Mar 12, 2017, 10:04 am
Earning Frequent Flyer miles/points in Israel
Mar 26, 2006, 11:50 am
#1
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
Earning Frequent Flyer miles/points in Israel
Recently I converted a bunch of Israeli Isracard Mastercard points to LY Matmid points I had my wife call and check if she could convert her Visa CAL points to LY Matmid points in my account. First of all they said she could only convert to her account. For us that is useless since she flies on bonus tickets from my points so they'd be orphaned. Then they said that if she were to link her account she'd get 1 Matmid point for every NIS 1500 in charges. While I'm not sure how many NIS I spend to earn one Isracard Mastercard point I know that with my Israeli AMEX I earn 1 point for every NIS 5 after the first NIS 200 and I can then convert them to LY Matmid points at a rate of 280 points to 1 Matmid point. That comes out to NIS 1400 per LY Matmid point! Again, very high. So does anyone have the skinny down on which cards are best for earning LY Matmid points? Below is the information I can contribute:
*** As of June 15, 2006 - Official information from LY Matmid ****
*** POST EDITED TO INCLUDE KNOWLEDGE ADDED BY OTHERS ***
-- Mastercard/Isracard --
Isracard Corporate Mastercard (Gold)
200 NIS for 1 card point after first 200
7 card points for 1 LY Matmid point
Effectively 1 LY Matmid point for NIS 1400 charges
Leumi Platinum Mastercard
25 NIS for 1 point
28 poinst for 1 Matmid point
Effectively 1 LY Matmid point for every NIS 700 charges
-- AMEX --
Isracard's Gold AMEX
50 NIS for 1 card point (after the first NIS 200)
28 card points for 1 LY Matmid point
Effectively 1 LY Matmid point for NIS 1400 charges
Isracard's Platinum AMEX
50 NIS for 1 card point
8 card points for 1 LY Matmid point
Effectively 1 LY Matmid point for NIS 400 charges
-- VISA --
Visa CAL linked to LY Matmid
1500 NIS for 1 card point
Visa Cal Platinum
NIS 700 = 1 Matmid Point
Leumi Platinum Visa
25 NIS for 1 point
28 poinst for 1 Matmid point
Effectively 1 LY Matmid point for every NIS 700 charges
-- DINERS ---
Diners Platinum
NIS 395 = 1 Matmid Point
GLOBES Platinum Diners cards,
NIS 333 = 1 Matmid point.
*** As of June 15, 2006 - Official information from LY Matmid ****
Leumi Card +972 (3) 6178888
International / Gold Visa Leumi
70 Leumi Card points = 1 Matmid point
Platinum Leumi Visa
28 Leumi Card points = 1 Matmid point
Leumi Mastercard
60 Leumi Mastercard points = 1 Matmid point
International / Gold Visa Leumi
70 Leumi Card points = 1 Matmid point
Platinum Leumi Visa
28 Leumi Card points = 1 Matmid point
Leumi Mastercard
60 Leumi Mastercard points = 1 Matmid point
CAL - +972 (3) 5726444
First International Bank of Israel (FIBI)
/Business/Gold/Gold Business
NIS 1500 = 1 flight point
Visa Platinum
NIS 700 = 1 flight point
*In order to earn points, credit cards must be linked to the Cal Matmid program.
*Without this linkage, it will not be possible to accumulate EL AL points. Subject to regulations
First International Bank of Israel (FIBI)
/Business/Gold/Gold Business
NIS 1500 = 1 flight point
Visa Platinum
NIS 700 = 1 flight point
*In order to earn points, credit cards must be linked to the Cal Matmid program.
*Without this linkage, it will not be possible to accumulate EL AL points. Subject to regulations
[b]Diners - +972 (3) 5726767[b]
International /Gold
NIS 500 = 1 flight point
Platinum
NIS 395 = 1 flight point
*To accumulate points, the Diners Club credit card must be linked to the Diners Matmid Club.
*Without this linkage, it will not be possible to accumulate EL AL points. Subject to regulations
International /Gold
NIS 500 = 1 flight point
Platinum
NIS 395 = 1 flight point
*To accumulate points, the Diners Club credit card must be linked to the Diners Matmid Club.
*Without this linkage, it will not be possible to accumulate EL AL points. Subject to regulations
Isracard - +972 (3) 6365555
Regular
7 Isracard stars = 1 Matmid point
Platinum
4 Isracard stars = 1 Matmid point
Regular
7 Isracard stars = 1 Matmid point
Platinum
4 Isracard stars = 1 Matmid point
American Express - +972 (3) 6364470
Regular
28 Amex points = 1 Matmid point
Platinum
8 Amex points = 1 Matmid point
* American Express Platinum cardholders enjoy an enhanced conversion rate from June 1, 2006 to September 9, 2006: 7 Amex points = 1 Matmid point
Regular
28 Amex points = 1 Matmid point
Platinum
8 Amex points = 1 Matmid point
* American Express Platinum cardholders enjoy an enhanced conversion rate from June 1, 2006 to September 9, 2006: 7 Amex points = 1 Matmid point
-- Mastercard/Isracard --
Isracard Corporate Mastercard (Gold)
200 NIS for 1 card point after first 200
7 card points for 1 LY Matmid point
Effectively 1 LY Matmid point for NIS 1400 charges
Leumi Platinum Mastercard
25 NIS for 1 point
28 poinst for 1 Matmid point
Effectively 1 LY Matmid point for every NIS 700 charges
-- AMEX --
Isracard's Gold AMEX
50 NIS for 1 card point (after the first NIS 200)
28 card points for 1 LY Matmid point
Effectively 1 LY Matmid point for NIS 1400 charges
Isracard's Platinum AMEX
50 NIS for 1 card point
8 card points for 1 LY Matmid point
Effectively 1 LY Matmid point for NIS 400 charges
-- VISA --
Visa CAL linked to LY Matmid
1500 NIS for 1 card point
Visa Cal Platinum
NIS 700 = 1 Matmid Point
Leumi Platinum Visa
25 NIS for 1 point
28 poinst for 1 Matmid point
Effectively 1 LY Matmid point for every NIS 700 charges
-- DINERS ---
Diners Platinum
NIS 395 = 1 Matmid Point
GLOBES Platinum Diners cards,
NIS 333 = 1 Matmid point.
