Thoughts On The El Al Bonanza.

266
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Update #2: El Al has just tweeted that all tickets will be honored! Kudos for honoring without dragging this out for weeks.  I never thought the day would come when US airlines and agencies (ahem, United and Travelocity) could actually learn customer service lessons from an Israeli company! #Moshiach’sTzeiten

Update: The Jewish Week reports than an El Al spokeswomen has confirmed that these tickets will be honored!

—————————————————————-

-Congrats to everyone who got in on cheap ticket bonanza this morning. Tens of thousands of people came flooding to DansDeals through word of mouth, effectively taking the entire server down.

-Smart folks kept up communication by heading to the DansDeals Facebook page and by tweeting to me on twitter @DansDeals. Of course my twitter followers were instantly alerted to the deal as well.  Don’t have a twitter account? It just takes a minute to open one up and then you’ll be able to get a tweet when a deal is posted on this site by following @dansdeals! You can can even choose to get a text message (and choose which hours of the night not to bother you) whenever DansDeals.com is updated!

Twitter is always fun for quotes like these:
“-@dansdeals who knew waking up that today that it was gonna turn out to be such a fun day :)” -@Aliza8
“-@dansdeals your like the bat-signal for ortho jews; if there is ever a problem, w/ur rolodex/emaillist your the man to spread word to all!” -‏@shiframeir
“-Thank you @dansdeals! You just helped boost Israeli economy by millions of $$ & create thousands of jobs! Every 100,000 tourists = 450 jobs!” – ‏@DrMikeCohen
“-@DansDeals – “I don’t think anyone orthodox is getting any work done this morning” ;)” -@dovemerson
“Wow tickets to israel on @dansdeals for $330 avoid the moshiach rush get yours now!” -@StrohBerry7
“-Interesting internet age phenomenon -ability of @DansDeals to incite full-on mob frenzy of would be Israel travelers – we live in wild times” -@dovemerson
“-@dansdeals bringing more Jews to Israel than nefesh b’nefesh. Thanks brother #superstoked” -@herringaide

-I’m not going to speculate on why the tickets were so cheap, though it does seem likely that they forgot to include a fuel surcharge.  However the DoT has strict rules that prohibit airlines from charging additional fees after a ticket is issued or from cancelling paid tickets, so I do think that these tickets will be honored.

-Most agencies allow you to cancel tickets through the following night, so I have until then to decide about my Pesach tickets 😀

So, when are you booked to fly?


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266 COMMENTS

Older First
  1. CR

    booked four tix for my family in january
    Thanks Dan

  2. bargain

    first of all thanx for the greatest deal.
    with all the hype going on i forgot to put in my middle name, do u think it will be a problem?

  3. sprint

    4 tickets
    Mar20-Apr 4

    @ da, maybe make a format of how to put in how many and dates so that it looks clear?

  4. tb

    1/20 – 1/27 4 tickets for $1564. I also booked an additional 8 tickets and would give them away if there is a way to change the name. If not i will have to cancel.

  5. Mihah

    Dan, I forgot to add my middle name. Epedia is saying that cant add it. And El Al is saying I cannot fly without the middle name on my ticket if my passport had the middel name. What to do?

  6. jj1000

    Going Chanukah with 2 friends! Tickets were $353. Plus x2 chase ur point on my Sapphire card! Thanks Dan!!!! I also have stop overs in Zurich and London. Any way to extend the length of a stop over?

  7. menachem

    I wondered about why ElAl would suddenly “forget” to add fuel surcharges on specific flights for specific dates and drop prices. Clearly there’s no price war going on, as the other carriers are still charging the traditional seasonal rates. The only plausible explanation I can think of is that this ‘fire sale’ was timed to coincide with a possible strike on Iran, which would discourage alot of people from traveling to Israel. If this is indeed the case, ElAl comes out the champion, as they’ve already sold out the flights. GLTA.

  8. hmmm...

    Can the name be changed? I booked tickets for 2 for next January, then realized that I forgot my unborn child. So, I booked again with the little one. What can I do with the first pair? Is a name change allowed?

  9. Ez

    Booked on Expedia
    $520.40
    10/29 – 11/05
    With AA & El Al, Thru Paris

  10. RJ898

    Booked early December. SIXT has cars for under $100 a week!!

  11. very happy

    Chanukah, festival of lights in the HOLY LAND.
    G-d willing!

  12. malki

    booked feb 3-feb 11, family of 4 for 1754..thanks!

  13. Will

    Yehi ratzon she’ticket zu yihiyeh takana al haHong Kong cancelled ticket

    I’m going 12/24-1/1! Thanks Dan

  14. Bethany Shondark Mandel

    Thank you so much for such an incredible deal – of a lifetime!!

    We’re booked for Feb 11-20th at $353 per person. Just got off the phone with El Al and they said it was a mistake but they are honouring the tickets already purchased.

  15. fred

    Thanx a lot buddy, super happy! Any way to updrade on AA leg from jfk to london or elal leg to TLF using advantage points? Is there a card I can get or status to get upgraded or no way? Please advise and thank you( I took london instead of zurich bc shorter layover and better flight timed for me, I splurged extra couple bucks LOL)

  16. Dan

    @bargain:
    You do not need your middle name on a ticket.

    @tb:
    Try calling the agency and see if they will let you change the name.

    @Mihah:
    Don’t worry about it.

    @hmmm…:
    Call and try.

