El Al is now selling branded fares for travel between the US and Israel starting November 3rd.
For now, the options are Classic and Flex. Luckily, there’s no basic economy…for now.
Upgrading to Flex costs $270 round-trip. That gets you:
- El Al Space extra-legroom seating, normally $198 round-trip.
- An extra full-size carry-on bag, something that otherwise isn’t an option unless you buy a premium cabin ticket.
- Full refunds for $50 instead of $270 for flights departing Israel or $400 for flights departing the US.
- El Al Protect, which allows you to refund to a voucher for free, normally $29 round-trip.
When you select a Flex fare, you can select a Space seat with extra legroom at no additional cost:
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem possible to book a Flex fare via the AMEX or Chase Travel portals.
Personally, this seems a bit overpriced to me. If it offered a 2nd checked bag, the value would be far more compelling.
But if you want the ability to get a cash refund rather than just an El Al flight voucher, and you’ll buy Space seats regardless, then it will make sense to choose the Flex fare.
Will you spend $270 for a Flex fare?
HT: chff and yandmk
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29 Comments On "Will You Take Advantage Of El Al’s New Flex Fares?"
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Rule #1 with DAN dont pay cash!
Overhead space is limited, this will just make it more annoying for everyone else
I always buy space seats when flying economy and the extra carry on is very valuable IMO as in some cases you won’t need to check in a suitcase if you can take an extra carry on, for me it’s a no brainer.
There are many people who prefer the 2nd carry on to a checked bag as you can skip the bag line in TLV
they now have kiosks to check in and then a bag drop.
since when?
last i was there the kiosks only allowed check in not bag tags
I used the kiosks for bag tags a year ago
Can you purchase the flex fare with an EL -AL voucher?
Sure
Thank you !
Is the refund sent to original form of payment or can I request a check from ElAl?
Original form of payment.
I think it’s overpriced. If it included a 2nd checked bag instead of 2nd carry like you said on then I would consider it if I needed a 2nd checked bag although even then I’d probably just go with the regular option. How does it compare to current refundable rates? If it’s cheaper the. It might be worth it for those who know they might have to cancel.
Why do you day that the current cancelation fee is $400 isn’t $270?
$270 ex-TLV.
$400 ex-US.
Most El Al fares originating in the US have only a $270 penalty.
ELAL allows 2 carry on bags currently in Business (besides small personal item)???? I wish I had known that…..
And now they want to allow in economy with flex??? As it is there is no room on the plane, and there are literally arguments and pushing….
Yes, in premium as well.
I don’t think that this 2nd carry on complies with the FAA regulations.
What is their current cancellation / refund / voucher option when booking with Chase UR?
Can you select an exit row with this fare (technically a space seat), or just non exit row space seats?
Yes, that is free as well.
The exit row seats in the first cabin row 21 is actually blocked out for GL matmid members as you can see on the seating map you posted (is in gray meaning not available to assign)besides must be exit row qualified so say your traveling with a minor they would be excluded
Looked into this. The announcement “FAA regulations limit to 1 carry on bag in overhead” that airlines make is made up. There’s no such rule.
What is a rule is that the FAA requires airlines to file baggage policies with the FAA, and the comply with their rules.
Am I missing something here? Why would anyone spend the extra money for this, when they can just use credit card insurance, or even purchase outside insurance?
Which credit card insurance covers flight tickets?
Keep in mind on a packed EL-AL flight which most flts are chances are your 2nd carry on will be taken from you at the door and stowed underneath with reg baggage as is often done
As it is theirs barely room to stow your carry on backpack and shaitel or hat box where pray tell will they have room for everyone’s 2nd hand luggage they can’t store it on a rooftop carrier?
So this isn’t practical on their part
As far as getting a cash refund if you need to cancel,!any travel insurance packages will cover you for a fraction of the price
Only part of this which is perhaps worth it is the seating but your still over paying 70.00
It’s not overpaying $70, it’s paying an additional $70 for peace of mind if you book in advance and not sure what might happen.
Which travel insurance gives total refunds no questions asked for a fraction of this price?
The 2 carryon bags tends to be a bit complicated leaving from the US. A few other European carriers offer 2 carryon bags in business class.
Sometimes you get an obnoxious agent before the TSA check that will give you a hard time when you come through with 2 rollers