Topic Wiki

https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/milespoints/final-days-transfer-amex-points-el-al-mileage-deal-decade-everything-need-know-booking-el-al-awards-qantas/

You can transfer AMEX Or Citi points to Qantas at a 1:1 ratio, Barclays points at a 1.4:1 ratio, Capital One points at a 2:1.5 ratio, or Marriott points to Qantas at a 60K:25K ratio.

Qantas doesn’t charge fuel surcharges for El Al flights.
Infants are free (besides taxes). They also get a regular checked baggage allowance of 23 kg.

QF runs regular transfer bonus promos. Be sure to transfer 500 points into your account and opt in for emails to get targeted.

Search availability on elal.com
Flights are bookable from NYC, BOS, MIA, and LAX.

SMS is the easiest way to contact Qantas. The number is 1-478-772-6827. This can be used for airports that are unavailable online.

NYC-TLV is 37.8k points each way in Y, 63k in premium economy and 78k in J.
On 9/18/19 premium economy will be going up to 70.8k and J will be going up to 90k (each way).
Cancellation fee is 6k points.
« Last edited by Dan on July 01, 2019, 09:46:55 PM »

Author Topic: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread  (Read 303469 times)

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67555
  • Total likes: 16848
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #620 on: July 10, 2019, 01:13:04 PM »
Can someone explain what happened with El Al business availability via Qantas?  I couldn't really figure it out from the few posts I saw here...
Seems to be gone from ElAl.com as well.
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 Baglach

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 497
  • Total likes: 72
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #621 on: July 10, 2019, 01:30:41 PM »
Seems to be gone from ElAl.com as well.
I booked X with elal over phone today

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #622 on: July 10, 2019, 01:35:40 PM »
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67555
  • Total likes: 16848
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #623 on: July 10, 2019, 01:39:16 PM »
They removed E as well and its pricing on QF

Its definitely not looking good, the only hope is that they promised X Waitlist for TP and PL members so they do plan on keeping some type of Saver Award, however since it's elal you never know
So they pulled E and X, but they kept P?
How is QF getting the E data?
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 chff

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 5894
  • Total likes: 685
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 25
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC (not anymore)
  • Programs: All of them...
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #624 on: July 10, 2019, 02:12:31 PM »
but they kept P?

because P is used for Revenue, Awards & upgrades - P is still showing in GDS

How is QF getting the E data?

Could be LY became like SQ and is keeping business awards to their own members

Offline moe8555

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 1302
  • Total likes: 154
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #625 on: July 10, 2019, 02:41:15 PM »
Could be LY became like SQ and is keeping business awards to their own members

Well, that would certainly throw a wrench in my plans...
But I'm optimistic that it's a temporary blip going by Dan's observation that they're gone from elal.com also.

Offline VLK

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 232
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #626 on: July 10, 2019, 03:18:19 PM »
Are there any saver awards on ElAl.com now?
Found a few with saver in Economy for 800 points from NYC-TLV. I think it was 08/04

Offline Shem Tov

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Nov 2016
  • Posts: 92
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #627 on: July 10, 2019, 04:41:35 PM »
I am a bit concerned. I transferred 140k amex points and all went well (got a net of some 200k+). But, I just tried texting them to request flights. Took me 3 and a half hours to exchange about 10-15 messages and essentially they told me that their are no flights available over a 2 days period that I requested, not from JFK nor EWR, not in business, coach or coach plus. I pointed out that the EL AL web site listed multiple flights with award seats available it all cabins and even directed them to specific flights. They told me that that ELAL lists their availability but that Qantas has limited availability in what ELAL designates for award travel and that they had nothing that they can offer me. Did I squander my points?

Offline mochjas

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 9696
  • Total likes: 1067
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 123
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium Elite, AA EX PLAT, Jetblue Mosaic, Qatar Gold, United Silver
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #628 on: July 10, 2019, 04:44:03 PM »
I am a bit concerned. I transferred 140k amex points and all went well (got a net of some 200k+). But, I just tried texting them to request flights. Took me 3 and a half hours to exchange about 10-15 messages and essentially they told me that their are no flights available over a 2 days period that I requested, not from JFK nor EWR, not in business, coach or coach plus. I pointed out that the EL AL web site listed multiple flights with award seats available it all cabins and even directed them to specific flights. They told me that that ELAL lists their availability but that Qantas has limited availability in what ELAL designates for award travel and that they had nothing that they can offer me. Did I squander my points?
If you only have a 2 day window that you need to book then you squandered your points. If you are more flexible you should be able to find coach and premium economy tickets

Offline zow

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 2943
  • Total likes: 129
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: LAX
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #629 on: July 10, 2019, 04:58:13 PM »
If you only have a 2 day window that you need to book then you squandered your points. If you are more flexible you should be able to find coach and premium economy tickets
+1
Or, if your dates are fixed, consider flying into and out of a different US gateway, and connect there.

