​Extend your stay in Israel!

It is highly recommended that extensions be arranged prior to departure as the seats, contract specifications, and specific class of service are subject to availability by the airlines. Some fees may be less to process once in Israel however the availability of seats is limited and may cost more, not guaranteed and time consuming to finalize in Israel during the trip.
 
Although the airlines stipulate dollar amounts for changes before and once in Israel, the final cost may be escalated due to lack of available seats. It is the participant’s choice whether to pay the additional costs. Flights with a connection must be brought to the participant’s attention that two flights are required to be available in the same class of service/airfare for the desired return date. Extending our ticket is a privilege and is not guaranteed.
 
The participant’s passport MUST be valid for 6 months after the requested extended date.
 
Participants that are ticketed for extensions and cancel their trip forfeit all fees paid to Gil Travel and the airline.
 
The process of “Cancel and Replacement” for an extended participant is not possible for all airlines and must be checked. If not possible, a new seat would be requested upon the Trip Organizer’s request, subject to seat availability and subject to the organizer’s willingness to accept payment for any additional costs above the Birthright Israel airfare.
 
Birthright Israel is not responsible for extensions processed with Gil Travel or with the airlines. Extensions are the individual’s responsibility.

What to do after your Birthright Israel Trip:

Choose your own adventure

If you would like to extend your stay to visit family, or plan your own adventure, you can change the return date of the ticket up to 3 months past your original departure date.

To change your flight before you depart, go to Gil Travel.  If you are looking to extend once you’re already in Israel, please review the extension policy for the airline you are flying and be in touch with them directly. 

Remember that you cannot leave the trip early for any reason, so confirm the exact time of your return flight before booking any travel.

Onward Israel

Onward Israel offers a competitive and attractive venue for young people seeking such experiences at affordable prices, and for time periods ranging from six to ten weeks. While meeting the individual needs of the participants and allowing them to advance their resumes, Onward Israel programs also feature inspiring educational modules, with special attention dedicated to activism opportunities within local communities and institutions after program completion and to the development of a deeper understanding of Israel and enhanced Jewish identity and commitment.

Masa Israel

Masa Israel is home to the widest variety of immersive, international experiences for Jewish young adults (18-30). Find the right study abroad, internship, service learning, or Jewish studies program to help you grow—as a person, a professional, and a leader— while also developing a robust global professional network that includes Israelis and Jews from around the world.

Airline Extension Rules

Terms and Conditions:
Below, you will find the most up-to-date Terms and Conditions for all the airlines that partner with Birthright Israel.
Change of return date is NOT possible at the airport.
Change of return flight home is NOT permitted at the airport in Israel, no exceptions. Anyone arriving to the airport without prior confirmation of a change to their return ticket and does not fly on the date issued on their ticket, their ticket will no longer be valid. The traveler will be responsible to purchase their own ticket back to NA
 
All fees prior to departure includes Gil Travel handling fee of USD90.00
Air Canada (AC): 
  • Release seats more than 61 days prior to departure date to avoid penalty.
  • Seats released within 61 days of departure will result in no refund for the airline ticket. Penalty for the seat will be charged to the Trip Organizer.
  • Complete cancel or no-show ticket non-refundable.
  • Once ticketed, penalties may be less to BRINA for seats canceled/released more than 5 days prior to departure.
  • Term & conditions for extension:
    • Maximum stay is 90 days
    • Stopover is not permitted
    • Valid for direct AC return flights only.
    • Extension prior to departure USD390.00 subject to seat availability in the same class/code fare of service. If the original class/code fare is not available, the difference to the next higher airfare may apply plus fee of USD390.00.
    • Change of return date once in Israel is USD300.00 subject to the seat availability in the same class/code fare of service. If the original class/code fare is not available, the difference to the next higher airfare may apply plus fee of USD300.00.
    • Once in Israel contact Air Canada directly more than one (1) business day before departure. Exception: changes for departures scheduled for Sunday from Israel must be completed by Thursday before.
    • By phone in Tel Aviv 03-6072111 Sun-Thu 8:30AM-5PM

