Originally Posted by
david_flies
Could anyone help fine-tune a trip? I'm looking for 365 TPs to retain gold by Aug 8. I'm looking at a run (J/CE) with BA Holidays + hotel and want to get thoughts on how to route this. BUD is the destination.
My idea was some combination of LHR to HEL, either connecting to BUD direct on AY, (or back to LHR and fly to OTP (Bucharest, 80 TPs), if required), and connect to BUD from OTP on non-BA/OW metal (0 TPs), and either OTP or direct back from BUD to LHR.
If I'm counting correctly, LHR - HEL (80TPs), HEL - BUD (40 TPs), BUD - OTP (0 TPs), OTP - LHR (80 TPS) would be 200, times 2 for the BAH bonus= 400TPs.
What I'm not sure is does AY metal with OW code share flight number count for my required TPs?
One other question -
Would a night in a hotel in LHR at the start of the trip, prior to departure, count toward the bonus or does the hotel have to commence after the flight?
Has anyone seen a return on day 4 and while still paying for night 5, actually returning on night 4?
Thank you!
I think this suggested trip is going to fall apart quite quickly as a BA Holiday package. First of all LHR-BUD via HEL fares would need to be BA coded throughout in order to stand a chance of being eligible for the double tier points promo. AY coded isn't part of the deal. My understanding is BAH don't hold such fares which can be packaged when BA already operate 3-4 direct LHR services. There simply isn't the requirement or demand for them to offer this.
Yes your LHR 1 nighter would count towards the total 5nts hotel requirement but I'm not entirely certain 5nts with a departing flight after 4 qualifies as an inclusive tour (package arrangement) as a BA Holiday. I've done it before where the return flight departs just after midnight and I've secured the hotel night of the night prior (effectively guaranteeing a late check out before heading to the airport) but a hotel booked until the 7th with a return flight departing on the 6th for example doesn't appear constitute a true package and I suspect you'd fall foul of the double tier points offer. Happy to be told I'm wrong and factually inaccurate but personally I wouldn't risk it. I'd sooner just book to return after the 5th night, knowing at least I was certain I'd complied with that part of the offer.