  17. Mordy

    Booked on expedia for 11/7/12-11/14/12 two tickets $806 Thank you Dan!!!

  18. belz

    i made ten !!!!!!!!!! tickets for 353 each for the belz bar mitzvah wwwwwwwoooooowwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!

  19. Ads

    Unborn child is an issue I am faced with also, I contacted my travel agent, she informed me not to book a ticket for the unborn child because it would pose a problem to change the birth date at a later time. Her best advice was to book me my wife and my son who is 3 and then calling in after wards to add an infant in the lap and pay the fee $100-$300 at most.

    But the issue I have is I dont know if my wife will be willing to fly with a 3 month old bezrat hashem when she give birth. So I took out Expedia insurance on my trip and was wondering if anyone had experience canceling a part of the itinerary.

  20. Anonymous

    When is the Forums going to be back up???

    Thanks Dan!

  21. Judith

    @tb:

    I would take all of them if you can change the names

  22. Curiousity

    Did it occur to anyone to ask a shaila if it is mutar to purchase such tickets?

    Elal (our yiddishe brethren) will be taking quite a hit.

  23. Hillel

    I booked 13 tickets.. THANX DAN!!!!

  24. yitzy

    You guys got gyped at $353, I payed $342.20…lol

    Thanks Dan. I bought 5 tickets for early Jan for $1711

  25. Anonymous

    @ TB – I would take 4 tickets please if you can change the names???

    Please let me know if you can!!!

    Thanks a lot!!!

    Hatzlacha!

  26. yl

    tickets for family of 7 $2954.42!!! I was sure it would be years till i would get to go to israel again. Thank you to all involved!

  27. Ads

    @Curiousity:

    There mistake is fortunate, but they won’t take a hit, they will be booked, people will cancel, change, or attempt to change the dates or the names and they will be charged full price for the changes.

  28. Eli

    Booked on expedia for Thanksgiving week for family of 5 for a total of $1462!! Thanks Dan!!

  29. yeki89

    booked familky and frieends. Over 20 tickets purchased. Used UR mall, and sapphire card. Thanks OP, any estimate on how many tickets?

  30. meshugener

    Anyone else keep getting error 205 bad gateway nginx/0.7.65 message when I log in to DDF?
    @dan are you aware of the problem?

  31. RJ898

    I booked on my AMEX plat so I would be insured. Should I have booked with my SP and purchased insurance? Is it too late to change it?

  32. Elana

    @Mihah:

    Just call airline before flight and let them know. Its not a problem. I know a girl who flew Pesach time, only one comment, no one else cared

  33. Curiousity

    @Ads: You’ve got to be kidding me. Sounds like “morah heter.” Ask a shaila.

  34. Elana

    Thanks Dan!!!! got 2 tickets for Seminary mid winter vacation!

  35. isreal

    booked 2 tickets 750 with 2 day stp in paris

  36. jose

    i have 2 tickets if changing names is allowed, let me know.

  37. J

    11/21 – 11/ 29…. Flight will be hilarious with everyone asking each other how much they paid 🙂

  38. Ben

    El-Al will be honoring the tickets according to a friend who called them

  39. DC

    tb – would take them too.

    So disapointed it didn’t work out. The server kept freezing when placing the order.

    If anyone has extra tickets not using, please email mordeco@optonline.net before canceling order. We’re open as to dates. TY!

  40. Ray

    Booked two tickets (plus infant) from 2/3 to 2/10 for $934.20

  41. Ray

    Booked two tickets (plus infant) from 2/3 to 2/10 for $934.20.
    Thanks Dan!!

  42. Trying

    I got a ticket for myself for the week of New Year’s for 353. and bought a second for someone else who intends to only use the way back to the states.

    Thank you Dan!!!

    Love your twitter feed.

  43. nathan cohen

    @tb:

    I am almost positive that there are change name options. My mother does it all the time with delta, united, Elal and continental. The fee ranges typically from 350-400 depending on the airline.

  44. Red

    I booked tix for my parents. They haven’t been to Israel for about 30 years!

  45. jose

    i am about to cancel 2 tickets, is any one interested?

  46. Mordy788

    El Al is not honoring my tickets. They said they forgot to add the fuel charge.

  47. Yaakov

    If anyone has extra tickets my wife really wanted to go oon vacation we are flexible with dates one kid also and infant in lap or regular seat (depending on date). Plz leave me a message

  48. Shmuel

    Dan, thanks for almost getting me fired today. I was on the phone all morning with my friends looking for good dates to fly, and finding the best fare. However, it was all worth it; flying at the end of January for only $353!

  49. Josh

    @Trying:

    That won’t work. You can’t use the return ticket without flying the first leg.

  50. nathan cohen

    @tb:
    I am almost positive that there are change name options. My mother does it all the time with delta, united, Elal and continental. The fee ranges typically from 350-400 depending on the airline.

  51. Josh

    In all likelihood they will charge you the current price plus fees if you try to name change,

  52. Tuly

    Booked 3 tickets 1/13 to 1/22 $1259. Booked 3 tickets for relatives 11/6 to 11/13 $1209. Thanks Dan!!

  53. Gina

    Can avios be used to upgrade the AA portion of this ticket?

  54. Dan

    @Curiousity:
    They didn’t have to ticket them, but now that they did I do think they’re stuck. But feel free to call them up and offer to allow them to cancel your ticket.

    Either way these weren’t free, airlines have empty seats all the time and it’s always better to have a few hundred bucks than nothing.

