Old Jan 6, 2013, 5:41 am
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Last edit by: LDNConsultant
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Lucrative runs that have been reported under 3/TP - current availability not guaranteed
Route | Booking class | Fare | Booking channel | TPs | /TP | credit

American Airlines

SFO-LAX-MIA-CUN | A/A/I | 498 return | aa.com | 620 TPs | 0.80/TP | chris1979
ORD-STL-DFW-SJU | A/A/I | 458 return | aa.com | 520 TPs | 0.88/TP | timezonehopper
SFO-LAX-MIA-CUN-MIA-LAX-LAS | A/A/I/I/A/A | 581 round trip | aa.com | 620 TPs | 0.94/TP | courtster
AMS-LHR-LAX-SFO-JFK-LHR-AMS | I/I/A/A/I/I | 1641 round trip | aa.com | 630 TPs | 2.60/TP | mccorry
IST-LHR/LCY-JFK-EZE-MIA-LHR-IST | I/I/I/I/I/I | 2106 round trip | aa.com | 790TPs | 2.61/TP | nth_utsera_sth_utsera
45 day advance purchase required, minimum stay 7 days.

British Airways
LGW-MLA | R | 248 return | ba.com | 160 TPs | 1.55/TP | LDNConsultant
LGW-RAK | R | 280 return | ba.com | 160 TPs | 1.75/TP | mfgr
Book by 31/12/13 for this price.
JER-LGW-AMS | J/R | 259 return | ba.com | 160 TPs | 1.62/TP | joejet
LGW-JER | R | 181 return | ba.com | 80 TPs | 2.26/TP
LGW-AMS | R | 199 return | ba.com | 80 TPs | 2.49/TP
BRU-LHR//LCY-JFK-SEA (last bit on AA) and back | I/I/A | 1,529 return | probably have to phone up | 920 TPs | 1.66/TP | stifle
Outbound 12/4-27/4 or 25/6-24/8, min stay Sat night, ticket by 2/1/14

Royal Jordanian
BEY-AMM-AQJ | D | 255 return | rj.com | 160 TPs | 1.59/TP | DeanB

Malaysia Airlines
SIN-KUL-KCH | D | S$660 return | malaysiaairlines.com | 160 TPs | 2.12/TP |HPN-HRL
DEL-KUL-BKK | Z | INR41,666 return |malaysiaairlines.com | 360TPs| 1.15/TP| Seshy
DEL-KUL-NRT | Z | INR92,395 return |malaysiaairlines.com | 560TPs| 1.64/TP| Seshy
ICN-KUL-SYD/MEL | Z | KRW1,582,600 return |malaysiaairlines.com | 560TPs| 1.65/TP| armagebedar
SIN-KUL-DXB | Z | S$1084 return | malaysiaairlines.com | 360 TPs | 1.50/TP | qasr (+long haul equipment on KUL-DXB)
SIN-KUL-TPE | Z | S$1078 return | malaysiaairlines.com | 360 TPs | 1.49/TP | qasr
SIN-KUL-DEL | Z | S$1018 return | malaysiaairlines.com | 360 TPs | 1.41/TP | qasr
SIN-KUL-KTM | Z | S$1006 return | malaysiaairlines.com | 360 TPs | 1.39/TP | qasr

Qatar Airways
CAI-DOH-BKK | 759 return | D/D/D/A | 360 TPs | 2.10/TP ExpatSomchai
DME-DOH-SGN | I | 1255 return | qatarairways.com | 560 TPs | 2.25/TP |continentalclub
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BA Tier Point runs | 2013 master thread

Old Jan 17, 2013, 3:29 pm
  #241  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,264
Hi all,

First off - thanks to Prospero et al. for starting this thread! I have been bmi *G for a few years now and just expected to let my BAEC Gold status match fade away, but this thread has shown me that retaining BAEC Gold is actually feasible (at least WRT earning 1500 TPs).

