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 1839040 times)

Offline mike

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #500 on: February 06, 2012, 04:59:43 AM »
Can anyone help with this one? Thanks

Multi city

Segment 1
Non-stop
From: NYC (any) or EWR
To: London (any)
Date: July 2 2012

Segment 2
Non-stop
From: London (any)
To: ZRH =Zurich
Date: July 5 2012

Segment 3
Maximum stops/1
From: ZRH =Zurich
To: NYC (any) or EWR
Date: July 11 2012

Class: first

Seats: 2

Alliance/Airline: No preference have miles @ AA, AMEX, BA AVIOS, CO, Delta, some SPG

tried BA they want fees of $1738.22 and 276,000 points togather for 2 seats.


Offline lybbtthl

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #501 on: February 08, 2012, 02:18:19 AM »
Since this is a Multi city trip I'm going to have to use a different format for the post.

I am looking to fly from MEL to LHR on 03/28 or 03/29 (max 1 stop)
then from LHR to NYC on 04/02 (non stop)
and then from NYC to MEL on 04/03 (max 1 stop)

All in business class (or at the very least premium economy).
I have approx 425,000 Qantas miles to use.
I don't care what airline I fly.

I know my trip is pretty specific so what are my options?


Offline thaber

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #502 on: February 08, 2012, 03:48:02 PM »
Round trip:
Stops - as few as possible
From: lax
To: tlv
Departure dates: I have to be there latest mid afternoon on March 29th, so I can leave 29th or 27th if I need to
Return airports: same
Return dates: March 31st (after shabbos) or April 1st
Class:Any
Seats: 1, maybe 2
Alliance/Airline: I have 100K+ miles on AA, CO, BA and - close to 600K UR points

I love you guys!

Offline Ergel

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #503 on: February 09, 2012, 02:10:03 PM »

Round trip
Stops - 1
From: ord
To: tlv
Departure dates: June 12
Return airports: same
Return dates: motz"sh June 16
Class:business/first
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Using MR points. Don't mind YQ
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #504 on: February 09, 2012, 08:55:37 PM »
Round trip
Stops - 1
From: ord
To: tlv
Departure dates: June 12
Return airports: same
Return dates: motz"sh June 16
Class:business/first
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Using MR points. Don't mind YQ
try Flying Blue
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline Ergel

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #505 on: February 10, 2012, 02:43:52 AM »
try Flying Blue

Tried and didn't find anything
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #506 on: February 10, 2012, 02:47:30 AM »
Try the LX ORD-ZRH thru AC AP miles (no YQ).
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline Ergel

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #507 on: February 10, 2012, 09:44:02 AM »
Try the LX ORD-ZRH thru AC AP miles (no YQ).

That's what I tried first. No availability
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #508 on: February 10, 2012, 09:50:32 AM »
They release later, but I know that doesn't help much. Maybe thru M&M somehow
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline Jay the PRESIDENT

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #509 on: February 10, 2012, 10:10:19 AM »

One way/Round trip: One way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: TLV
To: NYC
Departure dates:3/19,3/20,3/21
Class: Coach
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: any

Offline Dan

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #510 on: February 10, 2012, 12:33:25 PM »
Round trip
Stops - 1
From: ord
To: tlv
Departure dates: June 12
Return airports: same
Return dates: motz"sh June 16
Class:business/first
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Using MR points. Don't mind YQ
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.

Online moko

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #511 on: February 10, 2012, 03:36:57 PM »
Round trip
Maximum stops: 1 
From: TLV
To: ORD
Departure dates: May 15  +/- 1 day
Return dates: May 29 +/- 1 day
Class: First/Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: star alliance
i am having a hard time finding any return availability
(prefer lie-flat seats)
thanx

