Author Topic: Point of Matmid??? (Read 5994 times)

djnimon · « **on:** May 25, 2011, 05:58:21 PM »

I signed up for the free matmid account through dan's link and am hoping to use it to help me book an AA award flight to Israel this summer, but I can't figure out how to work it.

I looked up award flights on El Al's website using my matmid account, and there seemed to be a direct flight LAX-Tel aviv available on award travel, but when I called AA, they said that they don't have anything. Help?

Nitantnel · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2011, 06:03:52 PM »

tried walking them through it?

Dan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2011, 06:05:36 PM »

Not talking to just you, but generally speaking, if you want help it's generally a good idea to give dates of travel, class of service, number of passengers, etc, etc.

djnimon · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2011, 08:59:54 PM »

Oh right, thanks for the tip Dan.

I am looking to travel during one of the busiest times of the year: July 4th week! and its for me and my bride to be. Best case scenario, we fly on wed the 6th, but we are flexible for that week or even the next (and AA is telling me there is nothing for both weeks). We both have over 100k miles on AA (thanks Dan!), and would like to splurge on business class. Our priority is the straight LAX-Tel Aviv flight, but second best would be with only one stop in US so only one time through customs.

I tried looking using my matmid account for rewards travel on el al and it looked like to me that there was availability on the straight flight, but numerous calls to AA since then have come up empty. Help!

djnimon · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2011, 09:07:14 PM »

Ya I just double checked and the el al website seems to indicate that there is a direct flight available in first class on July 6 for 5,400 points, but AA says they got nothing from El Al. What gives?

Dan · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2011, 09:13:43 PM »

I don't see anything on El Al with miles in coach or business anywhere around your dates.
When you see it asking for 5,000 or 5,400 miles that's a first class award that can't be booked with aa miles.

Mikeoracle · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2011, 09:14:25 PM »

Quote from: djnimon on May 25, 2011, 09:07:14 PM

Ya I just double checked and the el al website seems to indicate that there is a direct flight available in first class on July 6 for 5,400 points, but AA says they got nothing from El Al. What gives?

IIRC AA does not have access to First class on ELAL, only Business and coach.

djnimon · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2011, 09:45:35 PM »

Oh man...ok thanks. anyway to transfer points to matmid? I have Amex, continental, and AA miles....

Dan · « **Reply #8 on:** May 25, 2011, 09:49:16 PM »

Quote from: djnimon on May 25, 2011, 09:45:35 PM

Oh man...ok thanks. anyway to transfer points to matmid? I have Amex, continental, and AA miles....

AMEX transfers to Matmid but they charge $$$ fuel surcharges.
Or search for flights via Europe.

Chaikel · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2011, 01:15:10 AM »

Quote from: djnimon on May 25, 2011, 08:59:54 PM

but second best would be with only one stop in US so only one time through customs.

AFAIK, you don't have to go through customs unless you leave the airport, so for a few hour layover that shouldn't be a problem

Devorah · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2011, 01:16:52 AM »

Quote from: Chaikel on May 26, 2011, 01:15:10 AM

AFAIK, you don't have to go through customs unless you leave the airport, so for a few hour layover that shouldn't be a problem

Can't comment re coming from Israel, but I know that when you come to LAX from Australia, you must clear customs, regardless of whether you are leaving the airport or not.

Yeki89 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:05:08 PM »

i just flew elal business ewr to tlv, on aa miles, not the greatest business experience.
in order to find tickets you need to call aa a million times! 800-882-8880.
at the end you will find a date.
also intresting point if you have the time aa considers all flights that continue withen 24 hours a stopover and no additional points needed.
so you can fly from lax to dallas to ewr, to brussels to barsalonia to milan to budepaest to tlv for only 67,500 miles! just make sure that your stopovers are less than 24 hours!
i would do it if i had the time

AsherO · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:18:59 PM »

Quote from: yeki89 on May 26, 2011, 05:05:08 PM

i just flew elal business ewr to tlv, on aa miles, not the greatest business experience.
in order to find tickets you need to call aa a million times! 800-882-8880.
at the end you will find a date.

It's best to know which El Al flights (and dates) are available when calling. If you tell the AA agent what flight you want instead of having them search for availability, it'll go much quicker and you won't have to call a million times.

moish · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:47:29 PM »

Quote from: yeki89 on May 26, 2011, 05:05:08 PM

\also intresting point if you have the time aa considers all flights that continue withen 24 hours a stopover and no additional points needed.
so you can fly from lax to dallas to ewr, to brussels to barsalonia to milan to budepaest to tlv for only 67,500 miles! just make sure that your stopovers are less than 24 hours!
i would do it if i had the time

question - why would someone in their right mind want to do that voluntarily?!

AsherO · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:48:08 PM »

Quote from: moish on May 26, 2011, 05:47:29 PM

question - why would someone in their right mind want to do that voluntarily?!

If they want to tour all those cities. Duh.

moish · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:52:01 PM »

are you serious or being sarcastic

AsherO · « **Reply #16 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:53:16 PM »

Quote from: moish on May 26, 2011, 05:52:01 PM

are you serious or being sarcastic

I had the same question for you.

moish · « **Reply #17 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:54:15 PM »

i cant imagine someone doing that itinerary no matter how much time he had, its plain torturous

AsherO · « **Reply #18 on:** May 26, 2011, 06:03:26 PM »

Quote from: moish on May 26, 2011, 05:54:15 PM

i cant imagine someone doing that itinerary no matter how much time he had, its plain torturous

Yet it seems Yeki89 would actually want to... To each their own.

Dan · « **Reply #19 on:** May 26, 2011, 09:07:35 PM »

Quote from: AsherO on May 26, 2011, 05:18:59 PM

It's best to know which El Al flights (and dates) are available when calling. If you tell the AA agent what flight you want instead of having them search for availability, it'll go much quicker and you won't have to call a million times.

+1
Took all of 5 minutes on the phone to help a friend book El Al J tickets for Sukkos for 135K AA miles after locating award flight on elal.com.