Old Jan 2, 2017, 6:09 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: EsherFlyer
** AA Domestic First on two cabin will earn business TPs and avios for departures on or after 11 January 2017 - see reference posts for more details **

** Note that the practice of AA Domestic 3-class service flights booking into A for 210 TPs when I was no longer available ceased in September 2017. Discussion here. **

Welcome to the thread. This is a continuation of the highly popular 2016 Tier Point thread. We keep track of other prices, as well as useful reference information for those planning tier point runs.

Please read the first few posts in this thread first as it contains lots of information which may answer your question.

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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below!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
Sale Fares
  • from AMS/RTM to US ILN4T7S6/INX6T7S6 reported in this post and this post, e.g. NYC - 1,461, ORD - 1,492, LAS - 1,460, needs to be booked by 25 September, see linked post for details
  • from PRG to US ILN4T8S6 reported in this post, e.g. IAD - 1,033, MIA - 1,133, ATL - 1,080, needs to be booked by 21 September, see linked post for details

Advanced Promotion Fares
  • from DUB to US ILN8C1S6 reported here, e.g. NYC - 1,472, MIA - 1,578, see linked post for details
  • froM DUB to US ILN8S4C1 reported here, e.g. JFK - 1,427, MIA - 1,532, LAS - 1,667, LAX - 1,795, HNL - 2,095, this is an advanced purchase fare so no book by deadline, see linked post for details
  • from OTP to PHX ILN8R4C1 reported here, e.g. PHX - 1,252, see linked post for details
  • from AMS to BKK INCEU60 reported here, e.g. BKK - 1,216, see linked post for details

See here in post # 8 for a 2017 archive of exEU sale fare, and see here in post # 445 for a 2016 archive of exEU sale fares.

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

Please note that current availability is not guaranteed and all prices include taxes. Please use the following convention when adding tier point runs to this wiki post:
Date fare checked Price per Tier Point Total Price Total Tier Points Route Booking Classes Booking Channel Credit Notes (if applicable) Airlines

Please remember to:
  • 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.

Please see the links at the bottom of the wiki for archives of runs from previous years.

From Europe

24APR 0.90/TP 400 440 TLL-BA/AY-HEL-LON-GLA-KOI-ABZ ; TLL-BA/AY-HEL-LON-GLA-SDZ-ABZ (see post #1221)
02NOV 1.33/TP 583 440 LHR-HEL-TLL/TLL-HEL-LHR-NCL//NCL-LHR-HEL-TLL/TLL-HEL-LHR IIIIIIIIII Google Flights armouredant 2 nested tickets, both other a Saturday night. BA ticket, BA & AY metal, AY A350 possible LHR-HEL
08FEB 1.33/TP 346 260 JER-LGW-RAK-LGW-RAK I/I/I/I BA.com ramops
14AUG 1.65/TP 593 360 OSL-HEL-AGP-HEL-OSL I-I-I-I ITA Flythe96flag SH J cabin + possible red-eye (!) AY
26JUL 1.81/TP 72.70 40 MAD-FRA Z lan.com Prospero 787 flat bed LA
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
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)
24NOV 1.91/TP 765.00 400 BUD-DOH-SHJ I/A/I/A QR.com Wozza2404 A320 QR
11AUG 2.10/TP 420 200 AMS-LHR-GLA-LSI-ABZ-LSI-GLA-LHR-AMS I/I/I/I/I/I/I/I ITA Matrix --> Priceline.com MrMutton
13NOV 2.56/TP 410 160 LHR-HEL ? BA.com Lorcancoyle wide open as flight+hotel, can reduce with TCB cash back BA

From North, Central and South America
26Jan 1.50/TP 960 640 LGA-CMH-DCA-PHL-RDU-CLT-ATL-MIA-PTY and return I/I/I/I/I/I/I/I/I/I/I/I/I/I/I/I ITA Matrix--> BookWithMatrix dot com --> AA.com HPN-HRL other routings available; reverse routing is 40 more - see post 388 AA
10MAY 2.50/TP 203 80 ORF-CLT-ORD I/I AA.com
21MAY 2.08/TP 250 120 YYZ-PHL/LGA-CLT-ORF/PHF I/I/I AA.com
22NOV 1.43/TP 172 120 DCA-(LGA/BOS/PHL)-CLT-RDU (one way, reverse works as well) I/I/I ITA->BWM->priceline.com

From Middle East, Asia and Australasia
23Feb 0.99/TP 356 360 TPE-xKUL-PEN(JHB)-xKUL-TPE Z http://www.malaysiaairlines.com ermen two day min stay, promo fare MH
04JAN 1.10/TP 44 40 KUL-PEN D http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/uk/en.html fitch Works in both directions, rtn 80 if you can make the timnings work MH
11Nov 0.85/TP 307 360 TPE-KUL-SIN-KUL-TPE Z http://www.malaysiaairlines.com neofung

From Africa


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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. The guide to using ITA matrix in post #4 (see 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 fewer
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). Alternatively, booking a return to one of the 40 tier point destinations with one way in CE and the return in ET (or vice versa if cheaper). Bilbao, Jersey and Amsterdam seems the most cost effective for this.

