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 1838655 times)

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7020 on: October 07, 2015, 03:32:48 AM »
My apologies if this is the wrong place for this question, but can someone advise what airline(s) have the best award rates/redemptions for coach flights from the US to Europe?

thx
BA, FB promo. Where specifically?

Offline milechazzer

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 756
  • Total likes: 10
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7021 on: October 07, 2015, 10:42:03 AM »
BA, FB promo. Where specifically?

JFK-KBP next Sept

thx

Offline keepsmiling123

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 1271
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 9
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: United States
  • Programs: UR, SPG, MR, UA
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7022 on: October 07, 2015, 10:07:30 PM »
I know its a tough flight to find but need NYC-CLE for thanksgiving day and returning that sunday 11/26-11/29 (3 tickets)

not finding anything good. cheapest i found was 45k aa per ticket or 72k BA avios...both would not be at all worth it (akron is fine too)

Offline username

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2008
  • Posts: 4530
  • Total likes: 602
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 14
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: C Heights
  • Programs: ┌──────────────────┐ │───> Ữ₴ΣЯИΛΜӘ <─── │ └──────────────────┘
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7023 on: October 07, 2015, 11:11:17 PM »
I know its a tough flight to find but need NYC-CLE for thanksgiving day and returning that sunday 11/26-11/29 (3 tickets)

not finding anything good. cheapest i found was 45k aa per ticket or 72k BA avios...both would not be at all worth it (akron is fine too)
Southwest?
^^^

Offline keepsmiling123

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 1271
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 9
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: United States
  • Programs: UR, SPG, MR, UA
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7024 on: October 09, 2015, 06:32:48 AM »
Southwest?

tried southwest... uses ridiculous amount of pts

Offline rapsjr

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 234
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7025 on: October 13, 2015, 05:07:19 PM »
One way/Round trip: One way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:  Prefer NON STOP. But One stop could work too if its proper business class.
From: NYC
To: HNL, OGG
Departure dates: Anytime in November! Sunday - thursday
Class: First/Business - Looking for Proper business class (lie flat) its my honeymoon!
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: ANY. I have lots AA, UR, MR. Prefer United With Singapore miles.

Trying to find a direct flight to Hawaii anytime in november for my honeymoon! I really want to do direct with Real business or first class, either united or hawaiin airlines from new york but cant seem to find them, maybe doing something wrong.
One stop could work too if itll get me proper business class.
Offering 5k UR to whoever can find it!
THank you in advance!!!
« Last Edit: October 13, 2015, 05:11:04 PM by rapsjr »

Offline David Smith

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2015
  • Posts: 8075
  • Total likes: 212
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7026 on: October 13, 2015, 05:10:29 PM »


Offering 5k UR to whoever can find it!
Not a good move...

Who do you think you are fooling? You think you are going to pull a quick one on your Creator? Good luck with that.
JTZ

Offline fafa123

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: May 2014
  • Posts: 64
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: NJ
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7027 on: October 13, 2015, 08:31:28 PM »
RT
Max stops: strongly prefer 1 will consider 2 stops
From: NYC
To: ANC
Departure/Return Date: August 4/August 24 (flexible dates but no flying on Friday or Saturday)
Seats: 6
Alliance: I have over 300K UR, 80K AA, and 30K MR.  Willing to MS like crazy to get more.  Theoretically you can get there for only 40K Korean (via Alaska) but I'm not seeing any availabiity unless I'm missing something.  Thanks so much!
« Last Edit: October 13, 2015, 08:37:42 PM by fafa123 »

Offline BarryLincoln

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 1388
  • Total likes: 145
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
  • Programs: SPG Platinum, National Executive, Hertz Five Star
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7028 on: October 13, 2015, 08:37:59 PM »
Willing to MS like crazy to get more.  Anything?  Thanks so much!
MS'ing just got a lot harder... :'(

Offline yochiek93

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Apr 2015
  • Posts: 4456
  • Total likes: 92
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7029 on: October 13, 2015, 11:16:25 PM »
MS'ing just got a lot harder... :'(
sad day indeed :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Offline euphor

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 22
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: United States
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7030 on: October 14, 2015, 12:09:41 AM »
Round trip
dtw to Sfo
Least stops possible
Anytime in Jan 2015 or Feb 2015
Economy
Using chase UR

i would do the search for specific flights, just not sure where to start, what are the best options, which mileage should I consider using? Thx

Offline rapsjr

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 234
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7031 on: October 14, 2015, 02:29:12 PM »
Not a good move...
Why? Not enough?
Im willing to up it...

Offline abeshua

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 9
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7032 on: October 14, 2015, 02:52:33 PM »
Round trip:
Non-stop only
From: NYC
To: Cleveland or Akron
Departure dates: November 5th evening time.
Return dates:November 8th
Class: Any
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Have Starpoints and UR points

I checked on BA with avios and they have no sunday flights as well as no departing evening flight
thanks

Offline izmoman

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 148
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7033 on: October 16, 2015, 10:59:03 AM »
Madrid to TLV 12/28-1/4. Any suggestions? BA not available as of now.

Offline Dave A

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 632
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7034 on: October 16, 2015, 11:27:26 AM »
RT, non-stop, economy, 1 seat
ORD-NYC
Departure: Oct. 18 (this Sunday); Return: Oct. 19 (this Monday)
Points: Avios, United, AA, MR, UR

Trying to go see Arrieta destroy the Mets ...

Thanks!

Offline Einstein

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 1248
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7035 on: October 16, 2015, 12:37:55 PM »
RT, non-stop, economy, 1 seat
ORD-NYC
Departure: Oct. 18 (this Sunday); Return: Oct. 19 (this Monday)
Points: Avios, United, AA, MR, UR

Trying to go see Arrieta destroy the Mets ...

Thanks!
Use avios, there is one flight open on the way there, and a lot of choices for the way back
If you think nobody cares about you... just forget to pay your credit card bill

Offline Einstein

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 1248
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7036 on: October 16, 2015, 12:38:56 PM »
Whats the best way to book FCO-TLV with mileage in either Y or J? is it Flying Blue?
If you think nobody cares about you... just forget to pay your credit card bill

Offline yochiek93

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Apr 2015
  • Posts: 4456
  • Total likes: 92
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7037 on: October 16, 2015, 01:22:35 PM »
Use avios, there is one flight open on the way there, and a lot of choices for the way back
+1

Offline Dave A

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 632
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7038 on: October 16, 2015, 01:27:46 PM »
Use avios, there is one flight open on the way there, and a lot of choices for the way back

Thanks.   I saw that flight going in and out but glad to see it's back.  Going to wait on a later flight ... hopefully something opens up.

Offline Sam Finkelstein

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 2936
  • Total likes: 298
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York, NY
Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #7039 on: October 16, 2015, 01:37:50 PM »
What's the best currency to use for LAX-SGN coach or business?
Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil. –J. Paul Getty