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 2059876 times)

Offline Ly18

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9480 on: August 31, 2023, 08:48:54 AM »
AFAIK there is no non stop nyc-mle

Offline Moshe26

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9481 on: August 31, 2023, 10:16:34 AM »
AFAIK there is no non stop nyc-mle
Yes my bad. I meant to do 1stop

Offline ashy

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9482 on: September 10, 2023, 06:46:10 PM »
Round-trip:
Non-stop/Maximum stops :1
From: NYC
To:TLV
Departure dates: 9/26
Return dates: 10/10
Class: Coach
Seats: 4
Alliance/Airline: Chase UR

Offline aaronnechama

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9483 on: September 12, 2023, 05:45:20 PM »
Curious if there's an update to this post, which is from over ten years ago!

Please follow the following rules when posting in this thread. Failure to do so may result in you request being ignored or deleted.

FAQs: (if you are looking to purchase a ticket, please post here)

Q: How many miles will my USA-TLV ticket cost?
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

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 (Continental, United, USairways, 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 Continental 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 Continental) they can issue a ticket on a partner (ie AirCanada). Trying to call AirCanada with Continental 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, 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

Please add any other information you feel might be useful

...and remember, please don't PM members, if it's something you can post.

Offline VAAD BLB

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9484 on: September 14, 2023, 08:40:57 PM »
Looking to buy 51.5k British airways miles for BO

Offline arflights

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PM me for a good deal on flights

Offline First Time CCer

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9486 on: September 18, 2023, 09:38:18 PM »
One way/round trip: one way
Non-stop/Maximum stops
From: iad, bwi, dca, jfk
To: tlv
Departure dates: preferably Oct 11 but if only 10th that should be able to work
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/ Airline: any bookable with Chase/Cap1 points

Offline First Time CCer

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9487 on: September 18, 2023, 10:26:02 PM »
One way/round trip: one way
Non-stop/Maximum stops
From: iad, bwi, dca, jfk
To: tlv
Departure dates: preferably Oct 11 but if only 10th that should be able to work
Class: Any
Seats: 1
Alliance/ Airline: any bookable with Chase/Cap1 points
Max stops 1
Thanks to anyone who can help!

Offline TB12

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9488 on: September 23, 2023, 08:58:30 PM »
Round trip:
Non-stop
From:  JFK
To:  HKG
Departure dates: 11/5

Return dates 11/15
Class:Business
Seats: 1
Cathay using cash +miles
- they won't show pricing unless you have 5K miles in the account, so anyone that can help w be appreciated!

Offline Aaron55555

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9489 on: October 02, 2023, 07:36:39 PM »
If someone has any useful tips or can help.. id appreciate it.
I booked the last 2 business class tickets available for TLV-MLE on Etihad through AA for 30k miles each. I figured I’d add my lap infant after. When I try to, they wanted to charge me $1,336 to add her. They said it was based off of 10% of the cash price. Being that it was hard to believe this ticket costed $13k, I checked and sure enough it costs about $2500 making 10% a bearable $250. But when I told them that they said I was misinformed and it’s not always bound to 10%. I then tried to book her an economy seat for 15k which was available but an infant has to be in the same cabin.. I asked to them change my name to the infants, so my wife and her would be in the same cabin in bus and I’d book a new economy. They said they can’t change anything. Etihad also won’t talk to me being that it is an AA booking.
All help appreciated!

Offline Pad18

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9490 on: October 02, 2023, 09:18:30 PM »
If someone has any useful tips or can help.. id appreciate it.
I booked the last 2 business class tickets available for TLV-MLE on Etihad through AA for 30k miles each. I figured I’d add my lap infant after. When I try to, they wanted to charge me $1,336 to add her. They said it was based off of 10% of the cash price. Being that it was hard to believe this ticket costed $13k, I checked and sure enough it costs about $2500 making 10% a bearable $250. But when I told them that they said I was misinformed and it’s not always bound to 10%. I then tried to book her an economy seat for 15k which was available but an infant has to be in the same cabin.. I asked to them change my name to the infants, so my wife and her would be in the same cabin in bus and I’d book a new economy. They said they can’t change anything. Etihad also won’t talk to me being that it is an AA booking.
All help appreciated!

