Mar 12, 2017, 10:04 am
Earning Frequent Flyer miles/points in Israel
Jan 24, 2015, 12:36 am
#316
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 162
After rechecking:
Leumi Card are going to maintain the existing ratio of 28 Leumi Card points per 1 El-Al point.
The way they are going to implement the 250 NIS to 1 El-Al point is by giving 1 Leumi Card point for every ~8.92 NIS (instead of 12.50 NIS).
So this actually means you can get an improved ratio also when you convert to UA miles (where it would be ~53.57 NIS per 10 UA miles instead of 72.50 NIS per 10 UA miles).
Leumi Card are going to maintain the existing ratio of 28 Leumi Card points per 1 El-Al point.
The way they are going to implement the 250 NIS to 1 El-Al point is by giving 1 Leumi Card point for every ~8.92 NIS (instead of 12.50 NIS).
So this actually means you can get an improved ratio also when you convert to UA miles (where it would be ~53.57 NIS per 10 UA miles instead of 72.50 NIS per 10 UA miles).
So theoretically that should mean 10 UA miles for every 6NIS (1.6 miles per NIS).
Does anyone have a relevant card to test this out?
Jan 24, 2015, 9:28 am
#317
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AA EXP, TK Elite, LY Top-Platinum, HGP Diamond, HH Diamond, IHGR Platinum Amb
Posts: 280
According to Leumi Card updated terms, First and World Signia cardholders get 1 flight point for every 1 NIS in spending: https://www.leumi-card.co.il/he-il/A...ights_2013.pdf
So theoretically that should mean 10 UA miles for every 6NIS (1.6 miles per NIS).
Does anyone have a relevant card to test this out?
So theoretically that should mean 10 UA miles for every 6NIS (1.6 miles per NIS).
Does anyone have a relevant card to test this out?
Jan 25, 2015, 7:11 am
#319
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AA EXP, TK Elite, LY Top-Platinum, HGP Diamond, HH Diamond, IHGR Platinum Amb
Posts: 280
The Israeli Contract Law recognise the possibility of a typo (article 16). It's an easy argument in this case as it's obvious the company did not mean to give such a benefit to cardholders (compared to industry standards, other elite cards and the terms of the same cards in last year's contract).
And if you sign the contract knowing about the mistake - you're acting without good faith, which can mean the contract is void.
BTW,
On the cards pages on the LeumiCard website it also says that every 1 NIS will earn 1 "flight point", though it also clearly says that cardholders will be able to accrue LY points at a rate of 250:1 and UA points at a rate of 75:10.
And if you sign the contract knowing about the mistake - you're acting without good faith, which can mean the contract is void.
BTW,
On the cards pages on the LeumiCard website it also says that every 1 NIS will earn 1 "flight point", though it also clearly says that cardholders will be able to accrue LY points at a rate of 250:1 and UA points at a rate of 75:10.
May 13, 2015, 1:53 am
#320
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
Do any of you who live and work in Israel (and earn Shekels in an Israeli bank account) still use USA credit cards? If so, how do you manage moving your money around between the countries?
I found that ETrade has an online, fee-free checking account that offers free incoming international wire transfers. You can transfer up to $2000 for only around a $15 fee at the Post Office.
I think it might be worth it to transfer most of my salary to the US and use a US card whenever possible, such as the Citi Prestige which offers a great deal of benefits like free lounges including guests, 4th hotel night free, $250 airfare rebate, etc. Plus points, of course.
Or of course, use a US Amex which offers a 1:1 ratio.
What do you all think?
I found that ETrade has an online, fee-free checking account that offers free incoming international wire transfers. You can transfer up to $2000 for only around a $15 fee at the Post Office.
I think it might be worth it to transfer most of my salary to the US and use a US card whenever possible, such as the Citi Prestige which offers a great deal of benefits like free lounges including guests, 4th hotel night free, $250 airfare rebate, etc. Plus points, of course.
Or of course, use a US Amex which offers a 1:1 ratio.
What do you all think?
May 13, 2015, 2:57 am
#321
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Do any of you who live and work in Israel (and earn Shekels in an Israeli bank account) still use USA credit cards? If so, how do you manage moving your money around between the countries?
I found that ETrade has an online, fee-free checking account that offers free incoming international wire transfers. You can transfer up to $2000 for only around a $15 fee at the Post Office.
