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El Al Adds San Francisco to Tel Aviv Route, With Its New 787

Jan. 03, 2018
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3 min read
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El Al Adds San Francisco to Tel Aviv Route, With Its New 787
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Israeli airline El Al has announced that it will start nonstop flights between Tel Aviv (TLV) and San Francisco (SFO) in late 2018. The carrier will operate its new 787 Dreamliner, which features a revamped cabin and sleek new seats compared to El Al's now-outdated 747s, 767s and 777s.

Although an official start date has not been announced, flights will commence in the fourth quarter of 2018 and El Al will operate 3 weekly flights between the two cities.

This will be El Al's sixth route connecting Israel and North America. It started flights to Miami in November and also flies to Boston, Los Angeles, New York (both JFK and EWR) and Toronto. Northern California's Silicon Valley and Israel are both known for their thriving tech industries, so the route is an obvious choice for El Al. United is the only other airline operating nonstop flights from the Bay Area to Israel, also with a Boeing 787-9, which began connecting San Francisco and Tel Aviv in 2016.

“The acquisition of the Dreamliner enables us to expand our long-haul network. San Francisco is an important strategic city for El Al. Our target is to take the business segment,” said David Maimon, El Al’s CEO, according to Reuters.

El Al will use one of the 16 Dreamliners it has ordered and began taking delivery of in 2017. The 787 is replacing an aging fleet of twin-aisle airplanes that offer first and business class products way behind the best international carriers. El Al's Dreamliner does not have first class, but does feature 32 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout and a premium economy cabin. TPG's Emily McNutt had a solid experience in business class on the new bird this fall.

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You can use points to book award seats on the new flight, using El Al's Matmid frequent-flyer program. El Al is not part of an international alliance, but you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Matmid at a 1000:20 ratio. Assuming the redemption rate is the same as the Los Angeles to Tel Aviv route, it would take 90,0000 (winter travel) or 100,000 (summer travel) Membership Rewards points to fly round-trip in economy on the route. Business class would go for 275,000 (winter travel) or 350,000 (summer travel) Membership Rewards round-trip. The Amex Platinum card currently has a 60,000 point sign up bonus (or up to 100,000 if you're lucky), which could get you close to a round-trip economy flight on the new route. You can also book El Al awards through Qantas Flying Club (which is a Citi ThankYou transfer partner) after the two airlines expanded their partnership in August.

Images by Emily McNutt / The Points Guy.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.