    Plus some people won’t go or will need to pay big bucks to make changes, etc.

    @Mordy788:
    Where did you book?

  55. Yossi

    i booked through priceline and they are not honoring it

  56. Steveo

    @tb i am interested in tix. how can i reach you? (twitter?)

  57. Steveo

    @tb i am interested in tix if can switch name. how can i reach you? (twitter?)follow me and i will follow back so we can DM im @steveo2me

  58. Robert

    @tb:

    Please let me know … I might be interested if you can transfer thanks

  59. Curiousity

    @Dan:
    They didn’t have to ticket them, but now that they did I do think they’re stuck.

    They didn’t have to ticket them,
    –They didn’t want to ticket them.
    but now that they did I do think they’re stuck.
    –Now, though legally they have been put into a corner, one could get away with the exploitation.
    Is it mustar? Ask a shaila.

  60. Ray

    Dan – any starwood hotels in Jerusalem?

  61. sprint

    what about an unborn infant???????????????

  62. Yaakov

    Booked 4 tickets, 2 through expedia at 503.50 a ticket, and 10 min later 2 tickets on cheapoair for $418. I only went to cheapoair.com because someone was nice enough to comment on DansDeals that Cheapoair still had good rates. Going for my Grandfather’s Yahrzeit.

  63. Yitz

    Any upgrade options even though its an elal flight code?

  64. elisheva

    ANY CHANCE THIS DEAL IS STILL ON???????????????????

  65. Rachel

    I got 12 from Chicago via Paris and know of about 15 other people who got these too THANKS!! $360

  66. KidOOO

    @RJ898:

    I booked on plat as well, what kind of insurance does the plat offer?

  67. Shlomo

    Curiosity is right; this is geneivas Yisroel.

    If anyone doubts that El Al was not willing to sell these tickets at this price, then I invite you to call El Al and ask them.

  68. Dave

    I would be interested in 5 tickets that are booked on a weekend..

  69. Eli

    Now that were all going to Israel thanks to Dan, what is the best way to book hotel, using which points from which credit card?! Thanks

  70. shlomo

    I can use 5 of your 8 Let me know my cell is 7185788621 Much appreciated either way

  71. steven

    how bout a list of hotels to book in israel with spg or other point programs?

  72. shlomo

    Anyone with 5 they can spare i need 7185788621

  73. Mordy

    Like an idiot I booked it myself instead of going through orbitz. Never bookin mistake fares myself again learned my mistake. El Al sent MSG that fuel surcharge was not added.

  74. Allison

    JOSE- TB- ANYONE who has any extra tickets?????

    I am interested in buying ANY tickets, that are available??? Please let me know, if you have ANY EXTRA TICKETS!!!!

  75. Benny

    How did you ever come across this find? Unfortunately, after I submitted my booking and credit card info I got a page stating that the price has changed.

  76. Yitz

    Thanks a million, I booked 2 tickets!!!!!!!!! $766!!!

  77. Yoey

    I booked my wife and I and two year old but left out my 9month old, assuming he is free anyway. Was it nessesary to reserve for him as well? He’s free as a lapchild?

  78. twentie4hrs

    I might have 5 tix available to switch into your name…

    (Assuming payment is received in a timely manner)

  79. Moshe

    where did u booked these 2 tickets for $766 ?

  80. tb

    @ allison
    @Robert
    @ Steveo
    If you confirm with expedia or elal that they will allow name changes let me know.

  81. yl

    what about unborn infants? who should be called and when?

  82. steve

    Im looking for 4 tickets if anyone has. you can reach me at 8454813456

  83. Yaakov

    I know a lot of ppl bought extra tickets today: If anyone has extra tickets my wife really wanted to go oon vacation we are flexible with dates one kid also and infant in lap or regular seat (depending on date). Plz leave me a message Ill pay a premium yswolinsky@gmail.com

  84. Bin

    If you have two tickets plus infant (lap) with possibility of name change — please email me at binou770@yahoo.fr. Thanks.

  85. sam

    i have 2 adults 2 kids for 2/06 till 2/12 prob going to cancel

  86. avi

    I also forgot, I called expedia & they said the middle name is not a problem if u entered the first and last name. Anyhow they entered it for me on the phone.

  87. Anonymous

    1) If i put in the wrong birthdays for my passengers will that be a problem
    2) Are these fares deeply discounted and therefore will not earn full mileage?

  88. Thanks Dan!

    I also did not book my newborn infant. Should I call the airline or cheaptickets or just add him at the airport? Does anyone have experience with this?

  89. Levitche

    @Yoey:
    I’m Dealing with that same issue on the phone right now.
    Anyone have any Ideas?????
    I bought 5 tickets I cant leave a 9 month old at home.

  90. yonah

    I booked six tickets for feb, 6 thru feb 12 with a stop in zurich on the way to israel and a stop in london on the way back from israel. If someone wants to buy the tickets from me (for just enough for me to pay my ticket- or most of it), please email me at earlymorningminyan@gmail.com

  91. Chav

    Was anyone successful with a name change? Expedia says name changes are not allowed. I dont mind having someone take flights I booked. I have 2 flights with 2 people each but I will cancel them if no one can buy them off me without a successful name change.

  92. Raffie

    I will buy them. Please be in touch if you are able to change the name.

    Raffie 513-470-6145

  93. Chaim Lamden

    Nu, it’s mamish a shaileh if you can use this tickets, a mekach ta’us, and el al is a yiddishe company, not so poshut.

