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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.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 30, 2018, 7:45 am
#2521
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 844
Are you referring to a type B2B transit, then you're propably right. In the ALG-JFK thread it was disadvised to B2B, but even arriving from the same country, as Vueling has a very early flight BCN-ALG, that would let you have the time needed for the transfer. I'm not advocating any 'self-transfer at the gate', or to 'get lost near the gate' in a country like Algeria, or in any visa requiring country.
Because of your very definite statement, I called the consular section of the Algerian embassy, describing my plans to fly in from Paris in the morning, not leaving the airport, departing for Madrid early afternoon.The man, to whom the call was transferred, was very clear. "Like all over the world, you don't need a visa if not leaving the airport". There are , of course exceptions from this in some countries, but that was the official Algerian policy. The B2B situation was , however, disadvised. Also the return to the same country was not really a 'transfer' in the visa aspect, however much it was in the flying aspect. There was never any mentioning of what passport I held, and possible implications on the same situation.
Hence, waiting for Air Algerie to put flights into the scheme for the time I need, or for plan B go with AF. My plans will still, with official confirmation, be TWOV on both ends of my ALG-JFK trip
Because of your very definite statement, I called the consular section of the Algerian embassy, describing my plans to fly in from Paris in the morning, not leaving the airport, departing for Madrid early afternoon.The man, to whom the call was transferred, was very clear. "Like all over the world, you don't need a visa if not leaving the airport". There are , of course exceptions from this in some countries, but that was the official Algerian policy. The B2B situation was , however, disadvised. Also the return to the same country was not really a 'transfer' in the visa aspect, however much it was in the flying aspect. There was never any mentioning of what passport I held, and possible implications on the same situation.
Hence, waiting for Air Algerie to put flights into the scheme for the time I need, or for plan B go with AF. My plans will still, with official confirmation, be TWOV on both ends of my ALG-JFK trip
Please let us know what happens on the day...
May 30, 2018, 7:52 am
#2522
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 158
Well, good luck. The website of the Algerian Consulate in London very definitely talks about a Transit Visa so I think I will stick to the written statement rather than a verbal assurance... but your attitude to risk may well be different
Please let us know what happens on the day...
Please let us know what happens on the day...
There are quite a few different stories on this topic:
Guide for Tourist Visas in Algeria states that TWOV is possible - but that is not an official source.
In Algiers Airport Transit people suggest that it is possible, although cstorrie seems to have uncovered that it is currently not possible due to building works!?
May 30, 2018, 8:14 am
#2523
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 844
On the related topic of boarding refusal, my return routing was SFO (AA) JFK (BA) LHR LGW (BA) ALG.
The AA app wouldn't give me a mobile BP for any sectors so I feared the worst. But the AAgent at SFO didn't bat an eyelid and ran off all but the LGW-ALG on the spot no questions asked...
At JFK however, the JFK-LHR BP wouldn't scan so I was sent to the desk (with my heart in my mouth at this point
) for a "passport check". The agent clearly had a system prompt to look for an Algerian visa, which he did, even checking the dates were valid !!! Fortunately he was clearly no French speaker as he missed the bit that said "single entry only" and had a nice big immigration stamp all over it
So bit of a near miss there
and I would never attempt any ALG visit, transit or otherwise without the exact paperwork !!
The AA app wouldn't give me a mobile BP for any sectors so I feared the worst. But the AAgent at SFO didn't bat an eyelid and ran off all but the LGW-ALG on the spot no questions asked...
At JFK however, the JFK-LHR BP wouldn't scan so I was sent to the desk (with my heart in my mouth at this point
) for a "passport check". The agent clearly had a system prompt to look for an Algerian visa, which he did, even checking the dates were valid !!! Fortunately he was clearly no French speaker as he missed the bit that said "single entry only" and had a nice big immigration stamp all over it So bit of a near miss there
and I would never attempt any ALG visit, transit or otherwise without the exact paperwork !!
May 30, 2018, 11:32 am
#2525
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
May 30, 2018, 5:42 pm
#2526
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
May 30, 2018, 9:56 pm
#2527
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,076
Indeed it is. Budapest is my personal fabourite among the eastern European capitals.
Are there any any known BAFT members in BUD, who could organize a DO there?
Are there any any known BAFT members in BUD, who could organize a DO there?
