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 1839826 times)

Offline DrDanny

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Feb 2012
  • Posts: 1170
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Detroit/NewYork/PalmBeach
I'm using air Canada miles looking from NYC-LHR on July.30 or 31. In business or first this is all I found so far
 OPTION ONE

Depart: 7:08 p.m. Mon., Jul. 30, 2012 New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)

Arrive: 10:17 p.m. Mon., Jul. 30, 2012 Halifax, NS Canada (YHZ)

Flight Time: 2 hr 9 mn Flight: UA3562 Operated by SHUTTLE AMERICA DBA UNITED EXPRESS. Aircraft: Embraer ERJ-170 Meal: None Economy Class

Depart: 11:45 p.m. Mon., Jul. 30, 2012 Halifax, NS Canada (YHZ)

Arrive: 9:35 a.m. +1 Day Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 London, England (LHR - Heathrow)

Flight Time: 5 hr 50 mn Flight: AC860 Operated by Air Canada. Aircraft: Boeing 767-300 Meal: Breakfast Business Class

OPTION TWO

Depart: 6:25 a.m. Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 New York, NY (LGA - LaGuardia)

Arrive: 7:49 a.m. Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 Toronto, ON Canada (YYZ)

Flight Time: 1 hr 24 mn Flight: AC701 Operated by Air Canada. Aircraft: Airbus A319 Meal: Snack Business Class

Depart: 8:55 a.m. Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 Toronto, ON Canada (YYZ)

Arrive: 9:00 p.m. Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 London, England (LHR - Heathrow)

Flight Time: 7 hr 5 mn Flight: AC868 Operated by Air Canada. Aircraft: Boeing 767-300 Meal: Breakfast, Dinner Business Class

OPTION THREE

Depart: 5:55 p.m. Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)

Arrive: 7:20 a.m. +1 Day Wed., Aug. 1, 2012 Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)

Travel Time: 7 hr 25 mn Flight: LH403 Operated by Lufthansa. Aircraft: Boeing 747-400 Meal: Meal Business Class

Depart: 10:00 a.m. Wed., Aug. 1, 2012 Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)

Arrive: 10:40 a.m. Wed., Aug. 1, 2012 London, England (LHR)
Can anybody come up with any better ideas

Offline DrDanny

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Feb 2012
  • Posts: 1170
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Detroit/NewYork/PalmBeach
Sorry for the long post but I copy pasted it from an email from my travel agent

Offline Cashman

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 424
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
I need help. I have a flight on 07/09 from tlv-fra fra-ewr in first class. My problem is that the fra- ewr is waitlisted. I have called United they say there are no seats available. What's the chances of it opening ? And do I have to manually book it or it will happen automatically

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
I need help. I have a flight on 07/09 from tlv-fra fra-ewr in first class. My problem is that the fra- ewr is waitlisted. I have called United they say there are no seats available. What's the chances of it opening ? And do I have to manually2 book it or it will happen automatically
Its booked and your waitlisted? Id call United again.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline Cashman

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 424
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
Its booked and your waitlisted? Id call United again.
Sorry for not being clear
 its on hold. They don't let me book it.

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
Sorry for the long post but I copy pasted it from an email from my travel agent
U shouldn't even try flying via Halifax waste of points flying business on those flights.
IMO flying via Toronto on ac would be the best and convenient way

Offline WhyAich

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 2591
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
I'm using air Canada miles looking from NYC-LHR on July.30 or 31. In business or first this is all I found so far
 OPTION ONE

Depart: 7:08 p.m. Mon., Jul. 30, 2012 New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)

Arrive: 10:17 p.m. Mon., Jul. 30, 2012 Halifax, NS Canada (YHZ)

Flight Time: 2 hr 9 mn Flight: UA3562 Operated by SHUTTLE AMERICA DBA UNITED EXPRESS. Aircraft: Embraer ERJ-170 Meal: None Economy Class

Depart: 11:45 p.m. Mon., Jul. 30, 2012 Halifax, NS Canada (YHZ)

Arrive: 9:35 a.m. +1 Day Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 London, England (LHR - Heathrow)

Flight Time: 5 hr 50 mn Flight: AC860 Operated by Air Canada. Aircraft: Boeing 767-300 Meal: Breakfast Business Class

OPTION TWO

Depart: 6:25 a.m. Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 New York, NY (LGA - LaGuardia)

Arrive: 7:49 a.m. Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 Toronto, ON Canada (YYZ)

Flight Time: 1 hr 24 mn Flight: AC701 Operated by Air Canada. Aircraft: Airbus A319 Meal: Snack Business Class

Depart: 8:55 a.m. Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 Toronto, ON Canada (YYZ)

Arrive: 9:00 p.m. Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 London, England (LHR - Heathrow)

