El Al has launched a new online hotel-booking platform for trips abroad, called EL AL Travel. The service is available through the airline’s website and app, and El Al says it opens access to about 1.5 million hotels worldwide through partnerships with international travel suppliers.
The company says this is the first stage of a broader effort to bring more trip components into one place. Later, the platform is expected to add bookings for attractions, tours, concerts and sports events. El Al argues the offer is competitively priced, but its main appeal appears to be for customers who already hold points or want to earn benefits within the airline’s loyalty program.
For members of the frequent-flyer club, the key change is that they can now earn and redeem points on hotel stays as well. El Al says members will earn between 2 and 5 points per dollar spent, depending on their status, with increased earning for FLY CARD holders. Members can also accumulate “diamonds,” which help determine their club status.
The company also said using points for hotels is slightly less valuable than using them for flights. Hotel redemptions require 175 points per dollar, compared with 150 points per dollar for flights. To mark the launch, El Al announced that FLY CARD holders who book a hotel through the platform by the end of August, for stays through the end of June 2027, will receive 10,000 bonus points.
