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 1839365 times)

Offline the best

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6880 on: August 06, 2015, 06:47:02 PM »
Round trip.
from jfk/lga on August 16/17
To   Las Vegas McCarran Intl,
NV, US
1 person
Back to new York  on August  18/19
Thanks for helping me.

Offline yochiek93

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6881 on: August 09, 2015, 06:26:44 PM »
Round trip.
from jfk/lga on August 16/17
To   Las Vegas McCarran Intl,
NV, US
1 person
Back to new York  on August  18/19
Thanks for helping me.
please follow the wiki.
what type of points do you have?

Offline mjrand

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6882 on: August 10, 2015, 12:05:52 AM »
Hey guys.

I'm flying to the Dominican Republic for Sukkos and was wondering if there was a way to do it using points.

I'm looking for a non stop flight as it's only 3 hours long and I'm looking to pay completely using points. I have AA, BA, UR, etc...

Prefer to fly to POP airport as it's a lot closer, but can also fly to STI if necessary. Prefer business class, but willing to fly economy if necessary.

I'm flying out on Erev Sukkos, Sept 27, and I'm coming back on Hoshanah Rabbah, Oct 4.

I've tried looking through the various sites for options, but so far haven't had any luck.

Do you guys have any suggestions?

I'd really appreciate any help you guys could give. Thanks!

Offline mimb

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6883 on: August 11, 2015, 03:57:17 PM »
Anyone available to help with this? Willing to pay a nice reward if you can make it work:

One way/Round trip: Either
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: NYC
To: SYD, MEL, AUK
Departure dates: January or February 2016
Return dates: ~2 weeks from departure date
Class: First/Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Would like to use MR points, also have some miles with United (40K)

Offline PutANameToIt

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6884 on: August 12, 2015, 07:01:36 AM »
Will pay $50 for a successful booking of my itinerary

Round Trip
Non-stop preferred, but will stopover if necessary
From: TLV
To:NYC (JFK, EWR, LGA)
Departure dates: 9/23- Motzei Yom Kippur so must be a late flight, or 9/24
Return dates: Between 10/12-10/14 (10/13 most preferable)
Class: Any (Coach to NYC and Business back to TLV if possible)
Seats:2
Alliance/Airline: Any. Enough points with all programs to cover the tickets.

Thank you very much in advance.

Offline Jardins

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6885 on: August 12, 2015, 09:48:37 PM »
Flying to Niagara Falls, which mileage program should I use? If any. Is it worth it?

Offline Joe4007

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6886 on: August 13, 2015, 01:22:46 AM »
Flying to Niagara Falls, which mileage program should I use? If any. Is it worth it?
Assuming you originate in NYC, best option is probably to drive. If you do fly though, best value would be to book with Avios on AA for 4.5k to YYZ.

Offline Moshe Los Angeles

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6887 on: August 13, 2015, 06:39:49 AM »
Need help booking the following:

3 business class/first plus infant in lap and 2 coach from LA to TLV around Chanukah about 12/3-12/10. Preferably would like to have no more than 1 layover (NY?). I have 150k delta miles and 100k United miles under my name but my father has 300k United and 400k AA miles.

Will pay 2000 SPG points (I don't know how to pay miles so your help here will also be needed) or $150.

Thank you kol tuv

Offline Chief Rabbi of New York

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6888 on: August 13, 2015, 02:58:42 PM »
im trying to book together a 2 week vacation.
what is the best milage and airline to use and which route should I take

ny to bora bora
bora bora to Sydney Australia
Sydney Australia to maui
maui back to ny
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Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6889 on: August 13, 2015, 05:54:42 PM »
I'm looking to book a trip NYC-LAX nonstop 10/7-10/11. I'm sitting on 52k DL, and was wondering what my chances are at getting BusinessElite on one of the ways for 37.5k.

Any advice is appreciated.
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Offline kermit

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6890 on: August 14, 2015, 02:40:31 PM »
Hi chevra. I'm planning to use AA miles to book 6 tickets from PHL (ideally) or JFK to TLV next summer. A couple of questions.

1. For the nonstop PHL to TLV, does anyone have any tips or tricks for getting the 45K SAAver seats? Does AA make them available 11 months in advance or closer to the date of the flight? Is there a time of day where AA first puts them up?  Or is it better to book 65K seats and then change them to the 45K ones if/when they open up later on?