    :p

  94. Sholom

    @jose: Yes Jose can you contact me or give me info to contact me. I am interested my contact info is shshr15@aol.com Thanks

  95. Raffie

    @tb:

    Please let me know if you are selling tickets. Raffie

  96. Jewish Prince

    I am interested in tickets. Thanx
    email:jewishprince@gmail.com

  97. steve

    Sam,
    I’m interested in your tickets please call me at 8454813456.
    Thanks

  98. DR

    I booked Nov 20-28 3 tix for 1,040. Thanks Dan
    Now just keep to get the King David Hotel to have a price mistake

  99. avi

    RJ898: were can I get the 100/week on car rental?

  100. tzvi

    @sam:
    Sam,
    That would be perfect. please call me at 8454813456.
    Thanks

  101. Bin

    @sam: Please let me know how can I contact you?

  102. anyone arriving erev shabbos

    While trying to chap arien, mistakenly booked flight that arrives in Israel erev shabbos after 3pm (shabbos in Jan is 4:33).

    Any ideas ? is it possible to make it out in time or should we cancel ?

    For example, are there any hotels in the area or lodgings in Kfar chabad ??

    Thank you

  103. Mo

    Has anyone confirmed name changes are all

  104. Nathan K F BA GOLD CARD

    While we all sit around here laughing ourselves round how we got such basement bargain tickets to TLV @ $ 370-400 a pop, (my 2 tickets were $ 402 each) i truly believe that just because el al made a mistake and forgot to ad the fuel charges to these tickets, doesn’t make it right to take advantage of el al. or any other airline for that matter. when i started my first job 28 years ago, my boss of beloved memory told me, “if something looks too good to be true, it usually is too good to be true”. this is no different. most of you may laugh or balk at my thinking, but i’m not entirely convinced that halachically this is the correct thing to do, when you know for certain that it causes financial damages to the other party, in this case, el al, israel airlines. Im not convinced im going to be using my tickets, i wish there was a way to give them back to expedia and get a full refund or go to el al, pay them the fuel charges in exchange for an el al ticket.

  105. twentie4hrs

    My tickets that I would switch into someone elses name
    are booked on Expedia (which will allow a name change) for
    11/21-11/26

  106. Mo

    Has anyone confirmed that name changes are allowed. I have extra tix..

  107. ik

    I actually booked 3 sets of tix for 6 for chanukah. Each set for different dates. Bottom line – are name changes allowed or not? Need to cancel by 11:59pm tomorrow.

  108. jeremy.s

    booked with 12 hr stop over in Paris for 707 for me and wife!! thanks dan…well done!! is parking in israel really expensive? does it pay to rent a car?

  109. mendel

    @ Nathan K F BA GOLD CARD – Do you truthfully think they are “losing” money on this? I doubt it. The consumer has been getting the shaft in airline prices for over 10 years now, and once in a blue moon they can actually come out ahead. All in All I still dont think they lose out per ticket.

    To all. I got actual confirmation from an USA El Al rep that they will honor the fares. Alternatively if you plan on adding a lap child after the fact, be prepared to pay 10% of regular ticket prices.

  110. RJ898

    The $100 car rental is from Sixt. No tricks needed. For the smallest car on my dates, the price is $57!!
    Just remember, it’s probably going to be stick shift.

  111. Looking for 7 Tickets

    If you have 7 tickets for a February flight, and confirm name changes are allowed, please email me jackgro@hotmail.com

  112. Estee

    @mo I’ll take the extra tix if name change is allowed. How many u have?

  113. K

    @Thanks Dan!:
    I forgot to add my infant, so I called up el al after this deal broke and it was already dead and added the infant to one of the tickets. they even sent me an email confirmation with all the tickets on it and confirmation on a bassinet.

  114. yonah

    I have these itinerary for sale: email me @ earlymorningminyan@gmail.com

    1-

    New York (JFK) to Zurich (ZRH) 02/06/13 6:00 PM – 7:55 AM +1 day El Al 8035 Operated By: AMERICAN AIRLINES INC.
    Zurich (ZRH) to Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) 02/07/13 12:45 PM – 5:45 PM El Al 348
    Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) to London (LHR) 02/12/13 9:05 AM – 12:35 PM El Al 315
    London (LHR) to New York (JFK) 02/12/13 7:15 PM – 10:20 PM El Al 8072 Operated By: AMERICAN AIRLINES INC.

    2-

    New York (JFK) to Paris (CDG) 02/07/13 5:05 PM – 6:30 AM +1 day El Al 8022 Operated By: AMERICAN AIRLINES INC.
    Paris (CDG) to Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) 02/08/13 8:30 AM – 2:05 PM El Al 320
    Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) to London (LHR) 02/13/13 9:05 AM – 12:35 PM El Al 315
    London (LHR) to New York (JFK) 02/13/13 7:15 PM – 10:20 PM El Al 8072 Operated By: AMERICAN AIRLINES INC

    3-

    New York (JFK) to Zurich (ZRH) 02/06/13 6:00 PM – 7:55 AM +1 day El Al 8035 Operated By: AMERICAN AIRLINES
    Zurich (ZRH) to Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) 02/07/13 12:45 PM – 5:45 PM El Al 348
    Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) to London (LHR) 02/12/13 9:05 AM – 12:35 PM El Al 315
    London (LHR) to New York (JFK) 02/12/13 7:15 PM – 10:20 PM El Al 8072 Operated By: AMERICAN AIRLINES

  115. Anonymous

    1) If i put in the wrong birthdays for my passengers will that be a problem
    2) Are these fares deeply discounted and therefore will not earn full mileage?
    3) who do i call/ how do i add a one year old infant to the reservation?