Offline hudi123

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #512 on: February 12, 2012, 02:39:25 PM »
One way/Round trip: round trp
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1 even 2 stops
From:   prefer ewr or jfk phl
To:  tlv
Departure dates:april 4 +or- day
Return airports   ewr jfk phl
Return dates: april 15 or 16
Class: prefer business would take coach
Seats: 3 seats plus baby on lap
Alliance/Airline: i have 360000 co miles would like to use them
basically i want to go for pesach i would go a little early or come back few days late if i had to,  i just cant find any flights with mileage.  i heard u can go through turkey or zurich but its  not showing any flights.  if anyone has a few min to help thank u!!!
« Last Edit: February 12, 2012, 02:45:09 PM by hudi123 »

Offline syjew

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #513 on: February 13, 2012, 02:22:37 PM »
One way/Round trip: Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:1
From: Anywhere near brooklyn (ex. jfk, ewr etc)
To: PTY PANAMA CITY PANAMA OR ANYTHING IN VICINITY
Departure dates: March 9 (if possible to land before Shabbat), March 10th after Shabbat, or March 11th(morning only)
Return airports: same
Return dates: March 12th or 13th
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: I have 50,000 MileagePlus Points and 50,000 chase sapphire points

I can also pay cash if that makes more sense

Online moko

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #514 on: February 13, 2012, 10:45:13 PM »
Round trip
Maximum stops: 1 
From: TLV
To: ORD
Departure dates: May 15  +/- 1 day
Return dates: May 29 +/- 1 day
Class: First/Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline:CO/UA miles- star alliance
i am having a hard time finding any return availability
(prefer lie-flat seats)
thanx
bump

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #515 on: February 15, 2012, 09:39:45 AM »
One way/Round trip: One way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: TLV
To: NYC
Departure dates:3/19,3/20,3/21
Class: Coach
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: any
on 19-20 EF is showing LX
LX257 05:30-0850 zurich
LX16 0955-1400 / LX14 1300-1700 jfk

its either M&M availability, or *A, (which can be booked from CO etc.) none of the websites are reliable so you have to call CO. Look for the link on the forums so you don't have to wait on hold

I'm flying on the 19th on the TLV-ZRH flight, though I'll be up front.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #516 on: February 15, 2012, 10:59:05 AM »
Round trip
Maximum stops: 1 
From: TLV
To: ORD
Departure dates: May 15  +/- 1 day
Return dates: May 29 +/- 1 day
Class: First/Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: star alliance
i am having a hard time finding any return availability
(prefer lie-flat seats)
thanx
Lots of availability on LX in coach
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #517 on: February 15, 2012, 11:14:43 AM »
One way/Round trip: round trp
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1 even 2 stops
From:   prefer ewr or jfk phl
To:  tlv
Departure dates:april 4 +or- day
Return airports   ewr jfk phl
Return dates: april 15 or 16
Class: prefer business would take coach
Seats: 3 seats plus baby on lap
Alliance/Airline: i have 360000 co miles would like to use them
basically i want to go for pesach i would go a little early or come back few days late if i had to,  i just cant find any flights with mileage.  i heard u can go through turkey or zurich but its  not showing any flights.  if anyone has a few min to help thank u!!!
Coach is available for 80,000 CO miles per person on Swiss with a stopover in Zurich. many flights on your specific dates. CO.com doesn't always list Swiss flights so you might have to call Continental. Search the forum for info the infant
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline Shua

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #518 on: February 16, 2012, 12:03:32 AM »
One way/Round trip: round trp
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1
From:   prefer ewr or jfk
To:  tlv
Departure dates:april 1
Return airports   ewr jfk
Return dates: april 15 or 16
Class: coach
Seats: 3 seats (2 adults 1 2.5 year old)
Alliance/Airline: I only have 140,000 UR. While I know that is not enough for all of us, I wanted to see if I could buy 1 (or maybe 2) tickets and supplement with $

Online moko

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #519 on: February 19, 2012, 09:59:05 AM »
Round trip
Maximum stops: 1 
From: TLV
To: ORD
Departure dates: May 15  +/- 1 day
Return dates: May 29 +/- 1 day
Class: First/Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: star alliance
i am having a hard time finding any return availability
(prefer lie-flat seats)
thanx
bump