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 1838737 times)

Offline Smirk

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 585
  • Total likes: 15
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
interesting, excuse my ignorance, but can you point me in the right direction for a OW ticket? and the advantage i would have is not having to pay for that second leg?

Offline YOSEF

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2009
  • Posts: 2185
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16
    • View Profile
OW= one way. The advantage is using two different alliances; you get to fly CX there, and only one stop back.

Offline YOSEF

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2009
  • Posts: 2185
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16
    • View Profile
As I got so many responses, I decided to try once again my luck:

YYZ-CDG on 6 or 7 September

CDG-YYZ 14, 15 or 16 September

1 seat, preferably First, otherwise Business class, max 1 stop.

Thanks
20:50 7 Jul
08:40 8 Jul
Toronto
Heathrow (London)
BA0098
First
Only 4 reward flight seat(s) left in this class
--layover--
10:45 8 Sep
13:00 8 Sep
Heathrow (London)
Charles de Gaulle (Paris)
BA0308
Club Europe
Only 2 reward flight seat(s) left in this class

RETURN:
12:20 15 Sep
12:40 15 Sep
Charles de Gaulle (Paris)
Heathrow (London)
BA0309
Club Europe
 --layover--
16:15 15 Sep
18:50 15 Sep
Heathrow (London)
Toronto
BA0099
First
Only 5 reward flight seat(s) left in this class
 
OR
Return on the 14th,, with shorter layover in LHR, but only one seat left:
13:50 14 Sep
14:05 14 Sep
Charles de Gaulle (Paris)
Heathrow (London)
BA0315
Club Europe
Only 1 reward flight seat(s) left in this class
--layover--
16:15 14 Sep
18:50 14 Sep
Heathrow (London)
Toronto
BA0099
First
Only 4 reward flight seat(s) left in this class

I'm pretty sure that BA only operates 2-cabin AC between LHR and CDG, so the lhe Europe leg will be in Biz (Club).
You may need to call in to have them book, as the flight was only coming up when searching leg-by-leg. (I think it may come up as two RTs; YYZ-LHR in F, and LHR-CDG in J.)

Either way, SF, you a little off your game ;) ?


« Last Edit: June 17, 2011, 05:15:34 PM by YOSEF »

Offline goodenglewood

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 225
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Chicago
  • Programs: UA Platinum, *W Platinum, AA Gold, Hertz Platinum, National Executive
One way/Round trip:  round trip
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: One
From: All airports from which you can depart: ORD
To: TLV
Departure dates: Sept 18
Return Date: Sep 21 at night or 22nd in morning
Class: First/Business/Coach/Any: Biz
Total number of people traveling over the age of 2: 1 seat
Alliance/Airline: CO/UA

Thanks!
« Last Edit: June 19, 2011, 02:09:43 AM by goodenglewood »

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
2 Adults
7/13  JFK-HKG  10:05am - 2:05pm +1   CX841
7/24  HKG-JFK  6:30pm - 10:25am +1   CX 846

I have these tickets on hold with AA  and am having a hard time finding in between flights:

I want to be in HKG for Shabbos either one - doesn't matter

Want to be in MLE for 5 days +/- 1 and other Shabbos
looks like only airline that flies directly HKG-MLE is Singapore Air. Seems like biggest stopover is SIN, i dont mind stopping there for a day (actually would be nice to be there for a day if possible but not needed)


My JFK-HKG-JFK i have in business, from what i hear the difference between biz and F is the same difference from coach to biz. I couldn't seem to find F availability, any tips or tricks?

Have Amex/SPG/CO/AA Points - I dont mind paying if need be but would rather use points


Why go to the Maldives if you can go to Bora Bora? ;)

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Why go to the Maldives if you can go to Bora Bora? ;)
So it looks like it will be Male after all.

Looking for opinions on which is the better way to get there. (Feel free if you've got something better)
Option 1:
Wed 7/13, AA4596, LGA-YYZ, 21:45-23:25, Business Class
Thurs 7/14, CX829, YYZ-HKG, 1:40-5:00+1 day
3 nights in Hong Kong
Mon 7/18, SQ859, HKG-SIN, 10:30-14:10, Business Class
1 night in Singapore
Tue 7/19, SQ462, SIN-MLE, 9:45-11:10, 1 Business Class, 1 Economy
6 nights in Male
Mon 7/25, UL461, MLE-CMB, 20:25-22:20, Business Class
Tue 7/26, CX710, CMB-HKG, 00:40-14:00,(1hour stop in SIN), Business Class
Tue 7/26, CX846, HKG-JFK, 18:30-22:25, First Class

