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 1839388 times)

Offline Dan

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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 droren

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #481 on: January 20, 2012, 04:58:36 PM »
Thanks -
I decided to take the LX flight

   Take-off   Thu 5:00a   TLV   Tel Aviv Yafo, Israel
    Landing   Thu 8:20a   ZRH   Zurich, Switzerland
 
    SWISS – Flight 52    8h 20m
    Take-off   Thu 5:40p   ZRH   Zurich, Switzerland
    Landing   Thu 8:00p   BOS   Boston, MA

Can someone please find me flight back to combo for the cheapest round trip?(and I don't plan to take the flight back...)

Thanks

Offline droren

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #482 on: January 21, 2012, 11:25:12 AM »
I would highly appreciate if someone can help me to find the cheapest return(any time...) for this flight

Depart:
5:00 a.m.
Thu., May. 17, 2012
Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV)
Arrive:
8:30 a.m.
Thu., May. 17, 2012
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
Flight Time:
4 hr 30 mn   
Flight: LH691
Operated by Lufthansa.
Aircraft: Airbus A340-600

Change Planes. Connect time in Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) is 9 hours 45 minutes.
Depart:
6:15 p.m.
Thu., May. 17, 2012
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
Arrive:
8:35 p.m.
Thu., May. 17, 2012
Boston, MA (BOS)
Flight Time:
8 hr 20 mn


THANK YOU!

Offline Ed

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #483 on: January 23, 2012, 12:46:29 AM »
I have a wedding in Mexico City mid May (want to fly May 10th-14th, NYC-MEX-NYC) and would like to use some BA miles, however cant figure out how to go about booking as this route doesn't show up on Avios site, and on the AA site the only flights available when using points have 2 stopovers. Any ideas?

Offline Cbs

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #484 on: January 23, 2012, 11:00:01 AM »
ticket for a friend:
FIH - NYC
stopover in paris or brussles - longer the stopover the better
Feb 22 or 23 must arrive in NYC by 24th afternoon.

has a lil more than 100k with US flex perks.

Offline RJ898

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #485 on: January 23, 2012, 01:30:00 PM »
One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: All airports from which you can depart: NYC - Any
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line OGG, JHM, LIH, KOA, ITO
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. Cheapest time in May
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets NYC - Any
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets Cheapest time in May
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any - Would like Biz but any is fine
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2 2
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with - no prefrence

Starwood: 110,000
Ultimate Rewards: 50, 000
Avios: 125,000
Part of the vast right wing conspiracy.

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #486 on: January 23, 2012, 02:23:33 PM »
One way/Round trip: OW
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1
From: TLV
To: Toronto (YYZ or other)
Date: March 18 through 25 (any date)
Class: Business
Seats: 3
Alliance/Airline: Any

Thanks!

Offline Shmelly

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #487 on: January 25, 2012, 11:16:04 PM »
One way/Round trip: RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: Any NYC
To: TLV
Departure dates: Any non yom tov time in the next 6 months
Return airports: Any NYC
Return dates: 1-2 weeks after departure
Class: Any (that my points can afford)
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: I have 80K Continental, 50K United, 80K Ultimate Rewards, and 26K Starwood.

If anyone has booked any award tickets to Israel at any time this upcoming year please let me know. TIA!
« Last Edit: January 25, 2012, 11:26:12 PM by Shmelly »
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. - Dr. Seuss

Online flyingace

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #488 on: January 25, 2012, 11:23:35 PM »
One way/Round trip: RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: Any NYC
To: TLV
Departure dates: Any non yom tov time in the next 6 months
Return airports: Any NYC
Return dates: 1-2 weeks after departure
Class: Any (that my points can afford)
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: I have 80K Continental, 80K Ultimate Rewards, and 26K Starwood.

If anyone has booked any award tickets to Israel at any time this upcoming year please let me know. TIA!
What have you checked so far? CO has plenty of availability for two in coach all February.  Onepass and UR can get you two coach at 80,000 each.

