It Pains Me To Redeem Miles For EL AL First Class

El Al is a garbage airline because it runs a monopoly. It belongs to a rogue state that none of its neighbors want anything to do with. None of the fancy Arab airlines want to fly to Israel, so Israelis are left with this trash airline and a handful of American airlines that are even worse. There is no incentive to improve.

@lucky I mean, if 2.17 points per mile for membership rewards points is good, than the 4.27 cents per point for EL AL first class from LAX must be great.

As an Israeli i can tell you myself that i am ashamed on our national airline! Their J class just doesnt worth the money! A class is almost the same as J. There businesd class menu is a big shame, also their frequent flyer program is the worst and becaming only worst and worst! Nowadays, i am a senator member in miles and more and it was so easy to get there, i flew few times TLV-LAX with swiss and TLV-ZRH and i became a senator! In el al to reach their tier level you should fly so many times in A or C class in the highest fares. And if u stop flying with el al for 1 year you are set to basic status, despite lh which enables the status for at least 2 years even if you hsvent fly enought for requalification the status! In concs, MAKE A STEP AWAY FROM EL AL!

Why not book a one-way from or to London-TLV? They offer First Class and its the same exact product. Far fewer points needed for the same exact experience -- and then everybody wins! You get to finally fly El Al First Class, we get to read your report. Also, don't forget: El Al will be putting its new 787s on the London-TLV line and there won't be a First Class anymore. So you might as well bite the bullet and fly El Al F before it doesn't exist anymore! Also, you can then fly them down the road in Business Class on the new 787s and you would be 100% qualified to write a comparative review of the old product vs. new. While we're at it: you should really review El Al's European business class. El Al is actually very much in a league of its own vs. European carriers and far, far better. It isn't the fake business with middle seat blocked -- it's the real McCoy with 45" pitch recliners, completely separate cabin and service. Plus, unlike the old jalopies on the long-haul lines, most of the planes are brand new 737-900ERs (although they do run some older 737-800s on certain lines). They have a sale going on until 3/31 with certain destinations as low as only 350 El Al Matmid points per direction (+$89 taxes/fuel). Only 17500 Amex MR points. Nobody has reviewed this either in a thoughtful, comprehensive fashion. And now for the kicker: El Al also operates its 777s on some European flights (Sofia, Bulgaria and Barcelona, Spain come to mind). You can easily find the dates with ITA. Another great way to book a cheap ticket cash or points and experience their long-haul business product!

I have flown many times on El Al 777-200 business from LAX to TLV, and it is always a sub-par experience. They use the old "wedgie seats", so called because you gradually slide down while sleeping due to the angle of the seat. Very similar to AA's old business class on the intl. 767. There is no privacy, and you have to choose between a seat which makes you climb over your seatmate to get out, or a seat where you are the person to be climbed over. United now flies non stop from the West Coast to TLV, and their 787 seats are a bit better. Still no privacy in business, but at least the seats go all the way down. Unfortunately, their flight from SFO is scheduled to arrive late in the evening, effectively shortening your vacation by a whole day.