TravelSort reader David writes “I'd like to use frequent flyer miles for an award ticket to Israel (Tel Aviv) but would like to know the best options. I'd prefer business or first class, even if it means a stopover rather than a direct flight. While most of my miles are United miles and Ultimate Rewards points, I'd still like to know options using other miles and points for future trips.”
While there are plenty of options for getting to Israel, it's not usually a cheap destination to get to, either with a revenue ticket or a frequent flyer award ticket.
Non Stop Award Flights to Israel from North America
El Al with AA Miles
The non-stop options on El Al to Tel Aviv from North America are from NYC (JFK and EWR) and Los Angeles (LAX), and El Al also flies nonstop from Toronto (YYZ) to Tel Aviv. Note that you cannot book first class on El Al with AAdvantage miles; only business class and economy class. If you want to book El Al first class, you'll need to accrue El Al miles.
Business Class: 135,000 AA miles roundtrip. Note that since El Al is NOT a Oneworld partner, you cannot fly El Al one direction as part of the cheaper Oneworld award that requires flying two Oneworld partners other than AA
Economy Class: 90,000 AA miles roundtrip
Air Canada from Toronto
Theoretically you should be able to use United miles for the nonstop flight Air Canada operates from Toronto (YYZ) to Tel Aviv, but in practice I've never seen award availability for it–though would love to hear from anyone who's managed to book it. And Aeroplan charges hefty fuel surcharges on Air Canada flights, so you may not want to book it via Aeroplan.
Business Class:120,000 United miles roundtrip
Economy Class: 80,000 United miles roundtrip
Best First and Business Class Award Flight Options to Israel with Stopovers
1. First Class/Business Class on Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich: 150,000 United Miles
Note that the Frankfurt to Tel Aviv or Munich to Tel Aviv flights will be in Business class, but the nice thing is being able to use the Lufthansa First Class Lounge during the short layover. As always when booking Lufthansa First Class with United or other Star Alliance partners, you can only book Lufthansa First Class 15 days in advance. And don't forget to maximize your award with a free United one way, if you're booking a roundtrip award with United miles.
2. Business Class on Turkish Airlines via Istanbul: 120,000 United miles
While Turkish Airlines Business Class isn't of course as good or aspirational as Lufthansa First Class, it has the advantage of being able to book in advance, and for more than one person. So if you're planning your Israel trip well in advance and need 2-3 seats together in business class, Turkish is a good bet. Plus, there are low taxes on these tickets and layover time can be as little as one hour. The JFK-IST flight offers flat bed seats, so that's another bonus.
3. Business Class on Air Berlin via Berlin (TXL): 100,000 British Airways Avios
This can be a good deal if you have plenty of Avios, and it's obviously cheaper than a business class award with United miles. It's also cheaper than using Avios on Iberia via Madrid, both in Avios and surcharges, since that is 130,000 Avios roundtrip and over $850 in fees (though you can reduce the surcharges by transferring Avios to Iberia and booking using Iberia).
Keep in mind that availability tends to be scarcer on Air Berlin than on Turkish Airlines and the Berlin to Tel Aviv leg is 4 hours in economy (no business class on that flight). Also keep in mind that Air Berlin's Business Class on the U.S. to Berlin route has angled flat seats, with 170 degree recline. At present, only Air Berlin's routes to and from Abu Dhabi have their latest fully flat bed business class seat.
4. Business Class with Oneworld Explorer Award: 115,000 American Miles
See our post Maximizing Awards Using American AAdvantage Miles for more about Oneworld Awards. As noted above, you cannot include El Al on this award as it's not a Oneworld partner. You'll also need to check that you don't go over a total of 14,000 miles for the trip; if you do, the business class award cost would be 130,000 American AAdvantage miles, for 14,001 to 20,000 miles.
5. Business Class on Royal Jordanian via Amman: 135,000 American Miles
This can be a good bet if you can't find a Oneworld Explorer award that works for your dates and are willing to use more AAdvantage miles, since Royal Jordanian Business Class seats on the A340 are fully flat. Royal Jordanian flies from NYC (JFK), Miami (MIA), Chicago (ORD), Detroit (DTW) and Montreal (YUL).
6. Singapore First Class to Moscow then El Al Business Class to Tel Aviv: 114,750 KrisFlyer miles + 60,000 AAdvantage miles
If you can easily get yourself to Houston and want to book a first class award in advance, this combination of Singapore First Class and Business Class on El Al to Israel could be a good bet, although it's of course pretty costly in terms of miles since you're booking two awards, plus KrisFlyer surcharges. See my review of Singapore First Class Moscow to Houston. You could also build in a visit to Moscow, assuming you have enough time to get a Russian Visa. You may as well apply for a 3-Year Russian Visa to give yourself the flexibility of entering hassle free on future flights.
Of course, there are also plenty of other options using miles and points, but for someone seeking to fly first or business class, I think these are some of the best bets. As always, if you would like help, we offer our Award Booking Service and preferred pricing if you also book your hotel with us.
What are your favorite ways to use frequent flyer miles for award tickets to Israel?
Related Posts
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Maximizing Awards Using American AAdvantage Miles
Review: Lufthansa First Class Lounge in Munich
Lufthansa First Class Award Space Booked 15 Days in Advance
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