American Airlines (AA):
  • Release seats more than 61 days prior to departure date to avoid penalty.
  • Seats released within 61 days of departure will result in no refund for the airline ticket. Penalty for the seat will be charged to the Trip Organizer.
  • Complete cancel or no-show ticket is non-refundable.
  • Term & conditions for extension:
    • Maximum stay is 90 days
    • Stopover is not permitted
    • Extension prior to departure in the same class of service can range up to USD190.00, upsell NOT permitted.
    • Change of return date once in Israel is USD100.00 subject to seat availability in the same class/code fare of service. Upsell is not permitted.
    • Change is based upon availability at the time requested.
    • Once in Israel contact American Airlines directly: 24 hours a day 0207-660-2300 or 0844-369-9899 in United Kingdom. All cell phone charges apply to the caller.

Delta Airlines:
  • Release seats more than 61 days prior to departure date to avoid penalty.
  • Seats released within 61 days of departure will result in no refund for the airline ticket. Penalty for the seat will be charged to the Trip Organizer.
  • Complete cancel or no-show ticket is non-refundable.
  • Term & conditions for extension: 
    • Maximum stay is 90 days
    • Stopover is not permitted
    • Extension processed more than 30 days prior to departure in the same class of service USD90.00, upsell NOT permitted. Within 30days of departure extension fee is USD240.00 subject to seat availability in the same class/code fare of service. If original class/code fare is not available and a higher airfare is available, the fee is USD240.00 plus the difference to the next class code/fare.
    • Change of return date once in Israel is USD150.00 subject to seat availability in the same class/code fare of service. If original class/code fare is not available and a higher airfare is available, the fee is USD150.00 plus the difference to the next class code/fare.
    • Change is based upon availability at the time requested.
    • Once in Israel contact Delta directly: In Tel Aviv 03-5138000 extension 3 Sun-Thu 9AM-5PM

EL AL Israel Airlines:  subject to change
EL AL has provided the following link for passenger info prior to departure: https://www.elal.com/EN/PassengersInfo/Pages/Before-You-Fly.aspx 
  • Release of seats required more than 61 days prior to departure to avoid penalty.
  • Seats released within 61 days of departure will result in no refund for the airline ticket. Penalty for the seat will be charged to the Trip Organizer.
  • Applicants are required to be assigned in RegAdmin 30 days prior to departure.
  • Complete cancel or no-show ticket is non-refundable.
  • Term & conditions for extension: 
    • Maximum stay is 3 months.
    • Stopover is not permitted.
    • Extension prior to departure is minimum USD 165.00 subject to seat availability in the same class/code fare of service. If the original class code/fare is not available and a higher airfare is available, fee is difference in airfare plus USD 90.00.
    • Change of return date once in Israel is USD 50.00 service fee for a seat in the same class/code fare of service. If the same class/code fare in economy is not available, then the charge will be the service fee of USD 50.00 plus the difference to the next available seat in economy.
    • Changed is based upon availability at the time requested.
    • Once in Israel contact EL AL directly: In Tel Aviv 03-9771111 call center open 24hours

United Airlines (UA):
  • Release seats more than 61 days prior to departure date to avoid penalty. 
  • Seats released within 61 days of departure will result in no refund for the airline ticket. Penalty for the seat will be charged to the Trip Organizer. 
  • Complete cancel or no-show ticket is non-refundable. 
  • Term & conditions for extension: 
    • Maximum stay is 90 days. 
    • Stopover is not permitted. 
    • Extensions are limited to 30% per group. 
    • Extension prior to departure USD 390.00 subject to seat availability in the same class/code fare of service. If original class/code fare is not available and a higher airfare is available, fee is USD 390.00 plus the difference in airfare. 
    • Change of return once in Israel is USD300.00 subject to seat availability in the same class/code fare of service. If original class/code fare is not available and a higher airfare is available, the fee is USD300.00 plus the difference to the next class code/fare. 
    • Change is based upon availability at the time requested.
    • Once in Israel contact United Airlines: 1 809 344363 in BUE. Phone number only works from Israel. Toll-free provided it is dialed from an Israel phone number.