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 1839226 times)

Offline Moishebatchy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 7278
  • Total likes: 150
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 23
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jerusalem
  • Programs: Arzei Makolet Platinum, Yossi's Makolet Silver, Yesh! Gold, Rav Kav Dirt
One way/Round trip: RT
Maximum stops: 1
From: JFK, EWR, LGA
To: TLV
Departure dates: 9/2/2012 or 9/3/2012
Return dates: 9/9/2012 or 9/10/2012
Class: Business
Seats: 2
Mileage/Alliance: any

TIA!!!

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
how many avios is that?
JFK/ORD-DUB 40k Y 80k J (RT) BOS/MCO-DUB 25k/50k J/Y (RT)w
Alright i found availability but i'm not sure how that helps me as i need to get from Manchester to Dublin and BA's website says i can't buy or use points to do that... (and united is charging 12.5k)
Also at the moment paid tickets seem to be around $1350 so united has a ticket for 60k +$187 i think that is still better than buying... am i missing something?

Thanks
use united.com to find aer lingus flights, if it's available u can book that for 4500 ba avios, so total trip is 49k.
Or buy ryanair man-dub.
Even if u buy a second ticket from United for 25k MAN-dub it's still cheaper than the 60k United wants, especially if u fly from Dublin into Boston.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline Fefferkorn

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 406
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
TLV-YYZ RT Economy class.

Aug 13 - Aug 22.

Anyobody?

Edit: When searching on elal.com I get the following message:
Quote
The following error(s) occurred:
We are unable to find recommendations for your search. Please change your search criteria and resubmit the search. (66002 [-1])
However, I see on Kayak a nonstop flight with Elal TLV-YYZ so they do fly that route.
« Last Edit: May 09, 2012, 01:12:30 PM by Fefferkorn »

Offline Devorah

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2009
  • Posts: 1227
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
JFK/ORD-DUB 40k Y 80k J (RT) BOS/MCO-DUB 25k/50k J/Y (RT)wuse united.com to find aer lingus flights, if it's available u can book that for 4500 ba avios, so total trip is 49k.
Or buy ryanair man-dub.
Even if u buy a second ticket from United for 25k MAN-dub it's still cheaper than the 60k United wants, especially if u fly from Dublin into Boston.
Can this be booked on ba.com?

Offline Jay the PRESIDENT

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2008
  • Posts: 823
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
One way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:
From: TLV
To: NYC
Departure dates: 6/13  (+-1)
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Any

Stop in Zurich and/or london would be great


Thanx!

Offline Daniel

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 916
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Is there a way to go from LHR to TLV with UA miles?
Of course, I can't find any availability from NYC to TLV so I'm willing to stop in LHR. But how do I get from LHR to TLV?

Offline Fefferkorn

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 406
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Can somebody please tell me why TLV-YYZ does not work on ElAl's award search engine??

Offline smart brit

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 2044
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: New york / London
Can this be booked on ba.com?
I tried and although i found avail dates on united i can't book it on ba.com

Offline Chaikel

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 6812
  • Total likes: 174
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 20
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: LH SEN, SPG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Rav Kav Platinum
Is there a way to go from LHR to TLV with UA miles?
Of course, I can't find any availability from NYC to TLV so I'm willing to stop in LHR. But how do I get from LHR to TLV?
AFAIK no UA partners fly direct LHR-TLV. You would need to make a stop
Create professional looking itineraries.
Check out eliteitinerary.com

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
AFAIK no UA partners fly direct LHR-TLV. You would need to make a stop
Look at Ny-ZRH-TLV, NY-FRA, VIE, BRU etc.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
TLV-YYZ RT Economy class.

Aug 13 - Aug 22.

Anyobody?

Edit: When searching on elal.com I get the following message:However, I see on Kayak a nonstop flight with Elal TLV-YYZ so they do fly that route.
Award tickets, are capacity controlled, so even if there is a flight, there probably aren't any award seats available.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline mclovin

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 2316
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
One way/Round trip: RT
Maximum stops: any
From: nyc
To: TLV
Departure dates: end of june/ beginning july
Return dates: end august
Class: economy
Seats: 2
Mileage/Alliance: any (minimum surcharges)

Offline myb821

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 7570
  • Total likes: 28
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
looking for a one way ticket for 2 people form anywhere in the us to anywhere in europe on june 24th or june 25th in biz or first star alliance saver using UA miles

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
looking for a one way ticket form anywhere in the us to anywhere in europe on june 24th or june 25th in biz or first star alliance saver using UA miles
US722 21:00 25June PHL-DUB
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline myb821

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 7570
  • Total likes: 28
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
US722 21:00 25June PHL-DUB
lets try that once more preferably somewhere mainland europe

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
lets try that once more preferably somewhere mainland europe
LH F MCO-FRA 20:15 24June, but 50/50 chance it's UA and its fake avail
US J CLT-DUB 18:20 24June
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Check UA out of SFO
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline myb821

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 7570
  • Total likes: 28
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
LH F MCO-FRA 20:15 24June, but 50/50 chance it's UA and its fake avail
u see that available for two people? I dont see that flight available on united

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
u see that available for two people?
You just added that fact. See when I quoted u it didn't say that.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline myb821

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 7570
  • Total likes: 28
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
weird no i didnt add it i added it 10 seconds after i posted but i dont see it available for even one person