Topic Wiki

Please follow the following rules when posting in this thread. Failure to do so may result in you request being ignored or deleted.

(If you are looking to purchase a paid ticket, please post here)

FAQs:

Q: How can I use my credit card points to book a USA-TLV ticket?
A: Please read Dan's very helpful and informative guides found here and here

Great tool to see the mileage cost for a route http://www.awardhacker.com

Q: Do I have to pay a lot of money when using miles for a ticket?

A: Sometimes. For more information read this

Q: How do I find award availability?
A: For Star Alliance (United, AirCanada, Lufthansa, Swiss, and others) see this guide

For OneWorld (AmericanAirlines, BritishAirways, Iberia, Malev, and more) You can use BA's award search engine (you need to have a free BA account to access the engine). In addition, you can use Qantas' engine (free account needed as well), which will (to an extent) search Elal. As of this posting, the Elal business flights that show up are coach, and vice verse.

For Delta and AirFrance, use their respective sites. While not perfect, they are quite manageable for the casual searcher.

And of course, many of us here will take time out to help someone who is trying to learn.

Q: All this searching is making me crazy. Is there an easier way?
A: Yes, but it might cost you. Check out AwardNexus.com, KVStool.com, and expertflyer.com.

Q: I see AirCanada availability, but when I call AirCanada they say I can't use my United miles with them. Aren't they partners?
A: You can only use miles with the airline that issued them. Through that airline (in our case United) they can issue a ticket on a partner (ie AirCanada). Trying to call AirCanada with United miles, is like trying to use shekels in Mexico.

Q: I can't find availability on my dates. What should I do?
A: You should try to be as flexible as possible. Can you add a stop or 2? Can you be more flexible with your dates? The airports?
If all else fails, keep trying. Availability is constantly opening up.

Q: Can someone please help me find a ticket?
A: No! Find it yourself.  ;D ;D Just kidding. Please copy the following lines, delete the non bolded parts, and fill it out in your post.

One way/Round-trip:
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:
From: All airports from which you can depart
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible.
Return airports:If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One-way tickets
Return dates: Delete this line for One-way tickets
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with

IF you have any airline status or credit cards (Ie, United CC or status) that gives extended seat availability, please add that. Would be helpful to find you correct availability.

An additional note about using miles for direct flights from NYC-TLV

NYC-TLV is only served by 3 carriers non-stop, United, Delta, and El Al. Saver availability on Delta is non-existent. Saver availability on United is rare but sometimes available close-in. It is almost never available on or near holidays or holiday weekends, or around yomim tovim. Any award space that opens will be snatched up immediately so you have to constantly be checking if you hope to snag it if/when it opens. El AL awards are more readily available but prohibitively expensive using Matmid points (El Al's frequent flyer program) but may be able to be booked using Quantas points (transfers from Citi & Amex) at a much more reasonable rate.

This leaves the following options if no saver availability:

The Chase travel portal will let you use Ultimate Rewards, or a combination or UR and cash to book flights. If you have a Sapphire Reserve or a Sapphire Preferred, the redemption rate will be 1.5 cents per point or 1.25 cents per point respectively, instead of the regular 1 cent per point without them. (A, Ink cash or Ink Preferred will also give you the 1.25 cpp redemption rate.)

The Amex travel portal will let you redeem points at 1 cent per point towards the cost of air travel. If you have a grandfathered Business Platinum card, you will get 50% of the points you redeem back around a month after you book the ticket. If you have a non-grandfathered card, you will get 35% of your points back. (This is only available when redeeming points for tickets on your selected American carrier in economy class or on any airline in business or first class.)

The Citi travel portal also lets you redeem points at 1 cent per point towards travel and seems to have better pricing on El Al in business class.

Alternatively, you can sell your points (not here on DDF) and use the cash to buy regular tickets. This is usually the best option for people without either a Chase Sapphire Reserve or grandfathered Business Platinum who are flying economy.

Those are your only options for nonstop travel. For options with a stopover and more information in general, see https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/milespoints/the-ultimate-israel-mileage-award-chart/

This keeps on getting asked over and over. Besides Dan's comprehensive list of how to get to, or from, TLV here is a short list of options for travel to or from NYC in Y:
Lowest point per RT is FB 50K (less with promo, but YQ of ~$500 unless you can find unicorn DL availability), AA 80k (AA metal for transatlantic), AC 80k (LX or LO for low YQ) and UA 85k. Half that for OW.

Please add any other information to this wiki that you feel might be useful.



Author Topic: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)  (Read 2060012 times)

Offline Cashman

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1080 on: August 18, 2012, 10:59:51 PM »
2 round trips
EWR-TLV Nov 4th
TLV-EWR Nov 11th
business class
short connection no problem

Offline luxmn

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1081 on: August 19, 2012, 01:03:19 PM »
Hi all, this is my first post and first request, please pardon any mistakes.

2 one-way
SGN-IAH Oct 3rd
Eco class
Any connections

I have United miles and Chase UR points so only know to go to UA website to search for award flight. The best I could find was 32.5k points + $54 ish/person. Please advise if there's a better way. Should I wait until 21 days before Oct 3rd to see if the rate will drop?

Thank you.

Offline explorer

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1082 on: August 20, 2012, 03:42:54 PM »
My Mother-in-Law is terminally ill in England. We are trying to fly there with the family to see her before it is to late G-d forbid. We are a family of 4 (2 adults 2 three yearolds)

My husband is usually really great with miles and figuring this kind of thing out but he is right now in England with terrible internet and trying to take care of things for his mother. He is IYH flying back to the states on Wed. and wants to go back in a week or so with everyone.

