Jan 2, 2015, 8:37 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Welcome to the thread — please read the wiki first as it contains lots of information which may answer your question. We keep track of other prices, as well as useful reference information for those planning tier point runs.

This is a community-maintained wiki post. Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below!

Current Promotions of Interest

from DUB to US IJN8S4Z1 reported here, e.g. JFK - €1,074, MIA - €1,119, LAS - €1,224, LAX - €1,296, HNL - €1,623, needs to be booked by 2 February, for outbound travel over Easter and summer 2016, see linked post for details
from DUB to US ILN8S4Z1 reported here, e.g. JFK - €920, MIA - €958, LAS - €1,048, LAX - €1,110, needs to be booked by 2 February, for outbound travel over November and Christmas & New Year 2016, see linked post for details
from DUB to US ILR28AP reported here, e.g. JFK - €1,538, MIA - €1,601, LAS - €1,751, LAX - €1,854, HNL - €1,834, this is an advanced purchase fare so no book by deadline, no stopovers, see linked post for details
from DUB to US ILN8S4E1 reported here, e.g. JFK - €1,538, MIA - €1,601, LAS - €1,751, LAX - €1,854, HNL - €1,834, this is an advanced purchase fare so no book by deadline, allows stopovers for €75, see linked post for details
from CPH to US ILR21AP reported here, e.g. JFK - £890, MIA - £1,132, ORD - £942, LAX - £1,277, HNL - £1,361, this is an advanced purchase fare so no book by deadline, no stopovers, see linked post for details
from CPH to US ILN2S4E1 reported here, JFK - £890, MIA - £1,132, ORD - £942, LAX - £1,277, HNL - £1,361, this is an advanced purchase fare so no book by deadline, allows stopovers for €75, see linked post for details
ILN2S4Z1 from OSL to HNL (19.5k/21.5k NOK (£1,520/£1,675) via. LON or via. HEL & LON)
PERMITTED 23NOV 15 THROUGH 28NOV 15 OR 22DEC 15 THROUGH
01JAN 16 OR 27MAR 16 THROUGH 31MAR 16 ON THE OUTBOUND
TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.

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This thread lists attractive tier point (TP) runs under £3 per TP grouped within different (departure) geographies

Please note the following:

Current availability is not guaranteed.
All prices include taxes.

Convert currencies to GBP, rounding to the nearest pound.
Post full routes and full booking classes.
Note any restrictions on booking in the Notes section.
List in order of price per tier point within the relevant departure area.