    Thanks in advance

  116. y id

    What about the poor guy who will lose his job because of this fiasco. Way to go, guys! I am happy I didn’t fall for the hype, and I will go to Rosh Hashana with a straight face.

    Is hell worth the few hundred you ripped off ElAl??

  117. Josh

    If anyone is thinking of cancelling, please email me… Joshatti@yahoo.com I’m looking for 2 tickets anywhere from end of January and beginning of February. Thank You!

  118. yk

    I booked 2 tickets for 12/10-12/16 $838.40 total!
    I had to add a lap infant after and ELAL charged $180, still a great deal!
    was wondering if I forgot to request a kosher meal, can I do it now?

  119. BKLYNYID

    I along with family and friends booked over 40 tickets. THANKS DAN!

  120. yitz

    Does anyone know if flight LY316 (london-tel aviv) arriving @9:10 pm is a problem for kohanim?

  121. Cincinnati Jew

    Does anyone know for certain that El Al made a mistake? It is possible that it was intentional. Just wondering. If they did make a mistake……Imagine the kiddush Hashem if everyone were to cancel the tickets. What an opportunity!

  122. CincinnatiYid

    If El Al really did make a mistake……imagine the kiddush hashem if everyone returned the tickets!

  123. Abe

    I am looking to purchase 2 tickets from 11/21-12/5 if anyone has close to these dates available to sell, please call me @347-683-7926.

  124. Looking for 7 Tickets

    If you have 7 tickets for a February flight, and confirm name changes are allowed, please email me: jackgro@hotmail.com

  125. hesh310

    does anyone know if name change is allowed?

  126. hesh310

    if anyone can confirm that name change is allowed, i might have 4 tickets Jan 13 – 23rd

  127. AA

    I booked through a website called webjet.com. I just received an email from stating that the price fair changed and that my reservation was canceled.
    Any advice how to proceed?

  128. car5

    Anyone know what to do if I forgot to book an infant should I call ELAL or the website which I booked it from?
    Thanks!

  129. mark

    IMO if you booked through a 3rd party then there is no problem as elal will not take a loss they will still charge for the full fare and sue whoever made the mistake.

  130. imanige

    kidush hashem/???? imagine if all jews gave up their tickets for another jews mistake!

  131. Boro park

    I have 3 tickets leaving 730pm on January 1 and returning on the 9th but the dates are too long for me, would anyone be willing to switch these tickets for a shorter amount of time like for an extended weekend? That is of course if they allow to change the names on the ticketa

  132. Izzy

    Dan youre getting even more famous on this one your all over the news!

  133. Izzy

    Expedia told me there is no name changing its in the rules

  134. Josh

    Dan, do u know if they allow name changes? and if they dont if they allow name change with same last name?

  135. Smile

    Booked 11/20-11/27. Do I need to call el al to confirm if I got confirmation from Expedia? Dan- is Waldorf Astoria going to be open at that time to use with the Hyatt card?

  136. Question

    Anyone have any luck changing names? I got rejected twice so far…

  137. YWN Ruined it

    Quote from YWN

    “The link was being emailed around, and spread like wildfire all morning. YWN received close to 100 emails asking us to publish the link for people to jump on the cheap fare.

    YWN immediately reached out to our contacts at El Al, and were informed that there was a serious error taking place, and asked that we not publish the link until further investigation by El Al officials took place.”

  138. frumie

    If anybody has 3 tickets for the week of Jan 27 and can confirm that the names can be changed – I would be interested. Please email at frumie@yahoo.com.
    Thanks!

  139. Abs

    There is no halachic question here.They said they would honor it and m’dina d’malchusa they need to honor it (halacha follows dina d’malchusa in monetary matters). There is only a possible hashkafic question. Do you take advantage of a (Jew’s) mistake? Why don’t you all ask your Rabbi/Rebbe or whoever before cancelling instead of sitting here darshening about it?

  140. One happy sangam

    I booked 4 tickets from JFK via LHR to TLV for $455

    Are these flight eligible to collect points in AA? And how many?

  141. R-85

    Got ORD-TLV for 369 11-14- 11-22

  142. Julie

    @jose:If anyone has 2 tickets they wont be using, I’d buy them. any dates are good. thanks!

  143. Dave

    Just wondering if I can use Avios points to upgrade. Does anyone have any idea?

  144. A.R.

    I just spoke with Expedia. NO name changes as per the airlines. So no go on the changing. However, I have a reserved ticket that has me in the screen to change name. In other words, it’s showing me a price of 403$ and I haven’t yet confirmed the booking. It might change on the next screen but as of now it’s showing me 403$ and I can still change the name.
    Anybody interested? I had this saved and it still seems to be honoring it. Email me ahron356@yahoo.com

  145. GREATFUL

    Dan – You’re the best! And think what you’ve contributed to the Israeli economy. Probably not an empty seat from October thru March.

  146. Ben

    2 adult price tickets and one child ticket and one lap infant ticket. Feb 17th – Feb 25th.
    $1280.20

    Thanks Dan!

  147. Serious

    How can we systematically get a poll of how many tickets were purchased from this deal

  148. Mil's

    Booked 2 trips for family of 6 one nov 21- dec 2 and one march 20-April 4! Thanks! Prob canceling one but will use other!

