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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below!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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Jul 29, 2015, 1:32 pm

#3526

Smiley90

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2015

Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH

Programs: *G

Posts: 17,382

From the premium fare deals:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiley90

Optimal routing is:

YVR-LAX-MIA-BOG-MIA-LAX-YVR

I-P-I-I-P-I

= 912 USD / (9860*1.5 = 14790 miles) 6.1cpm

as a BA tier point run:

40-210-40-40-210-40 = 580TP

so, 584GBO / 580TP = 1GBP/TP, which is REALLY sweet.

Jul 29, 2015, 1:43 pm

#3527

remymartin

Join Date: Jan 2012

Location: HEL

Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus

Posts: 5,783

Quote:

Originally Posted by timezonehopper

The fares are there in ITA (see below). In order to get the sub-£600 fare one of the legs needs to be via OSL. Doing LHR-HEL-LHR drives the price up over £600. That said, I cannot see these fares on AY's web site, you may need to call.

These were nonstop BA fares as seen earlier today. Sadly, I can't see them on ba.com nor Ota. The ones through OSL are in the 670€ range.

Jul 29, 2015, 3:37 pm

#3528

Hoch

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: East Anglia, England

Programs: BA Gold

Posts: 2,056

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoch

Awww, I'm losing the will to live with AA/US

First, they screw up the schedule for my JFK-PHX flight, which instead of spending the night at PHX, I am doing it at JFK. Now for reasons I cannot figure out my connecting PHX-HNL has been downgraded to Y and instead of going HNL-PHX-JFK it has me going via LAX. Mind, the LAX-JFK is booked into F but still! I'll be damned if I'm going to take Y on PHX-HNL.

I noticed something was up about a week ago when everything started to go pear shape with the addition of LAX. I thought I would wait for the system to resolve itself, which it has but not with that Y segment.

And breathe.

H

I really do like the Gold line. I called up today about the above and the charming woman was equally confused. She said that the changes were passenger requested. Like bloody heck they were! She said she would call me back in an hour. An hour later she calls and says that the ticketing agent made the changes but they still didn't know why. There's nothing wrong and they are happy to reinstate everything back to normal. I did mention that I was quite happy to keep the change of HNL-LAX-JFK, especially as LAX-JFK was changed to F instead of J

She laughs and says that she'll call me back tomorrow night to at least provide an explanation.

About two hours ago the My Flights app sends an email showing the change back to F for the PHX-HNL segment keeping the LAX segment. I am quietly happy that instead of suffering PHX-JFK that I will be in F for the LAX-JFK (yes, I know I have said in the past that I don't like F in the a321T but it's better than the US rust bucket). Maybe I'll get lucky

A propos, that LAN flight that Prospero posted is very tempting!

H

Jul 30, 2015, 2:01 am

#3529

duckracer

Join Date: Jan 2012

Posts: 8

Hi All,

I wondered if anyone could help me with a potential mileage run.

I'm currently at 3600 TP and wanted to see if it was possible to hit 5000 by the end of my year so I am looking to see if it is possible to do a 1400 TP run or not. Actually my wife is pushing me to see if I can do it, so I must obey

I am based in London and have a US trip scheduled for week of 7th September (I will be in Boston 7-9 and Washington 10-11) but I could be flexible flying on the weekends to do a mileage run.

What are my options? Can anyone help me?

Thanks!

Jul 30, 2015, 2:13 am

#3530

Wozza2404

Join Date: Mar 2012

Location: BHX

Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)

Posts: 7,325

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckracer

I am based in London and have a US trip scheduled for week of 7th September (I will be in Boston 7-9 and Washington 10-11) but I could be flexible flying on the weekends to do a mileage run.

Scheduled trip or booked trip?

If it's just scheduled then why not do an ex-EU trip to HNL and then nest a trans-con flight to be in BOS and PHL when you need to be?

If it's a work trip, would they be prepared to contribute the cost of your LON-PHL flights and you book your own flights?

Jul 30, 2015, 2:15 am

#3531

Tobias-UK

Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: UK/Las Vegas

Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)

Posts: 15,913

duckracer welcome to the British Airways branch of the FlyerTalk Community. It's always good to see a new virtual face. You've come to the right place and I'm sure one or two of our TPRunning Gurus will be along shortly with some useful input.

One question that might assist them, you say you have a BOS/WAS trip lined up in September. Does your 3600 TPs include that trip? If not what is your booked routing for that trip?

Jul 30, 2015, 2:46 am

#3532

dom462

Join Date: Feb 2015

Location: LBA

Programs: BAEC

Posts: 41

Hi, I am new to TP runs and have been exploring lately on ITA Matrix.

I've found a very good deal, which isn't for me as i'm waiting for my new collection year and don't fancy the destination. So, thought i'd share it on here.

JER-LGW-SSH-LGW-JER (J/I/I/J) for £335, 360TP @ £0.93 per TP
Outbound 29/11/15
Inbound 7/12/15

It is a week in SSH with layovers in LGW. There are some better options up to £400.

