American Is Pulling Out Of Tel Aviv 01/04/16, Grab Award Seats Now For Reaccommodation…

what do you think the alternate arrangements will be?

Of course it never returned a profit. Every flight was just Jews with award flights

I’m an AA PLT based in NY, it’s really not the end of the world for me, when choosing a oneworld flight to TLV, i prefer flying w/BA. Bad for the competition though…

Love these rant-type posts.

Does that mean that the mileage I accumulated on AA, if it’s mainly to get to Israel, is going to be useless in that regard? What are my options? Sell them?

I’m booked for next Pesach in business class from this glitch:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/69777

What will they be offering me?

@Dan any guess as to what the accommodation may be??

I booked tickets (paid for) to TLV from LAX-PHL-TLV for pessach. what are the chances they cancel, and if so, what can they offer as an alternate, business class on partner?

I got a great deal on the flight and do not want to cancel or have it cancelled..

Do we know how much longer will we be able to make award reservations for phl to TLV? I was planning to go next year late July to August but those flights aren’t open yet. Is it worthwhile to book anytime awards for June?

What is the value of a route that is very profitable? How does that compare to a one-time expense of $15mm?

For an airline with billions in profit, $15mm sounds like chump-change. Or is this about precedent?

US Airways bought American Airlines, they just kept American’s name.

@Dan how do you expected the CLE hub to be profitable if you live there 🙂

Didn’t you predict American would substitute service from Miami in place of Philly?

@Bob:
They may want you to take a OneWorld carrier via Europe, but I don’t think it will be too hard to get accommodated on direct flight from North America.

@sb:
Business awards were nearly impossible on this route.

@MosheD:
😀

@Mutty:
Fly via Europe.
Or hope that El Al will renew their AA relationship.

@Chaim:
@kyle:
@Yossi:
They may want you to take a OneWorld carrier via Europe, but I don’t think it will be too hard to get accommodated on direct flight from North America.

@Anonymous:
Probably will be gone very soon.

@AsherO:
These airlines have thousands of routes that make up that profit though.

But it may be precedent. If they pay off these debts maybe they will be liable to pay off other TWA debts?

@Moshe:
That’s like saying Continental bought United.
Sure, the CEO is from Continental, but
A. He was made Continental’s CEO and the other guys were pushed out because he was willing to merge
B. They moved the HQ to Chicago and US moved to Dallas.
C. Many of the key employees still belong to the other airline. In this case US moved to AAs systems and infrastructure completely…

@JunkYardUnz:
Harhar.

@Al:
I did predict JFK and MIA to TLV service. Assuming they were able to settle the TWA issues that have dogged them since 2001.

Apparently they have not. Or are not willing to.

That flight lost its value when they started charging for fuel. Its not that big of a loss.

Dan,

for those of us who already booked our tickets to Israel for Pessach, do you think they might rebook us on ElAl, as they are partners?

Does this mean higher air fares NY to TLV ?

Dan, since you’ve shown excellent airline analysis skills (though you had hoped for a better outcome on the AA TLV route) do you think there’s any chance of the AA-LY relationship being restored? After all AA still markets quite a few LY routes as codeshare (LHR, ZRH and MAD to TLV come to mind).

So if we, for example, book anytime awards on AA from PHL to TLV, what might be the re-accommodation? Would they put us on the BA flights from PHL-LHR-TLV without the big fuel surcharges???

@Uri: I agree that BA is great, but not practical for award redemptions due to exorbitant surcharges.

@Mutty: No American has partners A”Award where you can use the miles Like BA Finair ETC

@Mark:
No fuel surcharge when using AA miles.

@Dovid:
They are not partners, but they can rebook on anyone if you push them.

@Dave:
It may, less competition will do that.

@ExGingi:
I think there’s a fair chance of that happening.

@kermit:
Yes, that would be a likely option.

@sb: Someone pays for this mile

I don’t understand. If Israel claims AA owes them money, and threaten to take action, why wouldn’t they repossess an airplane before January?

dan .
what are the options that dont incur a fuel surcharge to tlv both coach and BC

@high end hobo:
I’m not a lawyer, sorry.

