NOTE: EXTENSION REQUESTS ARE NOT HANDLED OVER THE PHONE VERBALLY. Once the request is submitted, it is being processed by EMAIL ONLY.
Extension requests must be received at least 5-10 business days prior to US departure (Depending on Air Carrier).
** IMPORTANT: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the departure date from North America.
If you are found positive for Covid within your extension period, you will be responsible for your own quarantine arrangements
- What are the General Terms and Conditions of Birthright flight extensions?
- Once I arrive in Israel, can I fly out of Israel and come back in time for my extended flight home?
- What is my group’s flight itinerary?
- How much will it cost me to extend my trip?
- How can I pay for my extension?
- Once I submit the extension request form, how long will it take to hear from Gil Travel?
- Once I submit my extension request form, will I be asked to confirm the return flight?
- I have submitted my extension request form. Is my flight automatically confirmed?
- I see a flight available online, but I was told there was no availability or the price is higher than the base rate. Why?
- When I enter my name into the extension request form, I am not recognized by the system. What do I do?
- How do I ensure my friend and I have the same flight on the return?
- What is the maximum number of days I can stay in Israel?
- Can I depart the US/Canada earlier than the scheduled group departure?
- Do I need to have a confirmed flight home or can it be an open ticket?
- Can I stop in Europe on the way home to the US/Canada?
- Can I return to a different city?
- How do I cancel the domestic flight if I am returning back with my group?
- Can I change my extension a second time if my plans change?
- Can I extend while I am in Israel?
- What should I do in case of an emergency that affects my return flight while I am in Israel?
- Can I upgrade my seat to business class?
- How do I request a special meal?
- Can I book hotel reservations or a domestic flight (USA) before my extension request is confirmed?
- Did we answer your questions?
What are the General Terms and Conditions of Birthright flight extensions?
You can find them here.
Once I arrive in Israel, can I fly out of Israel and come back in time for my extended flight home?
No. Your entrance to Israel with your Birthright Israel group is a one time pass. Due to COVID restrictions, you will NOT be able to fly out of the country and return back.
What is my group’s flight itinerary?
You need to contact your Trip Organizer for this information.
How much will it cost me to extend my trip?
The cost to change your return flight home is determined by each airline. To see the cost for your airline please click here: https://forms.giltravel.com/br/extension_cost.aspx. Please note all extensions fees are NONREFUNDABLE, and any changes to a confirmed extension are subject to additional fees
How can I pay for my extension?
You can pay with credit cards only when application is submitted. Airline frequent flyer miles are NOT accepted.
Once I submit the extension request form, how long will it take to hear from Gil Travel?
Once we receive your extension request form (https://forms.giltravel.com/br/), we will try to confirm your request within ten business days.
Once I submit my extension request form, will I be asked to confirm the return flight?
No, once you submit the extension request form, you agree to let us confirm your return flight on the return date you provided for quoted fee of your airline (See details here). Please be aware that we consider flights from 00:00 to 23:59 on the provided date. You will only be asked to re-confirm a return flight if the quoted fee is not available and a higher fee is offered by the airline, or if there is no flight availability on the provided date.
I have submitted my extension request form. Is my flight automatically confirmed?
Your flight is NOT confirmed until you have received an email confirmation from a Gil Travel representative with new flight information.
I see a flight available online, but I was told there was no availability or the price is higher than the base rate. Why?
Birthright group tickets are subject to specific terms and conditions. There may be cases where a flight is available to the public that does not meet the requirements to be offered as part of the Birthright program. In some cases, the same class of service as the group fare may not be available for the requested extension, and the airline may offer a higher fare to confirm the requested return flight. We always do all possible to accommodate each request, and will provide you with the best options available.
When I enter my name into the extension request form, I am not recognized by the system. What do I do?
Ensure name, email address etc is entered same as your trip registration form. If still having issues, please check with your Trip Organizer and try again later.
How do I ensure my friend and I have the same flight on the return?
You will need to fill out the “Travel With” field of the extension request form with the name (or names) of those with whom you wish to extend. They must do likewise. We will make every effort to confirm your request and book you with your travel partner(s).
What is the maximum number of days I can stay in Israel?
Please see the terms and conditions for your specific carrier’s maximum stay restrictions on the extension request page. Gil Travel cannot make any exceptions to extend your flight longer than the maximum stay allowed by the airline.
Can I depart the US/Canada earlier than the scheduled group departure?
No. You will have to depart with your group.
Do I need to have a confirmed flight home or can it be an open ticket?
You must have a confirmed return flight. Open returns are not allowed.
Can I stop in Europe on the way home to the US/Canada?
No, stopovers are not allowed on Birthright ticket.
Can I return to a different city?
No. No exceptions.
How do I cancel the domestic flight if I am returning back with my group?
If you want to cancel the domestic segment of your return flight, you need to submit the “Extension Request Form” even if you are not extending and are returning with the group. In the process, you will be asked to select a date for Extension Date Choices. Although you are not extending, it does require you to fill this part in so please just write the next date after your group leaves Israel. What you enter into Comments is the most important part. Under “Additional Comments” please write: I would like to return with the group, but I would like to CANCEL MY RETURN DOMESTIC FLIGHT FROM XXX to XXX.
Finish filling out the rest of the form and once we process the cancellation, we will email you. It is a minimum of $90 to cancel the flight (subject to airline approval,) but if the cost will exceed $90 we will contact you via email before we process the request. Please note that you will be required to pre-authorize your credit card for the amount indicated under the terms and conditions for an extension on your particular airline, but you will not be charged more than $90 without your prior authorization.
Can I change my extension a second time if my plans change?
Once you have booked an extension, subsequent changes will be subject to an additional extension fee. We will try to complete second changes within ten (10) business days. All changes are subject to availability. If you wish to change your extension once you arrive in Israel, you need to contact the airline’s office in Israel. They can inform you about availability and fees, and you would pay any fees to the airline directly. Please note these would be new fees, not included in the previously paid amount to confirm the original ticket.
Can I extend while I am in Israel?
Yes, by contacting the airline’s office in Israel only. Keep in mind that if you are not planning to return with your group flight you must make your changes before the group return date.
You will be responsible for your own PCR test prior to returning to the US. Note: Participants traveling with other than Israeli passport, wish to travel to other countries at the end of the program, will be required to purchase separate one way ticket back home at your own expense as re-entry in Israel is not permitted this season. BR tickets have only single entry permit to Israel. Participants with Israeli passport do not need a permit, so they can travel.
What should I do in case of an emergency that affects my return flight while I am in Israel?
You need to contact the airline’s office in Israel directly and ask for their assistance. They may ask for your confirmation number (you can find the code in the confirmation email you have received regarding your extended flight).
- Air Canada – 03-607-2111
- American Airlines – 0207-660-2300 or 0844-369-9899
- Delta Airline – 03-513-8000 ext 3
- El Al Israel Airlines – 03-977-1111/04
- United Airlines – 1809-344-363 Please note any other branch offices and call centers of the airline cannot assist with Birthright tickets.
Can I upgrade my seat to business class?
Upgrades are not permitted.
How do I request a special meal?
You can request a meal with your Trip Organizer. Note: Due to COVID-19 United Airline is not providing any special meals except Kosher meals.
Can I book hotel reservations or a domestic flight (USA) before my extension request is confirmed?
No. We recommend that you wait until the airline confirms your request and you receive an emailed confirmation of your new travel itinerary prior to purchasing your hotel and/or domestic travel as extension requests are not guaranteed.
Did we answer your questions?
Contact extensions@giltravel.com for all unanswered questions.