Question #1: Great Circle Mapper shows SIN-FRA as being over 6000 miles; shouldn't that route be added to the QF 6000+ mile map in post #1? Same question for MH's routes KUL-CDG/FRA.

Question #2: (slightly OT for this thread but I don't know a better place to ask) Is it true that there are no "triangle trips" using BA metal in Europe (e.g. LHR-AAA-BBB-LHR)? I'm trying to come up with a way to get my "4 flights on BA" this summer in combination with a tip to Asia and would like to do something like the routing below:

1) USA to SIN on SQ (in F w/SQ award miles)
2) Bounce around Southeast Asia (REP/BKK/KUL/etc.)(cheap paid tix)
3) Fly from S.E.A. to Europe (probably paid Y; would consider Y+ or J)
4) Fly 4 flights on BA metal (paid)
5) End up in DUB (to avoid APD) and fly an AA/UA award back to the USA (I would pay except that one-way Europe-USA in the summer is crazy expensive!)

The "best" (cheapest) option for #3) that I find is KUL-LHR on MH for ~450 in an exit row in Y on their A380 (daytime flight - I can fly for that long in Y if I don't expect to sleep); I was hoping to complete step #4 by then flying LHR-AAA-BBB-LHR-DUB on BA metal but ITA does not seem to show any such routes.

Question #3: If ITA is correct that LHR-AAA-BBB-LHR-DUB is in fact impossible on BA metal, then I see my options in order to complete the BAEC Gold metal requirement on this trip as:
a) fly from S.E.A. into LHR then fly on BA 5 times in order to end up in DUB;

b) fly from S.E.A. into somewhere other than LHR (e.g. the QF flight SIN-FRA mentioned in Q#1) and then fly e.g. FRA-LHR-AAA-LHR-DUB; or

c) fly 3 BA flights after flying from SIN on BA (but their prices are much higher, even if I combine with a paid ticket on BA to get back to the USA)

- am I missing anything?

FYI I am not concerned with maximizing TPs on this itinerary, just completing my BA metal requirement (preferably with minimum spend). I can paste together appropriate TRs out of SJU to complete the 1500 TP requirement.

Thanks for any and all guidance!

HPN-HRL (based north of NYC)

P.S. - IMHO this thread should be a sticky; I lucked out in finding it!

Last edited by HPN-HRL; Jan 17, 2013 at 3:55 pm
HPN-HRL is offline  
Old Jan 17, 2013, 3:39 pm
  #242  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA S, VS S, SQ G, HH D, IHG D/A, Marriott G, Radisson G, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,944
I can see from the posts above that a lot of good runs are based on the I7 fares, which seems to be for Q1 travel. Based on previous years do folks have any other suggestions as to when in the year there are normally good deals on? (my BAEC year doesn't reset until April so I don't need any TPs until after then).
EDIflyer is offline  
Old Jan 17, 2013, 10:49 pm
  #243  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,964
Originally Posted by HPN-HRL
Question #1: Great Circle Mapper shows SIN-FRA as being over 6000 miles; shouldn't that route be added to the QF 6000+ mile map in post #1? Same question for MH's routes KUL-CDG/FRA.
It looks like there are lots of routes missing. A quick script gave me these 160 TP earning routes according to BA's calculator:
Code:
AA AMM-DTW,AMM-ORD,AUH-JFK,AUH-ORD,BNE-DFW,BNE-LAX,BOS-NRT,CPT-LHR,DFW-NRT,DFW-SYD,HKG-JFK,HKG-LAX,HKG-ORD,HKG-SFO,HKG-YVR,HND-JFK,JFK-NRT,LAX-MEL,LAX-PVG,LAX-SYD,LAX-TPE,NRT-ORD,ORD-PEK,ORD-PVG,SEA-TPE,SFO-TPE
BA CPT-LHR,EZE-LHR,FRA-SIN,LGW-MRU,LHR-NRT,LHR-SIN
CX HKG-JFK,HKG-JNB,HKG-LAX,HKG-ORD,HKG-SFO,HKG-YVR,HKG-YYZ
IB CPT-LHR,EZE-MAD,FRA-SIN,LHR-SIN,MAD-MVD,MAD-SCL
JL BOS-NRT,CDG-HND,CDG-NRT,DFW-NRT,HND-JFK,JFK-NRT,LHR-NRT,NRT-ORD
LA AKL-SCL,MAD-SCL,SCL-SYD
QF AKL-SCL,BNE-DFW,BNE-LAX,DFW-SYD,FRA-SIN,JNB-SYD,LAX-MEL,LAX-SYD,LHR-SIN,SCL-SYD
RJ AMM-DTW,AMM-ORD
Though some of the routes are probably out of date/wrong.

