New York , NY – May 13, 2008 – EL AL,  Israel’s national airline, is proud to announce that it was recently voted  as having the  “Best Bonus Promotion in 2007”  at the 20th Annual Freddie Awards, which recognizes  the best in loyalty clubs in the travel  industry. The winning promotion provided EL AL Frequent Flyer Matmid Club members with 20 percent additional Matmid points when transferring points from credit card partners (including American Express Membership Rewards® and Diners Club International) to their EL AL Matmid Club account.  

EL AL was also included in the “Top 5" list of airline frequent flyer clubs which provide the best customer service and the best  ‘Elite Level.’ “We are honored to  have our efforts recognized  by the frequent travelers we serve  and will continue to implement valuable  and convenient  opportunities that benefit our loyal passengers,” said Gracie Ninger, Supervisor, USA Matmid Club.    

The annual Freddy Awards program, in which more than 600,000 frequent flyers select their “favorites” in the travel industry, was introduced in 1988 by InsideFlyer Magazine and is composed of nine award categories.  

A current EL AL Frequent Flyer promotion provides Matmid Club members with additional gift points (200) when transferring American Express Membership Rewards® (84,000) into their Matmid account.  These combined points are enough for a roundtrip economy class ticket on a nonstop EL AL flight to Israel from New York (JFK/Newark) or Miami and the promotion is available through June 15, 2008.

About Matmid
The EL AL Matmid Frequent Flyer Club offers members the opportunity to earn bonus points toward free tickets and upgrades. EL AL partners include American Express Membership Rewards®, American Airlines as well as a number of international hotel chains and car rental companies.  

EL AL has also partnered with various charities such as the Soldier’s Welfare Association in Israel (enabling IDF soldiers to visit their families overseas), the Make a Wish Israel Foundation (aiming to help children with life threatening diseases), and Ezra Lamarpeh (flying patients for medical treatments worldwide.) Matmid Frequent Flyer Club members can donate points to any of these organizations by visiting www.elal.com.

EL AL Matmid members can learn more information by visiting www.elal.com or by calling EL AL at 888 FLY EL AL.

About EL AL
EL AL, Israel's national airline, offers the most nonstop flights between New York (JFK/Newark) and Israel and the only nonstop service from Miami and Los Angeles.

EL AL is the only airline with First Class service on nonstop flights between the U.S.A and Israel.  EL AL flies to more than 40 destinations worldwide from Israel and to many additional destinations via partnership agreements with other airlines.  EL AL has annual revenues of about $1.8 billion and carries approximately 1.8 million passengers annually.  Your Israel experience begins the moment you board EL AL. 

EL AL embodies Israel’s values of innovation and caring and the promise of a genuine Israeli welcome.  For updated daily departure and arrival flight information, travelers can call (800) EL AL-747, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  For reservations, call EL AL at (800) 223-6700 or any travel agent or visit www.elal.com, where travelers now also have the option of convenient, time saving online check-in for flights departing EL AL gateway cities in North America.

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