An e-mail I got yesterday from El Al served as a reminder to join every possible frequent flyer and frequent traveller program -- you can never tell when they will offer their members a deal which beats even the LCCs and budget hotels.

This particular offer was for a r/t from New York to TLV for $495 -- and included 400 bonus points (which on El Al means a free trip TLV-Europe and back). It is only open to members of their Matmid Frequent Flyer Program.

Signing up for each airline's, hotel, and car rental program requires a bit of time and means you will be getting some more spam -- but it also means that you will be alerted to great travel deals.