Offline muttman

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #489 on: January 26, 2012, 06:38:01 PM »
One way/Round trip: RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1
From: YYZ
To: Miami
Departure dates: 2/7 or 2/8
Return airports: YYZ
Return dates: 2/12
Class: Any (that my points can afford)
Seats: 5
Alliance/Airline: One world, preferably with British airway points.


Notes: I was able to make the booking withe AA for 187500 points and over $800, I have that on hold. I tried to book the same itinerary with BA but the CSR said that they are not available.

All help will be greatly appreciated
I take no responsibility for the results of your actions

Offline Mocha

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #490 on: January 26, 2012, 07:25:40 PM »
When I do a one way from JFK-LIH there is very limited availability in Milesaaver. But if I break up the trip and search JFK-LAX LAX-LIH I see it available. I remember it being reported that this can be pushed through. What do i say?

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #491 on: January 26, 2012, 09:53:59 PM »
When I do a one way from JFK-LIH there is very limited availability in Milesaaver. But if I break up the trip and search JFK-LAX LAX-LIH I see it available. I remember it being reported that this can be pushed through. What do i say?
PUTPAC.

Offline Yoko

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #492 on: January 28, 2012, 09:28:33 PM »
One way/Round trip: Round Tip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non Stop
From: EWR
To: Cancun
Departure dates: FEB 5
Return airports: EWR
Return dates: FEB 9
Class:
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: No preference

85,000 SPG points - Gold
60,000 Avios
52,000 Rapid Rewards

Offline Mocha

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #493 on: January 28, 2012, 09:45:01 PM »
One way/Round trip: Round Tip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non Stop
From: EWR
To: Cancun
Departure dates: FEB 5
Return airports: EWR
Return dates: FEB 9
Class:
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: No preference
Should be able to do it all through avios. PUTAC BA

AA is showing availability in Milesaaver

JFK-CUN 6:30 PM - 9:55 PM
Cabin: Economy


CUN-JFK 4:35 PM - 9:30 PM
Cabin: Economy

Offline Yoko

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #494 on: January 28, 2012, 10:48:14 PM »
I would like to try to get a flight that leaves early Sunday morning so that i don't lose the day.

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #495 on: January 30, 2012, 11:21:18 AM »
I would like to try to get a flight that leaves early Sunday morning so that i don't lose the day.
You can transfer 27k SPG to Aeroplan to book..
 
CO from EWR-CUN Sun. Feb 5, 2012 Dep. 09:03 Arr. 12:35


Offline Kal

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #496 on: January 31, 2012, 02:55:31 AM »
One way/Round trip: Round Trip
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: SJO
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. February 12-17 preferably 16
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets: February 20-21
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any: Coach
Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 1
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with Have BA, Amex and UR

  Thanks!!

Offline am32

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #497 on: January 31, 2012, 07:12:27 PM »
One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: All airports from which you can depart: Chicago, Detroit
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line: Hanoi, Vietnam (HAN)
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. April 15-16
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets: April 19
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any: Coach/Business
Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 1
Alliance/Airline: UR or DL SkyMiles

Offline plane.love

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #498 on: February 03, 2012, 01:14:40 PM »
One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Max 1
From: All airports from which you can depart: NYC
To: GRU Brazi
Departure dates: FEb 6
Return dates: Feb 8th
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any: First/Biz
Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 1
Alliance/Airline: Amex,AA,ba

Offline plane.love

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #499 on: February 05, 2012, 12:29:46 PM »
One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Max 1

 GRU Brazil To NYC

 Feb 8th
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any: First/Biz
Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 1
Alliance/Airline: Amex,AA,ba

I found a way there...just need a way back. I wanted to do ACA via Aeroplan but MR are not transferring now

One way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Max 1
From: All airports from which you can depart: NYC
To: GRU Brazi
Departure dates: FEb 6
Return dates: Feb 8th
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any: First/Biz
Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 1
Alliance/Airline: Amex,AA,ba