@dave:
-Air Berlin via Berlin and Dusseldorf
-Finnair via Helsinki
-Iberia via Madrid
-Royal Jordanian via Amman.

Cathay Pacific is also looking to launch HKG-TLV flights.

This couldnt coincide better, with Elal’s purchase announcement to lease 15 new 787’s with purchase rights to an additional 13 thereafter. The key for elal will be to start the new service as soon as possible to minimize the gap.

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=20295&item=129496

Will they allow a date change when they accommodate?

@David Kaye:
Sure it could have been better, if only El Al were getting those planes down instead of in 2017!

@Sam:
Probably a date on either end to make up for difference in departure times. Possibly more if you have a good reason or for shabbos.

Why is it still pricing for way past that date on AA.com
I’m booked for the next week
What are the chances they restart from JFK

I hope they restart their relationship with El Al. It really was a good deal. 45K AA miles each way in coach with no fuel surcharge and El Al had lots of availability since they have at least 3 flights a day each between JFK/EWR & TLV.

Dan, do you think El Al would be able to restart with AA even though they already started a code share agreement with JetBlue?

@Lisa:
They said they are not switching it to another hub, they are pulling out.
So it doesn’t sound promising for now.

@Dan’s the Man:
I don’t think that will be an issue. But I’d also not count on it happening, we don’t know exactly how things were left when the relationship ended.

It seems that all Israel award flights on aa.com are now connecting through LHR and not PHL.

@Mountain Man:
Search PHL-TLV and click nonstop.

I did a Feb search on AA.com from PHL to TLV and the saver flights all stop over in LHR. No non-stops.

Are they likely to allow date changes when re-accomodating passengers?

@Dan thank you for all your updates. I just purchased 2 tix LAX-PHL-Tlv and back in December. Do you think it will be ok?
Also, what are the options to upgrade to Business with Mileage if I actually paid for the tix? thank you again.

@Mountain Man:
False:
https://i.gyazo.com/5e09a0d7c455426483e12cfb19bcbc54.png

@Username:
See comment 29.

@ot:
Why would it not be fine?
Find someone with systemwide upgrades…

@dan this definitely sweetens the deal for elal though. Losing a competitor, should ensure their next route introduction is a lot more profitable.
It would make elal more profit, if they had peripheral vision (wishful thinking unfortuneatly) and changed delivery dates to jan, 2016 – A miami route or chicago would be a blind moneynaker.

@OT in case you missed the memo – they will still be flying in december.. they stop january 4th 2016.
Id recommend you cancel that if you didnt want the stop in phl…

Yes, Jeff Smisek is a terrible airline CEO for several reasons but come on Dan, did you really think Cleveland would be a hub after the CO/UA merger? Cleveland can’t support a hub now and it made sense for UA to de-hub it. I know you don’t like it but airlines won’t keep operations going just to keep you happy. I really think AA and DL are far better than UA on their best day. Smisek must have dirt on some of the board members as its an absolute miracle he has been in power this long. I remember flying UA back in 2009-2010 and seeing those cheesy videos about how “They were going to combine the best of both airlines” Yeah right, if you mean offering a sub-par hard product and lousy service, then you succeeded. The problem is that’s not how to run a profitable airline.

@David Kaye why cancel? we only have a 1.5 hour stop over in PHL. Im just worried AA will change their mind a also cancel Dec flights.
@Dan Thank you

I have for next year and they are trying to book me on a non direct flight. My question is are they legally allowed to do this?

@AA FLYR:
I knew the writing on the wall was there when the merger went through. It’s more profitable to shuttle everyone through EWR and ORD.

But he didn’t have to lie about it. Well, he did to save the company from paying a big penalty, but still, he lied.

@Abe:
As long as they offer a refund and an alternate route they’ve fulfilled their obligation.
But you should counter with a reason why you want a nonstop (timing, kids, etc, etc) and escalate from there.