May 31, 2018, 1:14 am
#2528
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,950
Because of your very definite statement, I called the consular section of the Algerian embassy, describing my plans to fly in from Paris in the morning, not leaving the airport, departing for Madrid early afternoon.The man, to whom the call was transferred, was very clear. "Like all over the world, you don't need a visa if not leaving the airport". There are , of course exceptions from this in some countries, but that was the official Algerian policy. The B2B situation was , however, disadvised. Also the return to the same country was not really a 'transfer' in the visa aspect, however much it was in the flying aspect. There was never any mentioning of what passport I held, and possible implications on the same situation.
I would also dispute the claim that an Algeria tourist visa for UK passport-holders takes "a couple of weeks"; that really depends on your itinerary, your work/personal background and what other visas you hold. My "two weeks" (as advised by the Consulate in London) in October turned into 9 weeks and I had to cancel and reschedule the entire trip. Added to that, a ticket originating in Algeria for the U.S. on a non-Algerian passport in the current climate will get you a big fat SSSS at your U.S. point of arrival. It's bad enough from Turkey and Egypt these days.
The fare would have to be very low to make a TP run to the U.S. out of Algeria worthwhile.
May 31, 2018, 1:56 am
#2529
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,848
Can't answer the question, but a DO in BUD would be a great idea - a very interesting place, and I've not been back for a few years so could definitely be persuaded…
May 31, 2018, 3:00 am
#2531
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
May 31, 2018, 3:26 am
#2532
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,848
I tried to learn a little when I visited. It is a challenging language! Perhaps the discussion on a Budapest DO needs to be split to another thread before we derail this one...
May 31, 2018, 3:36 am
#2533
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 844
As stated by others, landing at ALG from overseas requires immigration clearance and so you will need a transfer visa.
I would also dispute the claim that an Algeria tourist visa for UK passport-holders takes "a couple of weeks"; that really depends on your itinerary, your work/personal background and what other visas you hold. My "two weeks" (as advised by the Consulate in London) in October turned into 9 weeks and I had to cancel and reschedule the entire trip. Added to that, a ticket originating in Algeria for the U.S. on a non-Algerian passport in the current climate will get you a big fat SSSS at your U.S. point of arrival. It's bad enough from Turkey and Egypt these days.
The fare would have to be very low to make a TP run to the U.S. out of Algeria worthwhile.
I would also dispute the claim that an Algeria tourist visa for UK passport-holders takes "a couple of weeks"; that really depends on your itinerary, your work/personal background and what other visas you hold. My "two weeks" (as advised by the Consulate in London) in October turned into 9 weeks and I had to cancel and reschedule the entire trip. Added to that, a ticket originating in Algeria for the U.S. on a non-Algerian passport in the current climate will get you a big fat SSSS at your U.S. point of arrival. It's bad enough from Turkey and Egypt these days.
The fare would have to be very low to make a TP run to the U.S. out of Algeria worthwhile.
On arrival at JFK I was met by a SWAT team and roughly handcuffed and thrown in a van while they chanted "SSSS USA !!!, SSSS USA!!!"... oh no, sorry that was a dream, I actually flew through the GE machines & Customs and was at the Q3 bus stop 10 minutes later.
So for me, exALG worked out well, though next time I will press for a mutliple-entry visa to avoid too much stress on the inbound !!!
May 31, 2018, 4:30 am
#2534
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,950
Glad it went okay. I'm a journalist so even tourist visa applications tend to come in for extra scrutiny; mine had to be approved by Algiers, which took an age, but the staff at the consulate in Acton (!) were very pleasant about it.And sadly, my Global Entry has been met with a big red X recently; having a holiday in Turkey in the same six month period as a US trip is now highly suspicious apparently.
May 31, 2018, 4:43 am
#2535
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: NW 1MM, BD Gold, BA Gold, AA 1MM, LM, VX eleVAte, Hyatt D6, SPG Plat, Hertz President's
Posts: 304
Need ~1000 TP + 4 BA Segments ex-California
Did a few SFO-LAX-PHX-LGB returns when they use to net 360 TP for ~£350 and then flew the AMS-LGW-JER run. Today, SFO-LAX-PHX-LAS return came up less than LGB at 240 TP for ~£432.
Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.
Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.