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 1838689 times)

Offline Zalmy2

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What means YQ?
currently i have air france 100k miles

Surprisingly, YQ was not listed in the wiki, but I added it: http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=10531.0

 
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Dan

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Surprisingly, YQ was not listed in the wiki, but I added it: http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=10531.0
Because it's in the airline terms wiki:
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=13317.0
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 AJK

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Ah, not sure I see the chochma behind separating it out, and making people check more than one place...

But good to know.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline shmaichel

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Depending on whether the AA flight from NYC-MIA/FLL is a three-cabin plane or not (I don't think it is), then your best bet would be to xfer to BA and book on AA.

How long does it take to transfer points to BA miles?
How many BA miles will be used for 1 roundtrip first class ticket?
Is it generally better to make AA tickets thru BA miles (rather than transferring directly to AA miles) for an ECONOMY ticket as well?

Thanks!

Offline MEIR613

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How long does it take to transfer points to BA miles?
How many BA miles will be used for 1 roundtrip first class ticket?
Is it generally better to make AA tickets thru BA miles (rather than transferring directly to AA miles) for an ECONOMY ticket as well?

Thanks!

1)UR/MR - Instantly, SPG - 1-3 weeks

2)45k

3)BA.

4)FYI MR/UR don't transfer to AA, only SPG.


Offline AJK

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2)45k

So it IS a three-cabin flight?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Ergel

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So it IS a three-cabin flight?
Nope, most ( all?)  domestic two cabin flights are triple miles in business
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline MEIR613

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Nope, most ( all?)  domestic two cabin flights are triple miles in business
Some (all?) NYC - YYZ aren't.

Offline Dan

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Some (all?) NYC - YYZ aren't.
That's not domestic.
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 MEIR613

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That's not domestic.
I know, I'm just staying a fact.

Offline springles

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Could use some help on finding flights using starpoints.

One way/Round trip: RT but could just buy return ticket if needed
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Preferably no stops
From: NYC
To: ZRH
Departure dates: 4/21
To: TLV
Departure dates: 4/25
Return airports: return direct TLV to NYC
Return dates: 5/5
Class: Coach
Seats: 1
Alliance/Airline: Star Alliance


TA priced this out at ~$1500.
« Last Edit: March 20, 2013, 12:47:58 PM by springles »

Offline nikcan2

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  • Location: Peoria,IL
One way/Round trip:  Roundtrip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: 1
From: All airports from which you can depart  PIA, BMI
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line  PVR
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. 12/7
Return airports: If different from 'To' line. Delete this line for One way tickets
Return dates: Delete this line for One way tickets - 12/14
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any - Coach - want to use 35K miles
Seats: Total number of people traveling over the age of 2 - 3
Alliance/Airline: What airline or alliance are you looking to fly with  - American/One World

Offline kurly123

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  • Location: new york
One way/Round trip: one way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any
From: All airports from which you can depart: TLV
To: All airports which you can arrive at. For multiple destinations, just keep adding this line: all NYC
Departure dates: All possible dates that you can depart on. Please be as specific as possible. august 11, 12, 13
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any: Coach
Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 14 seat
Alliance/Airline: i have points with spg and amex so any place i can transfer points in

Offline dealvr

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Want to use Avios to fly from NYC to MIA/FLL
May 1/2 - 5
Can't seem to find anything in coach or business. Any suggestions?
Hey there! I am using WhatsApp.

Offline AJK

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Want to use Avios to fly from NYC to MIA/FLL
May 1/2 - 5
Can't seem to find anything in coach or business. Any suggestions?

If it isnt available on AA.com, you're SOL.

Keep checking.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline yo

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nyc-hnl april 14
hnl-sydney april 17
sydney -lax april 24
lax to nyc- april 25

in business or first
3 passengers

Offline chucksterace

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One way/Round trip: Round Trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Any (Try to make them someplace interesting  ;) )
From: ORD
To: TLV
Departure dates: Anytime after Pesach
Return dates: About a 10-14 days after departure
Class: Coach or Business (coach preferred
Seats: 1 Person
Alliance/Airline: Star Alliance (Using United Miles) or One World (Using BA Avios)
« Last Edit: March 25, 2013, 06:51:44 PM by chucksterace »
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Offline AJK

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Literally anytime after pesach? There a hundreds of options.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline chucksterace

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Literally anytime after pesach? There a hundreds of options.

Fine, preferably within a week after Pesach, so by April 9th.
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