From Europe
17DEC | £0.75/TP | £909 | 1200 | DUB-LHR-JFK-PHX-HNL-PHX-JFK-LHR-DUB | I/I/A/A/A/A/I/I | aa.com | perthflyer | BA AA
30JUL | £0.93/TP | £335 | 360 | JER-LGW-SSH-LGW-JER | J/I/I/J | ba.com | dom462 | CE | BA
01 NOV | £0.99/TP | £1343 | 1360 | CPH-HEL-LHR-JFK-PHX-HNL-PHX-JFK-LHR-HEL-CPH | I/I/I/A/P/P/A/I/I/I | ITA Matrix | MrMutton
19 AUG | £1.01/TP | £1,375 (1938 EUR) | 1360 | DUB-HEL-LON-JFK-PHX-HNL-PHX-JFK-LHR-HEL-DUB | IIIAAAAIII | OttoMH | J/F | AY BA AA
16 AUG | £1.22/TP | £1,675 (21.5k NOK) | 1360 | OSL-HEL-LON-JFK-PHX-HNL-PHX-JFK-LHR-HEL-OSL | IIIAAAAIII | OttoMH | J/F | AY BA AA
16 AUG | £1.27/TP | £1,518 (19.5k NOK) | 1200 | OSL-LON-JFK-PHX-HNL-PHX-JFK-LHR-OSL | IIAAAAII | OttoMH | J/F | BA AA
14AUG | £1.31/TP | £470 | 360 | OSL-HEL-AGP-HEL-OSL | I-I-I-I | ITA | Flythe96flag | SH J cabin + possible red-eye (!) | AY
04 SEP | £1.31/TP | £1,220 (1681 EUR) | 910 | DME-MAD-JFK-LAX-MIA-MAD-DME | all in I | iberia.com | henkybaby | J | BA AA IB | works till 6/16 so far
23AUG | £1.34/TP | £1148 | 860 | DUB-PHL-PHX-LAS-PHX-JFK-LHR,LCY-DUB | I/P/P/P/P/I/I | ticketed on aa.com | megaloman | AA & BA (UD on 747 JFK-LHR)
17AUG | £1.67/TP | £1408 |840 |BHX-JFK-PHX-LAS & back | I-A-A-A-A-I | aa.com |Swiss Tony | AA ski slope bed on TATL | AA
26JUL | £1.81/TP | £72.70 | 40 | MAD-FRA | Z | lan.com | Prospero | 787 flat bed | LA
23NOV | £1.89/TP | £377 | 200 | DUB-LHR-MAD-SVQ r/t | I-I-I-I-I-I | ITA | Lorcancoyle | IM0B IB DUB to SVQ | BA and IB flights (I2 for domestic under IB code), random dates in December available, A340 on some dates (helpfully pointed out by Temps that domestic Spain is only 20 TPs)
17 AUG | £1.89/TP | £1818 | 960 | OSL-LON-KUL//SIN-SYD/SYD-PER/PER-SYD-SIN/SIN-LHR-OSL | BugAlugs | J | BA QF | INCSALE ended 14thSep - (Applied GUF via TA (moves J to F on BA longhaul and scores 1260 TPS in total)
31 DEC | £1.91/TP | £1220 | 640 | AMS-LHR-MIA-SCL // EZE-JFK-LHR-BCN | J/I/I-I/I/J | AA.com | nufnuf77 (can also return to LHR for £20 less but 40TP less
13NOV | £2.56/TP | £410 | 160 | LHR-HEL | ? | BA.com | Lorcancoyle | wide open as flight+hotel, can reduce with TCB cash back | BA
1JAN | £1.85/TP | £444 | 240 | JER-LGW/LHR-HEL | J/I/I/J | ITA Matrix | flatlander | Available most weekends first half of 2016, fare IM0R
24NOV | £1.91/TP | £765.00 | 400 | BUD-DOH-SHJ | I/A/I/A | QR.com | Wozza2404 | A320 | QR
7DEC | £2.24/TP | £942 | 420 | MAD-MIA-SXM-CLT-JFK-LHR | I/I/I/A/I | ticketed on aa.com | megaloman | other routings possible earning more TPs could have lower the price with added LHR-CDG leg to £865 (£2.06/TP)
22JAN | £2.29/TP | £640 | 280 | FCO-CMB-FCO | I/I | book on SriLankan website | theultimateflyer

From North, Central and South America
31JUL | £0.39/TP | £484 | 1240 | HNL-LAX-BOS-MIA-BAQ-MIA-PHL-LAX-HNL | AAAIIAAA | ITA Matrix | Pawel Siewko | AA
16OCT | £0.55/TP | £298.50 | 540 | JFK-LAX-DEN-LAX-JFK | P-P-P-P | aa.com | Calum | AA A321t F seat between JFK & LAX (FARE GONE)
16JUL | £0.57/TP | £554 | 980 | LAX-LAS-PHX-PHL-CLT-TPA-MIA-PTY-MIA-PHL-PHX-LAS-LAX | PPPPPPIIPPPP | aa.com | Airprox | AA + US
27JUL | £0.80/TP | £15.94 | 20 | VVC-BOG-MDE | A | lan.com | JohnnyColombia | A is economy on LA | LA
08NOV | £0.84/TP | £772.50 | 920 | KOA-LAX-CLT-SJU-CLT-LAX-KOA | AAIIAA | aa.com | Lappe | Same day turnarounds available
30SEP | £0.87/TP | £808.00 | 920 | BOG-MIA-LAX-HNL-LAX-MIA-BOG | I-P-P-P-P-I | aa.com | JohnnyColombia | No comments
20SEP | £1.00/TP | £663.20 | 660 | LGA-BOS-LAX-PHX-LAX-BOS-LGA | P-P-P-P-P-P | americanairlines.co.uk | njf63 | TCON on 737 so not too comfortable but good availability next Mar/Apr
21AUG | £1.05 | £253 | 240 | BOS-PHL-PIT-PHL-BOS | PPPP | aa.com | Simon Schus | AA op by US
02NOV | £1.27/TP | £1250 | 980 | MCO-MIA-LAX-HNL | A | AA | Mr 1A
05AUG | £1.37/TP | £578 | 420 | LAS-PHL-LAS | A/P | aa.com | Lucanesque | First | AA op by US
28JUL | £1.43/TP | £400 | 280 | SCL-IPC-SCL | Z | lan.com - Chilean version | moonman85 | 787 flat bed | LAN
06NOV | £1.67/TP | £66.00 | 40 | JFK-YYZ | Z | tam.com.br | frb98mf | Fifth Freedom flight every Wed/Fri/Sun, 767 flat bed
13NOV | £1.06/TP | £705 | 660 | RIC-CLT-PHL-PHX-PHL-CLT-RIC | A | AA.com | wenzlydale | 2 trips this year - mixture of A320s and B757s not a lot of food offered but all the G&Ts you could wish for
07JAN|£1.24/TP | £668 | 540 | SEA-MIA-ATL-CLT-SEA | P/P/P/P | aa.com | EsherFlyer | 24h transcon bounce. All I could fit in...

