I though I would share my journey to GGL.
My renewal month is Sept 2021 - and due to the reduction in points required - 3750, as apposed to 5000 - and the change in policy that all GGL's get CCR, I thought this is a "once in a lifetime" chance to make it and stay there. I was already Gold, so got to use GF for all LHR flights.
So this is how I did it, and how much it cost.
My approach:
I took two approaches to getting to 3750:
1/ Maximise my TP's on trips / holidays I was already planning or wanted to take
2/ TP runs where the sole name of the game was lowest cost of TP - factoring in minimal work disruption / need to take leave.
1/ was really easy, with BA offering double TP on holidays, I could utilise this
2/ There were some fantastic CE fares during 2021/2022. I also used the BAH double TP here. I did not do any LH/TATL routes, due to the time out of work they would have required.
2021
Sept:
1/ Holiday
LHR-ATH: 100 TP / £243 / £2.43 TP
2/ Double TP Holiday
MAN-SKG: 480 TP / £1340 / £2.79 TP
Oct:
1/ Holiday
MAN-WAW: 160 TP / £TBC /
2/ TP Run
MAN-LHR: 80 TP / £215 / £2.68 TP
3/ TP Run
LHR-MLA: 160 TP / £215 / £1.34 TP
Nov:
1/ Holiday
MAN-LHR: 80 TP / £190 / £2.37 TP
2/ Double TP Holiday
MAN-LIS: 320 TP / £585 / £1.62 TP
Dec:
1/ Double TP Holiday
MAN-WAW: 320 TP / £550 / £1.52 TP
2/ Holiday
MAN-LHR: 80 TP / £119 (+5000 avios valued at £50) / £2.11 TP
2022
Feb:
This is where things get interesting. I decided to book a BAH trip to Turkey for a TP run, but I didn't want to spend 5 days there (well I wanted to, but didn't have the time) - so I decided to nest a return in so that I only spend the first and last night in the hotel. The times worked really well as I left late afternoon, and returned early/mid morning.
1/ TP Run (BAH double TP)
MAN-IST: 480 TP / £540 / £1.12 TP
2/ TP Run (nested return)
IST-MAN: 240 / £421 / £1.75 TP
3/ Holiday
MAN-LHR: 80 TP / £96 (+5000 avios valued at £50) / £1.82 TP
4/ Holiday
LHR-PRG: 80 TP / £192 / £2.4 TP
March: This is where I had some fun. Another IST nested, but before returning to MAN I visited Malta. It was a busy few days (MAN-LHR-IST-LHR-MLA-LHR-MAN and then MAN-LHR-IST-LHR-MAN all in 6 days)
1/ TP Run (BAH double TP)
MAN-IST: 480 TP / £552 / £1.15 TP
2/ TP Run (nested return)
IST-MAN: 240 / £458 / £1.90 TP
3/ TP Run (but I also wanted to go here)
LHR-MLA: 160 TP / £215 / £1.34 TP
4/ TP Run
MAN-OTP: 240 TP / £411 / £1.71 TP
Total:
3,780 TP
£6,342
Cost of TP runs to secure GGL:
£3,027
Overal £ per TP:
£1.67
Feedback: I made it, it was tough at some points (checking in at 1am and leaving at 5am in Turkey (x4)) but It also means I now have GGL, and the CCR has been fun.
Would I do it again? most likely not, especially in 7 months!
Next: work out how much Avios I earnt to give a true total cost
