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 2060564 times)

Offline yomo

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9500 on: January 28, 2024, 05:54:56 AM »
Looking for 3 one way tickets for adult and 2 kids this monday - tomorrow.
Any suggestions are appreciated.

One way/Round-trip: one way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1 stop max, prefer nonstop
From:  MIA, FLL, PBI
To: Newark, PHL, JFK, LGA
Departure dates: 1/29/2024 (evening preferred)
Class: Any
Seats: 3 plus infant
Have many AA, BA, and JB points as well as Chase rewards and Bonvoy points

Offline egzactly

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9501 on: February 05, 2024, 07:30:23 PM »
looking for one United business class flight from IAD-LAX on Feb 28/29 on the 777-900 booked through Turkish.

Third party sites are showing availability, but turkish site not displaying them. Phone reps also not finding it.

I have many capital one, chase, and amex points though if anyone knows of a good lie-flat first class alternative :)

Offline ChaniS

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9502 on: February 06, 2024, 10:45:50 AM »
Hi, I need tickets for my 2 kids going back to EY after Pesach.  They need to fly direct, which at this point is only El Al.  El Al wants $2700 for each RT ticket. Any news on if/when United or Delta will be flying?

Ticket 1 is May 5 - June 18
Ticket 2 is May 5 - Sept time

I have Cap 1 points, Amex plat points and some chase points.
Anyone can help me with the best way to go about this?

Thanks in advance!

Offline arflights

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9503 on: February 06, 2024, 02:03:40 PM »
Hi, I need tickets for my 2 kids going back to EY after Pesach.  They need to fly direct, which at this point is only El Al.  El Al wants $2700 for each RT ticket. Any news on if/when United or Delta will be flying?

Ticket 1 is May 5 - June 18
Ticket 2 is May 5 - Sept time

I have Cap 1 points, Amex plat points and some chase points.
Anyone can help me with the best way to go about this?

Thanks in advance!

Book Delta for $1650 and if it gets canceled you'll be protected on El Al.
PM me for a good deal on flights

Offline metsgiantsfan

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9504 on: February 06, 2024, 03:53:23 PM »
Can someone please help me-maybe with a partner flight?  I have rewards for almost everyone but spirit/frontier
Need a flight:

Sat night 2/10 (earliest 730pm) or Sunday morning 2/11 or even 2/12 morning going from NYC to fll or pbi    I cant find less than16-20k one way

thank you for any help!

Offline moish66

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9505 on: February 07, 2024, 11:21:43 PM »
hi thanks in advance
One way/Round-trip: one way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: one non overnight stop
From:tlv
To:nyc
Departure dates: 04/09 04/10
Class: Coach
Seats 1
Alliance/Airline: star alliance
UR 250k, biz plat, cap1
thanks

Offline mnkyz

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9506 on: February 15, 2024, 07:28:54 PM »
Round-trip: One Way
Non-stop
From: All NYC area  To: Athens
Departure dates: March 2
airports: All NYC
Class: First/Business
Seats: 4
Alliance/Airline: Any airline that I can use Amex or United. I’m trying to book emirates

Offline GAM Z.

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9507 on: February 15, 2024, 08:06:32 PM »
hi thanks in advance
One way/Round-trip: one way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: one non overnight stop
From:tlv
To:nyc
Departure dates: 04/09 04/10
Class: Coach
Seats 1
Alliance/Airline: star alliance
UR 250k, biz plat, cap1
thanks
Not sure if this is the best option, but you can book a cash ticket to Athens and than book a United mileage ticket to Newark. You can also book it with Lifemiles.

Offline egzactly

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9508 on: February 19, 2024, 06:28:30 PM »
One Way
up to one stop / nonstop
TLV-LAX
April 9 2024
1 seat in ECO
Chase UR, Amex MR, Cap 1 and amex biz plat
TIA

Offline mgmoonlight

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9509 on: February 20, 2024, 04:51:44 PM »
Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: TLV
To: MSP
Departure dates: March 15th +/-2 days
Return dates: April 8th +/- 2 days (a bit more flexible here)
Class: coach
Alliance/Airline: No preference but departure from/to TLV must be with El Al due to the war.

