Jan 1, 2018, 5:20 am
Last edit by: OWBA
Welcome to the thread. This is a continuation of the highly popular 2017 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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.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
Advanced Promotion Fares
See here in post #9 for a 2018 archive of exEU sale fare, and see this post in the 2017 thread for last years’ 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:
Please see the links at the bottom of the wiki for archives of runs from previous years.
From Europe
From North, Central and South America
23Sep £1.48/TP £650 (US$853) 440 TPs JFK-CLT/BOS-LAX-LAS and return all I class aa.com
6Sep £1.50/TP US$457 240TPs RIC-CLT-DCA-BOS, BOS-LGA/PHL-CLT-RIC all I class aa.com
Jan/Feb wide open £1.94/TP £700(US$883) 360 TPs SEA-CLT-MCO-PHX-SEA all I class aa.com
From Middle East, Asia and Australasia
18Jan £1.58/TP £883 560 CMB-xHKG-CGK return I cathaypacific.com ermen CX
28Feb £1.44/TP £575 400 MCT-DOH-BKK-DOH-MCT A/R/R/A travel.americanexpress.co.uk QR
21Feb £1.53/TP £860 560 HKG-CMB-MEL return I Expedia.com.hk Firemin UL
16Mar £1.22/TP £687 560 CGK-CMB-DXB return I srilankan.com Firemin UL
01Apr £0.87/TP £314 360 PEN-KUL-KTM return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
01Apr £1.19/TP £335 280 KUL-PER return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
01Apr £1.28/TP £335 360 PEN-KUL-PER return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
05Apr £2.00/TP £320 160 CAN-HKG-TPE return CathayPacific.com littlevoices CX/KA (flexible fare, bookable up to 24 hours in advance, allows stopovers, book with CX directly)
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. Some information on how to use ITA matrix is in post #4 of this thread (or just click 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 along with UK domestic returns. Additionally you may find that trips in to mainland Europe require a one night stay whereas the cheapest domestic CE returns do not have any minimum stay so can be booked as a same day return. If doing a back to back AMS and JER can be easier than DUB for an immediate turnaround - more information can be found in the back to back thread listed in the forum dashboard. 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). UK domestic route, Bilbao, Jersey and Amsterdam seem 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 of this thread, 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.
DUB-LHR-HEL return (or return to LHR) is currently a very efficient way of hitting 200-240 TPs
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Historic information
2017 Archive
2016 Archive
2015 Archive (6 months Jul to Dec)
2015 Archive (6 months Jan to Jun)
2014 Archive
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 JER to PDX IKN8T1S6 reported in this post, e.g. PDX £1,082, needs to be booked by 8 May, see linked post for details
Advanced Promotion Fares
- from OTP to PHX ILN8C8S4 reported here, e.g. PHX - £1,296, see linked post for details
- from AMS to BKK INCEU60 reported here, e.g. BKK - £1,340, see linked post for details
See here in post #9 for a 2018 archive of exEU sale fare, and see this post in the 2017 thread for last years’ archive of exEU sale fares.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Code:
3Feb 200TPs DUB-LHR-HEL/HEL-LHR all I class ba.com
23Sep £1.48/TP £650 (US$853) 440 TPs JFK-CLT/BOS-LAX-LAS and return all I class aa.com
6Sep £1.50/TP US$457 240TPs RIC-CLT-DCA-BOS, BOS-LGA/PHL-CLT-RIC all I class aa.com
Jan/Feb wide open £1.94/TP £700(US$883) 360 TPs SEA-CLT-MCO-PHX-SEA all I class aa.com
From Middle East, Asia and Australasia
18Jan £1.58/TP £883 560 CMB-xHKG-CGK return I cathaypacific.com ermen CX
28Feb £1.44/TP £575 400 MCT-DOH-BKK-DOH-MCT A/R/R/A travel.americanexpress.co.uk QR
21Feb £1.53/TP £860 560 HKG-CMB-MEL return I Expedia.com.hk Firemin UL
16Mar £1.22/TP £687 560 CGK-CMB-DXB return I srilankan.com Firemin UL
01Apr £0.87/TP £314 360 PEN-KUL-KTM return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
01Apr £1.19/TP £335 280 KUL-PER return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
01Apr £1.28/TP £335 360 PEN-KUL-PER return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
05Apr £2.00/TP £320 160 CAN-HKG-TPE return CathayPacific.com littlevoices CX/KA (flexible fare, bookable up to 24 hours in advance, allows stopovers, book with CX directly)
From Africa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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. Some information on how to use ITA matrix is in post #4 of this thread (or just click 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 along with UK domestic returns. Additionally you may find that trips in to mainland Europe require a one night stay whereas the cheapest domestic CE returns do not have any minimum stay so can be booked as a same day return. If doing a back to back AMS and JER can be easier than DUB for an immediate turnaround - more information can be found in the back to back thread listed in the forum dashboard. 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). UK domestic route, Bilbao, Jersey and Amsterdam seem 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 of this thread, 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.
