BootsnAll Travel Community

My brother and I are planning a trip to Israel from June 12-July 17. I am so excited I can barely stand it! We're flying from Portland, OR to Tel Aviv, and I am just wondering if anyone has any advice on when to get the best rates on tickets. Also, I've heard about some new law that if the price goes down before you leave, the airline has to refund the difference? Anyone know about this?

I'm guessing we should just get the tickets ASAP...

Thank you all in advance!

to be honest, I don't think that flight prices to TLV from the west coast are going to fluctuate a whole helluva lot, and summer is a peak travel period there, so expect to pay a little more.

In regards to that new law, I don't know (but I don't think it's true). I know that if you purchase a ticket with United, and the fare drops, you can get a voucher for the fair difference (to be used towards purchasing another United ticket).

Look at ElAl, Israir (only flies from NY) and domestically in Israel, Iberia, BA...the fare will be expensive from the west coast to Israel...That will be a far trip and doubtful you can find direct...If you can't look to get to NY and I think you can get a great fare...

i also think you should try and get to new york on a cheap flight and then fly from there. you'll have a lot more options, and it'll be cheaper. Summer is a popular season to fly especially for Israelis to leave the country so fares won't be super cheap, however let me tell from experience, summer in Israel is totally worth the trip!

andrewz, I just saw your last statement that Israel in summer is totally worth it. I'm hoping that's true! We're going in late July and everyone is telling me that it's way too hot and we'll be miserable, etc. I don't care because I'm going anyway, but I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only "crazy" one who thinks summer will be great.

Josh A., I hope you already got your tickets by now, but I just wanted to mention that El Al does fly from the west coast too. We had the option of going out from LA but we chose instead to go from NY so that we could meet someone there and travel all together.

quote:

Originally posted by Eppyboy:
Look at ElAl, Israir (only flies from NY) and domestically in Israel, Iberia, BA...the fare will be expensive from the west coast to Israel...That will be a far trip and doubtful you can find direct...If you can't look to get to NY and I think you can get a great fare...

Excellent advice, IMHO. Another option might be to explore getting to an airport in eastern or southeastern europe, or possibly, slightly possibly, just anywhere in Europe, and taking one of the discount/low-cost-carriers onward to Israel.

As for the "what if the fare drops?" question, you'd have to look at what change fees might be required as part of the "fare rules" for your ticket...even if the "change" is canceling the one you have & getting a cheaper one. Then, see if the fare difference is bigger than the change fee. Fees for changing international tix are higher than changing domestic ones. If you're using frequent flier miles, you often can change the date/times for little to no fee as long as the routing stays the same.

I've been to Israel in July, & yeah it's hot, but not that much hotter or whatever than any-city-USA in the summer, and so, so, so, totally worth it. In fact, I'll be in the Mid-East this summer as well.

Hey Josh A. - are you here in Israel? If so, could you post a few comments now and then about your trip? Trust you are having a wonderful time!

suzanne

Hi Suzanne,
I ended up having to change the month I will be there to November, but I will definately be on here to share with everyone. Thanks for all of the advice!