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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 1838698 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #280 on: September 05, 2011, 11:58:34 AM »
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...
Airport switch is a PITA, but with 12 hours there's enough time to go grab a bite to eat and see a site.  With 36 hours you can check out the famous PH Tokyo and see more sites.
And I'd make an airport switch any day for First Suites ;D

Also there are single and couple first suites on the Jet airways leased 77W. 
Even a bar on the plane I think.

And 2 hours should be plenty of time as they shuttle you in a buggy from the plane straight to the lounge and from the lounge to the plane, probably after it's been boarded by the peasants already.  Should have at the very least 1:15 in the lounge I'd say.

If the SQ flight was into MEL I'd probably recommend doing that, but with it going into SYD I think I'd recommend NH-TG.
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

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #281 on: September 05, 2011, 12:12:58 PM »
Airport switch is a PITA, but with 12 hours there's enough time to go grab a bite to eat and see a site.  With 36 hours you can check out the famous PH Tokyo and see more sites.
And I'd make an airport switch any day for First Suites ;D

Also there are single and couple first suites on the Jet airways leased 77W. 
Even a bar on the plane I think.

And 2 hours should be plenty of time as they shuttle you in a buggy from the plane straight to the lounge and from the lounge to the plane, probably after it's been boarded by the peasants already.  Should have at the very least 1:15 in the lounge I'd say.

If the SQ flight was into MEL I'd probably recommend doing that, but with it going into SYD I think I'd recommend NH-TG.
If it was 36 hours in TYO, I'd take it. With 12 I would rather switch in SYD.

Re the spa, it closes at 11:30pm and they don't accept advance reservations.
Chances of getting the last two together I'd say are slim. And they'd be cut short...

And besides, would they allow you in at all being that the TG flight is not leaving the same day? Lol...that would be taking rules to a whole new level....
More info on the spa here, http://www.thaiairways.com/thai-services/on-the-ground/en/royal-orchid-spa.htm

SQ is available into MEL but the flight is operated by 772, no new business class. The other two flights a day have the new business...

Offline leeboy

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #282 on: September 06, 2011, 02:32:43 PM »
U guys talkin' Spanish or Jamaican? :)

Offline Dan

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #283 on: September 06, 2011, 02:34:18 PM »
U guys talkin' Spanish or Jamaican? :)
We're speaking DDF :)
Which abbreviations are you hung up by?
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.

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #284 on: September 06, 2011, 02:43:13 PM »
U guys talkin' Spanish or Jamaican? :)
2 letter codes are IATA Airline codes, 3 letter codes are airports. Just google the code + "airline/airport" code and you'll get it.
ie google "SQ Airline code" or "TYO Airport code"
Create professional looking itineraries.
Check out eliteitinerary.com

Offline shmuelb

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #285 on: September 07, 2011, 08:24:57 AM »
One way/Round trip:one way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: up to 3, preferably not long stops
From: All airports from which you can depart TLV
To: All airports which you can arrive at. CLE
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Oct 9
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any any, cheapest
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2 one
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with  AA, any

I posted also in the paid flight thread, but I would appreciate if anyone can help me get something good for miles. I have AA miles, as much as I need, but do not want to spend more than 45k. I found with an AA CSR, for around 45k, with a stop in Brussels overnight and then I would need to drive from JFK to LGA.

Anything better?

Thanks everyone!!
siyag lachachma :-)

Offline YOSEF

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #286 on: September 07, 2011, 12:50:49 PM »
You can try routing through ORD, MIA and DFW, such as TLV-Europe-ORD-CLE.
In this case I would work backwards; see what your options are into CLE first, then you know which US gateway you are trying to get into.
« Last Edit: September 07, 2011, 12:56:24 PM by YOSEF »

Offline leeboy

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #287 on: September 07, 2011, 02:44:32 PM »
2 letter codes are IATA Airline codes, 3 letter codes are airports. Just google the code + "airline/airport" code and you'll get it.
ie google "SQ Airline code" or "TYO Airport code"

Thanks

Offline Daniel

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #288 on: September 07, 2011, 05:02:31 PM »
Let me know if this deserves a new thread.
I wanted to know how to book a delta one-way domestic award for 12.5K instead of 25K. Flying blue is saying "No flight is available."  even though Delta shows availability.
I am trying to book the following flight (or any other DTW to NYC that night):

Delta 1206:Detroit-Wayne County, MI (DTW) to Newark, NJ (EWR)
Departs:Dec 04, 7:40pm
Arrives:Dec 04, 9:38pm

Offline Knaper_Chuchem

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #289 on: September 08, 2011, 02:28:09 AM »
Round trip

Non-stop

From: NYC (JFK,LGA,EWR)

To: London (all airports)
 
Departure dates: Sep. 19 (red eye)

Return airports: London/ NYC

Return dates: Sep. 25

Class: First/Business

Seats: 2
 
Alliance/Airline:

I have plenty Amex, BA 150k plus a free companion, and 185k AA. (All thanks to Dans CC offers...)

