Bilt Points to Israel: The Transfer Partners That Actually Work

How to use Bilt points for flights to Israel through Flying Blue, United, Aeroplan, and LifeMiles - plus the transfer traps to avoid.

Facts verified September 2026 Independent, community-run

By Ari Klein · Last updated . Facts on this page are verified against live sources on the date shown - see the note at the bottom for which ones.

Bilt looks like a rent-points program until you try to get to Eretz Yisroel. Then it becomes one of the most flexible currencies in the game: Bilt reaches Flying Blue, United, Aeroplan, and LifeMiles, all at 1:1. Bilt also transfers to Atmos Rewards, but Atmos no longer books El Al because Alaska ended that partnership in 2024.

The short answer

Search Flying Blue first for El Al, United for Newark-Tel Aviv, and Aeroplan for Star Alliance space. Transfer only after you find the exact seat. Bilt says most transfers are immediate, but it allows up to 48 hours and transfers cannot be reversed.

Ranked: the best Bilt transfer partners for Israel

How this ranking works: we rank the programs for an actual Israel trip - useful nonstop access, how easy the award is to find and book, pricing, and backup routes. Full criteria on how we rank cards.

  1. Flying Blue - best first search. Bilt transfers 1:1 to Air France-KLM Flying Blue. Flying Blue can book El Al partner awards and also gets you to Tel Aviv on Air France via Paris or KLM via Amsterdam. It is the widest first search because one account covers the nonstop and two strong Europe backups.

  2. United MileagePlus - best for the Newark nonstop. Bilt is one of the few flexible currencies that transfers directly to United at 1:1. United uses dynamic pricing, so there is no fixed number to promise. Search the EWR-TLV nonstop on united.com, compare the exact price to Flying Blue and Aeroplan, then transfer.

  3. Air Canada Aeroplan - best Star Alliance backup. Bilt transfers 1:1 to Aeroplan. Aeroplan can book partner flights to Tel Aviv on United and Star Alliance carriers through Europe. For a North America-to-Tel Aviv itinerary totaling 4,001-6,000 flown miles, the June 2026 partner chart is 42,500 points in economy or 75,000 in business, plus Aeroplan’s C$39 partner booking fee per ticket. Longer routings move into a higher band.

  4. Avianca LifeMiles - useful when Star Alliance space appears. Bilt transfers 1:1 to LifeMiles. It can be a low-fee way to book Star Alliance connections to Tel Aviv, but the website and phone support are less forgiving than United or Aeroplan. Use it only after the exact itinerary prices online.

The Bilt-to-Israel workflow

  1. Search the same date on Flying Blue, United, and Aeroplan.
  2. Compare the whole result: points, cash, route, and whether the itinerary is protected on one ticket.
  3. Confirm the seat is still available immediately before transferring.
  4. In Bilt, go to Rewards → Travel rewards → Transfer and link the program.
  5. Transfer only what the booking needs, then book as soon as the points post.

Bilt’s current minimum is 2,000 points for Blue members and 1,000 points for Silver, Gold, and Platinum members. Transfers must be in 1,000-point increments. That can leave a small orphan balance, so do the math before you move anything.

What not to do

Do not transfer to a program because a blog says the route is “from” a certain number. United prices dynamically. Aeroplan prices by the full flown distance, not just your origin and destination. Flying Blue partner space can disappear while you wait. The seat on your screen is the only number that matters.

If you also have points at other banks, keep the transfer cheat sheet open. Bilt’s edge is not one magic price - it is that the same balance can reach almost every useful Israel program.

Ranked: the cards to pair with Bilt points

Bilt points are unusually flexible, but a second currency gives you more ways to top off the program that wins your search.

  1. Bilt Blue Card - Bilt’s current no-annual-fee card. Housing-point earning now depends on the rewards option you select. Apply now
  2. Chase Sapphire Preferred - also transfers to Flying Blue, United, and Aeroplan. Apply now
  3. Capital One Venture X - covers Flying Blue and Aeroplan and earns 2x on everyday spend. Apply now

Program facts verified September 20, 2026 against Bilt’s official transfer-partner list, Aeroplan’s June 2026 chart update, and Aeroplan’s flight-reward policy. Alaska’s current Atmos partner list no longer includes El Al; the partnership ended in 2024. Search live availability before every transfer.

Frequently asked questions

Can Bilt points book flights to Israel?

Yes. Bilt transfers 1:1 to Flying Blue, United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Avianca LifeMiles. Those programs cover El Al nonstops, United's Newark-Tel Aviv nonstop, and Star Alliance connections through Canada or Europe.

Can Bilt points transfer directly to El Al Matmid?

No. Bilt does not transfer to El Al Matmid. For El Al flights, transfer Bilt points to Flying Blue, which can book El Al partner awards. Do not transfer to Atmos for El Al: Alaska ended its El Al partnership in 2024.

What is the best Bilt transfer partner for Israel?

Start with Flying Blue because it can book El Al as well as Air France and KLM, and it is often the easiest Bilt option to search. Check United for the Newark nonstop and Aeroplan for Star Alliance space before transferring.

How long do Bilt transfers take?

Bilt says most transfers are immediate but allows up to 48 hours. Blue members must transfer at least 2,000 points; Silver, Gold, and Platinum members have a 1,000-point minimum. Transfers cannot be reversed.