Please help me find a ticket for a reasonable price. My kids (4 and 8 year old) are in the US and I haven't seen them since beginning of January :( Can't find anything for less than $1900

Offline arflights

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9510 on: February 20, 2024, 06:32:44 PM »
Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: TLV
To: MSP
Departure dates: March 15th +/-2 days
Return dates: April 8th +/- 2 days (a bit more flexible here)
Class: coach
Alliance/Airline: No preference but departure from/to TLV must be with El Al due to the war.

Please help me find a ticket for a reasonable price. My kids (4 and 8 year old) are in the US and I haven't seen them since beginning of January :( Can't find anything for less than $1900

Not sure what you consider affordable but here are some options.

Option 1: it's possible to book a roundtrip for 50k points and $922 (separate tickets).
Option 2: revenue ticket for $1687 roundtrip (one ticket).
Option 3: revenue ticket for $1635 roundtrip (separate tickets).
PM me for a good deal on flights

Offline TzviR

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9511 on: February 20, 2024, 11:07:59 PM »
Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: TLV
To: MSP
Departure dates: March 15th +/-2 days
Return dates: April 8th +/- 2 days (a bit more flexible here)
Class: coach
Alliance/Airline: No preference but departure from/to TLV must be with El Al due to the war.

Please help me find a ticket for a reasonable price. My kids (4 and 8 year old) are in the US and I haven't seen them since beginning of January :( Can't find anything for less than $1900
Not sure if this helps you:
https://www.dansdeals.com/more/news/airline-news/el-al-will-give-idf-soldiers-free-flight-europe/

My  prizes from CV :)

Offline mgmoonlight

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9512 on: February 21, 2024, 02:30:26 AM »
Not sure if this helps you:
https://www.dansdeals.com/more/news/airline-news/el-al-will-give-idf-soldiers-free-flight-europe/

I'm not a soldier, just a mother who went back to Israel in order to work. Thanks though.

Offline urielh36

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9513 on: February 21, 2024, 04:51:29 PM »
Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops: 1
From: NYC
To: TLV
Departure dates: April 17 +/-1 day
Return dates: May 1st +1 day
Class: coach, pass 2+
Chase UR, Amex MR, Cap 1, Citi, Amex Biz plat

TIA

Online RL366

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9514 on: February 25, 2024, 12:59:14 AM »
Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops: 0
From: EWR /PHL
To: anywhere that will get the full eclipse
Departure dates: April 8 morning
Return dates: April 8 evening
Class: coach, pass 3
Chase UR, Amex MR, Cap 1, Amex Biz plat

TIA

Offline Yoko

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #9515 on: February 25, 2024, 02:38:11 PM »
Looking for flight options with points redemption, Premium economy or above
EWR-VCE - 5/19/24
NAP - EWR - 5/29/24
United has premium economy direct for 254,000 UA Miles
AMEX Platinum has the same flights for 258,921 MR points (after 35% back)
I can't seem to figure out how ITA or Lifemiles work as they aren't showing me any points redemptions.
I have Chase UR (Sapphire), Amex MR (Platinum) & Capital One (Venture X) points with enough to transfer.
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
TIA

Offline m. y.

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Round trip
Non-stop
From: NYC
To: BRUSSELS
Departure: april 17
Return: may 02
Class: Economy
Seats: 4
Alliance/Airline: Any

i have a lot of chse and amex points
TIA

Offline israel11219

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Where could I find a chart with All airlines class codes and the definition of it? Thanks

Offline abetobee

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Looking for 5 tix tlv-nyc one way anytime between 3/31 and 4/3. Have Amex, chase, and cap1. Thank you for any ideas

Offline UKinNYS

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Virgin has 9 seats avail on April 2 on KLM via AMS (18-20 hr stopover) 30k +$197 yq
Looking for 5 tix tlv-nyc one way anytime between 3/31 and 4/3. Have Amex, chase, and cap1. Thank you for any ideas