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 1839094 times)

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #260 on: September 05, 2011, 02:50:55 AM »
I have one solution to this for a concierge client (return is already booked in QF F/CX F), but I'm curious to see if DDF'ers can be more creative than I am.  I'm post my solution tomorrow.

One way/Round trip: OW
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: All airports from which you can depart: LAX/LGB/BUR/ONT/SNA
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line: MEL
Departure dates: 11/06-11/08 (Arrive no later than 3pm on 11/09, overnights/stopovers are fine)
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any: Business/First
Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 2 seats
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with: Any
Option 1)

Sun 11/6, NH1005, LAX-HND, 00:55-5:00+1 day
Tue 11/8, TG661, HND-BKK, 00:20-5:20
Wed 11/8, TG461, BKK-MEL, 8:10-21:20

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #261 on: September 05, 2011, 02:54:00 AM »
Option 1)

Sun 11/6, NH1005, LAX-HND, 00:55-5:00+1 day
Tue 11/8, TG661, HND-BKK, 00:20-5:20
Wed 11/8, TG461, BKK-MEL, 8:10-21:20
Close but no cigar, slacking off my young padawan ;)
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #262 on: September 05, 2011, 03:05:12 AM »
Close but no cigar, slacking off my young padawan ;)
Option 1 means there's more to come. Min Hakal El Hakovod...

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #263 on: September 05, 2011, 03:09:00 AM »
Option 1 means there's more to come. Min Hakal El Hakovod...
Hehehe
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #264 on: September 05, 2011, 03:18:52 AM »
Option 2)

Sun 11/6, NH1005, LAX-HND, 00:55-5:00+1 day
Mon 11/7, OZ1075, HND-GMP, 10:00-12:20
Mon 11/7, OZ601, ICN-SYD, 20:20-8:20+1 day
Short hop over to MEL on QF or other

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #265 on: September 05, 2011, 03:20:26 AM »
Option 2)

Sun 11/6, NH1005, LAX-HND, 00:55-5:00+1 day
Mon 11/7, OZ1075, HND-GMP, 10:00-12:20
Mon 11/7, OZ601, ICN-SYD, 20:20-8:20+1 day
Short hop over to MEL on QF or other
Meh, 1 was better.  Keep going :)
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #266 on: September 05, 2011, 03:44:17 AM »
TG J is not lie-flat to MEL...

Option 3)

Since flying SQ A380 im quite partial to it so I personally would do the following,

Mon 11/7, NH1005, LAX-HND, 00:10-5:15+1 day
Tue 11/8, SQ635, HND-SIN, 6:25-12:50
Wed 11/9, SQ231, SIN-SYD, 00:45-11:50

Hop over to MEL.


Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #267 on: September 05, 2011, 04:10:17 AM »
TG J is not lie-flat to MEL...

Option 3)

Since flying SQ A380 im quite partial to it so I personally would do the following,

Mon 11/7, NH1005, LAX-HND, 00:10-5:15+1 day
Tue 11/8, SQ635, HND-SIN, 6:25-12:50
Wed 11/9, SQ231, SIN-SYD, 00:45-11:50

Hop over to MEL.
Now that's pretty nice!
Still I think I'd still rather go for another *A option that gets in a couple of experiences that I've yet to have.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #268 on: September 05, 2011, 04:34:51 AM »
If youre thinking NZ, SQ takes it down.
Although it is quite nice...

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #269 on: September 05, 2011, 04:40:36 AM »
If youre thinking NZ, SQ takes it down.
Although it is quite nice...
Nope.  And SQ might take down my method as well, but not its cool factor.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #270 on: September 05, 2011, 04:43:42 AM »
Nope.  And SQ might take down my method as well, but not its cool factor.
Ok. So then its definitely not CA which is also available via PEK... ( who said it was hard to get to Australia? ;) )

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #271 on: September 05, 2011, 04:46:54 AM »
Ok. So then its definitely not CA which is also available via PEK... ( who said it was hard to get to Australia? ;) )
Hint 1. I've never been able to close a door by my airplane seat.

Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #272 on: September 05, 2011, 04:55:05 AM »
Hint 1. I've never been able to close a door by my airplane seat.
So either a prop or suites. Being that suites can't be had with miles its gotta be the former.

CO island hopping? Are you kidding?

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #273 on: September 05, 2011, 04:56:35 AM »
Being that suites can't be had with miles its gotta be the former.
I'd beg to differ.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #274 on: September 05, 2011, 05:09:17 AM »
I'd beg to differ.
Should qualify what I meant.
EK suites can be had, they're not *A...
SQ suites can be had if you want to spend 1,000,000 SQ miles...
TK suites can be had, but I don't think you're routing via Europe...

And I totally forgot about ANA's new Square...oops...

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #275 on: September 05, 2011, 11:21:37 AM »
So what is it?

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #276 on: September 05, 2011, 11:30:49 AM »
Suites, buggies, and airport spa with massages :)

11/06, LAX-HND, NH 1005,12:55am-5:00am +1 day, Business.
36:15 layover in Tokyo-Airport Change
11/08, NRT-BKK, TG 677 5:15pm-10:15pm, First 77W Suites
2:00 layover in Bangkok
11/09, BKK-MEL, TG 465, 12:15am-1:25pm, Business

If CO didn't allow the 36 hour stop or overnight not wanted.
11/07, LAX-HND, NH 1005,12:10am-5:15am +1 day, Business.
12:00 layover in Tokyo-Airport Change
11/08, NRT-BKK, TG 677 5:15pm-10:15pm, First 77W Suites
2:00 layover in Bangkok
11/09, BKK-MEL, TG 465, 12:15am-1:25pm, Business

Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #277 on: September 05, 2011, 11:48:59 AM »
Suites, buggies, and airport spa with massages :)

11/06, LAX-HND, NH 1005,12:55am-5:00am +1 day, Business.
36:15 layover in Tokyo-Airport Change
11/08, NRT-BKK, TG 677 5:15pm-10:15pm, First 77W Suites
2:00 layover in Bangkok
11/09, BKK-MEL, TG 465, 12:15am-1:25pm, Business

If CO didn't allow the 36 hour stop or overnight not wanted.
11/07, LAX-HND, NH 1005,12:10am-5:15am +1 day, Business.
12:00 layover in Tokyo-Airport Change
11/08, NRT-BKK, TG 677 5:15pm-10:15pm, First 77W Suites
2:00 layover in Bangkok
11/09, BKK-MEL, TG 465, 12:15am-1:25pm, Business

Lol!
Of course, that's a bad miss on my part.
But that airport switch is one PITA...had to do it on my last trip.

2:00 is cutting it really close for a massage...

Funny that BKK-MEL is still 2 class. Even BKK-CNX I got F...

Although I've never flown with a SO, I think it would be weird going on a big trip and being totally separated, no?

IMHO, its good but id save the miles and fly SQ...

Offline myb821

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 7570
  • Total likes: 28
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #278 on: September 05, 2011, 11:50:31 AM »
Suites, buggies, and airport spa with massages :)

11/06, LAX-HND, NH 1005,12:55am-5:00am +1 day, Business.
36:15 layover in Tokyo-Airport Change
11/08, NRT-BKK, TG 677 5:15pm-10:15pm, First 77W Suites
2:00 layover in Bangkok
11/09, BKK-MEL, TG 465, 12:15am-1:25pm, Business

If CO didn't allow the 36 hour stop or overnight not wanted.
11/07, LAX-HND, NH 1005,12:10am-5:15am +1 day, Business.
12:00 layover in Tokyo-Airport Change
11/08, NRT-BKK, TG 677 5:15pm-10:15pm, First 77W Suites
2:00 layover in Bangkok
11/09, BKK-MEL, TG 465, 12:15am-1:25pm, Business
whats the mileage cost of this ticket

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #279 on: September 05, 2011, 11:53:15 AM »
80k OW.

It would be the same from any NA city as well.