I just booked with points tlv-phl business class can i demand that they accommodate me on another non-stop or will they just tell me here are your miles. who has the upper hand?

Re switching in Europe: How much time do you usually need to make your connecting flight in a place like LHR, MAD or CDG? Is 2 hours too short a window for a family with kids? Thanks!

@Dan: Agreed. Smisek is just the pits. I know many people who wish he would leave UA. Keep up the good work on the deals!

Dan I maybe Southwest will start flying BWI to TLV. Now that they fly to Mexico and the Caribbean they are an international airline so why not throw in TLV from their BWI hub. It might not be as profitable as they’d think with all the frum yidden take full advantage of the 2 free bag. 🙂

@yanks10952:
They have the upper hand, but you can come up with reasons why other solutions won’t work.

@kermit:
2 hours should be fine.

@Funny Guy:
They’re already in TLV!
https://instagram.com/p/0D6PcSQbvW/?taken-by=dansdeals

@Dan: If Elal and AA aren’t partners how can they sell Elal tickets? I know they discontinued their award partnership….

Hey I booked this route for late January 2016. Is it advisable to call them immediately to reroute the flight or wait a bit for them to contact me?

@AAdvantage:
This has nothing to do with award partners, they’re going to buy buying tickets for people to match their flight dates.

@Amir:
I’d wait at least until the route is no longer being sold. Should be within the next couple days.

@yanks10952: whoever is taller?

@kermit: 2 hours is fine. If it’s ticketed as 1 reservation the airline is responsible if you miss the flight.

@Amir: It’s prob too early to call now. Reservations won’t know what you’re talking about.

@Dan: When purchasing tickets on AA.com they sell Elal as well

Thanks Dan.

Do you have to pick up your bags and go through passport/customs if you take a trip like PHL-MAD/LHR on AA and then MAD/LHR to TLV on Iberia/BA?

@AAdvantage:
Point being?

@kermit:
No, it goes through to TLV.

Thanks again, Dan. So can you just go to the gate of the connecting flight after you get off the first flight?

I could see them putting people on Ukraine International. They do whatever they want.

@kermit:
Yes.

@Achshell:
No, they won’t.
They’ll likely be offering BA or Iberia, their JV partners.

But with some resistance it shouldn’t be hard to get a flight from the US-Tel Aviv.

Dan JFK-Hel via Finair is charging surcharges.

@Dan: No i wrote before they sell tickets and discontinued award.

False argument. According to American Airlines Management, in its six years, the Philadelphia to Tel Aviv route never turned a profit in any year, and has already lost over lost more than $20 million on this service in the past year alone. The merger isn’t the reason or bad for customers in this instance.

@Mark:
With AA miles??

@AAdvantage:
Still have no idea what you point is.
They’re not rebooking people onto award tickets, they’re buying them tickets on other airlines.

@Brad:
Maybe. Maybe not.
I don’t think USAirways’ president Scott Kirby would call it the most lucrative in their system if it was bleeding that much money.

And the timing is more than suspect to chalk it up to AAs longtime problems with exTWA liabilities in TLV.

@kermit:
@Dan:
If it’s a connection to an El Al flight. El Al security will need to interview you before they will allow your bag on the flight. Dan is totally right that your bag will be checked through just stop by the gate in your connection city on the earlier side (otherwise don’t be surprised when you they page you on the PA system 🙂 ). One time I flew American from JFK to CDG and then connecting on an El Al flight to TLV with no checked bag. I was spending my time in the AA lounge. When I got to the gate they said “we were looking for you” and they gave me the interview at the gate. No big deal just be aware of it.

@Anonymous:
Don’t see why they would possibly book you on an El Al connection via Europe.

It’s a shame.
I just flew the PHL/TLV flight last week, and it was a much more pleasant experience in the PHL airport (and TLV as well) due to do the shorter lines than for the JFK/EWR flights I’ve had before. Parking at PHL is easier too. A shame they’re pulling this flight.
(And BTW, the flights there and back were completely full – if they’re not turning a profit they should raise the ticket price, not pull out!)