From Middle East, Asia and Australasia
18AUG | £1.25/TP | £440.00 | 360 | BKK-KUL-ICN Return | Z | www.malaysiaairlines.com | Wozza2404 | A330 Angle Flat for long haul sectors | MH
12OCT | £1.68/TP | £1,546 | 920 | TLV-MAD-LHR-JFK-LAX-JFK-LHR-MAD-TLV | I/I/I/I/I/I/I | iberia.com | frb98mf | Business (bonus: A330/A340 on the TLV legs!) | IB
24NOV | £1.43/TP | £803 | 560 | CTS-HKG-DPS-HKG-CTS | I/I/I/I | cathaypacific.com | zeltergiset | One 24hr+ stopover in HKG allowed | CX
06JAN | £1.86/TP | £856 | 460 | HND-HKG-DPS-HKG-CTS | I/I/I/I | cathaypacific.com | Gastrocnemius | One 24hr+ stopover in HKG allowed | CX
11JAN | £1.26/TP | £707 | 560 | KTM-KUL-TPE-KUL-KTM | D/D/D/D | malaysiaairlines.com | zeltergiset | MH
11JAN | £1.68/TP | £940 | 560 | TPE-KUL-KTM-KUL-TPE | D/D/D/D | malaysiaairlines.com | zeltergiset | MH

From Africa
11AUG | £0.89/TP | £748 | 840 | ACC-LHR-MIA-LAX-MIA-LHR-ACC | I/I/I/I/I/I/I/I | iberia call centre | njf63 | CW / AA J | IB
15NOV | £2.00/TP | £1200 | 600 | CPT-DOH-JFK-DOH-CPT | I/I/I/I | QR Website | Calum | QR J on the B788/A350 & 46hrs of flying | QR

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Need a year-end TP run (ex-LON) to make / retain status?

Some tips for searching for the year-end TP run for newcomers, the below is indicative only, but hopefully provides a bit of guidance for relatively straightforward runs ex-LON. Prospero's guide to using ITA matrix in post 3 (here along with these ideas, might come in handy. Feel free to share results, problems or general questions in the thread as these may not always work and there might be better deals out there...

For overnight trips remember to check BA and Iberia for their flights and hotel option as well, can get hotel for almost no extra cost at times

Need 80 TPs or less
Club Europe return somewhere close by is best - DUB, AMS and JER usually cheapest. AMS and JER easier than DUB for an immediate turnaround. The BA.com low fare finder can be very useful.

If you need as few as 45 TPs you might consider booking economy flights and hoping for a proactive online upgrade offer - but they're not guaranteed to materialise (so not one if you have no more time left in your TP collection year)

Or a slightly more interesting fun run

Need 85-120 TPs
Iberia flights via MAD to regional Spanish airports will get you 120 TPs as the domestic Spanish flights are 20 TPs in business. Under £300 including hotel can be available. Check BIO, GRX, VLC, BCN, SVQ etc. Example here

Need 125-160 TPs
Take a look at the shorthaul plus routes earning 80 TPs each way in business listed in the first post (here) MLA, IST, HEL and RAK are usually available. If time sensitive take a look at BA flight and hotel option to HEL, where you can usually get the last BA flight out on a Saturday, airport hotel and first return Sunday for well under £500.