I think it might be worth it to transfer most of my salary to the US and use a US card whenever possible, such as the Citi Prestige which offers a great deal of benefits like free lounges including guests, 4th hotel night free, $250 airfare rebate, etc. Plus points, of course.
Or of course, use a US Amex which offers a 1:1 ratio.
What do you all think?
I found that ETrade has an online, fee-free checking account that offers free incoming international wire transfers. You can transfer up to $2000 for only around a $15 fee at the Post Office.
I think it might be worth it to transfer most of my salary to the US and use a US card whenever possible, such as the Citi Prestige which offers a great deal of benefits like free lounges including guests, 4th hotel night free, $250 airfare rebate, etc. Plus points, of course.
Or of course, use a US Amex which offers a 1:1 ratio.
What do you all think?
May 26, 2015, 11:45 am
#322
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Zichron Yakov, Israel
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 808
Do any of you who live and work in Israel (and earn Shekels in an Israeli bank account) still use USA credit cards? If so, how do you manage moving your money around between the countries?
I found that ETrade has an online, fee-free checking account that offers free incoming international wire transfers. You can transfer up to $2000 for only around a $15 fee at the Post Office.
I think it might be worth it to transfer most of my salary to the US and use a US card whenever possible, such as the Citi Prestige which offers a great deal of benefits like free lounges including guests, 4th hotel night free, $250 airfare rebate, etc. Plus points, of course.
Or of course, use a US Amex which offers a 1:1 ratio.
What do you all think?
I found that ETrade has an online, fee-free checking account that offers free incoming international wire transfers. You can transfer up to $2000 for only around a $15 fee at the Post Office.
I think it might be worth it to transfer most of my salary to the US and use a US card whenever possible, such as the Citi Prestige which offers a great deal of benefits like free lounges including guests, 4th hotel night free, $250 airfare rebate, etc. Plus points, of course.
Or of course, use a US Amex which offers a 1:1 ratio.
What do you all think?
Jun 1, 2015, 11:18 pm
#323
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
The problem is not just the wire transfer fee - it's also the currency conversion costs. IF you get your salary in Shekels as I do, then you need to convert it somehow to USD. At the post office - that means 3% over the Shaar Yatzig. If you send the wire transfer in shekels to eTrade, it will either be rejected or converted to USD at a ridiculous exchange rate, unless you've seen otherwise from etrade?
Jun 14, 2015, 9:11 pm
#325
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
Please let us know what your standing is here (I.e. citizen, tourist, student, etc) before we can advise you.
Jun 14, 2015, 11:37 pm
#326
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 13
Jun 15, 2015, 9:00 am
#328
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
I have heard of this being possible on the DansDeals forum. Lots of discussion there about this, as there are many yeshiva students that come here for 1-3 years at a time and want to know.
Jun 15, 2015, 9:06 am
#329
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
The best El Al cards here are called Fly Card Premium, but they are only available direct through your bank unlike the regular Fly Card which can be issued independently.
The Fly Card Premium gets you perks with El Al and a 190 shekel spend per point earn ratio, but you either need to already have status with El Al or commit to spending 10,000+ shekels a month on the card. The little known fact is that if you can persuade your bank to issue you one and don't meet the 10,000 minimum, you still get to keep the card and good spend ratio however you lose the extra El Al perks.
Jun 16, 2015, 3:47 pm
#330
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 13
To be brutally honest with you: if you're not here for good and don't earn in shekels, there isn't much point in trying to get one of the "fancier" Israeli cards. You're better off using a quality American card like Citi Prestige that gets you free lounge access worldwide, etc.
The best El Al cards here are called Fly Card Premium, but they are only available direct through your bank unlike the regular Fly Card which can be issued independently.
The Fly Card Premium gets you perks with El Al and a 190 shekel spend per point earn ratio, but you either need to already have status with El Al or commit to spending 10,000+ shekels a month on the card. The little known fact is that if you can persuade your bank to issue you one and don't meet the 10,000 minimum, you still get to keep the card and good spend ratio however you lose the extra El Al perks.
The best El Al cards here are called Fly Card Premium, but they are only available direct through your bank unlike the regular Fly Card which can be issued independently.
The Fly Card Premium gets you perks with El Al and a 190 shekel spend per point earn ratio, but you either need to already have status with El Al or commit to spending 10,000+ shekels a month on the card. The little known fact is that if you can persuade your bank to issue you one and don't meet the 10,000 minimum, you still get to keep the card and good spend ratio however you lose the extra El Al perks.