CLT to TLV

Old Jun 4, 23, 2:32 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: US GP, HH Diamond
Posts: 136
CLT to TLV

Hi! Any recommendations on the best the best way to use AA miles to fly from CLT to TLV in either business or first? CLT-JFK-TLV (on AA), CLT-LRH-TLV (AA and BA) or is there a better way (better being either more convenient or a better business/first experience)?
Thanks!
tmann0619 is offline  
Old Jun 4, 23, 2:35 pm
  #2  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 10,595
Whatever is cheapest. It's rare to have an abundance of options with miles.

I would personally take JFK-TLV over going via LHR at the same price.
JJeffrey, Morty1944 and wrp96 like this.
Antarius is offline  
Old Jun 4, 23, 4:06 pm
  #3  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 11,654
Yea, when using miles I'd suggest checking availability first to see what, if anything, is available before trying to be picky on the best experience etc.

A CLT-LHR-TLV routing will require sAAver/U/whatever-it's-called-now space on CLT-LHR which will be all but impossible to find.

CLT-JFK-TLV on AA would be preferred but there's no telling what kind of extortionate mileage rate AA will want.

Don't forget about RJ, CLT-XXX-AMM-TLV is an option as well.
wrp96 and LowValueCustomer like this.
JJeffrey is online now  
Old Jun 4, 23, 4:29 pm
  #4  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 28,535
Originally Posted by tmann0619
Hi! Any recommendations on the best the best way to use AA miles to fly from CLT to TLV in either business or first? CLT-JFK-TLV (on AA), CLT-LRH-TLV (AA and BA) or is there a better way (better being either more convenient or a better business/first experience)?
Thanks!
When are you looking to travel?

While not more convenient, you might be able to find CLT-NYC-AUH for 70K in Business, and AUH-TLV as a separate redemption for 30K, the last two flights being on Etihad. Since this would be a combination of two separate awards, you could even opt to stop over -- as opposed to merely connect -- in Abu Dhabi, if desired.
Morty1944 likes this.
guv1976 is offline  
Old Jun 4, 23, 7:30 pm
  #5  
S80
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: ORD/LHR
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 831
Originally Posted by Antarius
Whatever is cheapest. It's rare to have an abundance of options with miles.

I would personally take JFK-TLV over going via LHR at the same price.
As much as BA's service is generally better than AA's imo, I'd avoid them this summer given their operational reliability (and frequent security strikes at Heathrow). Changing terminals at LHR is also not a fun experience, especially with a tight connection.
S80 is offline  
Old Jun 4, 23, 9:04 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Silver/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,849
The fees on any itinerary involving BA will be quite high, but the miles required may be lower. If the two routes price out similarly I'd go with the JFK flight as you'll have a longer flight for sleeping instead of two shorter ones.
wrp96 and KBMIFlyer like this.
Stripe is offline  
Old Jun 4, 23, 9:17 pm
  #7  
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: BOS & SFO
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 625
CLT-(AA)-MAD-(IB)-TLV may also be an option but would require U space on CLT-MAD.
JetAirways77W is offline  
Old Jun 4, 23, 9:24 pm
  #8  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 28,535
Originally Posted by JetAirways77W
CLT-(AA)-MAD-(IB)-TLV may also be an option but would require U space on CLT-MAD.
It appears that IB is now operating MAD-TLV with narrow-body, Iberia Express aircraft; they feature a measly 30-32" seat pitch in Business. Avoid -- even if available.
guv1976 is offline  
Old Jun 5, 23, 6:06 am
  #9  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 11,654
Originally Posted by guv1976
It appears that IB is now operating MAD-TLV with narrow-body, Iberia Express aircraft; they feature a measly 30-32" seat pitch in Business. Avoid -- even if available.
But at that point it would really be a question of how much do you want to spend to avoid it.

On the off chance the OP could find a routing through MAD on IB that would be 70k, compared to 300k on AA metal via JFK.

Narrowbody euro-biz for sure isn't great (especially IB) but for a 230k savings I could deal with it on a 4 hour flight.

It looks like depending on day/season there's also service from HEL (AY) and CMN (AT) so potentially a few more options there as well, but ones that would have the exact same issue as above.
LowValueCustomer and Antarius like this.
JJeffrey is online now  
Old Jun 5, 23, 7:21 am
  #10  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,263
To minimize security hassles and uncertainty, I would strongly advocate for a flight direct from the US. Others may have had a different experience, but I connected via several international airports before learning my lesson.
ikwia is offline  
Old Jun 5, 23, 7:36 am
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA GLD, AC
Posts: 4,040
Originally Posted by ikwia
To minimize security hassles and uncertainty, I would strongly advocate for a flight direct from the US. Others may have had a different experience, but I connected via several international airports before learning my lesson.
Care to elaborate? As someone who's been to Israel numerous times and connected several of those times in Europe, I've never found the connection to be a big deal.
njvandy, worldiswide and Antarius like this.
M60_to_LGA is online now  
Old Jun 5, 23, 9:03 am
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BMI
Programs: AA EXP, Delta, Amtrak, Hertz PC
Posts: 631
Originally Posted by JJeffrey
Don't forget about RJ, CLT-XXX-AMM-TLV is an option as well.
This is my recommendation if you can get it. AMM is an easy airport to transit and RJ has a nice business class product and a nice lounge in AMM. Timing of connections can be an issue as they don't have all that many flights to TLV.
Antarius likes this.
KBMIFlyer is offline  
Old Jun 5, 23, 10:56 am
  #13  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 28,535
Originally Posted by JJeffrey
But at that point it would really be a question of how much do you want to spend to avoid it.

On the off chance the OP could find a routing through MAD on IB that would be 70k, compared to 300k on AA metal via JFK.

Narrowbody euro-biz for sure isn't great (especially IB) but for a 230k savings I could deal with it on a 4 hour flight.
But 70K or 300K are not the only alternatives. For 100K -- with some additional flying time -- one can route via AUH on Etihad in Business (when available). Here's one example, for two passengers, which includes an overnight connection in AUH:

guv1976 is offline  
Old Jun 5, 23, 10:58 am
  #14  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,028
Originally Posted by guv1976
It appears that IB is now operating MAD-TLV with narrow-body, Iberia Express aircraft; they feature a measly 30-32" seat pitch in Business. Avoid -- even if available.
And doesn't BA fly to TLV from LHR in 320's with faux first class ala CE?
enviroian is online now  
Old Jun 5, 23, 11:07 am
  #15  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 28,535
Originally Posted by enviroian
And doesn't BA fly to TLV from LHR in 320's with faux first class ala CE?
They have, in the past. But I checked a random date for July on the BA app, and it shows two wide-bodies (with lie-flat seats in Business) on the route. That, of course, does not preclude a down-gauge on any particular flight.
enviroian and Antarius like this.
guv1976 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.