Originally Posted by HPN-HRL
Question #2: (slightly OT for this thread but I don't know a better place to ask) Is it true that there are no "triangle trips" using BA metal in Europe (e.g. LHR-AAA-BBB-LHR)? I'm trying to come up with a way to get my "4 flights on BA"
Eligible flights are BA coded, BA metal, IB coded+IB metal. So LHR-MAD-BCN-LHR would get 3 elibigle flights for instance.
angatol is offline  
Old Jan 17, 2013, 10:53 pm
  #244  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,964
Originally Posted by alanjrobertson
I can see from the posts above that a lot of good runs are based on the I7 fares, which seems to be for Q1 travel.
Code:
Travel restrictions
  VALID FOR TRAVEL COMMENCING ON/AFTER 09JAN 13 AND ON/
  BEFORE 30SEP 13.
Sales restrictions
  TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON/AFTER 02JAN 13 AND ON/BEFORE
  30JAN 13.
angatol is offline  
Old Jan 17, 2013, 11:09 pm
  #245  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: not far from MUC
Posts: 6,620
Originally Posted by angatol
Eligible flights are BA coded, BA metal, IB coded+IB metal. So LHR-MAD-BCN-LHR would get 3 elibigle flights for instance.
Idea #1: You could even add a vertex to get all 4 eligible flights.

e.g.

LHR-BCN on BA
BCN-MAD on IB
MAD-MUC* on IB
MUC*-LHR on BA

* Substitute MUC for anywhere that IB serves from MAD and BA serves from LON (FRA or {insert long list of European capitals here} ...)

NB: in you were thinking purely in terms of price, such a trip may be a poor strategy. Better to book two returns, one nested in the other:

e.g. LHR-BCN-LHR
with a nested BCN-MAD-BCN

Idea #2: don't forget Domestics count so e.g. MAN-LGW-JER-LGW-MAN would get you your four flights on BA metal all in one booking.
shorthauldad is offline  
Old Jan 17, 2013, 11:22 pm
  #246  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,964
Originally Posted by zachbb
Any ideas on how to get some TPs out of this for under $1300?

20th June: BOS - HNL
26th June HNL - LAX
A one-way BOS-HNL in F on AA is $1300 on 20 June. As c-w-s said in your other thread, routing via SJU would earn lots more TPs and be cheaper, but it would probably take you two days to get to HNL. BOS-SJU in F/J is $330. SJU-HNL is $600 in F/J. So that leaves you with about $3-400 to do HNL-LAX which even in Y is $600 on AA. Alternatively, you could concentrate on the routings for BOS-SJU and SJU-HNL to get TPs and just fly HNL-LAX on DL in Y for $260.
angatol is offline  
Old Jan 18, 2013, 2:00 am
  #247  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routires, PCR
Posts: 13,609
Originally Posted by angatol
Code:
Travel restrictions
  VALID FOR TRAVEL COMMENCING ON/AFTER 09JAN 13 AND ON/
  BEFORE 30SEP 13.
Sales restrictions
  TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON/AFTER 02JAN 13 AND ON/BEFORE
  30JAN 13.
In addition, some (many? most?) of the ex-EU sale fares can be booked to 5 Feb.