DUB-LHR-HEL return (or return to LHR) is currently a very efficient way of hitting 200-240 TPs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic information
2017 Archive
2016 Archive
2015 Archive (6 months Jul to Dec)
2015 Archive (6 months Jan to Jun)
2014 Archive
BA Tier Point Runs | 2018 master thread
May 20, 2018, 11:01 pm
#2371
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,106
I used ITA Matrix and ITA Matrix Power Tools (thanks to anyone invented them!) to book directly with AA, so no TA was used.
About the GUF, It's valid only on BA metal, and if I remember correctly is still unclear if you can apply it to itineraries including partner airlines. See the thread BA Gold Upgrade Voucher Discussion and Wiki Thread for all the info about it.
May 21, 2018, 12:08 am
#2372
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,992
For the OTP-PHX run, as many international deals, it's not working in the reverse routing. Furthermore, one has to plan for available date intervals:
So, still alive.
PERMITTED
01 JUL THROUGH 31 AUG OR
22 NOV THROUGH 29 NOV OR
24 DEC THROUGH 31 DEC OR
24 MAR THROUGH 08 APR
FOR EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
01 JUL THROUGH 31 AUG OR
22 NOV THROUGH 29 NOV OR
24 DEC THROUGH 31 DEC OR
24 MAR THROUGH 08 APR
FOR EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
May 21, 2018, 1:14 am
#2373
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,076
Yes, that's unfortunate. The rules for this fare changed during 2017, it used to be only the outbound TATL required to fall within stated date intervals, for my November travel, it had been changed to require "each transatlantic sector" to do so.
Presuming no date changes, Easter travel, TP-running OTP-PHX will be possible in 2021 and 2024, when Easter Day is April 4 and March 31, respectively.
I would not be surprised over date changes to cover Easter in the future, as all other intervals are matched with low business class ticket demand - summer vacation period, Thanksgiving week and Christmas/NewYear
Presuming no date changes, Easter travel, TP-running OTP-PHX will be possible in 2021 and 2024, when Easter Day is April 4 and March 31, respectively.
I would not be surprised over date changes to cover Easter in the future, as all other intervals are matched with low business class ticket demand - summer vacation period, Thanksgiving week and Christmas/NewYear
May 21, 2018, 2:45 am
#2374
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London
Programs: BAEC : GGL; HHonors : Diamond
Posts: 181
Trying to play around with the AMS-BKK fare in Google flights. I was wondering if there were any tips to get this to price nicely, or whether this is against the rules?
1)- Having a stopover on the outbound at LHR (of several weeks). Depart LHR-BKK on 21 or 22/7
2)- Flying back from another city such as SIN or KUL (I did AMS-LHR-BKK-SIN-LHR-AMS on a similar fare).... not essential though
Adding these things onto the multi-city thing makes the price jump so I wonder where I have gone wrong.
1)- Having a stopover on the outbound at LHR (of several weeks). Depart LHR-BKK on 21 or 22/7
2)- Flying back from another city such as SIN or KUL (I did AMS-LHR-BKK-SIN-LHR-AMS on a similar fare).... not essential though
Adding these things onto the multi-city thing makes the price jump so I wonder where I have gone wrong.
May 21, 2018, 2:56 am
#2375
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262
Simple query from me - I want to price up an AMS-BKK (through SIN / KUL) Easter 2019 - but Matrix and GF won't go this far ahead. Do I just call BA and give them routes and hope there's flights that work ? I can see it for around £1,300 but BA.com won't let me route the way I would like
May 21, 2018, 3:05 am
#2376
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
Fairly decent TP run from AGL (Algiers) to HNL. Can route via LHR / JFK / LAX etc. 2 Free stopovers permitted.
I could get it to 1040 TP for £1445, though I'm sure someone more adept than I can optimise further.