  149. Chaim

    Booked to tickets me and wife with lap seat for unborn infant for unborn baby used July 1st as birthday and for name used “unknown” and my last name two questions
    1) would the date of birth be an issue
    2) is a name change possible after the baby is born and would it cost

  150. sam

    why are people offering to buy tickets off of others before knowing if you can change names on the tickets?

  151. asking

    I purchased tickets and would like to extend my trip by a day. Does anyone know if Elal would do it for me now or is it better to do it closer to the flight? Is there any cost?

  152. asking

    Also – Im looking for another ticket leaving 02/05 returning 02/12 If you have one, please post. Thanks

  153. Shia

    Thanks Dan! We booked four tickets can’t wait to go.

  154. steven

    is the David Citadel scheduled to have any glitches anytime soon?

  155. Shia

    Thanks Dan! We booked 4 tickets

  156. majer

    i have booked 6 tickets
    2 tickets 10/28/12 – 11/06/12
    2 ticket 11/04/12 – 11/15/12
    2 tickets 11/12/12 – 11/21/12
    All is confirend
    Thanks DAN!!!!!!!!!

  157. CIA

    The long flights are not even on ELAL’s planes, so I don”t think they are losing any money. Correct me if Ím wrong

  158. ged

    I’m interested in the tickets… how can I contact u?

  159. RE

    I booked 3 tickets for $1236 11/19 – 11/27. Thanks!

  160. zinmiami

    Got 2 tix for 453 each but realized we land at 2:40pm Friday…is that enough time to get to yerushalim ? Suggestions please

  161. lakewooder

    u think the non stop flights will have major sales this winter bec there wont be anyone on them this winter????

  162. Milzz

    6 seats : pls only contact me if u are sure u can change the names on the tickets!!

    In ddf Milzz

    New York (JFK) to London (LHR)  11/21/12 10:30 PM – 10:30 AM +1 day El Al 8062 Operated By: AMERICAN AIRLINES INC.
    London (LHR) to Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion)  11/22/12 2:20 PM – 9:10 PM El Al 316
    Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) to London (LHR)  12/02/12 9:05 AM – 12:35 PM El Al 315
    London (LHR) to New York (JFK)  12/02/12 3:15 PM – 6:25 PM El Al 8054 Operated By: AMERIC

  163. Anonymous

    @Mil’s:

    If you don’t take your Pesach tickets, March 20-April 4th can you please let me know and I’ll buy all 6 off of you at once, even for a little more money. It’s exactly what I need and I only found out about the deal once it was dead. Thanks a lot!

  164. Chana

    Mils,
    Can you sell me all 6 tickets from March 20-April 4th – even for more money? I only found out about the sale at 2 when it was too late. Please let me know.Thanks,

  165. YoniF

    Did anyone figure out how to transfer the tix? I bought two, one for me and a friend and I want to switch his to another person because he can’t make it?

    How to I pull this off???

  166. DanR

    Dan, I was not so lucky as to see this insane offer (no access to internet at work), but Thanks for helping so many each and everyday !

  167. shmuel

    @twentie4hrs: if you are interested in getting rid of them or some of the tickets please let me know asmcarservice@gmail.com i is my birthday and i was trying to book those dates but they were not available

  168. Adam $

    If anyone has a change of plan and can’t use their 2 tickets, please email me at qwertycl@yahoo.com and I would gladly buy the tickets from you.

    I was planning on going with the wife to visit our families that couldn’t make it to the wedding and spending this much as opposed to $1,000+ is much nicer!

  169. Anonymous

    @yonah: do you have anything nonstop 2 tickets I would buy them for 500 please text me at 3472459931

  170. Moshe

    @tb: Do you know if there is a way to change the name. My wife was never in Israel and I was not able to get the special. (I got as far as putting my cc in.) I oul dbuy them from you.

  171. Adam $

    If anyone has a change of plan and can’t use their 2 tickets, please email me at qwertycl@yahoo.com and I would gladly buy the tickets from you.

    I was planning on going with the wife to visit our families that couldn’t make it to the wedding and spending this much as opposed to $1,000+ is much easier on our wallets!

  172. Anonymous

    @TB: are ur other 8 tickets also for those dates? please email me the details either way! asg1636@bjc.org THANKSSS (wld need 6 if good dates!)

  173. AG

    @TB: when are the tickets for? I need six from dec 16-30th flexibile. please email me either way to let me know if taken or avail etc asg1636@bjc.org

  174. cb

    if anyone has 2 or 3 extra tickets they want to sell for Feb or March, I would love to buy them (I must have missed the deal by a few seconds while I figured out what birthday/name/gender I should put in for my not yet born infant. by the time I re-searched excluding the infant, the price had gone up)
    thanks,
    cb_3200@yahoo.com

  175. Jzalcman

    If anyone has tickets for sale please contact me I will buy any day text me at 3472459931

  176. Anonymous

    With all the jews going to Israel it’s like mashiach is coming

  177. Rob

    @dansdeals like your site but you have some of the least informed readership of all deal sites. People calling the airline and orbitz to see if it’s mistake before its dead. People calling to add an infant before its dead. Bad idea, alerts the airline. Just buy an extra seat it’s so cheap. Anyway can you from now on put a disclaimer on your fare mistakes etc that says DO NOT CALL

    Also for everyone else how do you know you can name change to a totally different person? Seems unlikely to me.

