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 1838946 times)

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1440 on: December 16, 2012, 03:06:23 PM »
I'm not sure if I want paid or mileage so I'm trying both. Noone wants to tell me what my AA or SPG miles are worth.

One way/Round trip: round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: non stop
From: All airports from which you can depart by preferance: JFK, LGA, EWR
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line By preferance: FLL or MIA
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. 2/21 from NY around 3PM or a little later
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets same
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets 2/25 leave FL around 8 (flexible, just want the most time there)
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any coach unless theres a great deal for better. I'm gold member with AA
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2 2 people travelimg
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with: a decent one
Hope I got this all right

With the current promotin on the dd homepage, under 5000 spg points could get u a one-way to florida - http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/26954. - There is availability for the 21st going to miami from newark, in coach for 7,500 avios points (around 5000 spg.) For the way back there is with stopovers, so it would cost u a more avios, (12,000), which is still good. More seats could open up closer in time too, with avios u could book right b4 without paying extra close-in fees.

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1441 on: December 16, 2012, 03:12:55 PM »
With the current promotin on the dd homepage, under 5000 spg points could get u a one-way to florida - http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/26954. - There is availability for the 21st going to miami from newark, in coach for 7,500 avios points (around 5000 spg.) For the way back there is with stopovers, so it would cost u a more avios, (12,000), which is still good. More seats could open up closer in time too, with avios u could book right b4 without paying extra close-in fees.
From Newark?

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1442 on: December 16, 2012, 03:14:43 PM »
From Newark?

Yup the 5:20pm flight from newark, show's as open on aa.

Offline Mutty

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1443 on: December 16, 2012, 10:58:59 PM »
My head is spinning. I don't have Avios or whatever it was. By the time I get it (British Air points??) and transfer it might be Pesach. How can I see the flights in this program and what airlines are involved. I apologize. I'm an AA and SPG mileage user, nothing more at this point. Anyone have the patience to clearly explain all of this to me? Or will it take too long and I'll never get to FL for Purim?
Mutty
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1444 on: December 16, 2012, 11:40:05 PM »
My head is spinning. I don't have Avios or whatever it was. By the time I get it (British Air points??) and transfer it might be Pesach. How can I see the flights in this program and what airlines are involved. I apologize. I'm an AA and SPG mileage user, nothing more at this point. Anyone have the patience to clearly explain all of this to me? Or will it take too long and I'll never get to FL for Purim?
Mutty

Lol! Check the link i gave you in my previous reply, it will explain alot of things. Basically SPG (the program u have) is having a promotion now to give bonus points if u transfer the points to the british airways avios program. With avios points u could book travel on american airlines planes. For a route like NYC to Miami for example, aa would charge 25,000 miles to book that trip, while ba will only charged 15,000 avios to book that same trip. And with the promotion mentioned, u will be able to get roundtrips for as low at 10,000 spg points, if u are flexible with ur dates and times.

Offline ryl321@aol.com

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1445 on: December 18, 2012, 12:21:03 PM »
One way/Round trip: Multi City
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: All airports from which you can depart : LAX
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line: LAX - Warsaw - TLV - LAX
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. June 2 (Flexible) to Warsaw spend a few days there then head to israel for 10 days then return to LAX
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets June 19th (flexible)
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: I have SPG points or AA advantage points to use

Offline sweety

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NYC – LAS Help!
« Reply #1446 on: December 19, 2012, 12:47:14 PM »
Hi,

I am looking to fly on Jan 7th from NYC anytime (prefer to arrive before 7pm)to Las vages, and return Jan 8th after 8pm (depart) for 2 adults. I have mileage by British airways, united, AA, Starwood, Thank You Points, Chase ultimate rewards.

Can anyone please help me or guide me where and how is the best way to get this done?