2. For stopping over in Europe, it looks like the options are to go from PHL or JFK through Madrid with Iberia, PHL/JFK through London on BA (with surcharges) or from JFK through Berlin with Air Berlin. Are there any other good options on AA's partners? How difficult is it to find SAAver seats on Iberia or Air Berlin? And for flying through London, how difficult is it to find SAAver on AA flights to London and then BA flights from LHR to TLV - taking BA for both legs doesn't look k'dai. How much time should I give to make sure we make the connecting flight? Is two hours too short a window (esp with 4 kids)? 



Thanks!
« Last Edit: August 14, 2015, 04:32:15 PM by kermit »

Offline solls108

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6891 on: August 15, 2015, 10:00:32 PM »
Looking to book from NYC - TLV (can be with a stopover) leaving NYC at any time on September 17. Have AMEX, United, Chase. Thanks so much!!!

Offline Einstein

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6892 on: August 16, 2015, 10:19:50 AM »
Need assistance, Im trying to book A3 metal ATH-VCE OW, on Aug 27 and its not available and its getting closer to the flight, might need another option, can someone please give me another option?
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Offline Sola

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6893 on: August 16, 2015, 10:20:53 AM »
Round Trip
Non-stop preferred, but will stopover if necessary
From: JFK preferably, can do LGA
To: HNL
Departure dates: 11/22 or 11/23
Return dates: 12/2
Class: Business
Seats:2
Alliance/Airline: Cheapest I can get with Chase UR

Offline CS91

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6894 on: August 17, 2015, 10:46:19 AM »
Round Trip
Don't mind stopping over
From: Preferably PHL, but can do any NY airport of Baltimore too
To: OGG or LIH
Departure dates: 3/3 or 3/6
Return dates: 3/9 or 3/10
Class: Economy
Seats:2
Alliance/Airline: I have Chase UR that I can transfer

Offline Maurice

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6895 on: August 18, 2015, 12:03:46 PM »
RT or OW to maximize miles
As direct as possible
From: JFK, LGA, EWR
To: CZM
Departure dates: 11/5 evening
Return dates: 11/9 afternoon preferable
Class: Any
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Avios, AA, Delta, United, Chase, Citi

Offline Miami00

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6896 on: August 18, 2015, 09:32:02 PM »
Hi All,
I thought a year in advance would have availability.

Am having a frustrating time finding the following award tickets and would certainly appreciate any assistance or direction. I was particularly trying to use BA as I have an companion voucher but I'm open to other airlines as well.

Thanks,

One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1 Stop
From: MIA or FLL
To: TLV
Departure dates: June 29, 2016
Return airports: Same
Return dates: July 10, 2016
Class: Business
Seats: 4
Alliance/Airline: Amex Membership Rewards, preference for BA but open to others.


Offline Ellness62

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6897 on: August 19, 2015, 10:33:47 PM »

One way/Round trip:  Need round trip- fine with doing two one ways.
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:  One stop or change each way
From: All airports from which you can depart"    EWR, LGA, JFK
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. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 :(
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets;  REturn 10-12 days after departure
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any:  Coach
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2:   1 person traveling
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with- doesn't matter


I have 112, 600 UR, 80 K Avios, 25400 United, lufthansa- 24700,

Would like to avoid paying high taxes so not to go through London.

Willing to pay $ 100 for a good use of my miles and points.  Can you help?



Offline Yitz

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6898 on: August 20, 2015, 11:31:23 AM »
Your help would be appreciated I am trying to help a family that the father is not feeling well and he would like to get back to NYC
One way/Round trip: One Way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Non Stop prfered
From: TLV
To: NYC
Departure dates: Aug 27th or 28, 2015
Return airports:
Return dates:
Class: 2 Business 2 economy
Seats: 4
Alliance/Airline: Amex Membership Rewards

Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6899 on: August 20, 2015, 03:11:06 PM »
Hi chevra. I'm planning to use AA miles to book 6 tickets from PHL (ideally) or JFK to TLV next summer. A couple of questions.

1. For the nonstop PHL to TLV, does anyone have any tips or tricks for getting the 45K SAAver seats? Does AA make them available 11 months in advance or closer to the date of the flight? Is there a time of day where AA first puts them up?  Or is it better to book 65K seats and then change them to the 45K ones if/when they open up later on?

2. For stopping over in Europe, it looks like the options are to go from PHL or JFK through Madrid with Iberia, PHL/JFK through London on BA (with surcharges) or from JFK through Berlin with Air Berlin. Are there any other good options on AA's partners? How difficult is it to find SAAver seats on Iberia or Air Berlin? And for flying through London, how difficult is it to find SAAver on AA flights to London and then BA flights from LHR to TLV - taking BA for both legs doesn't look k'dai. How much time should I give to make sure we make the connecting flight? Is two hours too short a window (esp with 4 kids)? 



Thanks!

See DDMS.
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