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 VNO via HEL will get you 240 TPs, as will JER-LGW/LHR-HEL e.g. LHR-HEL-OSL for 520. Also the BA fare for LHR-HEL-TLL at ~235 is still available and would get 200 TPs for a return.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic information
2016 Archive
2015 Archive (6 months Jul to Dec)
2015 Archive (6 months Jan to Jun)
2014 Archive

.
Print Wikipost

BA Tier Point Runs | 2017 master thread

Old May 26, 2017, 8:09 am
  #1981  
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: U.K.
Programs: BA Exec; Miles&More; FlyingBlue; DragonPass; Hilton; SPG; Marriott; Hyatt; A-Club; Carlson; Avis
Posts: 13
Originally Posted by Calchas
Welcome to FlyerTalk Buzz0000. I hope you are recuperating. Only you can decide if you want to pay for the extra TP and the associated meals and lodging that such trips inevitably entail. I would say if you are looking for an excuse to enjoy your health and fly to some new places, a renewed gold card is as good as any. You are correct in that a number of routes, so called "Shorthaul plus" routes, do get 80 TP per leg: KARFA has prepared an authoritative guide on the topic in the first post on this thread.
Thanks for the welcome and yes I had read Karfa's useful guide!
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Old May 26, 2017, 8:22 am
  #1982  
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,705
Originally Posted by savzur
I came across this fabulous thread and am in awe at the world of possibilities.

Saw the post from KARFA with the awesome run to ZRH-LAX/SFO etc, and checked it last week, but now as I wanted to book it it's gone, even though it's not 31. May yet which is final booking day.

I am trying to go ZRH-MAD-MIA-?-LAX-?-MIA-MAD-ZRH somewhere in the last week of August, first week of September with a one week stay in Los Angeles.

Could anyone help me find it again? I would appreciate it so much. Thank you.
Thanks for the comment and welcome to FT and this thread.

Yes, sadly the exZRH didn't last long. I have now updated the wiki and moved the dead sale fares in to the archive now.

In case it helps exOTP to PHX (possibly other US destinations) still seems live, and exDUB advanced purchase fare may be of use.
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Old May 27, 2017, 3:20 am
  #1983  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,840
Hello all,

Busy few days and I didn't get the chance to reply to this.

Originally Posted by teledude
Code:
Itinerary
Aberdeen (ABZ) to Tallinn (TLL) 
...
Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees)
630.78
Edit - possible to do the A350 both ways for <700
Originally Posted by IFE Wizard
I can see on Matrix 631 every week up to end of August for routing through KOI.

Same for LIS with one day, Aug 24th, at 486.

Suspect that flights to Scottish islands is summer service only.
Well spotted teledude, and I think you're right IFE Wizard. That wasn't something I'd considered when looking, and I think I'd started my search from Sept/Oct onwards.

Originally Posted by Calchas
You're missing LON. There's no service between GLA and HEL.
My typo when writing the post, Calchas - even if there was, I'd lose out on a whole 40 TP

Thank you for your suggestions, everyone.

It's actually still possible (for a 2 night stay, at last) for both KOI and LSI (or a mix of both) for ~632 to the end of August. For example:

Code:
Itinerary
Aberdeen (ABZ) to Tallinn (TLL) — Thu, Aug 24
Long layoverOvernight flightPreferred cabin is not available on some flights.
	
Aberdeen (ABZ) to Shetland Islands (LSI) — Thu, Aug 24
British Airways 4074
Dep: 1:00 pm
Arr: 2:05 pm
1h 5m
SAAB SF 340
Business (J)
Snack or Brunch
OPERATED BY LOGANAIR FOR FLYBE
Layover in LSI
1h 5m
	
Shetland Islands (LSI) to Glasgow (GLA) — Thu, Aug 24
British Airways 4018
Dep: 3:10 pm
Arr: 4:40 pm
1h 30m
SAAB SF 340
Business (J)
Snack or Brunch
OPERATED BY LOGANAIR FOR FLYBE
Layover in GLA
15h 5m
	
Glasgow (GLA) to London (LHR) — Fri, Aug 25
British Airways 1491
Dep: 7:45 am
Arr: 9:15 am
1h 30m
Airbus A320
Business (J)
Meal
Layover in LHR
2h 10m
	
London (LHR) to Helsinki (HEL) — Fri, Aug 25
British Airways 794
Dep: 11:25 am
Arr: 4:20 pm
2h 55m
Airbus A320
Business (R)
Meal
Layover in HEL
2h 10m
	
Helsinki (HEL) to Tallinn (TLL) — Fri, Aug 25
Finnair 105
Dep: 6:30 pm
Arr: 7:05 pm
0h 35m
ATR 72
Economy (Y)
OPERATED BY NORDIC REGIONAL AIRLINES
Tallinn (TLL) to Aberdeen (ABZ) — Sun, Aug 27
Long layoverMissing this connection may lead to significant delaysOvernight flightPreferred cabin is not available on some flights.
	