Total cost per person:
135k AA for JFK-HKG/CMB-JFK
40k CO for SIN-MLE-SIN
~$235 for MLE-CMB

Option 2:
Tue 7/12, EK204, JFK-DXB, 11:20-8:05+1 day, Business Class
Wed 7/13, EK652, DXB-MLE, 9:45-15:00, Business Class
5 nights in MLE
Mon 7/18, EK653, MLE-DXB, 23:55-3:00+1 day, First Class
Tue 7/19, EK201, DXB-JFK, 8:30-14:15, First class A380

Total cost per passenger:
213,800k EK miles.

Thoughts?

Offline lazalaz

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Aug 2010
  • Posts: 56
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: NJ
Hi,

I hope someone here can help me.

I'm looking to go (using OneWorld) on a multi-city flight in Economy for 2 passengers.

From: NYC (preferably EWR, but any is ok)
To: GLA
Date: 8/10/11

Return: VCE
To: NYC (again, preferably EWR depending on cost)
Date: 8/22/11

Dates are somewhat flexible. I hope someone can help me out.

Thanks!

Offline SuperFlyer

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 9351
  • Total likes: 414
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
@ yosef: thanks a lot !!!

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
So it looks like it will be Male after all.

Looking for opinions on which is the better way to get there. (Feel free if you've got something better)
Option 1:
Wed 7/13, AA4596, LGA-YYZ, 21:45-23:25, Business Class
Thurs 7/14, CX829, YYZ-HKG, 1:40-5:00+1 day
3 nights in Hong Kong
Mon 7/18, SQ859, HKG-SIN, 10:30-14:10, Business Class
1 night in Singapore
Tue 7/19, SQ462, SIN-MLE, 9:45-11:10, 1 Business Class, 1 Economy
6 nights in Male
Mon 7/25, UL461, MLE-CMB, 20:25-22:20, Business Class
Tue 7/26, CX710, CMB-HKG, 00:40-14:00,(1hour stop in SIN), Business Class
Tue 7/26, CX846, HKG-JFK, 18:30-22:25, First Class

Total cost per person:
135k AA for JFK-HKG/CMB-JFK
40k CO for SIN-MLE-SIN
~$235 for MLE-CMB

Option 2:
Tue 7/12, EK204, JFK-DXB, 11:20-8:05+1 day, Business Class
Wed 7/13, EK652, DXB-MLE, 9:45-15:00, Business Class
5 nights in MLE
Mon 7/18, EK653, MLE-DXB, 23:55-3:00+1 day, First Class
Tue 7/19, EK201, DXB-JFK, 8:30-14:15, First class A380

Total cost per passenger:
213,800k EK miles.

Thoughts?
Thanks for all the thought provoking ideas. ;)

It's looking like option 2 is going to be the one.

Offline Twin

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 1445
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: lkwd
Looking for cheap ticket tlv to ny one way July 27 Date is  very flexible 

Offline chuchem

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 2323
  • Total likes: 30
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
I am going in 2 days to mle, you might want to consider checking out dubai for a day if you anyway fly ek. I will be spending a night in dubai. Ek skywards lets one stopover on the saver cat.
I guess you will be transfering spg to ek? Dont forget it takes some time. All transfers done until friday show up late on sunday

Offline Ergel

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 12818
  • Total likes: 905
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
One way/Round trip:   One way
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:  Max 1 (prefer non stop)
From: CDG, ory, bva
To: All airports which you can arrive at. edi, gla, abd
Departure dates: August 21, preferably in the morning
Class: Any
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Any (have ba, aa, ua, amex mr, small amount of spg)

Thank you so much for your help. Did some searching and can't find
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
8/21, AF5050, CDG-EDI, 7:15-8:20
8/21, AF5054, CDG-EDI, 10:05-11:05

Both available on AF for 10k each in Economy, 20k in Business.
Taxes are $93.07, $186.14 total.