Jul 30, 2015, 2:51 am

#3533

duckracer

Join Date: Jan 2012

Posts: 8

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobias-UK

Hi,

Things are just scheduled for now I haven't booked anything. I have 3600 TPs today so am looking for a further 1400 from this trip, if possible.

It is a work trip but I am looking at either booking everything on a single ticket or split into two parts covering the work trip and the additional mileage run.

Jul 30, 2015, 2:52 am

#3534

KARFA

Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2012

Location: Leeds, UK

Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond

Posts: 42,881

Quote:

Originally Posted by dom462

That's a really good price, there aren't many under £1/TP deals ex UK. Bear in mind LGW-SSH is on a A320 so a CE cabin for a fairly long flight.

Also what is the situation with visas in Egypt now? I though I read they were going to bring them in for tourists but I have a feeling they decided later on to abandon that?

Jul 30, 2015, 3:32 am

#3535

dom462

Join Date: Feb 2015

Location: LBA

Programs: BAEC

Posts: 41

Quote:

Originally Posted by KARFA

Also what is the situation with visas in Egypt now? I though I read they were going to bring them in for tourists but I have a feeling they decided later on to abandon that?

I don't think you need them for Sinai resorts for short stays.

Jul 30, 2015, 3:57 am

#3536

ukdelinquent

Join Date: Apr 2015

Location: Reading

Programs: BAEC GOLD HH GOLD

Posts: 21

Actually purchasing tickets

Hi - So I think I have roughly got my head around searching for tickets on ITA as a starter which is great. Obviously you cant buy tickets though it but when I then go and look on BA's site for the same ticket its always massively more expensive? I looked on skyscanner, found the same flight, clicked through to BA, cheaper than BA on BA's site via skscanner but not the ITA price? What gives?

I'm very new school and do everything online - is perhaps actually picking up a phone to a travel agent the best option?

Jul 30, 2015, 4:05 am

#3537

headingwest

Join Date: Jul 2014

Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈

Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond

Posts: 6,338

Quote:

Originally Posted by KARFA

That's a really good price, there aren't many under £1/TP deals ex UK. Bear in mind LGW-SSH is on a A320 so a CE cabin for a fairly long flight.

That fare is also available as an open jaw, with a return to the UK regions. Slightly cheaper to some UK destinations, but of course 20 Tier Points less. Could be a good option for saving a bit of money on a positioning flight and also if you don't have as much time.

Also a return to LGW only for £306.

Jul 30, 2015, 4:34 am

#3538

Wozza2404

Join Date: Mar 2012

Location: BHX

Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)

Posts: 7,325

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukdelinquent

Can you give an example?

Jul 30, 2015, 4:49 am

#3539

ukdelinquent

Join Date: Apr 2015

Location: Reading

Programs: BAEC GOLD HH GOLD

Posts: 21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wozza2404

Can you give an example?

Yeah I was looking at for example flights to ALC from LGW around the 25 Oct for 6 days, ITA was coming up 216 pounds and nothing else was anywhere near. The same applied yesterday when looking at LHR-HEL to grab some points this week, ITA was coming out 400 ish but cheapest I could find when trying to book was 800 plus!

Jul 30, 2015, 5:44 am

#3540

MrMutton

Join Date: Feb 2005

Location: London

Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Starbucks Gold,

Posts: 624

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckracer

Hi duckracer, and welcome to the board.

I am not one of the TP-runnning gurus as mentioned above, but here are my thoughts. With three nested tickets you can do:

(DUB-LHR-JFK-PHX-HNL (Nest 2 (Nest 3) Nest 2) HNL-PHX-JFK-LHR-DUB in J/I/A/A/P/P/I/J for £2083 giving you 40/140/210/210/210/210/140/40 TPs

This departs DUB Friday 04/09 at 1610 and arrives in HNL on Saturday 05/09 at 1423.

Then you have (Nest 1 (HNL-LAX JFK (Nest 3) JFK-LAX-HNL) Nest 1) in P/I(sorry!)/P/P FOR £1864 giving you 210/140/210/210 TPs

This departs HNL Saturday 05/09 at 2124 (so you have a 7 hour layover) and arrives in JFK on Sunday 06/09 at 1540.

Then you do Nest 3:

JFK - BOS on Sunday 06/09 2015 - 2143
BOS - DCA on Wednesday 09/09 1900 - 2034
DCA - JFK on Friday 12/09 1451-1624

All in Y for £170 and 10/10/10 TPs

For the return you are then at JFK for 1624 in time for your flight back to HNL via LAX which departs at 2000, arriving HNL on Saturday 12/09 at 1102, then you jump back on nest 1 at 2250, and are back in London on Monday 14/09 at 0620 with your DUB leg at 0935.

All in that will get you 2000TPs for £4117, a chunk of Avios, jetlag and hopefully to your meetings on time.

The difficulties there are the nesting of tickets may create problems with misconenctions. You may also have difficulty explaining to accounts the random routings! This also assumes that your work is ok for you to be doing an exEU fare to start with and that you have the time either side for the positioning etc.

Hope that is something to get you thinking.

MrMutton

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