Tallinn (TLL) to Helsinki (HEL) — Sun, Aug 27
Finnair 116
Dep: 9:35 pm
Arr: 10:10 pm
0h 35m
ATR 72
Economy (Y)
OPERATED BY NORDIC REGIONAL AIRLINES
Layover in HEL
9h 35m
	
Helsinki (HEL) to London (LHR) — Mon, Aug 28
British Airways 795
Dep: 7:45 am
Arr: 9:00 am
3h 15m
Airbus A320
Business (R)
Meal
Layover in LHR
2h 55m
	
London (LHR) to Glasgow (GLA) — Mon, Aug 28
British Airways 1482
Dep: 11:55 am
Arr: 1:25 pm
1h 30m
Airbus A320
Business (J)
Meal
Layover in GLA
1h 0m
	
Glasgow (GLA) to Kirkwall (KOI) — Mon, Aug 28
British Airways 4015
Dep: 2:25 pm
Arr: 3:40 pm
1h 15m
SAAB SF 340
Business (J)
Snack or Brunch
OPERATED BY LOGANAIR FOR FLYBE
Layover in KOI
1h 40m
	
Kirkwall (KOI) to Aberdeen (ABZ) — Mon, Aug 28
British Airways 4107
Dep: 5:20 pm
Arr: 6:10 pm
0h 50m
SAAB SF 340
Business (J)
Snack or Brunch
OPERATED BY LOGANAIR FOR FLYBE
Mileage
3,935 total miles
CO2 Emissions
1,010 kg (estimated by ITA).
Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees)
631.08
Total cost for 1 passenger
631.08

Last edited by squawk; May 27, 2017 at 3:29 am
squawk is online now  
Old May 27, 2017, 5:53 am
  #1984  
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: BA Executive Club and OnBusiness
Posts: 714
ABZ-KOI,LIS-GLA-LHR-HEL-TLL and return

Still possible for 487 on a few dates in August (5 or 6 night trip)

If you are really brave you could nest it with a TLL-HEL-LHR-GLA-KOI,LIS-ABZ return - available for 492 on some August dates (5 nights)

880TPs for under 1K
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Old May 27, 2017, 7:43 am
  #1985  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: London
Programs: BAEC GOLD
Posts: 53
anyone booked it? what site u use to book?

Originally Posted by Ned1968
ABZ-KOI,LIS-GLA-LHR-HEL-TLL and return

Still possible for 487 on a few dates in August (5 or 6 night trip)

If you are really brave you could nest it with a TLL-HEL-LHR-GLA-KOI,LIS-ABZ return - available for 492 on some August dates (5 nights)

880TPs for under 1K
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Old May 27, 2017, 3:47 pm
  #1986  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,840
Originally Posted by timeport4
anyone booked it? what site u use to book?
I'd actually love to know if it's possible to book something this complex via BA.com - I've tried the multi-trip builder but no joy. BookWithMatrix also isn't playing ball.

I've got an Amex 100 off 500 that I'm pondering what to do with, and there are some convenient fares in August for just over 500… but this has to be booked with BA direct.

I suspect an agent on the phone might be able to do it, but I wouldn't want to add to their already considerable workload at present
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Old May 27, 2017, 8:57 pm
  #1987  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 98
Just got YUL-PHL-PHX-KOA-LAX-CLT-YUL I/I/I/I/I/I on AA booked through BookWithMatrix and Priceline for $1,180 giving 640TP or $1.80 per TP

Plus I get 4 nights in Hawaii
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Old May 28, 2017, 4:43 am
  #1988  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 53
Originally Posted by ubiest
Newbie here, been lurking and learning
Been meaning to get to HKG, so thanks to wonderman for pointing out that other Asian destinations possible on this fare.

I am keen to book the Itinerary (https://www.screencast.com/t/PhKWQlzs) FRA-DOH-CMB-BKK-HKG and return, which has CMB-BKK-HKG/return as the single flights UL890/UL891, respectively. Can one of the experts tell me how many TP's would I expect for the full round trip?

