Air France-KLM’s loyalty program, Flying Blue, has joined forces with Israel’s flag carrier, El Al, opening up exciting new options for earning and redeeming miles. This partnership is particularly beneficial for travelers planning trips to and from Israel.
As El Al expands its network of airline alliances, Flying Blue members gain access to a broader range of travel options. El Al’s extensive route network spans numerous countries, including several U.S. destinations, so members now have new travel possibilities at their fingertips.
Earning Flying Blue Miles on El Al
Flying Blue members can now rack up miles on paid El Al tickets. Here’s what you need to know:
- Earning rates vary from 20% to 150% of miles flown, depending on your booking class as detailed below
- You’ll earn a minimum of 500 miles for domestic flights and 750 for international routes.
- Some fare classes don’t earn miles, so double-check before booking.
Remember that while you’ll accumulate miles, you won’t earn XPs (elite status qualifying points) on El Al flights. This is because Flying Blue no longer awards XPs for travel on non-SkyTeam partners.
| Class of Service | Booking Class | Earning Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class | C, I | 150% |
| D, Z | 125% | |
| J | 100% | |
| Premium Economy | W | 125% |
| Q, B, P | 100% | |
| Economy | Y, M | 100% |
| K, V, S | 75% | |
| L, H, N | 50% | |
| O, G | 25% | |
| U | 20% |
Redeeming Flying Blue Miles on El Al
Now, let’s dive into the exciting possibilities of using your Flying Blue miles for El Al flights. You’ll find some competitive deals, especially in business class:
- Book awards in economy, premium economy, and business class.
- Redemption rates are route-based, not region-based, so prices may vary depending on your specific itinerary.
- Flying Blue redemptions for El Al flights don’t incur fuel surcharges, potentially reducing your out-of-pocket costs significantly.
Here are some sample redemption rates for one-way flights from the U.S. to Tel Aviv:
- New York/Newark: 45,500 miles (economy), 83,000 miles (premium economy), 79,500 miles (business).
- Boston: 44,000 miles (economy), 80,500 miles (premium economy), 77,500 miles (business).
- Miami/Fort Lauderdale: 52,500 miles (economy), 97,500 miles (premium economy), 92,000 miles (business).
- Los Angeles: 61,000 miles (economy), 110,000 miles (premium economy), 106,500 miles (business).
You might notice an interesting quirk: in many cases, business class requires fewer miles than premium economy. This peculiarity applies to several routes, including flights between Tel Aviv and European cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, and London.
For shorter trips from Tel Aviv, you’ll find some excellent deals:
- Larnaca/Paphos: 5,000 miles (economy).
- Athens: 9,000 miles (economy), 20,000 miles (business).
- Dubai/Rome/Vienna: 15,000 miles (economy), 33,000 miles (business).
- Bangkok: 34,500 miles (economy), 63,500 miles (premium economy), 76,000 miles (business).
- Tokyo: 46,500 miles (economy), 82,500 miles (premium economy), 102,000 miles (business).
Remember that these prices are per segment. If you’re booking a connecting itinerary, the miles required will add up for each flight. While Flying Blue allows stopovers on one-way awards, the additive pricing structure may diminish the value of this feature on El Al flights.
To book, visit the Air France website and search for award availability. Here’s a pro tip: search for a one-way award on the last available date to access the full award calendar. Be prepared for limited award availability on El Al, especially for premium cabin redemptions.
Regarding taxes and fees, expect to pay around $36 for a one-way flight from New York to Tel Aviv, and about $71 for the reverse route. Round-trip flights between these cities typically incur about $108 in taxes and fees. If you need to change or cancel your award booking, be prepared for a fee of 70 Euros (approximately $76).
A major advantage of this partnership is the ease of obtaining Flying Blue miles. You can transfer points from various bank programs, including American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Capital One Miles, typically at a 1:1 ratio. Flying Blue occasionally offers transfer bonuses with these partners, potentially increasing the value of your redemptions.
The Verdict
The Flying Blue and El Al partnership is a good option for those planning trips to Israel or the Middle East. With competitive redemption rates, no fuel surcharges, and the option to book one-way awards, flying El Al using points has become more accessible than ever.
While award availability can be limited, the potential for great value, especially in business class, makes this partnership worth exploring for your future travel plans.
