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 1839874 times)

Offline MosheD

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6980 on: September 18, 2015, 02:30:40 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?
BA 12.5k
UA 17.5k
See what's the best way to book thread

Offline cks33

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6981 on: September 18, 2015, 11:29:56 AM »
Round trip:
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: I would like a 5 day lay over in Dubai on my way back (so in Indian till the 25th of Jan)
From: ORD
To: AMD, DXB
Departure dates: 1/5/16 +/- 3 days
Return dates: 1/30/16 +/- 3 days
Class: Any
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Any

Offline Hirshthg

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6982 on: September 19, 2015, 10:14:12 PM »
Round trip:
Non-stop:
From: NYC
To:Cleavland
Departure dates: 09/25/15 in the afternoon after 2 PM (getting there before shabbos)
Return airports:Cleveland to NYC
Return dates: 09/29/15 after 10 PM
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with? Any. I have amex, UR and AA.

Somewhat narrow in time. Thank you in advance!

Offline doublejay

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6983 on: September 20, 2015, 04:42:32 PM »
Willing to pay.

Looking for advice on booking:

One way
Non-stop (highly preferred)
From: NYC
To: TLV
Departure: Oct 7 or 8 or 11 (ie before or after shabbos)
Return: n/a
Seats: 2 (and a baby)
Any affordable miles (I have AA, BA, Amex, UR, Delta)

Willing to pay for help.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2015, 05:44:42 PM by doublejay »

Offline smaxber

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6984 on: September 20, 2015, 06:17:45 PM »
Rt NYC-Tlv
Depart dec 20 and later
Return before jan 3

What are my options that you have found?
I've checked air France aa ba United Singapore (had no luck online with ana qantas or jal)

From doing some research the dates weren't that great meaning the availability was dec 24 returning dec 28 which is not feasible looking for at least a week stay

Looking to do economy or maybe even Singapore suites one way

Offline stv17

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6985 on: September 20, 2015, 09:55:55 PM »
Hi

i'd appreciate if anyone can help me

One way/Round trip: One Way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: any
From: nyc area
To: tlv
Departure dates: From After NOV 23
Return dates: I'm currently not buying a return ticket because i don't know how long i'll stay in Israel
Class: Any (would like Business/First)
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: I have 72K American Airlines miles, 225K Chase UR Points, (I was just approved for the BA Avios 100K Miles but still didn't receive my CC yet).

Thanks

Offline Hirshthg

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6986 on: September 22, 2015, 11:28:39 AM »
Round trip:
Non-stop:
From: NYC
To:Cleavland
Departure dates: 09/25/15 in the afternoon after 2 PM (getting there before shabbos)
Return airports:Cleveland to NYC
Return dates: 09/29/15 after 10 PM
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with? Any. I have amex, UR and AA.

Somewhat narrow in time. Thank you in advance!

Found using AA, cost me 50k miles

Offline Dawie

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6987 on: September 24, 2015, 03:12:33 PM »
using UA AA or BA Avios (or even Chase UR transferred to ?)
What is the best way to get to HNL from NYC/PHL using Award ticket
When do UA saver fares open up?

Offline Iz

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6988 on: September 25, 2015, 12:41:22 AM »
I'm new at this, so your help is really appreciated.

One way
Non-stop or one short stop
From: JFK/EWR/PHL
To: TLV
Departure dates: Jan. 21 (1 adult), AND Jan. 24 (1 adult + infant)
Class: Business
Alliance/Airline: Any

Thanks!

Offline Yehuda25

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6989 on: September 25, 2015, 01:01:46 AM »
I'm new at this, so your help is really appreciated.

One way
Non-stop or one short stop
From: JFK/EWR/PHL
To: TLV
Departure dates: Jan. 21 (1 adult), AND Jan. 24 (1 adult + infant)
Class: Business
Alliance/Airline: Any

Thanks!
I'm new at this, so your help is really appreciated.


Clearly, its nearly impossible to get business/first on this route - you will almost certainly have to be flexible with the dates
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline Iz

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6990 on: September 25, 2015, 01:06:56 AM »
I'm new at this, so your help is really appreciated.


Clearly, its nearly impossible to get business/first on this route - you will almost certainly have to be flexible with the dates
Why do you say that? I'm seeing availability at aa.com for 67.5k. Maybe you meant non-stop?

Offline Krow81

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6991 on: September 25, 2015, 10:06:17 AM »
Hi everyone, is there a way to search Jetblue award ticket availability? Trying to quickly use some old Emirates miles that are expiring and the only way I know to search award seats is by calling Emirates.

Thanks in advance.

Offline Yehuda25

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6992 on: September 25, 2015, 10:30:26 AM »
Why do you say that? I'm seeing availability at aa.com for 67.5k. Maybe you meant non-stop?
On BA right? Thats 1k+ in YQ
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Offline Iz

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6993 on: September 25, 2015, 10:35:15 AM »
On BA right? Thats 1k+ in YQ
Correct. So I guess that doesn't make much sense. Is it possible to get that same seat through BA directly (with Avios) w/o a steep YQ? Thanks.

Offline Suave

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6994 on: September 25, 2015, 11:06:28 AM »
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

One way/Round trip: Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: any (least possible)
From: NYC and surrounding
To: DPS
Departure dates:9/30 - 10/1
Return dates: Must be back in NY by 10/16
Class:      Coach
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Any

(have 35k Chase UR)
DDMS Built with ♥ by SWIZU

Offline Yehuda25

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6995 on: September 25, 2015, 12:37:47 PM »
Correct. So I guess that doesn't make much sense. Is it possible to get that same seat through BA directly (with Avios) w/o a steep YQ? Thanks.
Same YQ I think. Supposedly with Iberia it may be a little less - but probably still pretty steep.
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


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Offline eagertolearn

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6996 on: September 25, 2015, 03:44:52 PM »
Round trip:
Any:
From: BWI
To: TLV
Departure dates: Week of 11/29/2015
Return dates: Two weeks after
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: I have MR Points ready to be transferred
Thanks!

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6997 on: September 30, 2015, 11:44:39 AM »
Round trip
Any
From: JFK, LGA, EWR
To: OGG
Departure dates: 2/4/2016
Return airports: JFK, LGA, EWR
Return dates: 2/14/2016
Class: Any
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Any

I have 100k Chase Ultimate Rewards points.   Thanks in advance for your help!!

Offline yochiek93

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6998 on: September 30, 2015, 12:19:27 PM »
Round trip
Any
From: JFK, LGA, EWR
To: OGG
Departure dates: 2/4/2016
Return airports: JFK, LGA, EWR
Return dates: 2/14/2016
Class: Any
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Any

I have 100k Chase Ultimate Rewards points.   Thanks in advance for your help!!
check united and ba for availibility

Offline Iz

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #6999 on: September 30, 2015, 12:26:25 PM »
Same YQ I think. Supposedly with Iberia it may be a little less - but probably still pretty steep.
Thanks. I ended up buying tickets the old fashioned way - paid edition.