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 1839424 times)

Offline Knaper_Chuchem

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #300 on: September 14, 2011, 04:46:36 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.


I didn't inquire for plan b, I assumed this is a dansdeals terminology.. But I couldn't get a rep to sell me the BF seat at the BF rate and sit us in coach with a waitlist for BF, when there's no available saver pass seats for BF . They claimed no sucha thing.

Oh wait, I'm on hold with a rep that claims she can do it. ill update back once it goes thru.

Thank a million!!! ;)

Offline Knaper_Chuchem

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #301 on: September 14, 2011, 05:10:06 PM »
Finally!!! She did it...  ::) It's awesome seeing it online.... Thanks Dan!! Well, I bought into Dan's mantra;

 "There's always that one nice/stupid/lazy/incompetent/skillful etc. agent that will get (practically) anything done for you."  ;)

On a side note, What's the "CO.com desk", and how do you get in contact with them?

Offline Dan

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #302 on: September 14, 2011, 05:14:22 PM »
That's Aussie's mantra.  Mine is just to keep calling till you get the answer you want.

Anyway, here's the CO.com desk link: http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/3250

Well done!
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 #303 on: September 14, 2011, 05:51:32 PM »
Finally!!! She did it...  ::) It's awesome seeing it online.... Thanks Dan!! Well, I bought into Dan's mantra;

 "There's always that one nice/stupid/lazy/incompetent/skillful etc. agent that will get (practically) anything done for you."  ;)

On a side note, What's the "CO.com desk", and how do you get in contact with them?
Nice!
Please update when it clears. We're at 100% clearing here on DDF :D

Offline fresar

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #304 on: September 15, 2011, 01:06:24 AM »
One way/Round trip: One way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: All airports from which you can depart: NYC
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line: TLV
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. Oct 4,5,6,8,9
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any: Business
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 (no hefty surcharges, would prefer using ANA, CO, US Airways or AA points)

Thanks

Offline Chaikel

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #305 on: September 15, 2011, 01:56:23 AM »
One way/Round trip: One way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: All airports from which you can depart: NYC
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line: TLV
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. Oct 4,5,6,8,9
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any: Business
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 (no hefty surcharges, would prefer using ANA, CO, US Airways or AA points)

Thanks
If you don't mind the first 1 hr leg in economy:
CO         1168    EWR   13:45     BOS   14:52     735  0   YS+
 -> LH     423     BOS   17:25     FRA   06:15 +1  744  0   CS+  YS+
 -> LH     686     FRA   10:15 +1  TLV   14:00 +1  744  0   CS+  YS+
Create professional looking itineraries.
Check out eliteitinerary.com

Offline Chaikel

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #306 on: September 15, 2011, 01:59:27 AM »
If first is an option:

Date        Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
----------- ---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
04 Oct 2011 UA         978     EWR   18:35     ZRH   08:40 +1  763  0   FS+
04 Oct 2011  -> LX     254     ZRH   09:50 +1  TLV   13:35 +1  343  0   CS+


Create professional looking itineraries.
Check out eliteitinerary.com

Offline YudiG

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #307 on: September 15, 2011, 11:39:02 AM »
Hi,

I'm looking for the following multi city ticket. Anyone know if it's possible? Thanks!

One way/Round trip: multi city
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: any
From: dtw
To: lga
Departure dates: 10/23
Return airports: ord
Return dates: 10/25
Class: Coach
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: AA (using BA miles), CO/UA

Offline benchik

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #308 on: September 15, 2011, 03:33:19 PM »
Hi,

Looking for the following. I'd like to know if it shows as available for CO Elites.

One way/Round trip: One Way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Nonstop
From: EWR
To: TLV
Departure dates: 4/18 to 4/22 (2012)
Class: Business
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: CO

Offline benchik

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #309 on: September 15, 2011, 03:48:55 PM »
Whoops. Got the answer to my question. Thanks Google & Dan

http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=9824.0

Offline Dan

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #310 on: September 15, 2011, 03:51:45 PM »
Hi,

Looking for the following. I'd like to know if it shows as available for CO Elites.

One way/Round trip: One Way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Nonstop
From: EWR
To: TLV
Departure dates: 4/18 to 4/22 (2012)
Class: Business
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: CO
Anyone can search elite availability now.
Search for a paid ticket for those dates, click on fare class, and look for the number next to XN class for elite coach or O class for plat elite first/businessfirst.
0 means no seats, 1 means 1 seat, 2 means 2 seats, etc.
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 benchik

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #311 on: September 15, 2011, 04:05:36 PM »
Anyone can search elite availability now.
Search for a paid ticket for those dates, click on fare class, and look for the number next to XN class for elite coach or O class for plat elite first/businessfirst.
0 means no seats, 1 means 1 seat, 2 means 2 seats, etc.