A. (140+140+40)*2 = 640 TPs
B. (140+140+40+40)*2 = 720 TPs
C. (140+140+140)*2 = 840 TPs

Thanks in advance!
Interested to book one of these too, struggling to find itineraries with matrix though - what is the trick to forcing the BKK stop with UL? Are there specific validity/book by dates ?
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Old May 28, 2017, 1:44 pm
  #1989  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: BCN
Programs: BA GGL, IB, LH, IHG Gold
Posts: 582
Originally Posted by polemarch
Interested to book one of these too, struggling to find itineraries with matrix though - what is the trick to forcing the BKK stop with UL? Are there specific validity/book by dates ?
Booked this yesterday through AMEX; at first they didn't quite get why I would want to do the routing - until they saw it was far cheaper than anything they proposed.

The BKK stop is part of all routings to HKG and CAN, on alternate days to each destination (HKG and CAN become direct beginning mid July). The other useful characteristic of this fare is that it allows open jaw for pretty much the same price - go to HKG return from NRT/CGK/SIN/BKK/PEK/PVG/GAN/MLE or vice versa

Matrix:
From FRA
Routing code DOH CMB
To HKG

Also works from MUC, or open jaw FRA/MUC. If you take the evening flight FRA - DOH, you get a built in layover of 22h in DOH, if that's of interest.
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Old May 28, 2017, 2:15 pm
  #1990  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: BCN
Programs: BA GGL, IB, LH, IHG Gold
Posts: 582
Originally Posted by griep
The nice add-on is that you have a 19-hrs layover in CMB on the way back. UL will offer free hotel and transportation.
I loved it and did some sightseeing as well. If you contact UL in advance they will add it to your booking.
Did you have to book the ticket direct with UL? What's the best way to contact them?

Originally Posted by griep
Trip report about this: https://insideflyer.nl/overstap-sigh...gje-sri-lanka/ (in Dutch language, but Google will help out...)
Enjoyed reading it, looks fantastic!
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Old May 28, 2017, 4:08 pm
  #1991  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 53
Originally Posted by ubiest
Matrix:
From FRA
Routing code DOH CMB
To HKG
Ah thanks. I was stuck on the non-daily service, it was finding many combinations I didn't want. I changed the routing code to force the specific flight number, and now I only get useful results

Routing code DOH CMB UL890
Routing code UL891 CMB DOH

I remain a matrix novice, so much to learn
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Old May 28, 2017, 6:49 pm
  #1992  
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC gold
Posts: 96
Originally Posted by polemarch
Ah thanks. I was stuck on the non-daily service, it was finding many combinations I didn't want. I changed the routing code to force the specific flight number, and now I only get useful results

Routing code DOH CMB UL890
Routing code UL891 CMB DOH

I remain a matrix novice, so much to learn
Tried DOH CMB couldnt find one...even with routing code DOH CMB BKK extension code ALLIANCE oneworld with no luck :/ returned with fare 3,378...
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Old May 28, 2017, 10:30 pm
  #1993  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: BCN
Programs: BA GGL, IB, LH, IHG Gold
Posts: 582
Originally Posted by meowycrystal
Tried DOH CMB couldnt find one...even with routing code DOH CMB BKK extension code ALLIANCE oneworld with no luck :/ returned with fare 3,378...
Using the alliance oneworld proves useful at times to keep matrix from adding an exotic carrier. Adding the flexible dates +/-2 is crucial, since UL doesn't fly daily to all destinations.

What dates are you looking?
End of June beginning of July, fares are much higher on account of the Eid holiday.
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Old May 28, 2017, 11:46 pm
  #1994  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: BCN
Programs: BA GGL, IB, LH, IHG Gold
Posts: 582
Originally Posted by meowycrystal
Tried DOH CMB couldnt find one...even with routing code DOH CMB BKK extension code ALLIANCE oneworld with no luck :/ returned with fare 3,378...
additionaly, the 1600-1700 EUR fare is only available from Germany, i.e. FRA and MUC
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Old May 29, 2017, 5:17 am
  #1995  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SIN
Posts: 196
Originally Posted by Buzz0000
Thanks CX-newbie. It has been so long since I last lost Gold status, I forgot about the "soft landing" - if I do a rapid turnaround on Tier points early in the new collection year (mine restarts 8 July) do I regain Gold inside the same year? Yes it would be a lot of trips in Europe, but I might be able to squeeze them in! I would need to get to DUB to make the US trip. As I am living near London, what routing would you suggest? thanks
You can call BA to extend your earning year by up to 2 weeks. So potential to keep earning until 22 July. If you think you can get Gold early in the following year though, better to start afresh. Gold will last until the end of the FOLLOWING year. So if you qualify early in an earning year, it will effectively last up to 2 years.
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