Thanks

Offline ReadsTheT&C

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Re: NYC – LAS Help!
« Reply #1447 on: December 19, 2012, 01:45:38 PM »

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1448 on: December 19, 2012, 03:18:40 PM »
Hi,

I am looking to fly on Jan 7th from NYC anytime (prefer to arrive before 7pm)to Las vages, and return Jan 8th after 8pm (depart) for 2 adults. I have mileage by British airways, united, AA, Starwood, Thank You Points, Chase ultimate rewards.

Can anyone please help me or guide me where and how is the best way to get this done?

Thanks

U could go the way there for 25,000 on aa, and 4 return u could take the overnight on ua for 12,500.

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1449 on: December 19, 2012, 03:20:58 PM »
U could go the way there for 25,000 on aa, and 4 return u could take the overnight on ua for 12,500.
Isn't one way only 12.5k?

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1450 on: December 19, 2012, 03:25:45 PM »
Isn't one way only 12.5k?

There is no saaver availability, only the standard awards.

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1451 on: December 19, 2012, 03:32:51 PM »
There is no saaver availability, only the standard awards.
O okay. Now it makes sense  :)

Offline mmermss

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1452 on: December 20, 2012, 07:05:53 PM »
Round trip:
Non-stop
From: JFK
To: TLV
Departure dates: 01/01/2013 (all day) OR 01/02/2013 (In the AM)
Return airports:
JFK
Return dates: 01/06/2013 OR 01/07/2013
Class: Coach
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline:Any

Have plenty of MR..over 100k
TIA!
It's not about the quantity of your posts.  It's about the quality.

Offline Cashman

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1453 on: December 20, 2012, 09:24:06 PM »
I am looking for one way business class
TLV-EWR
12/31
I see united has 17 seats available. Anyone know how many seats until they open saver award

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1454 on: December 22, 2012, 09:02:56 PM »
looking for 1 way nyc to HK. Shanghai, Beijing also work.
2 tickets business or first.
May 19 not flexible.
prefer direct but stopover May work depending where and how long.

I have miles with AA(cathay) Starwood, Amex, United.

I hve been calling AA for quite some time but no luck.
Is there any tricks?

thanks

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1455 on: December 23, 2012, 11:22:54 AM »
One way/Round trip:Round trip (although I don't mind two 1 way)
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:non-stop
From: BWI
To: MIA, FLL, West Palm, etc.
Departure dates: 1/21/13 (early morning)
Return airports: BWI
Return dates: 1/22/13 (late afternoon/evening)
Class: AnySeats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Pretty much any

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1456 on: December 23, 2012, 01:27:21 PM »
One way/Round trip:Round trip (although I don't mind two 1 way)
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:non-stop
From: BWI
To: MIA, FLL, West Palm, etc.
Departure dates: 1/21/13 (early morning)
Return airports: BWI
Return dates: 1/22/13 (late afternoon/evening)
Class: AnySeats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Pretty much any

For $155 on a paid ticket, it's not worth it to use miles/points.

Offline Yup

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1457 on: December 23, 2012, 04:00:40 PM »
One way/Round trip: Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non- Stop only
From: All airports from which you can depart  JFK, LGA, Maybe EWR
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line LAS
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. Only Jan. 7 late
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets Same
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets Only Jan.10 late night
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any Cheapest
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2 1
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with Any. I Have Starpoints, MR and UR

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1458 on: December 23, 2012, 04:20:01 PM »
One way/Round trip: Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non- Stop only
From: All airports from which you can depart  JFK, LGA, Maybe EWR
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line LAS
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. Only Jan. 7 late
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets Same
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets Only Jan.10 late night
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any Cheapest
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2 1
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with Any. I Have Starpoints, MR and UR

Going there u could get on aa for 25,000 at the standard award. Hard to find a return nonstop.

Offline miles

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1459 on: December 23, 2012, 04:39:47 PM »
how much MILES should price OW in BIZ

FRA-RZE less then 24Hr
RZE-WAW-ORD-LGA

for me its price as 70k