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 1839815 times)

Offline Cbs

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1100 on: August 27, 2012, 12:23:27 PM »
Why would standard rate even be a remote option?  If you sell, you'll have enough cash to pay for a ticket and some change..
well i didnt know how much it was but now that i see, you're right i moved the request to the Paid flight thread

and btw even 80k in economy u can sell and buy a ticket for cheaper

Offline AJK

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1101 on: August 27, 2012, 12:24:46 PM »
1) Some people are sticklers for the rules.
2) I know enough people who are miles rich (though not their own directly) that cannot sell.
3) Though, if the above are not issues, by all means sell away. Added bonus: revenue tix are (obv) mileage earning.
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Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1102 on: August 27, 2012, 12:28:01 PM »
and btw even 80k in economy u can sell and buy a ticket for cheaper
Doesn't seem to be the case for this season  :(

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1103 on: August 27, 2012, 12:30:22 PM »
2) I know enough people who are miles rich (though not their own directly) that cannot sell.
??? Why not?

Offline Cbs

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1104 on: August 27, 2012, 12:35:10 PM »
Doesn't seem to be the case for this season  :(
LOT has tickets for $1175 and i think 80k can be sold for that amount or a bit more

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1105 on: August 27, 2012, 12:39:36 PM »
LOT has tickets for $1175
In between Y"K and Sukkos, that don't arrive a few hours before Shabbos/Yom tov??  Check the exact times.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2012, 01:30:42 PM by Galitzyaner »

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1106 on: August 27, 2012, 12:49:38 PM »
In between Y"K and Sukkos, that don't arrive a few hours before הדלקת נרות??  Check the exact times.
ye i see...

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1107 on: August 27, 2012, 12:53:48 PM »
??? Why not?

Not their accounts, but have access to them.
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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1108 on: August 27, 2012, 02:51:18 PM »
One way/Round trip: round trip
1 stop max
From: tlv
To: nyc
Departure dates: oct 28-28
Return dates: nov 4-6
Class: biz/first
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: ua miles
thanx

Offline JOL

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1109 on: August 27, 2012, 07:07:08 PM »
Looking for:
One Way
NYC area (JFK, EWR, PHL, AC)
to LAX
Date: 9/4
Coach
2 seats
Any airline

Thank you,

Offline hocker

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1110 on: August 27, 2012, 08:57:47 PM »
TLV
LONDON
Depart: Aug 28(!) Arrive in time for a wedding
Return: Aug 29
Cheapest Class
2 seats
Any Airline

Need to buy the miles too!

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1111 on: August 29, 2012, 12:51:52 AM »
CLE - IAH

RT
9/9 -9/11 or 12

have AMEX - i see United through aeroplan for 25k + 12.50 taxes
anything else out there?

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Zurich first class
« Reply #1112 on: August 29, 2012, 01:25:49 AM »
Hey I'm looking to book a first class round trip ticket using miles how much will it cost me
Which airline charges the least to fly to Zurich first class on miles?
Thank you

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Zurich first class
« Reply #1113 on: August 29, 2012, 01:27:57 AM »
Hey I'm looking to book a first class round trip ticket using miles how much will it cost me
Which airline charges the least to fly to Zurich first class on miles?
Thank you

Please post here.
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7986.0

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1114 on: August 29, 2012, 09:14:32 AM »
Hey I'm looking to book a first class round trip ticket using miles how much will it cost me
Which airline charges the least to fly to Zurich first class on miles?
Thank you

Offline sam28

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1115 on: August 29, 2012, 03:00:34 PM »
hi i would like to know which miles is the best to use for a trip to israel ? i would like to leave on sep 11 or 12 to london and stay there till after rosh hashne then go to isreal till after suces and on the way back with a stop in switzerland or if i have to pay where would be the best to book souch a ticket with cash ?

i have ana point united and AE and aa need 3 tickets

thanks for you help

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1116 on: August 29, 2012, 03:19:27 PM »
hi i would like to know which miles is the best to use for a trip to israel ? i would like to leave on sep 11 or 12 to london and stay there till after rosh hashne then go to isreal till after suces and on the way back with a stop in switzerland or if i have to pay where would be the best to book souch a ticket with cash ?

i have ana point united and AE and aa need 3 tickets

thanks for you help

a little more details would help :)  also you might want to post here:
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7985.0
For great Airfare deals - PLEASE contact me via PM or email: whyaich@gmail.com

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1118 on: August 30, 2012, 06:33:44 AM »
Round trip:
Any: not more than one stop each way, No stop in Europe, stop in middle east/gulf/asia ok
From: SFO, SJC, OAK
To: Mumbai (BOM)/ Pune (PNQ)
Departure dates: Dec 18-19 2012
Alliance/Airline: Delta/Skyteam
Return dates: Jan 18-19 2013
Class Any
Seats 2 : Kind of complicated...1 ticket round trip and 1 seat only on the return journey together

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Re: Need help finding a ticket? Post here! Award ticket edition (Master thread)
« Reply #1119 on: August 31, 2012, 01:46:38 AM »
One way/Round trip: Round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: NYC area
To: Houston TX (Hobby Airport?)
Departure dates: Sept 29 or 30 Anytime, (as long as we have an hour and a 1/2 after shabbos/ and arriving at least an hour before Sukkos
Return dates: Prefer Oct 9 night or Oct 10 early morning,  otherwise on Oct 6 - 7 with enough time to make it back for Shmini Atzeres
Class: Cheapest
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: I have 38000+ Skyteam miles with Czech air (expiring Oct 1st) and 30000 Starwood points too

Can I get any tickets with these points?