@Dan: I’m just pointing out that AA and Elal discontinued their award partnership but not the purchase partnership therefor i believe if AA discontinues a flight they will easylly put them on an Elal flight lets say u book a flight NYC-TLV via PHL….

Any possibility of campaigning against it? How could we achieve that? Whose email address do we have to bombard?

@AAdvantage:
They can buy a ticket on anyone, they’re not buying them on AA.com.
They bought me a United ticket earlier this year.

@Avi:
Good luck.

@Dan: Take a look at some of the award flights from the US to TLV via Europe. Many of them connect to El Al flights. Even though AA ended their partnership with El Al I think many of the European carriers still have code share flights with El Al.

This means they might partner with el al again?

@Dan:I just replied to your message that thay are not partners, see below:
Dan Says:
22
August 20th, 2015 at 2:33 pm @Dovid:
They are not partners, but they can rebook on anyone if you push them.

@Anonymous:
Please send me a screenshot of an award that connects to El Al flight.

@shay peleg:
It’s a possibility.

Thanks for your thoughts, @Anonymous and Dan. Is there no passport check for continuing flights because you’re not really entering the stopover country?

@kermit:
Correct.

What about in cases where you booked on the business class special out of ORD. Do you think it will be possible to get accomodated out of NYC?

I spoke to them they aren’t offering any direct flights just the code sharing direct flights, with stop overs

Hey, id sooner take a flight with a stop on a code share then have to goto ord and then stop again in PHL.

Are they confirming the accomodations now?

I have tickets for March, called AA and was told they don’t have yet a protection plan. They will call me once they do, in a few days.

@e:
I guess wait and see.

@Anonymous:
They haven’t even begun the process yet.

@e:
They will call people who are affected.

Dan,
You might like my story about my tickets to Israel, but I cant post it publicly. If you want to hear it, please PM me on ddf. My username is shidduch.

@Dan: Dan, Maybe it’s not for award tickets but for sure on paid tickets. (I thought the codeshare work the same way for paid vs award) Just looking on flightstats.com for today (8/20) the following 3 flight #s are codeshare and is on El Al medal:
EL AL # 396
American # 8392
Iberia # 7866

@Anonymous:
Don’t see how this is relevant to the discussion at hand.

AA.com has now all flights with Elal and error when searching direct flights

Dan,

do you think there is any chance we can get an upgrade on our existing booking because of this?

@Dan: You asked me to show screen shot of an american codeshare that was still on El Al (when you responded to my post to be aware that although your bags will check through Madrid, Paris, etc if it’s an El Al flight you’ll still need to go through their security interview before El Al will put your bag on their plane)

I am flying from PHL to TLV at the end of January, so does that mean i have to get reaccommodated or a refund?

@Dovid:
No

@Anonymous:
No, I asked for a screenshot of an award on El Al from aa.com

@josh:
Yes, they’ll call you.

Dan,

My friend, who is an executive platinum (US Air), added me to the AA waiting list (it was supposed be systemwide upgrade but they didn’t have availibilities on my flight and then they changed the rules because its America now). I was supposed to be flying January 14, 2016. What do you think will happened to the waiting list upgrade now?

Many thanks!!

And just to clarify: if I want to be reaccomodated, AA will pay the difference in price for the new reservation or is that my responsibility? And they rebook through any airline flying to TLV?

@Ilan:
It will be redeposited back to him when the flight disappears.

@Amir:
AA is responsible for finding a suitable alternative and buying you a ticket on another airline.
Or you can ask for a full refund.

its no longer available when selecting non-stop flight on AA.com

Still viewable in GDS

The last flight from TLV will be Jan.06 1:10 AA792

@Dov:
No, final TLV-PHL will be 01/05.

ZERO availability on GDS (Sabre and Amadeus) starting Jan 5

@Dan: CX HKG to TLV would be amazing! Is there timeline for that?