Alternative options include positioning to JER and flying JER-LGW-XXX (AMS usually works well and avoids switching airports)

Need more than 160 TPs
You'll most likely be heading north then - OSL or VLL via HEL will get you 240 TPs, as will JER-LGW/LHR-HEL e.g. LHR-HEL-OSL for £520
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Historic information
2015 Archive (6 months Jan to Jun)
2014 Archive

BA Tier Point Runs | 2015 master thread

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Nov 5, 2015, 8:39 pm

#5836

Calchas

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Mar 2013

Location: London

Posts: 17,007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgiarc

It is showing as available on Matrix, but the flight isn't even one of the options on the QR website, at any price.

QR play some weird games with married segment availability—even the Matrix finds it hard to figure out. Some travel agents know how to bypass this problem but apparently QR get very upset with them for trying ...

Code:

         
          ALL BOOKINGS MUST ADHERE FULLY TO QR BOOKING
          POLICY AND BOOKING MUST ALWAYS BE DONE AS PER
          FULL ORIGIN AND DESTINATION AVAILABILITY.
          ANY VIOLATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO ADM AND ACCESS
          TO QR INVENTORY WILL BE CLOSED IN CASE OF
          PERSISTENT VIOLATIONS.
          -----
          PLEASE REFER TO GGAIRQRBTP
          FOR FURTHER DETAILS OF QR PROHIBITED BOOKING
          PRACTICES FOR AMADEUS USERS

Nov 6, 2015, 1:46 am

#5837

Richmond_Surrey

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: London

Programs: BAEC Silver, M&M, HHonors Gold

Posts: 1,223

Is it often happening that JER flights from/to LGW are sold out? I noticed that couple of flights I have in pipline are completly sold out. Also noticed that some flights are showing as having only a few fare classes available and some of them much more.

For example:
Flights which are sold out - C0 Y1 B0 H0 K0 M0 G0
Flights still available - J6 C5 D2 R6 I6 Y9 B9 H9 K7 M4 L1 S9 G9

What does it mean? Or is it ExpertFlyer thing showing only a few classes?

Nov 6, 2015, 3:08 am

#5838

chris1979

Join Date: Apr 2005

Location: London

Programs: BA Lifetime Gold & GGL & CCR, HH Diam, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Spire, Tastecard

Posts: 7,549

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richmond_Surrey

yes.

I used to be based in JER many many years ago and there aren't many options to get back to the UK and BA is popular with business folk and anyone needing to connect.

so yes, completely full flights are not unusual at all.

Nov 6, 2015, 3:26 am

#5839

Richmond_Surrey

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: London

Programs: BAEC Silver, M&M, HHonors Gold

Posts: 1,223

Club is going to 8th row and is full. I only seen it on Helsinki route before.

Nov 6, 2015, 4:30 am

#5840

Calchas

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Mar 2013

Location: London

Posts: 17,007

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris1979

This suggests the prices are too low

Nov 6, 2015, 8:47 am

#5841

BA Humbug

formerly mattking2000

Join Date: Nov 2012

Location: DXB

Programs: BA|AC|AZ|SPG|H|FPC

Posts: 1,196

Perhaps it would be a good time to temporarily remove/strikethrough the run to/from SSH until the situation is resolved and the schedule returns to normal?

(or at least put a notice next to it, for those blithely unaware?