(I checked with all of them, thus far no availability. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.) 

Offline Dan

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #290 on: September 08, 2011, 02:34:39 AM »
I would do CO Plan B for their BF seats.  Or return on the 26th with Virgin.
Or consider a stopover.
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.

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #291 on: September 08, 2011, 10:07:02 AM »
I searched Qantas and found reward seats on a Iberia flight available, when i call AA to try and book with my AA points they tell me they dont see it, anything i did wrong or i could do?

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #292 on: September 08, 2011, 10:19:39 AM »
I searched Qantas and found reward seats on a Iberia flight available, when i call AA to try and book with my AA points they tell me they dont see it, anything i did wrong or i could do?
QF sometimes shows flights that aren't available, mostly on IB and sometimes on CX.

See if you can pull them up on BA. If not the AAgent is probably right, its not available.

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #293 on: September 08, 2011, 10:46:14 AM »
QF sometimes shows flights that aren't available, mostly on IB and sometimes on CX.

See if you can pull them up on BA. If not the AAgent is probably right, its not available.

Thanks

Offline shmuelb

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #294 on: September 08, 2011, 04:07:58 PM »
Quote
One way/Round trip:one way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: up to 3, preferably not long stops
From: All airports from which you can depart TLV
To: All airports which you can arrive at. CLE
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Oct 9
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any any, cheapest
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2 one
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with  AA, any

I posted also in the paid flight thread, but I would appreciate if anyone can help me get something good for miles. I have AA miles, as much as I need, but do not want to spend more than 45k. I found with an AA CSR, for around 45k, with a stop in Brussels overnight and then I would need to drive from JFK to LGA.

Anything better?

Thanks everyone!!

I tried BA but maybe I am doing something wrong, I am getting no availability the whole month, also into ORD. Any tips? Thanks!

Yosef, I am not sure what you mean about figuring out routing backwards to find gateway...  ??? Should I look for availability for each leg separately, starting from last?

Thanks!!
siyag lachachma :-)

Offline YOSEF

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #295 on: September 08, 2011, 08:18:16 PM »
If you are seeing the whole month on BA.com, then you are doing something wrong, as you haven't included partners. There should be either a red button in the middle or a blue one on the left to view partner availability at some point.

In terms of working backwards, I would do a search on AA.com to find what flights are available into CLE itself, from ORD, MIA, or DFW, and then try to find something into ORD, MIA, DFW.

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #296 on: September 09, 2011, 04:35:10 AM »
Thanks Yosef. I get the option to include partners at some point. I don't know, I have no experience with their site but it seems so slow to me.

I should search for the last leg on aa.com for reward travel? If there are available reward seats on any segment on ba.com then I can snag them with an AA rep on the phone? Could it be that there are no partner seats on Oct 9 from TLV to ORD?

Thanks!
siyag lachachma :-)

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #297 on: September 11, 2011, 02:54:35 PM »
im trying to book an award flight with Delta for succos from new york to San diego on October 16th, then i want to go to miami for a few days and come back to new york around the 27th of October.

I had an itinerary on friday that was only gonna cost 25k miles per person and i rechecked those same flights and now its 45K! does  anybody have any suggestions for me? or tips on how to best maximize these miles? i would really appreciate it! 

Thanks in advance!

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #298 on: September 14, 2011, 04:01:35 PM »
I would do CO Plan B for their BF seats.  Or return on the 26th with Virgin.
Or consider a stopover.


I cannot get an agent to book me on plan B. They all say they never heard of such a thing. I Finally got an agent to book me in Coach, and said he'd waitlist me in BF, however, upon reviewing my reservations online I don't see the waitlist. Perhaps it would show after I ticket? Also, he said he would only withdraw the 60k from the account, and the additional 40k should be in the account ready for when the waitlist will clear. Seems to me that that's not plan B. I may be in need of help I assume...  :-[

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #299 on: September 14, 2011, 04:35:58 PM »
Call the .com desk.  It's not actually called plan-b.  It's a matter of getting a rep to sell you the BF seat at the BF rate and sit you in coach with a waitlist for BF.
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.