For a few minutes its was showing in GDS AA 792 01/06 1:10AM now its gone

they must be playing around for the goodbye flight

@J: they working on that route

So excited about the prospect of CX serving TLV, I was just lamenting how Ke is the only premium carrier to serve tlv

the nonstop aa flight is still showing available using miles on aa.com

We paid for the 662/ round trip on Jan 16 -jan 26 for 2. What will we do???

@jack:
Is it really worth it to fly around the world just to have a nicer first class. Isn’t Business class on Delta or United good enough for you to not have to fly double to distance and have a stopover in Hong Kong to go from the US to Israel? I’m all into having a high class of service but that really isn’t worth it for me.

@Ruthy Creed: As Dan said American will reaccommodate you. They will prob try to offer to rebook on one of their European partners but just be adement that you booked nonstop for a reason don’t want to stopover and you request them to book you nonstop on United, Delta, or El Al. Dan said that he was successful earlier this year in another situation with having American pay for his flight on United.

@dan, who gets system wide upgrades ? Is it
Status? Which? Certain amount of upgrades
Per yr? Would like to buy upgrades

The local press in Israel says that “AA is closing the route as a result of pressure from some of its One World partners, namely Qatar Airlines, Jordanian and Malaysia Airlines. The announcement came as a complete surprise to the local AA office and its 19 employees may lose their jobs now.

Just few months ago, AA senior managers visited Israel and promised they will add more routes to Israel “…

my friend who has tickets for winter vacation was offered worse choices and they would not modify the airports (she wanted to get accomodated out of NYC). anyone have luck getting it switched to arrive and depart from nyc.

so far i had one friend call and they were not that “accomodating”. they offered my friend a flight with a stop and would not change the routing from phl – tlv to nyc-tlv.

I spoke with them twice. So far, they are only offering connecting flights in Europe via PHL. They did mention they are working on other alternatives, but won’t have updates until after the weekend.

I spoke with them and they wouldn’t offer me anything. They said it’s too early…

@e:
@Amir:
It is too early. Don’t switch to one with a stopover if you want a nonstop. I wouldn’t even call them for at least a week. As Dan said they will contact you. Also you said American working on alternative so just wait it out a week or 2. You’re not flying until the winter.

im not calling, my wifes friend is having a heart attack because they already paid for a dira.

Tell your wife’s friend to chill. Airlines deal with these things all the time. Like its been posted before wait a week or two till the Airline figures it out themselves. It’s no big deal. Just remember (to tell whoever booked the flight and needs a new flight) is they have to accommodate you and you that you have the upper hand. Fight until you get who you want since they DID cancel on you not the other way around.

if every smart DDF call to argue for direct, with compeling reasons, some more FF programs will shut down. Please. take what you get, with grace. they shut one avenue, take indirect and appreciate what you get.

Hakaras Hatov.

Smart guys lose and we will all lose

I called twice A”A they told me flight is canceled and wanted to rebook me with BA, I tried asking for a nonstop from NYC or even with a stop from NYC and they refused, the answer was if you don’t want it we could reimburse the money.

@Please: Please, please… people have booked direct flights… they deserve direct flights… we’re not talking freebies here.

Dan, thank you for your posts! Please advise me. I have an AA reservation Philadelphia-Tel Aviv for April 5-May 15. It was a great deal! I also paid for from row seats. I have confirmation and all!
What will be with this reservation if AA isn’t flying out of Philadelphia anymore?
Please advise! Thank You!

I called and am getting same poor offer.. refund or flights via partners, not direct from PHL…
really sucks b/c now I need to start all over on booking for 7 people

interesting note, i booked with Chase Ink points through rewards.. they said they will cut me a check on the refund for the full ticket amount

Israel – American Airlines Drops Flights To Israel; Sources Say Ties To Arab Carriers Cause Of Cancellation – http://www.vosizneias.com/213146/2015/08/24/israel-american-airlines-drops-flights-to-israel-sources-say-ties-to-arab-carriers-cause-of-cancellation/

I spoke to a spokeswoman at American Reservations and refunds. She insisted that these flights will be flying out of Philadelphia under a different name. I don’t believe her even though she sounded so convincing!

