It has been a long time since I flew El Al, and when I did fly it they were always very easy-going on baggage limits. Is that still the case?

I have an upcoming TLV-MXP-TLV itinerary, will be in Coach, and have only basic Matmid membership.

The website says I am allowed 20 kilos checked baggage and only one piece of hand luggage (maximum 8 kilos). It does not permit a second "personal item" (such as a computer in a separate case).

Does LY really stick to these limits or can I get away with heavier checked or carry on and a computer in its own case?

From my past experience it is a matter of luck - Most of the time if you have a little bit of overweight and/or a laptop you will have no problem. However, it all depends on the check in counter personnel - Sometimes they can be strict and then you will have to pay the extra $$$.

Dear Sir,
Following your inquiry, please note that as a Matmid Club member you are entitled to an additional 5 kg baggage allowance in all travel classes.

Regards
EL AL

Firstly, El Al Rep, let me welcome you to FlyerTalk. It is great for both El Al and FlyerTalkers to have an official spokesman here.

Now, having welcomed you I will immediately start to give you problems -- as any good Israeli would.

Are you certain about that 5 extra kilos? The reason that I ask is that on the El Al website, it says that Silver gets 5 kilos while Gold and Platinum get 10 kilos.

I tried to see what an ordinary Matmid member is allowed. I did get to one spot which said we are given "Benefits for baggage stored in the hold of the plane to EL AL destinations in the Middle East, Europe, South Africa and the Far East for all the Classes (exclusive of code share or continuation flights to other destinations)."

It then provided a link to "more details" but when I tried it, I was informed that the page no longer exists.

Also, can you tell me how much extra I will be charged if I bring my laptop computer with me in a separate case?

Although I have been a Matmid member for a number of years, it has been a long time since I took an El Al flight. Generally, I fly either Delta to the US or a SkyTeam partner to Europe. The reason is made clear immediately when you consider the upcoming trip that I have: TLV-MXP-TLV.

If I wanted to use Matmid points for the trip, it would cost me 900 points plus $491 r/t. By not taking it as an award ticket, it cost me 10 cents less and no points at all. That has to make you wonder about the value of getting points with El Al, doesn't it?

In 1966 I was a kid traveling alone from London to New York with an Air India ticket. British Airways did the check-in. The Agent wanted to charge me "Excess Baggage." I knew that El Al had a flight to New York so I told her I wanted to switch to LY. I also knew that LY did not use British to do the check ins.
She got flustered and told me "You can switch to El Al but I will telephone them and tell them that you are arriving with Excess baggage."
I went to the EL AL check-in and they said nothing and charged zippo.

In 1966 I was a kid traveling alone from London to New York with an Air India ticket. BOAC now British Airways did the check-in. The Agent wanted to charge me "Excess Baggage."

I don't even think that I had enough money to pay it. I knew that El Al had a flight to New York so I told her I wanted to switch to LY. I also knew that LY did not use BOAC to do the check ins.

She was surprised and got quite flustered and told me "You can switch to El Al but I will telephone them and tell them that you are on your way with Excess baggage."

I went to the EL AL check-in and they said nothing and charged zippo. I love El Al. Always have.

El Al, for years, paid very little attention to how much checked baggage weighed and absolutely no attention at all to how much hand luggage you had.

What I am wondering is if this is still the situation.

Dovster I am sure it's not the same today as it was 42 years ago. Your question reminded me of this story. It would be interesting to find out as it seems all airlines are getting very strict as they need the dough badly.

Now another little story from the old days. In the old days El Al did not always follow the IATA rules. All airlines had to offer "the same fares" as these were the IATA regulations.

My father was given a nice discount in 1962 on 4 London to New York tickets by the LY Milan office. The Manager went and told someone and LY were reported to IATA. The poor guy got fired and EL AL was fined.

Sorry to divert from the topic. Please tell us when you get the answer.

Not as good as your deal, but a free BA reg coach, is 65k and $507 so much for a free tkt (thats between NY & TLV) 1st availability 11/08

Now if a person saved up those 65k on ElCheapos then at 25% of actual mileage being credited they needed to fly 260k actual miles to get the 65k in their acct, plus they get to pay BA the $507 as well.

Craz you mean it's $500 on a free ticket because of all the taxes and fuel surcharges?

My sister had a free ticket on BA from New York to Europe and paid over $200 due to taxes and fuel surcharges. Her husband paid about $100 for the same ticket on American. Less taxes and no fuel surcharges on a free ticket.