Last edited by yosithezet; Jun 14, 2006 at 8:57 am Reason: Adding information from below
Mar 26, 2006, 1:18 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: London, UK / (TLV), Israel
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR), *A Gold - TAP, SkyTeam E+, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Diamond, Sixt PL, GE/TSA Pre
Posts: 1,663
Diners Platinum offers the best Shekel to Matmid accumulation.
NIS 395 = 1 Matmid Point
Visa Cal Platinum
NIS 700 = 1 Matmid Point
NIS 395 = 1 Matmid Point
Visa Cal Platinum
NIS 700 = 1 Matmid Point
Mar 26, 2006, 1:45 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: EL AL Matmid, BA Executive Club GfL, GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,085
Originally Posted by jonnye
Diners Platinum offers the best Shekel to Matmid accumulation.
NIS 395 = 1 Matmid Point
Visa Cal Platinum
NIS 700 = 1 Matmid Point
NIS 395 = 1 Matmid Point
Visa Cal Platinum
NIS 700 = 1 Matmid Point
Mar 26, 2006, 3:13 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: EL AL Gold, BA Gold, LH M&M
Posts: 1,050
Originally Posted by mikebg
I have pondered this, and reached the conclusion that there are so many places that don't take Diners (at least in Israel) that in the end it isn't worth it. Maybe that's why it gives such a favourable rate?
I also have a VISA in case they dont accept my Diners.
I use the Diners as a "second" card.
I would definetly recommned it.
BTW - Diners also gives you 50% off on movies at Cinema City. Thats a nice perk.
Mar 27, 2006, 10:13 am
#6
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
Originally Posted by apirchik
Converting Amex points to Hilton HHonors (up to gold - 1.5 card points to 1 HHonors point, platinum card 1.25:1) gives you much better value for money.
Mar 29, 2006, 8:47 am
#11
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Kfar Saba, Israel
Posts: 4,172
What's the basis for comparison - can you convert US AMEX points to Israeli VISA CAL points?
US CCs require a US address (hence usually a US citizen), Israeli CCs require an Israeli address (and you probably have to live here as well ...
). As they apply to different people, how can one compare them?
US CCs require a US address (hence usually a US citizen), Israeli CCs require an Israeli address (and you probably have to live here as well ...
). As they apply to different people, how can one compare them?
Mar 29, 2006, 8:58 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 4
I understand your point apirchik.
However, there are many matmid members that are not in Israel. Also, there are some people like me, who have addresses in both countries so they can take advantage of both CC opportunities.
My point was that AMEX in the US is much more generous than Israeli CCs... You have to spend a lot more on CAL compared to AMEX to get a free flight.
Take care
However, there are many matmid members that are not in Israel. Also, there are some people like me, who have addresses in both countries so they can take advantage of both CC opportunities.
My point was that AMEX in the US is much more generous than Israeli CCs... You have to spend a lot more on CAL compared to AMEX to get a free flight.
Take care
Mar 29, 2006, 2:35 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: EL AL Gold, BA Gold, LH M&M
Posts: 1,050
Originally Posted by chikko
I understand your point apirchik.
However, there are many matmid members that are not in Israel. Also, there are some people like me, who have addresses in both countries so they can take advantage of both CC opportunities.
My point was that AMEX in the US is much more generous than Israeli CCs... You have to spend a lot more on CAL compared to AMEX to get a free flight.
Take care
However, there are many matmid members that are not in Israel. Also, there are some people like me, who have addresses in both countries so they can take advantage of both CC opportunities.
My point was that AMEX in the US is much more generous than Israeli CCs... You have to spend a lot more on CAL compared to AMEX to get a free flight.
Take care
I really dont understand your comparison.
From when does Amex convert points to CAL?
I think you are rying to say that in in AMEX, you must spend the equivelence of 315 NIS ($70) to get one LY Matmid point, and in Israel the best conversion rate is 395 NIS with Diners. OK
ON a side note, the best conversion rate in Israel is actually with a GLOBES Platinum Diners cards, the conversion rate is 333 NIS spent = 1 LY Matmid point.
Mar 29, 2006, 3:52 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 4
ly787,
Yes, that's what I am saying. Amex points are more valuable than Visa CAL. I don't know much about the other Israeli CCs.
Can's Israelis get an AMEX in Israel? I believe so. Membership Rewards are the same for Israelis too, so the best solution might be for an Israeli to apply for an AMEX.
Yes, that's what I am saying. Amex points are more valuable than Visa CAL. I don't know much about the other Israeli CCs.
Can's Israelis get an AMEX in Israel? I believe so. Membership Rewards are the same for Israelis too, so the best solution might be for an Israeli to apply for an AMEX.
Mar 30, 2006, 12:56 am
#15
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Kfar Saba, Israel
Posts: 4,172
Originally Posted by chikko
Can's Israelis get an AMEX in Israel? I believe so. Membership Rewards are the same for Israelis too, so the best solution might be for an Israeli to apply for an AMEX.