YES! I got from Newark to London to Tel Aviv on British Airways not happy but took it, it was my best option they gave me.

I was on the phone with American Airlines for HOURS. After being put on hold for long time regarding their ‘reaccommadation; all i was offered was phily to london to telaviv with a whole day at the heathrow airport before connecting to flight to Tel Aviv. For the return flight they had a 3 hour layover in London. I was told by this ‘specialist’ that they are not able to reaccomodate with any EL AL flights from anywhere! I cancelled the 2 tickets and got fully refunded. I will look out for better deals for Jan 16 -jan 27 on dan’s deals daily …i am sure for another 200 dollars i will get a direct flight!!!

@Ruthy Creed Did AA call you or did you call them?

I dont think AA will ever call people proactively. A friend of mine had a different flight phl to Italy that was cancelled a month ago and she never received a call

@josh: I called them a few times and had to wait hours till they spoke to a ‘specialist’!!

Ruthy the best number to reach AA so you don’t have to wait long is 1800-843-6200

My brother who had tickets for the winter called and asked for a refund and they just offered him a voucher. Is there a law that entitles him to get a refund instead of just getting a voucher?

**I just called American Airlines. I got them to move me to Newark for a NONSTOP flight with El Al!!! They also said they would do from JFK!!**

@Amir. What number did you call?

@Josh:
I called the Advantage Platinum Reservations number: 18008436200. When the woman asked me for my advantage number I told her I didn’t have one so she just asked me for my record locator. At first she offered me the same Iberia/BA options. I asked her to check if there were any direct options from any other airport within 300 miles. She checked her computer and said El Al came up as an option from Newark and JFK. She told me it must have recently changed because she had assumed the only options were Iberia/BA through Europe. I changed my flight and now am waiting for the confirmation email…

@Amir: was your original flight going to tel aviv for $620. ? I called AA and they said they can’t switch to el Al for that low Ticket price.

@Steve:
Yes, we purchased 5 tickets each at $630.

@Amir
It’s not working for me. They offered a stopover or a refund.

@Josh: Yep. Got the same offers as well. They are not allowing me to book el Al or any direct options.

@Anonymous
An elal flight came up but they couldn’t book it because the class of my flight doesn’t work with elal.

Has anyone been called yet from American?

@Dan: hi dan. Do you know if the consumer has a legal right to demand a direct flight since that is what we booked and paid for ? AA keeps telling me that my ticket class won’t be excepted by el Al and that they don’t work with united. Any advice for us ?

@Amir: did you end up getting a confirmation email confirming your flight on el Al from Newark ? I could not get AA to budge, they won’t book me any direct flights.

@Steve
I’m having the same problem. They said my tickets are O class and that I can’t get elal with that.

@Steve:
I still have not received a confirmation email. But I did receive a confirmation number for the El Al flight and when I checked the El Al website it had all of my information for the rebooked flight. They said I should receive a confirmation email by tomorrow evening.
I don’t know what class my tickets were.

@DAN I booked an Award flight with AA Miles on BA First Class TLV-JFK via LHR with U & Z class is it possible to be placed on Elal non Stop?

Just came back from TLV on this flight. I’m thinking this must be a plum assignment for flight attendants — all of them were middle-aged or older, presumably with seniority.

@Dan My flight is for 9/17 I called AA They said the agreement was only for Jan.

@AAdvantage:
No.

@AAdvantage:
Of course, why would they need to reaccomodate before the flight is cancelled??

@JunkYardUnz: I think this is one of the funniest posts on Dans Deals. common Dan, give him a metal.

Stop thinking about your money, think of a bigger picture – the largest U.S. airline is canceling its flights to Tel Aviv. And this is not happening because of any financial reason, but because they are boycotting Israel. They are now Arabs friends. What about writing a petition and fight in this decision?