Book the infant with her DOB 01/01/1920 ...

Offline Aaron55555

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9491 on: October 03, 2023, 03:49:08 AM »
Book the infant with her DOB 01/01/1920 ...

Huh?

Offline MGM1

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9492 on: October 11, 2023, 07:55:15 PM »
Round-trip:RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:up to 1 stop
From: All NYC area , phl , ord , Bos
To: Hkg , Can
Departure dates: 10/28 ( after Shabbos ) 10/29
Return airports: All NYC area , phl , ord , Bos
Return dates: 11/2(late night flight )11/3 (in time to get home for for Shabbos )or 11/5, 11/6
Class: First/Business/premium
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Any airline but I would like to use Amex Mr points

I did do some research and couldn’t find good options , looking for help on this asap . Thanks in advance. ( willing to pay little for services if needed )



Offline rzil

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9493 on: October 23, 2023, 06:08:29 PM »
Round-trip:RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:up to 1 stop- US/CAN stopover only
From: All NYC area
To: Syd
Departure dates: 12/19/23
Return airports: All NYC area
Return dates: 1/1/24
Class: First/Business
Seats: 4 (can live with 3)
Alliance/Airline: Any airline that I can use Amex Mr points

Offline Dave321

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9494 on: October 30, 2023, 12:24:56 PM »
ok I have an interesting question. I am looking to book 2 seats on a lie flat seat for the cheapest price. need it for a photoshoot. needs to leave from tristate to anywhere. very flexible.

Offline NomisYdnar

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9495 on: December 04, 2023, 10:42:04 PM »
Helping my mother and father book a trip for their birthdays. Not too flexible on dates due to work schedules:
12/20/2023 - NYC to SIN
1/5/2023 (1/6 ok) - HKG to NYC
Business class preferred on the long legs of these flights (if the first leg is short and continental, willing to do economy)

Relying on Chase points to make this work.

THANK YOU!

Offline JeremyG

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9496 on: December 10, 2023, 03:34:03 PM »
Hi Everyone! I live in Miami and trying to plan a trip to Dehli without staying over shabbas and maximizing the time spent there. I have a few million points for Amex and Chase each. Thanks in advance for the help!

Round-trip
1 Stop Max.
From: MIA, FLL
To: DEL
Departure dates: Anytime in January 2024
Class: Business prefered...If there is a great deal on Economy or Premium, would consider bringing a friend along. Better to be with a friend in economy than along in business :)
Seats: 1 person
Alliance/Airline: Any

Offline Mord2000

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9497 on: December 31, 2023, 09:42:52 AM »
Looking for 2 tickets for my daughters next week to Hawaii. Any suggestions are appreciated.

One way/Round-trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1 stop max
From:  EWR, PHL
To: HNL
Departure dates: 1/7/2024 (morning preferred)
Return airports:EWR, PHL
Return dates: 1/10/2024 (or early 1/11/2024
Class: Any
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Star Alliance,  Also have many Chase rewards and Amex points and will open airline rewards accounts to get tickets if possible

Offline DWOD

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9498 on: January 15, 2024, 05:54:48 PM »
Ive been out of the game so long...my login from 2013 doesnt work anymore, (something about password security on DDF being upgraded). Long story short I have 118K chase points, and want to know which airline I should best convert it to for a one way award ticket from NYC to TLV on April 11th?

Offline Sammy82

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9499 on: January 25, 2024, 11:12:44 AM »
I would like to use points to buy my family tickets to EY (from JFK) for Pesach on Virgin Atlantic, based on the current promotion Dan posted yesterday https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/milespoints/save-20-virgin-atlantic-awards-mileage-bargains-london-israel-south-africa/. The problem is that I only have 258,000 Amex points and I need 272,000. I have plenty of Chase points but unfortunately, I just canceled my Reserve card a few weeks ago so I don't see a way to transfer those to Virgin. Any other ideas on how to get the final 14,000 that I need, aside from buying them straight out (will cost about $400 to buy them from Virgin)?
TIA