Only way I can see 2 r/ts a year netting 800 points would be by flying flex Y tickets to long-range destinations (except LAX) or cheap C to NY/Toronto or mid-range C to Europe.

That's not the "common flyer" who flies cheapo Y once or twice a year.

This is the main reason I was going to apply for this card. Should I be applying for another one?

Hey Josh,
No Credit card in Israel allowed accrual of Matmid points for state institutions payment, even before the FLY CARD was introduced.
For FLY CARD holders only: the conversion rate for transactions with state institutions is NIS 500 = 1 Matmid point

EL AL will consider the extension of conversion agreements with credit card companies in Canada and Europe.

I think that it is best you contact [email protected] on that matter, she knows better than me :)

The validity of all points from partners has been shortened to 3 years, like the points that are converted from the FLY CARD.. Nevertheless, EXECUTIVE members reach a bonus ticket faster!! Therefore the risk of losing points is smaller. In addition, EXECUTIVE members have more options for using the accrued points, for example: the "money+points" product, it is possible to determine the number of points to be used for receiving a discount on any ticket price published on our website..

Liat, you seem to systematically ignore my posts here.

What you are claiming is untrue and misleading.
Amex have always and still do (albeit at a worse rate) allow accrual of points for utility bills etc.

Please check your facts and let us know...

Thanks.

Liat - whilst we all recognise you are not responsible for the changes, could I suggest that when dealing with an intelligent community of frequent flyers you must adopt an approach of openness about changes that impact us. If I were you I would have said that the changes will not be liked by all, will not work for all, but were necessary from a business perspective and do provide some benefits that will work for some people. From there on it's vitally important to also be 100% factual and the claim that no cards offered matmid points for governmental payments is simply incorrect.
Another point I would make is that whilst many airlines have devalued their programs over time they usually have not done so to such a brutal extent, particularly the cut in accrual and increase in redemption rates. The antiquated approach of points expiring after 3 years was bad enough when it concerned base and extra points, but now you have extended that to partner points too. Most airlines I know simply require regular activity for points to remain valid forever and I think that is much more reasonable and honest. You say that people will accrue quicker so will be able to buy bonus tickets faster. This is both factually incorrect because accrual rates have been hit and fails to account for personal circumstances. Some people may travel regularly for business but for personal reasons may not be able to go on holiday for example. It could be health reasons or other personal circumstances but the bottom line is that Elal no longer allows anyone to accrue points for the long term, maybe for retirement or for a special trip once every few years.
Simply put, LY is so bad at understanding its customers (at least from my experience) that it appears to have no idea how to build a successful loyalty program. It's a real shame that LY cannot find well informed and experienced marketing people to get the job done properly.

What is this? Eretz Nehederet?

Its a devaulation, plain and simple.

You are assuming people tend to use their points the moment they have accumulated enough for a bonus ticket, which is in most cases far from the truth, so I'm afraid the above is just a further attempt by you guys to sugarcoat the "enhancements".

While I'm not saying there might not be other FF out there with a similar policy, I'm certainly not familiar with any.
It's one thing requiring account activity during a 3 years period to stop miles/points expiring but your policy is simply unfair.

:D

Not going to quote your entire thread economyman, but very well said (all of it).

my math
 

I dont post very often but I do log on to read from time to time. The latest devaluation is causing me to completely re-evaluate my loyalty. As a US based 15 year TPL who pre-upgrades using points every flight from Y to C this new program is going to add almost 1000 points for every R/T.

As someone who was burned by the HAS / LY blowup and who cannot get an Israeli CC, I cannot think of any better way to be rewarded for my loyalty.

I don't understand... What 1000 points for every RT? Unless you are regarding the difference in reward prices, I don't understand what you meant in your post at all...

Indeed that is what I am referring to. As I said I pre-upgrade every flight. My earning will go down by approximately 10% and my reward cost increases by 50% percent, totalling 956 points more every trip