No question here. The flight crews who work this route have said the cancellation has nothing to do with not being a profitable route, b/c it is a profitable route. This is a clear position of AA cancelling the Israel route due to arab pressure. 100% True.
I for one will not be using AA anymore if I can avoid using them. The anti semitism continues everywhere.

What routes through Europe can I use with my Advantage points to go to Israel?
Thank you

Tried to change a mileage flight in Feb to elal but they wouldn’t allow it. if someone does get it let us know how.

Dan – please reply

AA called me and they are willing to put me on a EL AL flight direct from JFK or Newark in April 2016. I told them JFK going and Newark coming back and they agreed

@DANNY: What class are your tickets?

It was a O class ticket

I got rebooked on Jan 11 – Jan 25, from JFK – TLV / TLV – EWR direct with Elal, after Using HUCA.

The return was changed the date as A”A Flight was on the 24th 11:30 PM and Elal is after midnight.

Worth trying HUCA by calling Advantage Platinum Reservations number: 1-800-843-6200.

Thanks Dan

I have a O class ticket that I got switched to EL AL

@DANNY: Your very lucky! I spoke to AA a few times and they wound give me elal. What did you say that made them give you elal?

I told them I am going with small kids. I did speak to a supervisor from AA .Please keep in mind this was a paid ticket not an award ticket.

@DANNY did you get ticketed by elal already?
I have an O Class paid ticket and are refusing to change me to elal even i’m flying with small children, tried speaking to supervisor but didn’t help, any suggestions?

@ER: what does huca mean and stand for ?

Just spoke to AA reservations and they stated that they unequivocally do not have a protect agreement with ElAl and the only options open to me are a connect through London or Madrid or a refund. They also told me I would have to pay $100 each way for my first suitcase to be routed directly through from Memphis to Tel Aviv and back. After over an hour of trying to find an appropriate accommodation I asked them to just keep the original reservation and then we could try again later.
Dan, please advise how best to handle this.

@S:
Hang Up Call Again

@M K Try a different supervisor.Did you pay more then $800 for your ticket? I also booked 2 months ago before they came out with the news. I think they are not honoring any tickets that were just purchased or any award tickets and now want to switch to EL AL. Try HUCA if nothing else works

@Dan: hi dan! If I already flew the outbound but not the inbound back to the states, and I want to cancel, am I entitled to a full refund or partial refund?

@DANNY: I bought 4 tickets and paid $662 each. I got them at the end of July. And im still having trouble getting elal nonstop.

@Josh: I paid more for the tickets I am not sure how it works with AA. Try a different supervisor. I think the best thing to do is to ask Dan what to do in your case. Good Luck

Just got off the phone with AA. Was booked for 2 tickets end of Jan @ $622 each. Re-booked ElAl out of Newark non-stop. Entire phone call less than 15 minutes. Pleasure dealing with American Airlines.

@Simple Simon:
Well done!

I called today and had no problem at all. They switched me to an el al flight out of JFK.

@Simple Simon: What class were your tickets?

@Dan: Hi Dan. Any advice how to get an elal nonstop flight with a class O ticket. I tried a few times and they didnt let me.

@josh:
Try HUCALAOT(Hang Up Call Again Later At Other Time)
That’s what worked for me. I called 10:30pm Saturday night and got a nice lady on the phone who booked me (O class ticket) on LY from Newark. Call at night, in morning, on weekends(they answer 24/7). You never know who you’re gona get.

I had booked my tickets through Chase rewards.. they called me up today…

i was anyways going to call American to get a refund as I failed at convincing them to get me direct on El Al.

Chase just reversed all my points… which actually sucks bc i could use the cash with 20% bonus.

Now i’m sitting on 500K points again and already booked my flights on El Al (as our reservation dates were very specific).

@Anonymous: Class O

I called and was re-booked from Newark non-stop with El Al, it was a very straightforward process.

@Avi: Were your tickets class O?

I tried calling AA couple of times they told me they can’t give me Elal, how many times i try calling it doesn’t help it’s documented in my reservation.