  178. JF

    Why is everyone trying to buy everyone else’s tickets?? Can someone confirm if they can actually be changed to another person?

  179. IK ARE TIX STILL AVAIL?

    IK – where did u book those tickets, expedia? did u find out if name changes allowed/at what price? i’d be interested in taking them if so, please email info@designerplanner.com if so. thanks

  180. OG

    I need to call and add a lap seat for a one year old- did anyone have any luck getting the 10% from the original flight price or 10% of what it is right now?
    Also, can we upgrade to business on american airlines points?

  181. NAME CHANGE???

    To all wise guys/travel agents?

    Can you please share how you are changing the name????????
    You are all begging for tickets but no one is sharing how to change the name????

    I have 2 extra tickets. i will give one away if someone shares with us how to change the name on the tickets!!!
    I am sure some of you are travel agents who have some tricks in changing names! can you please help before it is too late ???

  182. e

    I would be interested in 5 tickets for late january around martin luther king day. If you are going to cancel them please email me at shidduch@gmail.com and I would love to buy them and have the name changed.

  183. MarkS

    Alright guys, sorry to burst you bubbles but:
    A)Names on tickets can’t be changed
    B)In the event that you somehow convince them to change the name, they will make you pay up to the current price of a ticket – as they are reissuing it. Therefore, you don’t end up gaining anything and might as well just book a ticket yourself on elal.com for that price.
    C)If you didn’t already add your infant, call Elal and tell them that you need to add an infant. They will probably charge you around $125 (10% of current ticket prices).
    D) I repeat, names on tickets can’t be changed
    E) Just because a whole bunch of misinformed commenters assumed that you can change the name, rules A and D still apply.
    F) Probably not a smart idea to post your phone number and email addresses online like that. Spammers just love digging up phone numbers and email addresses to send junk to 🙂
    G) Reread rules A,D & E!

  184. Orly

    Hi if anyone has 2 tickets for jan or feb dates are very flexible please!!! Email me at orlytabaria@gmail.com my husband and I would looove to go and we just missed this whole thing bc we were on a flight!! Plz contact of you have anything thnks

  185. Abraham

    Anyone interested in the following: 2 Adults tickets + 1 Infant Lap (Booked on Expedia.com)

    – Please email us your serious offer.
    – We don’t know if or how to change names, you will need to do that.
    – Please email me by 2PM EST abrapike@gmail.com

    Thank you

    Traveling to Tel Aviv
    Note: Your airport check-in is with AMERICAN AIRLINES INC..

    Thu 10-Jan-13 New York (JFK) Depart 6:00 pm Terminal 8 to
    Zurich (ZRH) Arrive 7:55 am +1 day
    Duration: 7hr 55mn
    Flight: 8035
    Operated by: AMERICAN AIRLINES INC.
    Economy/Coach Class (00, 00), Breakfast, Boeing 767-300

    Fri 11-Jan-13 Zurich (ZRH) Depart 10:05 am to Tel Aviv (TLV) Arrive 3:10 pm
    Terminal 3 INTERNATIONAL
    Duration: 4hr 5mn
    Flight: 348
    Economy/Coach Class (47H, 47C), Breakfast, Boeing 737-700

    Total duration: 12hr 0mn (14hr 10mn with connections)

    Traveling to New York
    Sun 20-Jan-13 Tel Aviv (TLV) Depart 9:05 am Terminal 3 INTERNATIONAL to London (LHR)
    Arrive 12:35 pm
    Terminal 1
    Duration: 5hr 30mn
    Flight: 315
    Economy/Coach Class (56D, 56C), Breakfast, Boeing 747-400

    London (LHR) Depart 5:05 pm Terminal 3 to New York (JFK) Arrive 8:10 pm
    Terminal 8
    Duration: 8hr 5mn
    Flight: 8055
    Operated by: AMERICAN AIRLINES INC.
    Economy/Coach Class (00, 00), Breakfast, Boeing 777

    Total duration: 13hr 35mn (18hr 5mn with connections)

  186. MarkS

    Unfortunately from the last few posts it seems people still don’t get it. YOU CANT CHANGE THE NAMES! I don’t care how much you’re willing to pay, how badly your wife needs a vacation, how many minutes you missed the deal by, or how happy your family in Israel that you haven’t seen in thirty years will be. NAMES CANT BE CHANGED!!

  187. Eli

    Just got an email from issta.com that my booking wasn’t processed, nor confirmed. When I did go on Elal website and chose my seats and printed it off from elal website. Dan can I still fight for these tickets ?

  188. Kathy (Will Run For Miles)

    Hi. I got the deal – but am concerned because I’ll only have 4 days there (actually 3.5 because I arrive 5pm on a sunday, and leave at 9am on thursday). Although I was raised in a conservative home, I never went to Israel (parents took the family when I was in Law School, and I couldn’t go because of studies). So, the thought of less than 4 days is daunting. can I do it? Tel Aviv or Jerusalem? Stay in one place and day trip to the other, or split two nights/two nights? Hire a guide – or is that crazy expensive? and is it even safe to go back and forth? Its so funny, I’ve lived and traveled around the world, but have not yet been to Israel, and planning this trip was so sudden = so now I don’t know where to begin. thanks.

  189. H

    @Dan i booked a ticket on vayama is there any way of canceling it with out a charge because when i called they said there will be a $50 charge even though its still less then 24hrs?

