EL AL ANNOUNCES SUMMER LOYALTY PROMOTIONS FOR FREQUENT FLYER “MATMID” CLUB MEMBERS

06-05-2009

More Choices to Upgrade for Less Money and a Unique Option to Borrow Matmid Points Plus Super Special Summer Fares

Special - Motels in New York City

New York, NY – June 5, 2009 – EL AL, Israel’s national airline, is celebrating the start of summer with a variety of new promotions available to USA Matmid frequent flyers. Club members can now upgrade with points to platinum business and first class with the purchase of a lower fare ticket.  In addition, EL AL is the only airline offering frequent flyers the option to borrow Matmid points to upgrade. Another promotion allows members to combine fewer Matmid points with a specially reduced airfare. And, there is a more user-friendly, simplified procedure to obtain bonus vouchers online for both free tickets and upgrades.   

EL AL is offering club members an unprecedented opportunity to upgrade almost any economy class fare from the USA to platinum business class as long as roundtrip travel is completed before July 15, 2009. (If the departure takes place prior to this date, passengers can upgrade that flight only).  To upgrade from platinum business to first class, travel must be completed before August 31, 2009. The same Matmid point upgrade offer is available on EL AL flights from Israel to many worldwide destinations.  For passengers who have enough points to upgrade, the vouchers can be issued online by visiting www.elal.com and then logging onto the e-club page.  

And, for the first time, club members who need additional points to take advantage of one of these upgrades have the opportunity to borrow points (depending on the club status) by calling EL AL Matmid directly at 888-FLY EL AL.  Members can also purchase points to upgrade. 

Matmid members departing the USA by June 20, 2009 can take advantage of a special summer  offer. From New York (JFK/Newark), passengers can fly roundtrip to Israel for just $599 plus 500 Matmid points. From Los Angeles, passengers can fly roundtrip on the only nonstop flights for $899 plus 599 Matmid points. These exceptionally low economy class fares include all fuel surcharges and taxes. To purchase these tickets, passengers can book online at www.elal.com or call EL AL at 800-223-6700 or any travel agent. 

Special benefits for Matmid members include the opportunity to earn bonus points toward free tickets and upgrades as well as priority seating and waitlist clearance.  The Platinum Club is designed for passengers who fly EL AL the most. Gold Club members are the next highest level. Members of both prestigious clubs who travel in economy class are entitled to preferred seating (with extra leg room) free of charge when available and requested in advance online.  EL AL also offers a special frequent flyer club just for children called “Matmid Kids” whereby children (under the age of 12) earn the same number of frequent flyer points as adults even though their roundtrip ticket is discounted (up to 50% off most published adult fares). EL AL is the only airline with a pet frequent flyer club for travel to Israel.  After traveling on three roundtrip flights within a three-year period, pets earn a free roundtrip flight. 

EL AL Matmid partners include American Airlines, American Express, a variety of international hotel chains and car rental companies, plus many more.  EL AL Matmid points can be donated to such organizations as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Chai Lifeline and the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Israel.

Above $599/$899 fares available on certain EL AL flights.  Tickets must be issued at least 14 days prior to departure and ticketed within 72 hours of confirmed reservation thru EL AL. Matmid points cannot be earned on above promo.      Re upgrades: Reservations must be confirmed at least 24 hours prior to departure and up to 50% of points may be purchased. Matmid points earned are based on class of service originally purchased.  Some promos may not be combined.  Cancellation/change penalties & other restrictions apply.  EL AL reserves the right to cancel promos at any time. 

About EL AL
Celebrating more than 60 years of service, EL AL, Israel's national airline, offers the most nonstop flights between New York (JFK/Newark) and Israel as well as the only nonstop service from Los Angeles.  Worldwide, EL AL flies to more than 40 destinations from Israel and serves dozens of other destinations throughout the world via partnerships with many other carriers (including 22 additional cities in the U.S.A.). Only EL AL has First Class service on nonstop flights between the U.S.A. and Israel. The airline has annual revenues of about $1.93 billion and carries more than 1.8 million passengers every year.   

EL AL embodies Israel’s values of innovation and caring and the promise of a genuine Israeli welcome.  Your Israel experience begins with EL AL and warm Israeli hospitality. Israeli flight attendants will make you feel at home, the best trained Israeli pilots will take you to and from Israel and passengers enjoy enhanced in-flight dining with freshly prepared healthy meals.  

EL AL. It’s not just an airline. It’s Israel.

# # #

 

 

[Back to Press Releases Main]