Hi
Well its that time of the year when I have to visit Minnieapolis to do a system upgrade (oh the joys). Anyway, me being a total miles and points slut (mostly with PC this year), I have been looking at the best way to earn good points but keep within works budget (i.e. fly as cheap as possible argggghh but not that cheap).

As usual I have to look around for the best sort of deals, so BA want £1916 to go from Glasgow to MSP, with the route GLA, LHR, ORD, MSP. That gives me WT+ for the LHR<>ORD part, now this is way OTT for the budget and I will get my backside kicked, apart from that its not that great value for money IMHO.

So with all the various advice I have had over the years from you motley crew and the fact that I want TP and Miles, I have found the following (if anyone is interested)

Best Expedia is £478 next up is £648 travelling in economy with a few airlines.

Best I can do is £736
GLA (using BMI) to LHR
LHR (using BA WT+) to ORD
ORD (Using NWA) to MSP

Similar line up for the return trip. For this I warn 150TP (much needed) and approx 12,000 BA Air Miles.

By doing the above I save the company (arghhh hate that) £1180, but more importanly I travel in semi-decent seat that I can at least fall asleep in.

If I used BA from GLA <> ORD its £755 but if I book the BA legs seperate its only £711.90 for the EXACT same flights, a saving of £42.10 (might not seem a lot but looks good), also by flying from GLA I loose 1000 BA Air Miles according to the air miles calculator.

Anyway folks, just shows you what you can do if you dont take that initial fare for granted.

Has anyone any better ideas at all? I am open to decent suggestions. Good thing is that I am flying out midweek and coming back midweek as I am working the Sat/Sun.

regards
PS I might even retain BA Silver this year, now that would be a miracle