One way/Round trip: round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: any
From: All airports from which you can depart: Pittsburgh PA is best, otherwise baltimore, or washington DC
To: All airports which you can arrive at. Manchester UK
Departure dates: flexible pref aug 30th or there about but even a week later should work G-d willing
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. same as above
Return dates: we would like to stay 1-2weeks we are flexible so long as we are not traveling on shabbos :)
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any while we'd love first any will do
Seats: 4 if need be we can split the kids and my husband and I can fly seperatly obviously together would be easiest
Alliance/Airline: We each have USair accounts with 75k miles in each account (total of 300k miles) we don't care what airline we fly

Thank you in advance

Offline NateR

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1083 on: August 22, 2012, 12:40:07 PM »
Hi, Thanks in advance for all your help!  I'm looking to travel to a friend's wedding in MTL from NYC using Ultimate Rewards points and I was wondering which airline would be best to transfer points to for this purpose

One way/Round trip:  Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non-Stop
From: All airports from which you can depart ---> NYC airports
To: All airports which you can arrive at. ----> Montreal airports
Departure dates: Oct 31 - Nov 1
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets ----> Nov 4
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any ----> coach
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2 ---> 2
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with ----> best value using Ultimate Rewards

Offline Ergel

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Hi, Thanks in advance for all your help!  I'm looking to travel to a friend's wedding in MTL from NYC using Ultimate Rewards points and I was wondering which airline would be best to transfer points to for this purpose

One way/Round trip:  Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non-Stop
From: All airports from which you can depart ---> NYC airports
To: All airports which you can arrive at. ----> Montreal airports
Departure dates: Oct 31 - Nov 1
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets ----> Nov 4
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any ----> coach
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2 ---> 2
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with ----> best value using Ultimate Rewards
See if aa has low availability and book using british airways avios
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline NateR

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1085 on: August 22, 2012, 01:02:27 PM »
Thanks for the help!

Offline ds2626

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1086 on: August 24, 2012, 01:19:48 AM »
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non stop or 1
From: Mia or Fll
To: CDG(Paris, France)
Departure dates: 09/03, 09/04
Return dates: 09/11 or 09/12
Class: Coach
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Any but prefer air france or aa

Offline Chaikel

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1087 on: August 24, 2012, 09:01:04 AM »
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non stop or 1
From: Mia or Fll
To: CDG(Paris, France)
Departure dates: 09/03, 09/04
Return dates: 09/11 or 09/12
Class: Coach
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Any but prefer air france or aa

What miles do you have?
Create professional looking itineraries.
Check out eliteitinerary.com

Offline Cbs

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1088 on: August 27, 2012, 10:22:48 AM »
a freind asked me to help him find a ticket with his miles...

he has plenty of Amex points and wants to know the best way to book a ticket from NYC- TLV

departure: 9/27-29
return: 10/11 - 14

how much for coach and for business.
1 passenger.

thanx

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1089 on: August 27, 2012, 10:41:02 AM »
a freind asked me to help him find a ticket with his miles...

he has plenty of Amex points and wants to know the best way to book a ticket from NYC- TLV

departure: 9/27-29
return: 10/11 - 14

how much for coach and for business.
1 passenger.

thanx
Lots of us (I assume -with such dates, other than myself) are looking for the same thing (or similar).  I wish you much success!  ;)

Offline Cbs

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1090 on: August 27, 2012, 10:42:44 AM »
Lots of us (I assume -with such dates, other than myself) are looking for the same thing (or similar).  I wish you much success!  ;)
Sorry I don't really follow this thread. So I didn't know.
But is it that hard to find an award ticket to TLV?

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1091 on: August 27, 2012, 10:45:19 AM »
For sukkos? To TLV? At the saver rate? You betcha :P

(or, at least it isn't easy)
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1092 on: August 27, 2012, 10:55:31 AM »
For sukkos? To TLV? At the saver rate? You betcha :P

(or, at least it isn't easy)
Well what is available?

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1093 on: August 27, 2012, 11:01:47 AM »
Well what is available?
My ears (eyes?) are wide open :).  AJK?

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1094 on: August 27, 2012, 11:26:09 AM »
Well what is available?

Well, you can a) keep looking, b) pay standard rates (yikes), or c) try and get creative with the routings...
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1095 on: August 27, 2012, 11:31:31 AM »
One way
Non-stop
From: EWR,JFK,PHL,ACY
To: MIA,FLL,PBI
Departure dates: 12/21 (must arrive before 1, its Erev Shabbos). 12/22 must depart after 8 PM from JFK, 8:45 from EWR PHL or ACY. 12/23 early morning

Class:Coach
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: I have BA Avios, United Miles and UR

I understand that my options are limited to AA or UA, I cant find anything that works on either. Any help would be appreciated.

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1096 on: August 27, 2012, 12:01:11 PM »
b) pay standard rates (yikes),
what does the standard rate range between? he doesnt really mind paying a bit more

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1097 on: August 27, 2012, 12:08:48 PM »
on UA, for example:

80K RT in Y US-TLV vs. 150K.
120K RT in J US-TLV vs. 300K.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1098 on: August 27, 2012, 12:12:30 PM »
on UA, for example:

80K RT in Y US-TLV vs. 150K.
120K RT in J US-TLV vs. 300K.
k thanx...

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1099 on: August 27, 2012, 12:22:13 PM »
on UA, for example:

80K RT in Y US-TLV vs. 150K.
120K RT in J US-TLV vs. 300K.
Why would standard rate even be a remote option?  If you sell, you'll have enough cash to pay for a ticket and some change..
That's ridiculous.