expiring points
 

I got an email from elal that 100 points are to expire soon(nice of them to send that), the total I have is 520. Is that enough for redeeming anything and is there anyway to extend the points? So far looking at their site I think the answer is no and no.

In order to extend them, you'll have to earn some more....

Here is a utilization table which shows your only options with 520 points as a one-way bonus ticket from TLV to anywhere in Western Europe or vice versa; or a return to/from CAI/ATH. You could also use the points to pay part of the fuel surcharge, or to buy access to KD lounge, exit seat etc.

You can use them for an upgrade voucher to Europe (200 points), or to the US and add money (700 points, so you'll need to add $180).
Note that in order to use the voucher you'll need to book a flight in the higher buckets (M/S/Y to upgrade to C, I/C to upgrade to F).

Once you issue the voucher it's good for a year, so you "earn" an extra year for your points. There's no way to prevent them from expiring.

Alternatively, you can use the points for discounts on LY's last minute fares. However, that's not such a good option as the point value there is quite low.

Lastly, you can always donate your points for a good cause. See http://www.elal.co.il/ELAL/English/M...ions170210.htm

This is very good info, thanks. The idea of buying 180 points sounds good. Any idea what is the difference in price between a "cheap fare" which we usually buy and the M/s/y fares? Just a ballpark. And is the voucher a guaranteed upgrade, or is it like trying to book a ff ticket on airlines and they have little availability?

A flexible economy ticket (upgradeable to business class) ex-NYC should cost around $2,000-$2,400, whereas a deeply discounted ticket should probably be between $1,200-$1,400

You need to look for R class availability. If you book in advance I don't think you should encounter a problem.

an S class ticket to NY can be even more than 2400$ ... depends on the month... during July/August for example, the discounted BIZ ticket is around 2400-2500 USD all together.

and the upgrade voucher is for ONE WAY !

another option is to sell the points to someone else (you issue the voucher and put someone elses name on it). there are some ads on yad2 and winwin for this.