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 1838984 times)

Offline mobobs770

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Need help with a complex ticket - willing to pay $200 to assist me in booking it
« Reply #9120 on: November 24, 2019, 11:26:14 PM »
I'll start off by saying that my dates are flexible. I want to start this trip in early December. I'm currently in Detroit. Ideally, I'd like to fly to NY for 2-4 days and then fly to Israel with a stopover in Rome. The stopover in Rome should be approximately 2-3 days and the Israel leg should be 7-10 days. I'm flying with someone else so

The main thing is I want to see what the best way to book this is. I'm thinking to use BA Avios for the Detroit-NY leg. If it's possible to incorporate it into the whole itinerary that would be awesome! If not, I just need help with the NY to TLV with a stopover in Rome.

Round-trip:
From: Detroit or NYC
To: TLV
Departure dates: Anywhere from Dec 8 to Dec 10
Return airports: For one ticket, I'd like to fly back to NYC. For the one that returns in mid-January flying back to DTW is preferable but NYC is fine as well
Return dates: December 19 thru 24 are fine
Class: Any
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Any airline.

I have Amex platinum, gold, bonvoy, chase ink, chase freedom, spark business and probably a few others I'm forgetting. I have about 160k amex point and 1.5M chase points. If I'm not getting 1.2 cents value on the miles I'm probably better off using cash and am open to cash options.

I know I'm making this harder, but for the second passenger, I'd prefer the ticket to come back directly to DTW (but NY is fine as well) and they would only want to return in mid-January or later.

I know this is a crazy itinerary and I'd gladly pay someone $200 to help me book it. Just message me if you're interested. I don't know how complex this is, so if you'd need more to assist me, I might be open to it. Just message me.
« Last Edit: November 24, 2019, 11:31:06 PM by mobobs770 »

Offline yikusiel66

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9121 on: November 25, 2019, 03:29:29 PM »
I am looking for a direct china southern airline premium economy flight, from JFK to CAN December 15 to 19 using either chase ultimate rewards or American express points. I did check on expert flyer if its available and it is. But Its not available on Air France or Delta Or American airlines. Does anyone have an idea how to book it? I don't have miles by China Southern Airline.
Thanks!

Offline mahnishma

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9122 on: November 26, 2019, 02:48:30 PM »
leave NYC 12/26 to either Brussels or Amsterdam
Leave after 12/28 to Baku Azerbaijan,
Arrive 1/2 in Kiev
Arrive in NYC approx 1/5
Figure to be in Bakau from Monday 12/30 to Thursday 1/2/20.
Business class
Thanks!

Offline elihak7

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9123 on: November 30, 2019, 02:49:36 PM »
Round-trip:
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: non tops 1
From: tlv
To:nyc
Departure dates: March 16, 17
Return dates: April 22 Or 23 If can arrive by fri morn
Class: Business
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: rather Star, but doesnt matter
I have a chase united card

Offline keepsmiling123

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9124 on: December 04, 2019, 01:31:30 PM »
Need help finding award space for the following:

Round Trip
Non Stop/1 stop
Trip: NYC-TLV
Depart: 5/20/19
Return: 5/31/19
Class: Business preferred
Seats: 4
Airline: Any (have plenty UR and MR and Sapphire Reserve or Biz Plat for rebate)

Offline roey6

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9125 on: December 10, 2019, 09:22:14 PM »
One way/Round trip: One Way
Non-stop
From: CUN
To: NYC
Date: Jan 26, 2020
Class: Coach
Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 5
Alliance/Airline: a lot of Marriott

Thank you!!

Offline lazeryudel

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9126 on: December 11, 2019, 12:03:46 PM »
im lookin to book biz with points from nyc to syd in the spring any pointers
thanks fellows

Offline rabshi

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9127 on: December 12, 2019, 06:56:32 AM »

One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non-Stop
From: NYC
To: TLV
Departure dates: January 27, 2020
Return dates: February 5, 2020
Class: Business
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: I have 135,828 ANA miles

Is it more worth to book an UA Economy and then upgrade with ANA miles?







« Last Edit: December 12, 2019, 07:24:56 AM by rabshi »

Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9128 on: December 12, 2019, 07:12:43 AM »

One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Non-Stop
From: NYC
To: TLV
Departure dates: January 27, 2020
Return dates: February 5, 2020
Class: Business
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: I have 135,828 ANA miles
You literally only gave 1 option, which is as simple as checking if its available, in what way pray tell are you requesting assistance?
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline rabshi

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9129 on: December 12, 2019, 07:26:29 AM »
You literally only gave 1 option, which is as simple as checking if its available, in what way pray tell are you requesting assistance?

I never dealt with such things therefore it's not simple at all for me.






Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9130 on: December 12, 2019, 07:39:45 AM »
I never dealt with such things therefore it's not simple at all for me.
You literally said you found availability, you have the miles, what in the world can be even remotely complicated?
I did find award availability on UA
Regardless, you posted in a thread to help find availability, which you clearly have, and know how to find.
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline rabshi

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9131 on: December 12, 2019, 11:43:47 AM »
You literally said you found availability, you have the miles, what in the world can be even remotely complicated? Regardless, you posted in a thread to help find availability, which you clearly have, and know how to find.


So the thing is like this. On United's website I can see award availability but ANA's rep says he doesn't have any seats to offer in Business class.




Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9132 on: December 12, 2019, 11:44:47 AM »

So the thing is like this. On United's website I can see award availability but ANA's rep says he doesn't have any seats to offer in Business class.
You ought to have asked that instead.
Is it saver availability? (75k-77.5k)
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline rabshi

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9133 on: December 12, 2019, 12:08:35 PM »
You ought to have asked that instead.
Is it saver availability? (75k-77.5k)

It's "Business Everyday Award" for 180k RT NYC-TLV.



Online mochjas

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9134 on: December 12, 2019, 03:54:28 PM »
It's "Business Everyday Award" for 180k RT NYC-TLV.
OW

Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9135 on: December 12, 2019, 03:57:51 PM »
It's "Business Everyday Award" for 180k RT NYC-TLV.
This:
OW
And you can't book that anywhere other than UA.
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline Ellen

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9136 on: December 17, 2019, 08:39:08 PM »
Is there anywhere to book domestic flights on Delta metal for  a normal amount of miles?

Offline madguy

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9137 on: December 19, 2019, 06:29:30 PM »
Looking for a flight as follows:
From: NYC or Philly
To: Denver
Leaving: 12/24 Afternoon
Returning: 12/25

Thank you!

Offline shalumov

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9138 on: December 24, 2019, 06:34:53 AM »
One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: None or 1 Stop
From: NY/NJ
To: TLV
Departure dates: June 20 (+/- a day)
Return airports: NY/NJ
Return dates: July 7 (+/- a day)
Class: First/Business (OK, if post stop is in Coach)
Seats: 4
Alliance/Airline: I have mostly AMEX & Chase points. Have Chase Sapphire Pref, and can try to get Reserve if helps.

Offline kishke

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9139 on: December 24, 2019, 07:17:34 AM »
Looking for 8 tickets from nyc to Orlando for pessach
Tuesday April 7, Returning Sunday April 19
Not wirh spirit, frontier, or Southwest Airlines