)

Nov 7, 2015, 8:45 am

#5842

jdbelfast

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: ADL

Programs: ; BAEC Silver; Qantas FF Gold; Hertz Gold, Accor A-Club Gold

Posts: 425

Need 250 TP

looking at my flights for year ahead, I expect to be at about 1250 TP come June, which is my membership year end (currently on 480 TP, 340 already booked plus about another 430 expected in Y). A while back, i achieved the unicorn of redemptions- Dub-Bos. i'm going to BOS on 29/12 for a wedding on NYE and am coming back 2nd January in the evening. So I'm thinking of checking in at BOS early on 2nd and doing a TP run that day. Any suggested routes would be much appreciated

Nov 7, 2015, 8:55 am

#5843

madfish

Join Date: Sep 2014

Location: Cumbria

Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold

Posts: 4,510

Cannot offer anything specific but I would suggest you keep any run at that time of year fairly simple due to possible weather issues. You certainly don't want to push it too much in case you miss your return. Although it does appear that AA will protect your flight even on separate tickets. Certainly worth checking out as part of your plans.

Nov 7, 2015, 9:27 am

#5844

IMH

Join Date: Jul 2007

Location: Berlin

Programs: BA Gold; Accor Platinum; IHG Diamond-Amb.; Meliá/HH/Bonvoy Gold

Posts: 5,500

It's not just the weather, jdbelfast, there's also the fact that 2 January is 2 January... There will be a lot of full planes and it could be hard to rebook people who misconnect. Out of BOS that weekend I'd probably only want to risk a single segment trip to an outstation where the return will be operated by the same plane.

Can you POUG some of the Y flights you have booked? That and/or an AMS run would be an easier, more comfortable and possibly cheaper route to 250 TPs.

Nov 7, 2015, 9:49 am

#5845

jdbelfast

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: ADL

Programs: ; BAEC Silver; Qantas FF Gold; Hertz Gold, Accor A-Club Gold

Posts: 425

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMH

Thanks both. i was wondering about both those factors.

In terms of PUOG, not much chance.

Currently got 640 TP and have LHR-DXB-MEL booked on QF in Y+ (340 TP: 150+190) in two weeks

Flights i will probably have are
1) LHR-PHL-ITH-PHL-LHR probably on AA (90 TP)
2) LHR-HKG-MEL-LHR probably on CX (150 TP)
3) LHR-ORD- MSP-ORD-LHR probably on BA/AA (90 TP)
4) LHR-DOH- DAC-DOH-LHR on QR (140tp)

The third could be a PUOG opportunity but it is a week before my TP year ends

Nov 7, 2015, 10:25 am

#5846

SadKingBilly

Join Date: Sep 2014

Posts: 333

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMH

Not to mention that even if you really push it and do 4 domestic short-haul segments in First in one day on AA, you will still only get 240 TPs out if it. I don't think it's feasible to do any itinerary incorporating over-2000-miles segments (each of which would bring 210 TPs) in a single day.

Nov 7, 2015, 11:20 am

#5847

Flyiboy

Join Date: Dec 2005

Location: Göteborg Sweden

Programs: SPG GOLD / BA GOLD/Club Carlson Gold/AMEX Plat.

Posts: 1,043

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richmond_Surrey

Im studying Amadeus and IATA at the moment and I learnt that when you see the loads with 0's it means that its still being sold as a waitlist. Its only when you see the loads with double letters. For example CC YY BB HH etc..that the flight is completely sold out...Different systems are not equal..Again, Im just a new student with this and I am still learning..I am sure someone can clarify this...

Nov 7, 2015, 11:57 am

#5848

LHR FLYER

Join Date: Nov 2015

Programs: Tunnocks Tea Cake Platinum

Posts: 211

Ladies and Gents see attached for my first tier points run. I'm a long time lurker but have finally just booked my first run much to the dislike of my missus - I've got the silent treatment. Leaving friday the 8th jan from Dublin and arriving back in Dublin Monday yhe 10th. Any comment and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

Nov 7, 2015, 12:10 pm

#5849

Flyiboy

Join Date: Dec 2005

Location: Göteborg Sweden

Programs: SPG GOLD / BA GOLD/Club Carlson Gold/AMEX Plat.

Posts: 1,043

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHR FLYER

Congrats and welcome to FT....If I may, what class are you flying both International and whilst in the states ?

Nov 7, 2015, 12:14 pm

#5850

LHR FLYER

Join Date: Nov 2015

Programs: Tunnocks Tea Cake Platinum

Posts: 211

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyiboy

Congrats and welcome to FT....If I may, what class are you flying both International and whilst in the states ?

AA business on UK to USA then AA first and club world on US to UK 1200 TPS £1164