  190. Curiousity

    @mendel:

    Look at Brochos
    Hey Amud Beis
    Just before the lines get wide.
    Read the story of when the Rabbanan visit Rav Huna,
    yesterday’s daf ha yomi!

    You will want to retract your statement.
    Ask a Shaila!

  191. Curiousity

    @Abs:
    There is no Halachalic question?
    Are you a posek?
    If something smells funny, ask a shaila.

  192. Dan

    @Kathy (Will Run For Miles):
    3.5 days…that is daunting!
    I spent 3.5 weeks touring Israel my first time.

    Still, 3.5 days should give you a small taste for the country, but won’t be nearly enough time to see places like the incredible Golan Heights, mystic Safed, Haifa, Tiberias in the north or Eilat in the south.

    Still it’s enough time to spend 2 days in Jerusalem (both new and old city), a day in Tel Aviv/Jaffa and half a day floating on the dead sea.

    There are SPG hotels in TLV and the dead sea. Sadly Jerusalem no longer has a SPG hotel.

  193. Steve

    guys, no name changes are allowed on air tickets. all airlines do forbid this. really.

  194. Traveling W/ Baby

    I just added my lap infant – it cost $163. In retrospect – I wish I would have just bought the baby a children’s ticket if that cost less… BUT who knows? If I would have taken the time to enter the baby’s info – it might have been too late as I booked at about 1:25 PM!!

  195. A Wasted Deal?

    Just think how many more people could have had the opportunity to go to Eretz Israel by buying these El Al tickets that others hoarded and now cancelling. Free name changes are not standard in the airline industry. Perhaps,on the next big deal or even now, Dan can post airline policies regarding name changes so others won’t hoard tickets and allow more people and Eretz Israel to benefit.

  196. Dan

    @A Wasted Deal?:
    It doesn’t work like that.
    The fare was pulled at 1pm and it just took time from then for it to be pulled from all website.
    Nothing to do with the quantity of tickets.

  197. Sam

    If anyone is interested in selling tickets I am looking for 4 tickets. Please email me what dates your tickets are for and how much you want for them at simchab@gmail.com Thank You

  198. Joe

    Is there any way to find out if El Al is losing the money or they can get the money from their middle-man who messed up?

  199. Elchonon

    How do i use this miles wise ? i use my AA or United account to fly?

  200. A Kohan

    It bears repeating… you cannot sell or buy already purchased airline tickets. NAMES CANNOT BE CHANGED. Don’t believe anyone trying to tell you otherwise.

  201. Realist

    They probably decided a set number of tickets to release. Let’s say 5000. So $1000 lost on 5000 tickets is $5M.

    They run far larger promotions over the course of the year.

    And people booked for really not their favorite time to go, and also from other cities that will require another connection. So ~$300-500 additional expense.

    So if you live in NYC or ORD or BOS, then this was great if you got in and you want to go when it’s cold.

    But if you want to go when kids are out of school, for a longer time, and you aren’t in those cities, it was a good deal.

    I myself was one click away, but was concerned about Iran in the Fall, the long layover in LHR from ORD vs getting to NYC in time for the better ZRH layover, as well as the small chance the fare was not honored, and the weather being wet season.

    I probably should have bought. This fare mistake will probably not happen again for 10 years.

  202. pilot

    @MarkS: Mark you are right, names can,t be changed, but as i read more of these posts it seems to me most of the people posting either do not read, or do not want to understand a fact. I like the one who are trying to sell their tickets at a profit , NAMES VAN,T BE CHANGED!!!!
    Then there are those who bought over 10 tickets out of greed and entered wrong names and dates of birth??? Usless tickets, cancel them before they become worthless. I am an X Braniff Pilot , i know the airline regulations and keep up with the industry.

  203. pilot

    @MarkS: Mark you are right, names can,t be changed, but as i read more of these posts it seems to me most of the people posting either do not read, or do not want to understand a fact. I like the one who are trying to sell their tickets at a profit , NAMES CAN,T BE CHANGED!!!!
    Then there are those who bought over 10 tickets out of greed and entered wrong names and dates of birth??? Usless tickets, cancel them before they become worthless. I am an X Braniff Pilot , i know the airline regulations and keep up with the industry.

  204. yaakov

    I just got an email from cheapoair.com saying that they won’t be honoring my purchase of 2 tickets yesterday. I have a confirmation email from yesterday, did anyone else receive this? Dan, are there laws that protect me from not getting my reservation?

  205. shlomo

    @Curiousity:
    i asked a rav this morning he said as long as el al wants to honor them it isn’t a problem if they weren’t it would be a problem

  206. according to VIN

    EL AL is preparing to cancel all tickets

  207. Anonymous

    In post today and on 880 it said ELAL will make a decision by end of week if they are honoring these tickets !

  208. NYP

    Todays New york Post and on 880 stated that ELAL is still deciding if it will honor these tickets a decision will be given by the end of the week !

  209. Hadassah

    We heard it also might not be honored – dd what do u think? they already tweeted they will can they go back on that?

  210. Netanel

    “Thanks for your patience. Details/ decisions re incorrect fares that were briefly sold on Monday are not finalized. We will update tomorrow.”
    This is the tweet i just got on El Al!

    THEY BETTER HONOR IT! they twited that they will honor it so why would they go back on their word????

  211. jack

    Hey I know its a year later but dan I just went to ur site and said I have to say thanx for I went 4 times to israel all for under$1300 u rock and keep up the good work

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