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67555
  • Total likes: 16848
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #630 on: July 10, 2019, 04:59:27 PM »
I have a call with LY IT and Matmid tomorrow.
Hopefully the new system is just buggy.
TBD.
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 12HRS

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 5107
  • Total likes: 574
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #631 on: July 10, 2019, 05:03:08 PM »
Will finding out be under a NDA?

Offline mochjas

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 9696
  • Total likes: 1067
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 123
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium Elite, AA EX PLAT, Jetblue Mosaic, Qatar Gold, United Silver
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #632 on: July 10, 2019, 05:03:41 PM »
Will finding out be under a NDA?
He can only share with mods so you're good!

Offline Shem Tov

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Nov 2016
  • Posts: 92
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #633 on: July 10, 2019, 06:14:57 PM »
My concern wasn't just availability, it was more that EL AL showered available reward seats and they didn't.  I had thought from Dans post that it went together

Offline mochjas

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 9696
  • Total likes: 1067
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 123
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium Elite, AA EX PLAT, Jetblue Mosaic, Qatar Gold, United Silver
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #634 on: July 10, 2019, 06:17:34 PM »
My concern wasn't just availability, it was more that EL AL showered available reward seats and they didn't.  I had thought from Dans post that it went together
Economy and premium economy should match

Offline Shem Tov

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Nov 2016
  • Posts: 92
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #635 on: July 10, 2019, 07:16:19 PM »
I tried economy and premium too.  Elal listed as available and Qantas said that they can't get it for me

Offline mochjas

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 9696
  • Total likes: 1067
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 123
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium Elite, AA EX PLAT, Jetblue Mosaic, Qatar Gold, United Silver
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #636 on: July 10, 2019, 07:54:23 PM »
I tried economy and premium too.  Elal listed as available and Qantas said that they can't get it for me
available in what class? Are you sure it was saver?

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2415
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #637 on: July 10, 2019, 08:50:09 PM »
I have a call with LY IT and Matmid tomorrow.
Hopefully the new system is just buggy.
TBD.
Please also bring up the frequent INVOL downgrades without comp of QF X pax, although I doubt that's coming back.

There are no reports of bugs showing/booking LY X from LY accounts that have enough points in them.

From the beginning LY has been gradually limiting QF access, from F to NYC, then F to LON, etc.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline thaber

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 3784
  • Total likes: 465
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #638 on: July 11, 2019, 02:16:06 AM »
Had a weird experience last night. flying ly5 in J booked on QF. booking was made in Dec '18. wasn't able to check in online or at kiosk, and at the counter they told me it wasn't completed by QF and they can't check me in. They said that usually it's because the APIS wasn't filled out, so at the counter I logged in to QF on my phone and resubmitted. Still no dice.
I texted QF, didn't get an answer right away, so called, and got through right away (miraculously). After banging his keyboard for a long time he told me that my credit card had been denied for the taxes and fees. Hard to believe, since I usually have plenty of space, it had been approved online, and they hadn't canceled the reservation or emailed me, but for $50 I wasn't going to lose the ticket, so I gave him my card over the phone and he ticketed it. went to the counter (keeping the guy on the phone) and it went through. As of now, 34 hours later, it still hasn't been charged to my card.
The LY staff was generally dismissive of the QF tickets, attitude of 'they mess up all the time, and it's points anyway, so you don't really deserve it' although they were very kind and compassionate on a personal level.

Offline CTRET

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Jul 2019
  • Posts: 4
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: UK
Re: Booking El Al with Qantas - master thread
« Reply #639 on: July 11, 2019, 03:34:45 AM »
X and E now showing on Qantas but still not on Expertflyer. Not sure where they are getting the data from.