Pity for me as my BAPP year ends on 6 Feb and I'd be looking to apply new purchases from 7 Feb to start qualifying for the next 2-4-1. No worries, though, as the prices still make it worthwhile.
Roger is offline  
Old Jan 18, 2013, 2:18 am
  #248  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 16
Advice needed on large TP run!

I have until 8th Feb to retain my Gold... unfortunately I've done hardly any 'paid for' travel this membership year due to work and I'm left with needing 1280 points.

I have had a look and I could manage quite a few JER-LGW-AMS or LGW-JER-LGW trips, but wondered whether anyone had any advice for a non-US internal route. Otherwise I'd have to 8 JER-LGW-AMS trips in next 3 weeks.

I'm sure they'll give me some grace period, but its going to be tough!

I'm based in London.
degreecy is offline  
Old Jan 18, 2013, 2:29 am
  #249  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: not far from MUC
Posts: 6,620
Originally Posted by degreecy
I have until 8th Feb to retain my Gold... unfortunately I've done hardly any 'paid for' travel this membership year due to work and I'm left with needing 1280 points.
With so many TPs necessary, would it not actually make more sense to leave it, deliberately drop to Silver, then book a TP run early in your new membership year? Wouldn't cost that much more to regain Gold and it would be for 23 months (i.e. promoted from Silver > Gold for 2013-14 and qualify for Gold for 2014-15), not just a requalification for 2013-14 if you do it before you year end.
shorthauldad is offline  
Old Jan 18, 2013, 2:38 am
  #250  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 16
Originally Posted by shorthauldad
With so many TPs necessary, would it not actually make more sense to leave it, deliberately drop to Silver, then book a TP run early in your new membership year? Wouldn't cost that much more to regain Gold and it would be for 23 months (i.e. promoted from Silver > Gold for 2013-14 and qualify for Gold for 2014-15), not just a requalification for 2013-14 if you do it before you year end.
Yes good point, this could be a better option. I have some miles flights booked in Feb after this, shame I'll be silver, but it won't make too much difference as flying in Club anyway.
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Old Jan 18, 2013, 2:47 am
  #251  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,964
Originally Posted by degreecy
Yes good point, this could be a better option. I have some miles flights booked in Feb after this, shame I'll be silver, but it won't make too much difference as flying in Club anyway.
You'll still be Gold in Feb.
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Old Jan 18, 2013, 2:49 am
  #252  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: not far from MUC
Posts: 6,620
Originally Posted by degreecy
Yes good point, this could be a better option. I have some miles flights booked in Feb after this, shame I'll be silver, but it won't make too much difference as flying in Club anyway.
Unless there is disruption and you need to be rebooked I don't think you'll notice the difference!

You're not tempted by a LUX-LHR-JFK-LAX-HNL and back some time in February or March, then? I think that, once, beats 15 trips to JER - no offence to T8191 and any other JER fans...
shorthauldad is offline  
Old Jan 18, 2013, 3:04 am
  #253  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 16
Originally Posted by shorthauldad
Unless there is disruption and you need to be rebooked I don't think you'll notice the difference!

You're not tempted by a LUX-LHR-JFK-LAX-HNL and back some time in February or March, then? I think that, once, beats 15 trips to JER - no offence to T8191 and any other JER fans...
Yes this is very tempting and yes making 15 trips to JER doesn't sound very appealing. I'll check that route out for Feb/March I think.
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Old Jan 18, 2013, 3:05 am
  #254  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Programs: BA gold
Posts: 3,901
Originally Posted by degreecy
I have until 8th Feb to retain my Gold... unfortunately I've done hardly any 'paid for' travel this membership year due to work and I'm left with needing 1280 points.
Out of interest, what is your normal flying pattern? Do you do a lot of domestics?
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Old Jan 18, 2013, 3:13 am
  #255  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 16
Originally Posted by Stez
Out of interest, what is your normal flying pattern? Do you do a lot of domestics?
Normally I travel all over the place, just my job this year has been London based so I've been spending Avios rather than collecting! Will potentially be changing back to a global role in next 6 months thats why I was keen to hold the gold that I've had for 5 years.
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