El Al has a fairly terrible frequent flyer program.
Points from flights expire after 3 years, redemption rates are pretty awful, and they charge a huge fuel surcharge ($350 in total fees for JFK-TLV) on redemptions to boot.
Adding insult to injury: They also charge $25 to join the program.
Why do you want to join if the program is so terrible, you ask?
Primarily because if you are a member you are able to check award availability online. You can use AA miles to book El Al flights, but that must be done by calling AA. Best of all AA allows you to even book one-way awards on El Al AND they don’t charge a fuel surcharge for redeeming miles to fly on El Al!
Need AA miles? You can always transfer 20,000 Starwood points for 25,000 AA miles (In case you missed last month’s promo for 20,000 Starpoints becoming 33,750 AA miles)
Here is the AA partner award chart.
You can book a one-way between Israel and the following zones (For Coach, Business, and First) for the following amounts:
-North America (Including Hawaii, as AA bizarrely counts Hawaii as part of North America for intercontinental awards which can make a Buenos Aires-Honolulu ticket in May be fewer miles (20K) than Los Angeles-Honolulu (22.5K)!): 45K, 67.5K, 90K
-Europe: 20K, 30K, 40K.
-Asia: 22.5K, 30K, 45K
-India/Middle East: 17.5K, 25K, 35K
-Africa: 30K, 45K, N/A
-South Pacific: 30K, 45K, 60K
-South America Zone 1: 60K, 82.5K, 102.5K
-South America Zone 2: 67.5K, 90K, 110K
Because the way the chart is set up, sometimes it is cheaper to book a flight like US-Europe-Israel during off peak periods for 40K instead of 45K from the US-Israel. You won’t be able to go nonstop from the US to Israel for 40K…but you can check out any European city for as short or long as you want, or just use it as a connection point.
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18 Comments On "Join El Al’s Matmid Frequent Flyer Program For Free!"
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Hi Dan, I am also Dan. Would you advise me please. I have 100K on American Airlines and 100K on British Airways. Can I use these to go to Israel via EL-AL? I understand I think that the AA miles direct would be no issue? What about the BA to go thru AA to fly on El-Al? Thanks for your help! And a great site!
You can’t use BA miles on El Al.
@Dan1: you could take out BA to London 100k points Business 2 way, then call AA for the LHR-TLV part (not sure how many points needed)
BA will make sure you pay enough $$$ might be cheaper to buy a ticket direct unless you want to enjoy Club World (You will need to change terminals, unless you continue on BA)
Enjoy your trip which ever way you get there.
Dan, i just got back from israel, i flew round trip on elal. Do you know if this trip is eligible for points? thx
@Charles:
Sure, but you’re better off crediting the points to AA.
How can I do that?
Dan, Ur a Gaon….חילך ל×וריית×
@Yankaleh:
What Geonus about this post?
You forgot to mention that with a Matmid card you are allowed an extra 5 kg on flights between TLV and Europe.
@Shmiel:
Not anymore.
I followed all the directions but did not get a password necc. to view flights on the el al website..Any ideas?
Any way to join the King David club for free or discounted?
is it too late to join matmid for free! i tried and it didnt work
would it also be 45k to go US-S. africa-Israel?
thanks
Thanks, I was looking for a way to join for free and this was the only deal that worked.
How do you check for aa award availability on elal after loging in with matmid.
@mitzeah:
Just search for flights with Matmid points, if it’s available for points in coach or business then AA can book it.
The code to join free just stoped working today do you know of a new code