Beat you to it. See my post right above.  :P

Offline Cbs

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #312 on: September 16, 2011, 02:10:23 AM »
I'm looking for the following, its a bit complicated, and thats why i need help with it. i need to get to florida (miami and/or Jaksonville) however its cheaper, and departing from the ohio area - very flexible in locations for the outbound. the return has to be to either one of two places, so here goes: (ill try to make this as clear as possible)

the order i put the airports and dates is my most preferred, i.e LGA,JFK,EWR = id rather LGA but if jfk is a big diff cheaper then ill go there and 3rd EWR.  - 

One way/Round trip/Multi city: Complicated/not sure
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Outbound - Max 1 stop / Return - Non Stop
From: CAK, CLE, PIT, DTW - if not then anywhere withen a 3 Hr. Drive of CLE
To: JAX, MIA, FLL
Departure dates: 10/10 , 10/09 , if much cheaper then 10/11
RETURN Airports: from - MIA, FLL
                                   To - CAK, CLE
Return dates: 10/18 evening , 10/19 early morning
Class: Coach
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: No Prefrance

If theres something not clear here, please ask.
and if someone can find something for under $230 RT (what i found) then that would be great
Thank you.

Offline Swizard210

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LAX-MAO, LIM-LAX, LIM-DOM
« Reply #313 on: September 17, 2011, 01:28:51 AM »
One way/Round trip: One Way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: LAX, BUR
To: MAO
Departure dates: 12/14/11-12/15/11
Class: Any (Fewer miles = Better)
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Star Alliance/OneWorld/SkyTeam - Any is fine (Least number of miles is the goal)

One way/Round trip: One Way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: LIM
To: LAX, BUR
Departure dates: 1/7/12-1/9/12
Class: Any (Fewer miles = Better)
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Star Alliance/OneWorld/SkyTeam - Any is fine (Least number of miles is the goal)

One way/Round trip: One Way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: LIM
To: DOM
Departure dates: 1/7/12-1/9/12
Class: Any (Fewer miles = Better)
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Star Alliance/OneWorld/SkyTeam - Any is fine (Least number of miles is the goal)

Myself and my mother are trying to travel to South America to take a tour.  We have to arrive in MAO.  We will return to our respective homes from LIM.  My mother to LAX and I to DOM.  I can answer any questions if it'll help.

Offline BrooklynCPA

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #314 on: September 22, 2011, 10:37:28 AM »
I'm looking for the following tickets Direct to TLV on Biz.  As of now I do not see any availability on direct flights. Can someone with CO Plat see if its available so I can try to work something out? I would appreciate any help.

One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non-Stop
From: JFK or EWR
To: TLV
Departure dates: 11/1/11
Return airports: JFK or EWR
Return dates: 11/6
Class: Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: CO(via CO, ANA or Aeroplan) Elal (via AA) or Delta

Offline HarryPotterFan

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #315 on: September 22, 2011, 12:42:01 PM »
Round trip needed:
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: ORF, PHF, RIC
To: CPT
Departure dates: March 30 or 3 days previous
Return airports: Same as departure
Return dates: May 5 or 3 days later
Class: First preferably or Coach
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Skyteam

Thanks in advance.

Offline fdg9

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #316 on: September 22, 2011, 03:19:39 PM »
Help please:

Round trip (or 2 one-ways):
Non-stop:
From: JFK or EWR
To: TLV
Departure dates: December 8, or 7th at night
Return dates: December 16 (get in early friday morning)
Class: Coach
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Any airline that I can use my miles. I have enough of either BA, Delta, MR points, AA.

Offline daganster

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #317 on: September 26, 2011, 10:38:17 AM »
Round trip needed:
From: TLV
To:JFK or EWR

Departure dates: October 2nd, or 3rd
Return dates: October 9th, 10th or 11th
Class: Business
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Any airline that I can use my miles. I have enough of either BA, Delta, MR points, CO and AA

PS I'm looking to use the fewest miles and fees, thanks!




Offline myb821

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #318 on: September 26, 2011, 11:54:25 AM »
One way/Round trip:one way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:pref only one but would take 2
From:DEN
To:CDG
Departure dates: june 17-18
Class: Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Star Alliance


Thanks in advance

Offline Sholomg

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #319 on: September 27, 2011, 08:44:39 AM »
Are you looking for aa miles