Routing rules:/VIA THE ATLANTIC/ MPM 9991
MILEAGE SYSTEM APPLIES BETWEEN ORIGIN AND DESTINATION
MILEAGE SYSTEM APPLIES ORIGIN TO DESTINATION
TICKETED POINT DEDUCTION OF 550 MILES APPLIES
WHEN TRAVEL IS VIA CHI AND/OR DFW AND/OR RDU AND/OR
MIA AND/OR CLT
TICKETED POINT DEDUCTION OF 700 MILES APPLIES
WHEN TRAVEL IS VIA SUB AREA 21
I think there is some kind of free transit visa permitted at ALG, though that one needs some proper research for sure.
Check up on visa rules are it could potentially be a little complex.
I could get it to 1040 TP for £1445, though I'm sure someone more adept than I can optimise further.
Routing rules:/VIA THE ATLANTIC/ MPM 9991
MILEAGE SYSTEM APPLIES BETWEEN ORIGIN AND DESTINATION
MILEAGE SYSTEM APPLIES ORIGIN TO DESTINATION
TICKETED POINT DEDUCTION OF 550 MILES APPLIES
WHEN TRAVEL IS VIA CHI AND/OR DFW AND/OR RDU AND/OR
MIA AND/OR CLT
TICKETED POINT DEDUCTION OF 700 MILES APPLIES
WHEN TRAVEL IS VIA SUB AREA 21
Check up on visa rules are it could potentially be a little complex.
Last edited by Frequent flyer 101; May 21, 2018 at 4:50 am
May 21, 2018, 3:08 am
#2377
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: 7,330
Simple query from me - I want to price up an AMS-BKK (through SIN / KUL) Easter 2019 - but Matrix and GF won't go this far ahead. Do I just call BA and give them routes and hope there's flights that work ? I can see it for around £1,300 but BA.com won't let me route the way I would like
May 21, 2018, 3:15 am
#2378
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,977
Simple query from me - I want to price up an AMS-BKK (through SIN / KUL) Easter 2019 - but Matrix and GF won't go this far ahead. Do I just call BA and give them routes and hope there's flights that work ? I can see it for around £1,300 but BA.com won't let me route the way I would like
May 21, 2018, 3:19 am
#2379
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262
Thanks both. My route to optimise F UuA is:
AMS-LHR-SIN-BKK
BKK-KUL-LHR-AMS
I think all flights are available to book however BA.com will only offer AMS-BKK or AMS-HKG-BKK. The return BA.com does offer the flights I want through KUL - it's just the SIN outbound that I am unable to check
AMS-LHR-SIN-BKK
BKK-KUL-LHR-AMS
I think all flights are available to book however BA.com will only offer AMS-BKK or AMS-HKG-BKK. The return BA.com does offer the flights I want through KUL - it's just the SIN outbound that I am unable to check
May 21, 2018, 3:26 am
#2380
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: 7,330
Thanks both. My route to optimise F UuA is:
AMS-LHR-SIN-BKK
BKK-KUL-LHR-AMS
I think all flights are available to book however BA.com will only offer AMS-BKK or AMS-HKG-BKK. The return BA.com does offer the flights I want through KUL - it's just the SIN outbound that I am unable to check
AMS-LHR-SIN-BKK
BKK-KUL-LHR-AMS
I think all flights are available to book however BA.com will only offer AMS-BKK or AMS-HKG-BKK. The return BA.com does offer the flights I want through KUL - it's just the SIN outbound that I am unable to check
May 21, 2018, 3:28 am
#2381
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262
May 21, 2018, 3:43 am
#2382
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
Even with a transit visa, short connections are dicey due to having to get a printed BP at ALG (if you are in legitimate transit, an official will go downstairs to get it for you, leaving you to sweat nervously upstairs).
Algeria - worth visiting, not so good to connect over !!
May 21, 2018, 3:54 am
#2383
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
For ALG an FTer is doing that run at the moment. There is a report on here. However, they have to drop the last leg as cannot get multiple entry visa.
May 21, 2018, 4:00 am
#2384
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 58
Hi all,
Wondering if anyone can help me get 450 TP out of a trip from London to NYC / Boston? Can be really flexible, but need to be there around 20 July and return maybe 8 August.
OTP will get the job done, but positioning flights look like almost £300. Can't seem to find anything else on Matrix.
Any ideas? Thanks.
Wondering if anyone can help me get 450 TP out of a trip from London to NYC / Boston? Can be really flexible, but need to be there around 20 July and return maybe 8 August.
OTP will get the job done, but positioning flights look like almost £300. Can't seem to find anything else on Matrix.
Any ideas? Thanks.
May 21, 2018, 4:03 am
#2385
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,481
Would this not result in denied boarding/check-in at the start of the last series of flights due to no valid travel docs...? I can see that that hurdle be cleared by working in a LHR/LGW shuffle, but surely risky through any direct connection.