Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Changing an LY flight, who to contact?

I am flying TLV-ZRH on LY next week. I want to change my return flight, I checked the fare rules it is $100USD for the change with is fine with me (unless someone knows some tricks?)

I called LY (Carmel reservations?) they said they cannot change anything as it was booked through a T.A. (why does that matter?). The T.A. a one man show, is abroad (I did not personally book this flight) . The reservation has the number of this T.A. and when I call it I actually get Natour and they won't work with me directly only through my T.A.

Any ideas how to get out of this catch-22?

LY's hands are tied in Israel by the travel agents organization. They cannot touch your reservation while in Israel.

You'll need to find a way to contact your T.A. or try to explain the situation to Natour and ask for their help. Another option is to wait until you are abroad and then call LY there (in Switzerland?) - they should be able to help you.

LY's hands are tied in Israel by the travel agents organization. They cannot touch your reservation while in Israel.

You'll need to find a way to contact your T.A. or try to explain the situation to Natour and ask for their help. Another option is to wait until you are abroad and then call LY there (in Switzerland?) - they should be able to help you.

Aha... going forward should I basically not use a T.A. with LY? I am 2 yrs AA EXP wouldn't know what a T.A. looks like....

I think this is always the rule - you must make all changes to itinerarys with the T.A until you have taken your first flight, with any airline.

Cheers

Aha... going forward should I basically not use a T.A. with LY? I am 2 yrs AA EXP wouldn't know what a T.A. looks like....I see TLV in your profile, so ostensibly this should not be news to you....If you're looking for logic, rationality and accountability, LY's probably not your airline, and Israel (Oh my beloved Israel....) is not your country. :D

(And before you jump on me, my IL bretheren, let's just agree that this isn't the case across the board. We all know of wonderful efficiency and care that exists in SOME places. I'll even stipulate that the Chabad mail station in Kiryat Malachi is the best I've ever experienced! :D )

Aha... going forward should I basically not use a T.A. with LY? I

No, you should work with a T.A. that is reachable 24/7 (plenty of those around) and does not take off without leaving a contact option. A T.A. in Israel should be able to get you much better deals rather than working directly with LY.

No, you should work with a T.A. that is reachable 24/7 (plenty of those around) and does not take off without leaving a contact option. A T.A. in Israel should be able to get you much better deals rather than working directly with LY.In all seriousness apirchik - if you have any to recommend that fit this profile (in Israel - 24/7) it would be great if you could share them. I've floated around among a number of Israeli agents, none of whom have been very good.

All major travel agencies have an emergency phone number available 24/7. They will usually be able to help ypu via email or fax in a short time as well. Usually, smaller ones will also have after hours service number (maybe not 24/7). A one-man show that takes off and leaves no contact behind is something you should avoid at all times.

All major travel agencies have an emergency phone number available 24/7. They will usually be able to help ypu via email or fax in a short time as well. Usually, smaller ones will also have after hours service number (maybe not 24/7). A one-man show that takes off and leaves no contact behind is something you should avoid at all times.

This flight was booked by other family members and I just "joined the party". It's a package deal hence not a full service T.A.

Anyway I managed to get the flight changed and thanks to this forum I did not waste more time doing it directly (to ELAL and Natour) and got the T.A. to do it, took 4 days.

I did not get my preferred flight but an evening flight with w/l for morning. I started another thread on that issue, should of asked here sorry for the multiplicity (is Hangover an accepted excuse?)

The outcome is T.A. contacted Natour couldn't change the T fare had to upgrade to V fare ($200) they messed up the actual flight I wanted so had to pay another $50 (V class change), did at airport directly with LY. but on the flight I wanted (LX codeshare). Currently sitting in a Swiss chalet hopefully great skiing ahead so in the scheme of things I'll live with the $250 that should have been $100 (katan aleinu)

I'm surprised it was ticketed so early. Most T.A.s in Israel ticket reservations at the last possible moment just to avoid those change fees.