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 1839101 times)

Offline menashe04

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9020 on: February 24, 2019, 11:14:04 AM »
One way/Round-trip:RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/NS or 1
From: All airports from which you can depart: NYC
To: TLV
Departure dates: 6/26/19-7/3/19
Return airports: NYC
Return dates: 7/29/19-8/6/19
Class: First/Business
Seats:8+1 lap infant
Alliance/Airline: any

I have lots of amex, and some others, but I can get whatever will be needed

Thanks!

Offline NOOCH

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9021 on: February 27, 2019, 05:44:30 PM »
One way/Round-trip: OW
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1
From: NYC
To: JNB
Departure dates: July 20 11pm - July 21 (Must land by 5 pm 7/22)
Class: First/Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: I have plenty Bonvoy/UR Points

Offline godofchurning

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9022 on: February 27, 2019, 06:16:52 PM »
One way
From: MLE
To: JFK/IAH/IAD/LAX
Departure dates: July 17,18,19,20
Class: Business in QSuites
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Qatar

Offline Woofwoof

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9023 on: February 28, 2019, 10:55:45 PM »
One way/Round trip: R/T
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 0-2 stops ok
From: Ideally SJC or SFO, but LAX is also fine if fares are low enough
To: HKG
Departure dates: to HKG any of Oct 8-11
Return airports: any of departure airports (open jaw ok)
Return dates: from HKG any of Nov 3-6
Class: PE
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Non-Chinese airlines. Currently there is a deal from AA (pls see below)
What Price did you find so far: as low as $631 and up to $758 (Vayama and Club 1 quote below $600, but I am not sure if they are reliable)
Are you looking to buy from a TA or cheapest online: This is a consolidator fare.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premium-fare-deals/1957803-aa-lax-hkg-756-pe-special-fare.html


Offline Mpcp12

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  • Location: NYC
Round-trip:
Non-stop
From: JFK or LGA
To: FLL or MIA
Departure dates: 3/11
Return airports: JFK or LGA
Return dates: 3/14
Class: Any
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Not spirit   ;)

Offline Sabastian

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Hey!

I'm Looking for a direct flight (either points or money) from BWI, DCA, IAD to OAK, SFO, SJC.

Need Direct flight since I am flying with kids.

Date: May 6th late at night or May 7th in morning.

Thanks so much!!!

Offline jes

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One way/Round-trip:RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:Non
From: NYC
To: TLV
Departure dates: 3/10
Return airports:NYC
Return dates: 3/12
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Any

Offline KSMH

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One way/Round-trip:RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:Non
From: NYC
To: TLV
Departure dates: 3/10
Return airports:NYC
Return dates: 3/12
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Any
NYC-TLV

United has award availability on both flights in economy [ 11pm flight is only for premier members]

ElAL has availability in economy for the 23.50 flight [can book with Qantas for savings


TLV-NYC
United has award availability on both flights in economy [10pm flight is only for premier members]

ELAL all flights have availability  in economy and 940 flight has in premium as well. Book with Qantas for savings.



Always praying for delayed baggage.

Offline mick

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One way/Round trip: RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Up to 1 stop
From: EWR, JFK, LGA (preference in that order)
To: LIH 
Departure dates: 7/21- 7/23
Return airports: same
Return dates: 7/29 - 8/1
Class: Coach
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: any

Using Chase UR and/or Bonvoy points

Offline Mendy cohen

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Hi! Im selling some gift cards on united airlines one of 150$(im selling for 130$) and other of 100$ (selling for 80$)
« Last Edit: March 12, 2019, 10:10:56 PM by Mendy cohen »

Offline theyankel

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  • Location: Brooklyn, NY
One way/Round-trip: one way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: max 1 stop
From: hnl, ogg
To: jfk, lga (maybe newark for rigth price)
Departure dates: 8/28-29

Class: First/Business
Seats: 6
Alliance/Airline: i have a lot of miles with a many partners and transferable points if there is availability. looking for good saver options


Offline Yoko

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Round Trip or Multi
1 stop
From - EWR
To: BUD, TLV
Departure dates: EWR to BUD, 3/27; BUD to TLV, 3/28
Return airports: EWR
Return dates: TLV to EWR, 3/31
Class: Any
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Any. I have enough Amex MR, United, Chase UR & SPG

Offline usernane

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  • Location: usa
One way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:
From: detroit
To: nyc
Departure dates: 3/24


Class: /Coach
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: any.i have chase ,united and ba.award pts
please call mew at 7325524623  or email at rochellefo@gmail.com

Offline simjy

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One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: non-stop
From: jfk
To: tlv
Departure dates: 6/26/19 - flexible that week
Return dates: 7/26/19 early am or flexible a day or two earlier
Class: Any, is comfort+ worth it?
Seats: 3
Alliance/Airline: prefer Delta or ElAL if I have to
Have Amex points and some Chase

Thanks

Online username

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  • Programs: ┌──────────────────┐ │───> Ữ₴ΣЯИΛΜӘ <─── │ └──────────────────┘
One way/
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:
From: PHL/ZFV/EWR/LGA (in that order)
To: CLE
Departure dates: Sunday April 7 AFTERNOON. Later if from EWR/LGA
s
Class: /Any
Seats:1
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with

I have chase and amex points. And expanded UA.
^^^

Offline wildcard

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  • Location: jerusalem
One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Maximum 1 stop
From:  TLV
To: NYC
Departure dates: APR 7/8 or APR 9 if land in NY by 4pm
Return dates: APR 10/11
Class: cheapest
Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 1 traveller
Alliance/Airline: Any airline, do have A"A points, delta points, chase, united

Offline MoGro17

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  • Location: Area 51
One way/Round-trip: RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: max 1 stop
From: EWR preferred, surrounding ok
To: Maui
Departure dates: 7 days, flexible - end of June or beginning of July
Return airports: same as departing
Return dates: see above
Class: First/Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: any

Offline bluesky

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One way
0 or 1 stop preferred
From: TLV
To: NYC (EWR will save $70)
Departure dates: April 11 (or 10 if need be)
Class: Y
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: any, but not going through Jordan
Cheapest flight for points is best, I have 1 suitcase (two would be nice)

THANK YOU. Are people still answering this thread? 

Offline jew

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One way
2 stops okay
From: man (or lhr if necessary)
To: MEL
Departure dates: JUL 24

Class: First/Business
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Any
Offering $$ for a decent itinerary

Offline gevaldig

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Round Trip for 2
Leaving May 12 NYC to BUD
Back  may 16

have all points