Bookable on flyingblue.com

Offline world2see

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 453
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: israel
One way/Round trip:   multi-destination
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any:  Max 1 (prefer non stop)
From: TLV
To: Rome All airports
Departure dates:july 25th  From:Rome or Venice    To:NYC(any) departure date:july31st  From:NYC-TLV Departure:September4th  Class: Any
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Any (have ba, aa, ua, amex mr, small amount of spg)

Thank you so much for your help. Did some searching and can't find

Offline moish

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 10006
  • Total likes: 297
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: AA LT Plat, Avis, SPG Plat
i can use some help. ive tried searching myself, to no avail
One way
Maximum stops: 1
From: Any European airport
To: jfk, ewr, lga, hpn, phl, acy
Departure dates: oct 3, 4 or 5
Class: First/Business
Seats: 3
Alliance/Airline: Star alliance

thanks

Offline YOSEF

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2009
  • Posts: 2185
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16
    • View Profile
One way
Maximum stops: 1
From: Any European airport
To: jfk, ewr, lga, hpn, phl, acy
Departure dates: oct 3, 4 or 5
Class: First/Business
Seats: 3
Alliance/Airline: Star alliance

thanks

Wed., Oct. 5, 2011
GVA to EWR
Depart:
9:20 a.m.
Wed., Oct. 5, 2011
Arrive:
12:05 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 5, 2011
Travel Time:
8 hr 45 minute
Flight: CO81
Aircraft: Boeing 767-400ER
Fare Class: BusinessFirst (I)
Meal: None
i can use some help. ive tried searching myself, to no avail
Its on CO.com...
« Last Edit: June 22, 2011, 10:57:36 PM by YOSEF »

Offline YOSEF

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2009
  • Posts: 2185
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16
    • View Profile
World2see:

To FCO:
Tel Aviv (TLV)
to Frankfurt (FRA)
Dep. 16:45
Arr. 20:00
Mon. Jul 25, 2011
same day
Duration: 4h 15 min
LH687 Economy

Change plane in Frankfurt
Time To Connect: 2h 10 min.

Frankfurt (FRA)
to Rome Leonardo da Vinci (FCO)
Dep. 22:10
Arr. 23:55
Mon. Jul 25, 2011
Duration: 1h 45 min
LH242 Economy

To NYC:
Rome Leonardo da Vinci (FCO)
to Frankfurt (FRA)
Dep. 06:20
Arr. 08:25
Sun. Jul 31, 2011
Duration: 2h 05 min
LH243 Business

Change plane in Frankfurt
Time To Connect: 8h 40 min.

Frankfurt (FRA)
to New York Kennedy (JFK)
Dep. 17:05
Arr. 19:40
Sun. Jul 31, 2011
Duration: 8h 35 min
LH404

To TLV:
New York Kennedy (JFK)
to Frankfurt (FRA)
Dep. 21:25
Arr. 11:15
Sun. Sep 4, 2011
Mon. Sep 5, 2011
Duration: 7h 50 min
SQ25 Economy

Change plane in Frankfurt
Time To Connect: 11h 10 min.

Frankfurt (FRA)
to Tel Aviv (TLV)
Dep. 22:25
Arr. 03:20
Mon. Sep 5, 2011
Tue. Sep 6, 2011
Duration: 3h 55 min
LH690 Economy
« Last Edit: June 22, 2011, 10:54:22 PM by YOSEF »

Offline world2see

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 453
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: israel
thanks so much!!!!!!!!where did you find availability? how many miles? thanks so so much! :)

Offline AsherO

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 30K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 30533
  • Total likes: 7829
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 79
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
My friend is looking for coach two tix NYC-JNB, next Tuesday AM to next Thursday (return before Shabbos). If he's going to be buying miles, what's the cheapest way to do this (factoring going rate for miles with whichever airline and applicable booking fees and surcharges)? Doesn't absolutely have to be nonstop, but is preferred.

One way/Round trip: RT
Non-stop/Maximum stops/Any: Preferably none, but will entertain options
From: NYC (JFK/LGA, and if necessary EWR too)
To: JNB
Departure dates: 6/28/2011
Return airports: JNB to NYC (JFK/LGA, and if necessary EWR too)
Return dates: 6/30/2011
Class: Coach
Seats: 2
Alliance/Airline: Cheapest option
100% of Likes will be donated to support our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael

Offline businessmachine

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 564
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York City
wow...I am also quite new to the award ticket game. I am trying to find tickets to hawaii from Dec 25- January 3rd. I know its a very busy time but its only time I can go.

I have 105,000 BA miles and 160,000 American Airlines miles. Cheapest I am seeing on AA site is 180,000 roundtrip for my wife and I in coach...Can anyone here be kind enough to help find an alternative?


Round Trip
ANY stops
From NYC-LIH OR NYC-HNL
12/25-01/03- plus minus day or two
Prefer Business but will take coach too
2 Travelers
American airlines or partner
Thank you very much