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 1839829 times)

Offline Hirshthg

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6960 on: September 07, 2015, 03:08:43 PM »
How many points does he have and is willing to use?
120 amex, 160 UR.

Offline noturbizniss

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6961 on: September 07, 2015, 03:47:10 PM »


I hear you. Though I meant in proportion to spending them (for example: say it's twice as easy for you to earn UR points than DL points, but you are still 3x more likely to spend UR points, therefore it would make more sense to save them over the DL).
Just realized that I can just transfer 50k Mr to jet blue and book the flights in the class with bags included. I save the 100$ and use the less valuable Mr and keep my chase ur. I think that's a good deal no matter how you spin it right?
READ THE DARN WIKI!!!!

Chuck Norris...
...can still do FT method
...READS THE WIKI!!!

Offline noturbizniss

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6962 on: September 07, 2015, 08:21:28 PM »
Just realized that I can just transfer 50k Mr to jet blue and book the flights in the class with bags included. I save the 100$ and use the less valuable Mr and keep my chase ur. I think that's a good deal no matter how you spin it right?
Even with the $36 in fees I think it's a better deal...
READ THE DARN WIKI!!!!

Chuck Norris...
...can still do FT method
...READS THE WIKI!!!

Offline Hirshthg

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6963 on: September 07, 2015, 08:39:23 PM »
Look on UA and FB
UA doesn't have anything coming back which doesn't conflict with shabbos. Whats FB?

Offline Joe4007

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6964 on: September 07, 2015, 09:59:26 PM »
UA doesn't have anything coming back which doesn't conflict with shabbos. Whats FB?
Flying Blue.

Offline Ryan the Yid

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6965 on: September 08, 2015, 12:18:01 AM »
I would like to fly to Singapore for Succos. It is a little tricky this year because it falls out on Sunday night. I would like to leave Thursday September 24th and possibly stay in Hong kong or Dubai for Shabbos. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

One way/Round trip: RT, but if it is better to book 2 separate OW, then the latter
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: NYC (EWR,JFK,LGA)
To: SIN
Departure dates: 9/24/15
Return dates: 10/6/15
Class: Coach
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline:
PRG- 105k
UR - 105k
Avios -50k

Thanks in advance

Offline mmm740

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6966 on: September 08, 2015, 12:32:45 AM »
I would like to fly to Singapore for Succos. It is a little tricky this year because it falls out on Sunday night. I would like to leave Thursday September 24th and possibly stay in Hong kong or Dubai for Shabbos. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

One way/Round trip: RT, but if it is better to book 2 separate OW, then the latter
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: NYC (EWR,JFK,LGA)
To: SIN
Departure dates: 9/24/15
Return dates: 10/6/15
Class: Coach
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline:
PRG- 105k
UR - 105k
Avios -50k

Thanks in advance
You will only make it for shabbos if you leave Thursday morning.

Offline Ryan the Yid

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6967 on: September 08, 2015, 11:47:51 PM »
You will only make it for shabbos if you leave Thursday morning.

I would be happy to stop in Korea or Dubai for Shabbos.

Offline 1050BU

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6968 on: September 09, 2015, 12:06:06 AM »
I would be happy to stop in Korea or Dubai for Shabbos.

You won't make it to Asia or that side in time for Shabbat because of the world as of the time difference if you leave later than Thursday Morning.

Offline PutANameToIt

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6969 on: September 09, 2015, 11:46:24 AM »
Emergency came up and I really need a flight for tomorrow from Israel to NY, I'm willing to offer a large monetary incentive for a successful booking... TIA

One way/Round trip: One Way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: TLV
To: NYC
Departure dates: 9/10
Class: Depending on the airline and if I have enough points so preferably coach
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Any

Offline yomo

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6970 on: September 10, 2015, 03:41:57 AM »
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Nonstop
From: NYC
To: TLV
Departure dates: 11/25/15 (not before late afternoon)
Return dates: 12/1/15 (early morning)
Class: Coach (or business if good deal)
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline Miles:
Delta- 295k
MR- 300k
UR - 130k
Avios -80k
Spg- 150k
M&M- 60k

Thanks in advance

Offline kns180

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6971 on: September 10, 2015, 04:47:33 PM »
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Nonstop
From: NYC
To: TLV
Departure dates: Week of August 15, 2016 - can be flexible
Return dates: week of August 29 2016- can be flexible
Class: Coach
Seats: 5
Alliance/Airline Miles:
Amex - 273k
America - 100k
starwood - 36k
Chase - 91k (may have a bit more here - need to double check)
matmid - all 5 of us have 80 pts in our account - guessing there is nothing to do with this???

Would love to get trailing flight to LA for sukkot on 10/16.

Will offer monetary reward if you can find me tickets!

Thanks in advance

Offline triplet123

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6972 on: September 10, 2015, 11:22:26 PM »
I have 340,000 mileage balance with Mileage Plus United. Would love to go to Israel with it with my family mid January. Whats the best way to do it? How many tickets do you think I could get with it? Leaving from NY or Philly?!?
Help is appreciated!

Offline 1050BU

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6973 on: September 10, 2015, 11:32:07 PM »
I have 340,000 mileage balance with Mileage Plus United. Would love to go to Israel with it with my family mid January. Whats the best way to do it? How many tickets do you think I could get with it? Leaving from NY or Philly?!?
Help is appreciated!
UA USA-TLV is 85k r/t in Y.

so 340k/85k = 4. So 4 tickets r/t in Y

Offline mkliao

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6974 on: September 11, 2015, 12:35:20 PM »
Would really appreciate any help for my first trip to Tel Aviv :)

One way/Round trip: RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: SAN; SNA; LAX
To: TLV
Departure dates: 12/10 or 12/11
Return airports: TLV
Return dates: 12/23
Class: Preferably Business; but mixed cabin is fine too
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: SA or OW

Offline dbw

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6975 on: September 16, 2015, 06:13:04 AM »
How can I find a ticket here using points?

One way/Round trip: Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: any
From: All airports from which you can depart  TLV
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line  JFK/Newark
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. 12/27 (must arrive 12/28 by midday)
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets: same   
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets: 12/30
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any     Coach
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 1
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with:

I have approx. 53k Citi,  50k United, 55k BA

Prefer not to use United if possible, How do I find a ticket here using miles?

Offline sammy n

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6976 on: September 16, 2015, 06:18:31 AM »
How can I find a ticket here using points?

One way/Round trip: Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: any
From: All airports from which you can depart  TLV
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line  JFK/Newark
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. 12/27 (must arrive 12/28 by midday)
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets: same   
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets: 12/30
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any     Coach
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 1
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with:

I have approx. 53k Citi,  50k United, 55k BA

Prefer not to use United if possible, How do I find a ticket here using miles?
Not to promising without the United.

Offline yochiek93

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6977 on: September 16, 2015, 08:44:53 AM »
How can I find a ticket here using points?

One way/Round trip: Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: any
From: All airports from which you can depart  TLV
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line  JFK/Newark
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. 12/27 (must arrive 12/28 by midday)
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets: same   
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets: 12/30
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any     Coach
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 1
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with:

I have approx. 53k Citi,  50k United, 55k BA

Prefer not to use United if possible, How do I find a ticket here using miles?
check if there is availibilty with airberlin, if there is you can book it through BA

Offline dbw

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6978 on: September 16, 2015, 05:42:28 PM »
How do you book it? Can you do it through the BA site or do you have to call them?

Offline yossiboropark

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6979 on: September 18, 2015, 12:51:20 AM »
I would like to get a round trip ticket from nyc/Philadelphia to cancun, mexico. Which award program will get me the cheapest ticket?