Horrible new award search mechanism
Jul 11, 2019, 12:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Zichron Yakov, Israel
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 808
Horrible new award search mechanism
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-tra...ntas-accounts/
Awards will now only be shown with the dynamic pricing (usually three times the amount standard award points) UNLESS you have enough points to book the standard award when you search through the El Al website.
Additionally, expertflyer and other sites will no longer be able to search for X and E class availabality (Business and Economy award classes).
So basically, people who might want to transfer in Amex Membership rewards to book a flight have to first transfer the points into Matmid to see if there is standard award availability.
Awards will now only be shown with the dynamic pricing (usually three times the amount standard award points) UNLESS you have enough points to book the standard award when you search through the El Al website.
Additionally, expertflyer and other sites will no longer be able to search for X and E class availabality (Business and Economy award classes).
So basically, people who might want to transfer in Amex Membership rewards to book a flight have to first transfer the points into Matmid to see if there is standard award availability.
Jul 11, 2019, 10:16 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
While I generally wont disagree with you, in this case I will.
I think this move is very smart, its obviously geared towards those who dont purchase rev tkts on LY but instead before moving miles/pts to either Matmid or in most cases to Qantas, a person will check 1st to make sure there is say Biz Saver available and when they see it is then move the pts/miles. With LYs move a person wont beable to do that, so either they will have to move teh pts/miles and pray that they will beable to use them or simply stop playing this agme with LY and move to other carriers
With the last what turned out to be 44% bonus in Qantas pts Im suretons of points were moved to Qantas with the entent of cashing in for LYaward tkts, now those folks will be stuck and having to do alot of praying that they beable to eventually beable to find something.
The Winners in all this will be those who fly LY on rev tkts and have the pts in their Matmid acct, since the % went way up that theyd be able to find something when they go to book
In other words the game is getting another strike against it
I think this move is very smart, its obviously geared towards those who dont purchase rev tkts on LY but instead before moving miles/pts to either Matmid or in most cases to Qantas, a person will check 1st to make sure there is say Biz Saver available and when they see it is then move the pts/miles. With LYs move a person wont beable to do that, so either they will have to move teh pts/miles and pray that they will beable to use them or simply stop playing this agme with LY and move to other carriers
With the last what turned out to be 44% bonus in Qantas pts Im suretons of points were moved to Qantas with the entent of cashing in for LYaward tkts, now those folks will be stuck and having to do alot of praying that they beable to eventually beable to find something.
The Winners in all this will be those who fly LY on rev tkts and have the pts in their Matmid acct, since the % went way up that theyd be able to find something when they go to book
In other words the game is getting another strike against it
Jul 12, 2019, 4:21 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Zichron Yakov, Israel
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 808
According to the article, the Qantas website was fixed so that you can still see El Al awards on Qantas award search, but their search engine has other issues in that the month view will show availability even with weird connecting flighs, and only when you select a specifc day does it show El Al availabilty. So that at least is manageable.
Jul 15, 2019, 2:30 pm
#6
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-tra...ntas-accounts/
Awards will now only be shown with the dynamic pricing (usually three times the amount standard award points) UNLESS you have enough points to book the standard award when you search through the El Al website.
Additionally, expertflyer and other sites will no longer be able to search for X and E class availabality (Business and Economy award classes).
So basically, people who might want to transfer in Amex Membership rewards to book a flight have to first transfer the points into Matmid to see if there is standard award availability.
Awards will now only be shown with the dynamic pricing (usually three times the amount standard award points) UNLESS you have enough points to book the standard award when you search through the El Al website.
Additionally, expertflyer and other sites will no longer be able to search for X and E class availabality (Business and Economy award classes).
So basically, people who might want to transfer in Amex Membership rewards to book a flight have to first transfer the points into Matmid to see if there is standard award availability.
Jul 15, 2019, 10:25 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: TLV/LHR
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Elite Amb, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 12,948
Jul 18, 2019, 9:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,668
Jul 22, 2019, 3:16 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: TLV/LHR
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Elite Amb, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 12,948
On a slightly different note but still ElAl and ExpertFlyer related, the seat maps EF shows and the actual seat map in terms of what's available / blocked etc are two different things and I've noticed this now on a number of occasions, so unfortunately, cannot fully rely on EF when LY are concerned which I've never found with any other carrier.
I'm sure this is beyond EF's control and not their fault but it's important to be aware,
Here is an example of what EF shows, and what is actually available on a random VIE-TLV flight later this year.
I'm sure this is beyond EF's control and not their fault but it's important to be aware,
Here is an example of what EF shows, and what is actually available on a random VIE-TLV flight later this year.
Jul 30, 2019, 12:51 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: TLV, NYC, PAR
Programs: LY Plat, AF Gold, Cathay Emerald, Hertz Pres, Avis Pres, Sixt Plat, *wood Gold, Hilton Diamond, ...
Posts: 223
New award booking system
Hi, since a few days, we cannot book regular ward tickets with fixed number of points like before! It shows you points pricing for Lite, Classic, Flex etc...
And it looks more expensive ! This is the end of the regular awards?
And it looks more expensive ! This is the end of the regular awards?
Jul 30, 2019, 3:16 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: TLV, NYC, PAR
Programs: LY Plat, AF Gold, Cathay Emerald, Hertz Pres, Avis Pres, Sixt Plat, *wood Gold, Hilton Diamond, ...
Posts: 223
But it looks like there is no availability for award anymore ... Or almost none. When there used to be plenty...
Jul 30, 2019, 4:27 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: TLV, NYC, PAR
Programs: LY Plat, AF Gold, Cathay Emerald, Hertz Pres, Avis Pres, Sixt Plat, *wood Gold, Hilton Diamond, ...
Posts: 223
I have enough
Yes I have enough points.
Check for exemple many dates for tlv Cdg in September. No success. Only lite classic etc...
Check for exemple many dates for tlv Cdg in September. No success. Only lite classic etc...