Any Help?

@steve @josh or anyone that got rebooked with Elal could you please contact me at chuny21@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance

@CR: I am having the same problem as you. I called AA so many times and it’s not working to get a nonstop flight.

@josh, sorry I meant others as @simple simon and @avi

@CR: no prob. I also want to know how they got it because every time I call they say you can’t get elal with class O.

@simple simon could you please contact me.

Thank You

@CR: It seems I reached a sympathetic operator on the first try. I simply told her that I booked a direct flight with US-AIR because of feet trouble. I find it difficult to change terminals in a European airport. I therefore demanded that I be put on a direct flight. They said they were sorry but that there were no other direct flights from Philly. I offered them that I would settle for a direct flight from Newark. She put me on hold for about 3-4 minutes and came back and asked if ElAl from Newark would work for me.

Will they allow a date change?

@simple simon could you please contact me in private?

@sb:
NASTY

@Dan: I just got a call from AA telling me that they are canceling my flight that they booked me on ElAL since they made a mistake. I was originally taking the PHL TO TLV . I got a call from a manager from AA telling me that they are putting me on the ELAL flight only now to find out they are taking it back. Can they do that?

Just rebooked my AA Biz Class ORD-TLV RT (for May 2016) to an EL AL First Class LAX-TLV! This is preferable as we live in LA and would’ve had to get to Chicago somehow to catch the original booking.

However I’m told by the booking agent that I won’t accrue AAdvantage miles for this flight. Has anyone else confronted this situation?

@joetraveler:
Why would they rebook you in first class?
Are you sure they did?

You won’t get AA miles unless you write to AA and ask for original mileage credit per the flight you booked. YMMV on that being granted.

I am certain, as the email they just sent me has the booking code F and states first class, seat C1. I am as surprised as you are; I must have had a very generous phone agent. Maybe tit was the way that I worded my request.

Dan: thank you for all your great advice. I wouldn’t have gotten the original $1,900 business class ticket from ORD-TLV if it weren’t for your blog!

I booked tickets from PHL-TLV in December and won’t be able to go. Is there any way I can get refunded? (I booked with Sapphire Preferred)

Had tickets booked for pesach, was lucky enough to have AA rep rebook on elal (had an O ticket originally) Itinerary was never ticketed and when I called AA, they said no way to book on elal… I can book on Iberia or BA. So annoying.. But they did say I can rebook til my ticket day so long there’s availability for tickets on partner airline. Basically the situation sucks… Ideas?

@Dan: don’t get too excited. AA First is worse than business on most airlines

@josh I have the same issue. and also booked with saphire preferred. both AA and saphire will not refund. AA says that I can change but not cancel. though now I just got an email that there wont be any internet on the flight like they stated when we booked the tix. any idea what to do.

So now what can I do with all the AA credit card miles I have been accumulating for use on award trips to Israel?
Suggestions???

@molly ratner: hold off for now. Some thing AA may join up again with El Al. It makes sense as they only reason they canceled their agreement was because American was beginning service to TLV (through their US Air flight) now that they don’t fly to TLV it makes sense for them to go back to El Al. El Al has no reason not to do it so it may happen.

I didn’t have a ticket on AA at all and just called them and figure it can’t hurt to ask if they could give me 6 non-stop tickets on El Al. Guess what? they said No!. I couldn’t believe it. I’m gonna HUCA.

Since I live in Israel would I be able to use my AA frequent flier miles on BA to fly to London after Jan. 4, 2016.

What livery are they presently flying to TLV?

having just flown the PHI-TLV terrific flight..i spoke with a pilot and stewardesses who are convinced this is a political and not monetary cancellation.they are ful in both passengers and cargo all the time!
WE NEED TO PROTEST TO AMERICAN’S CEO .. who has his email address?

@Toby: Yes. But it’s probably not worth it due to very high surcharges. You might be better off flying with Air Berlin through Berlin (or Dusseldorf if that route still exists).