El Al Increases Cancellation Deadline Requirements

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El Al says that due to increasing no-shows and last-minute cancelations, it is changing its policies. The airline says the changes will allow it to clear waitlisted passengers so that seats don’t go empty. That seems like a sensible policy, especially with seats between the US and Israel being so scarce these days, but it also means that last-minute changes will be pricey.

  • Effective for tickets bought as of 11/5, changes on flights to/from the US made within 24 hours of the flight departure time will cost $170 and cancelations will cost $400. Previously changes were free up until the time of departure. There is no fee for changes or cancellations on US flights made more than 24 hours before departure. Tickets bought before 11/5 can still be canceled until the time of departure.
  • Effective for tickets bought as of 10/28, if you buy El Al Protect so that you can convert tickets into flexible vouchers useable by anyone, you have to convert your ticket into a voucher at least 48 hours before departure. That’s up from a 24 hour requirement for tickets bought before 10/28. Tickets bought before 10/28 can still be converted to a voucher until 24 hours before departure.

What do you think of these changes?

HT: chff

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34 Comments On "El Al Increases Cancellation Deadline Requirements"

All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.

Barry

Seems unfair they change terms after you’ve bought.

I always pay for protect. Its better than nothing but managing vouchers is hard.

El Al needs more planes…

Nuch a Yid

More planes would only help for as long as their are gate slots available due to those airlines that are not flying. However, when other airlines do eventually return, then what?

Josh

As he wrote explicitly, the changes are for purchases made after 10/28 or 11/05

ben ish chai

Effective for tickets bought as of 11/5

Cheryl

I bought my tickets before October 28. Legally, can El Al change the terms of the ticket this way? The terms are no longer what they were when I bought the tickets. Thanks

Josh

He wrote the changes apply for tickets bought after 10/28 or 11/05 and the rules for tickets bought before those dates are unchanged. Not sure what you are asking.

Shaila

Can el al protect be purchased when using amex points via amex portal?

Nuch a Yid

Unfortunately not. Protect only available when booked with ElAl directly.

Martin

“There is no fee for changes or cancellations on US flights made more than 24 hours before departure.”

So the TA that sold me El Al Protect (NYC-TLV-NYC) the other day wasted my money?

Ar

So with the new policy, if you canvel more than 24 hours before do you get your money back or still a voucher?

Itsmejb

How does this affect tickets to or from Europe? No change to current policy?

Levi

Smart! Finally! Way too many people were holding out on cancellation just because they could.

Tavster

100%

chaim

hmm. struggling with just such an issue.
I booked flight several weeks ago to israel over thanksgiving use chase travel. I now want to cancel the tickets or postpone for a yr) but chase travel told me that ELAL would charge me $400 per change. That doesnt seem to jive with what im reading here.
Can someone with knowledge advise ?

AAA

+1

chaim

is it accurate that within 14 days of booking your ticket (as long as its more then 7 days to the flight) that you are entitled to a complete refund

Dan is the Man
Dan is the Man

I assume this new rule doesn’t apply to partner award bookings. Can you confirm Dan? I had booked a few El Al flights using Alaska miles in the spring.

Isaac

Question what is cancellation policy on tickets bought in September?
Thank you

Srulky

Money Grab

Abie Silvers

Hi Dan and JJ! I hope you can help me with the below questions. I am trying to help my father book a flight to Israel.

He found a flight on delta and wanted to know if he books that and they cancel him is it true that delta rebooks you on an El Al flight as they are partners? I am not the best at this but want to make sure he can get to Israel!

thank you in advance for all you do and your help!

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