
 
http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/mam/hu/spend/flight/offer?nodeid=2547915&l=en&cid=1000263

[Moisheleh]

yare: Swiss is better than Lufthansa? Once I'm booking through CO, does it matter which airline?

gdam: Why is an Israeli address better than an American one?

[gdam]

For members resident in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia, award flights are charged at the rates for the Europe region. The airport at which the journey starts must be in one of these countries.

[Dan]

Swiss is a better airline than Lufthansa and ZRH is better than FRA.

Although the Lufthansa FCL/FCT experience is very good.

[Moisheleh]

For members resident in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia, award flights are charged at the rates for the Europe region. The airport at which the journey starts must be in one of these countries.

I actually do live in Israel, although all of my accounts have the mailing address set to my parents' house in the US... can I change my M&M address right now to my Israeli one, and enjoy this benefit?

[Moisheleh]

Swiss is a better airline than Lufthansa and ZRH is better than FRA.

Although the Lufthansa FCL/FCT experience is very good.

I hate to sound like an 1d10t n00b, but what's FCL/FCT?

[gdam]

I actually do live in Israel, although all of my accounts have the mailing address set to my parents' house in the US... can I change my M&M address right now to my Israeli one, and enjoy this benefit?

Yes.

[aussiebochur]

I hate to sound like an 1d10t n00b, but what's FCL/FCT?

First Class Lounge/Terminal.

[yare]

yare: Swiss is better than Lufthansa? Once I'm booking through CO, does it matter which airline?

gdam: Why is an Israeli address better than an American one?

once your booking through co it doesn't matter which one it is... they're both star alliance airlines.    but like dan said, swiss is a better airline, and zrh is a better airport. and i personally, if i have the option, prefer to keep away from germany; but that's just my personal preference.   
anyway, i don't think you'll have access to the fcl/fct flying business tlv-zrh

[SuperFlyer]

if traveling coach (i believe this trick has been disabled for business), change your miles and more profile to israel, and use a fraction of the miles (if departing tlv)

(can take overnight to take effect)

[andrew]

They are particularly good for getting to Europe with Miles & More profile set to an israeli address .

Fly Smart award : Only 15K miles from TLV to anywhere in Europe + fuel charges.
 
http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/mam/hu/spend/flight/offer?nodeid=2547915&l=en&cid=1000263

how much would fuel charges be for a round trip?

[dealer]

how much would fuel charges be for a round trip?

around $200+

[gdam]

Fuel surcharges can be also paid with miles, but I am not sure if it works for TLV.

[flyingace]

You might find it cheaper than the points plus fuel charges, to fly a low cost airline. Pesach bain hazmanim my son flew to Barcelona for $150.00 and got a ticket to Venice for another $15.00!!!

[AsherO]

You might find it cheaper than the points plus fuel charges, to fly a low cost airline. Pesach bain hazmanim my son flew to Barcelona for $150.00 and got a ticket to Venice for another $15.00!!!

+1, SkyScanner.net searches many LCCs.