Flight Time: 7 hr 5 mn Flight: AC868 Operated by Air Canada. Aircraft: Boeing 767-300 Meal: Breakfast, Dinner Business Class

OPTION THREE

Depart: 5:55 p.m. Tue., Jul. 31, 2012 New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)

Arrive: 7:20 a.m. +1 Day Wed., Aug. 1, 2012 Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)

Travel Time: 7 hr 25 mn Flight: LH403 Operated by Lufthansa. Aircraft: Boeing 747-400 Meal: Meal Business Class

Depart: 10:00 a.m. Wed., Aug. 1, 2012 Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)

Arrive: 10:40 a.m. Wed., Aug. 1, 2012 London, England (LHR)
Can anybody come up with any better ideas

how much is this costing you????
For great Airfare deals - PLEASE contact me via PM or email: whyaich@gmail.com

Offline DrDanny

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Feb 2012
  • Posts: 1170
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Detroit/NewYork/PalmBeach
how much is this costing you????
90,000 Air Canada miles but that's round trip with a open jaw so at ¢1.5 that's $1350 plus taxes and fees (which I have know idea how much they are (if anyone knows what taxes and fees are on a round trip Europe trip that would be awesome))
« Last Edit: June 28, 2012, 11:49:11 AM by DrDanny »

Offline WhyAich

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 2591
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
90,000 Air Canada miles but that's round trip with a open jaw so at ¢1.5 that's $1350 plus taxes and fees (which I have know idea how much they are (if anyone knows what taxes and fees are on a round trip Europe trip that would be awesome))
i can get you a direct from newark on virgin atlantic for $1576!!!!!
For great Airfare deals - PLEASE contact me via PM or email: whyaich@gmail.com

Offline Ergel

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 12818
  • Total likes: 905
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
In business?
ETA: I realized you meant one way. His cost is for round trip
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline JerseyGuy

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 17
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Round trip:
Non-stop/Maximum stops:  Preferably the LAN non-stop from JFK, but otherwise 1 stop
From: JFK, LGA, EWR, or PHL
To: SCL
Departure dates: Dec 22 (after 8PM), 23, 24 or 25
Return airports: same
Return dates: Jan 1, 2, or 3
Class: Business
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: LAN, AA, BA, UA

Between my wife and I, we have roughly the following miles/points:

AA:  190K
BA:  210K
UA:    50K
HA:    70K
SPG:  60K

Is there any way I can make this work?  Thank you in advance for your kind responses.
« Last Edit: June 28, 2012, 12:30:45 PM by JerseyGuy »

Offline WhyAich

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 2591
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
In business?
ETA: I realized you meant one way. His cost is for round trip

IT SEEMS LIKE HE'S GOING ONE WAY...BUT NEEDED A RT FOR THAT FLIGHT...RT CAN BE AS LOW AS $2000 DIRECT.  NEED RETURN DATE

YES MY QUOTE WAS FOR BUSINESS.
For great Airfare deals - PLEASE contact me via PM or email: whyaich@gmail.com

Offline RJ898

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Asleep at my desk.
Round trip:
Non-stop (preferred. 1 is ok)
From: NYC
To:TLV
Departure dates: 08/21/2012
Return dates: 08/26/2012
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: any

60,000 UR

Thanks
Part of the vast right wing conspiracy.

Offline Ergel

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 12818
  • Total likes: 905
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Round trip:
Non-stop (preferred. 1 is ok)
From: NYC
To:TLV
Departure dates: 08/21/2012
Return dates: 08/26/2012
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: any

60,000 UR

Thanks
Good luck
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline RJ898

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Asleep at my desk.
Part of the vast right wing conspiracy.

Offline WhyAich

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 2591
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
How many points do I need?

UNITED 80K. UR TRANSFERS 1:1 RATIO SO YOU ONLY HAVE 60K UA
For great Airfare deals - PLEASE contact me via PM or email: whyaich@gmail.com

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67601
  • Total likes: 16913
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
UNITED 80K. UR TRANSFERS 1:1 RATIO SO YOU ONLY HAVE 60K UA
65K via BA>IB trick with $215 in fees.
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 RJ898

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Asleep at my desk.
65K via BA>IB trick with $215 in fees.
So I transfer them to BA and book Iberia on BA's website by including partners?
Part of the vast right wing conspiracy.

Offline WhyAich

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 2591
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
65K via BA>IB trick with $215 in fees.

HIS FLIGHT IS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AWAY :)
For great Airfare deals - PLEASE contact me via PM or email: whyaich@gmail.com

Offline WhyAich

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 2591
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
So I transfer them to BA and book Iberia on BA's website by including partners?

Dan means this http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/22325
For great Airfare deals - PLEASE contact me via PM or email: whyaich@gmail.com