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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.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
Sep 8, 2018, 7:58 am
#3691
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: LHR / LAS
Programs: BA GfL, GGL/CCR
Posts: 2,409
I been trying to book a variety of ex-eu fares to the west coast this past week, on a variety of dates. All the I class deals such as LUX,OTP, AMS. They all are showing good prices, relatively, on the matrix , but just un-bookable. I tried the usual , like power-tools code, trying price line, the aa EU website, AA.com etc .No joy , same with book with matrix.
So I eventually got round to phoning BA initially. They also stated, as above, that the I fares just didn't exist , which did on the matrix. And she tried loads of dates for me.
She suggested call AA , as they sometimes see the I class fare better.
But once again the AA agent said exactly the same, that where I am seeing the I class fare exists, as per the matrix, is doesn't, in all reality.
So it could be a glitch in the matrix. If so, hopefully temporary.
So I eventually got round to phoning BA initially. They also stated, as above, that the I fares just didn't exist , which did on the matrix. And she tried loads of dates for me.
She suggested call AA , as they sometimes see the I class fare better.
But once again the AA agent said exactly the same, that where I am seeing the I class fare exists, as per the matrix, is doesn't, in all reality.
So it could be a glitch in the matrix. If so, hopefully temporary.
Sep 8, 2018, 8:06 am
#3692
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
Sep 8, 2018, 8:12 am
#3693
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 133
Fare1: Carrier IB IHN8T1S4 MAD to NYC
Fare2: Carrier AA ILW8T8S4 NYC to DUB
who do I call in that case? Do I have to get two single tickets (Outbound separate from Inbound)? Or should IB or AA be able to price up?
Sep 8, 2018, 9:09 am
#3694
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: BCN
Programs: BA GGL, IB, LH, IHG Gold
Posts: 582
On matrix add in the carrier on the routing to get that as the marketing TATL, which will force that carrier's fare basis
So if you want to get the AA version
MAD
LHR AA BOS PHL
NYC
LHR AA BOS PHL
NYC
MAD
LHR IB,BA BOS PHL
NYC
LHR IB,BA BOS PHL
NYC
Sep 8, 2018, 10:51 am
#3695
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 133
Unfortunately that still didn't work. It did force both fares to an AA code, but it still won't book:
Fare 1: Carrier AA IHN8T1S4 MAD to NYC
Fare 2: Carrier AA ILW8T8S4 NYC to DUB
Not sure what else to try? Appreciate all the help
Fare 1: Carrier AA IHN8T1S4 MAD to NYC
Fare 2: Carrier AA ILW8T8S4 NYC to DUB
Not sure what else to try? Appreciate all the help
Sep 9, 2018, 4:25 am
#3696
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 383
AMS to BKK Positioning Question
Apologies if this is answered somewhere but a search didn't find the answer.
I'd like to book an AMS to BKK with a departure of 17:15 from AMS.
I can get a BA flight to AMS arriving at 13:20 the same day.
How risky is that? What happens if the positioning flight is delayed? Would I forfeit the rest of the journey?
I'd like to book an AMS to BKK with a departure of 17:15 from AMS.
I can get a BA flight to AMS arriving at 13:20 the same day.
How risky is that? What happens if the positioning flight is delayed? Would I forfeit the rest of the journey?
Sep 9, 2018, 4:27 am
#3697
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
Apologies if this is answered somewhere but a search didn't find the answer.
I'd like to book an AMS to BKK with a departure of 17:15 from AMS.
I can get a BA flight to AMS arriving at 13:20 the same day.
How risky is that? What happens if the positioning flight is delayed? Would I forfeit the rest of the journey?
I'd like to book an AMS to BKK with a departure of 17:15 from AMS.
I can get a BA flight to AMS arriving at 13:20 the same day.
How risky is that? What happens if the positioning flight is delayed? Would I forfeit the rest of the journey?
Sep 9, 2018, 4:32 am
#3698
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 383
Thanks for the quick answer.
I'll have a bit of luggage though. How would I deal with that?
I'll have a bit of luggage though. How would I deal with that?
Last edited by webstereo; Sep 9, 2018 at 4:34 am Reason: to add answer
Sep 9, 2018, 4:43 am
#3699
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 833
Yes it is risky. You are better with a B2B so you are on the same plane there and back. If you don’t you run the risk that your positioning flight is late or cancelled but the next flight runs on time meaning you miss getting your flight back from AMS.Thanks for the quick answer.
I'll have a bit of luggage though. How would I deal with that?
I'll have a bit of luggage though. How would I deal with that?
a) Have a healthy buffer between your positioning flight and your first run-flight. Not just time buffer, but number of flights, so if yours is cancelled, you have at least another flight. Consider travelling out the day before if you have a lot of luggage.
b) If you route back through LHR, then store your luggage at the T5 Left Luggage facility before your positioning flight. When you come back through LHR, go landside, retrieve your luggage and check it for the remainder of the outbound run. You need a sufficient layover buffer at LHR to do this, but it usually doesn't take that much longer than going through transit security, especially as there is no fast track transit.,
Sep 9, 2018, 4:45 am
#3700
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 383
b is a brilliant idea, thanks very much
Sep 9, 2018, 5:00 am
#3701
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 833
Glad to be of help. It doesn't work for everyone. The LHR layover may be too tight - or if you have lots of luggage, then the storage cost can add up.
But if you only have 1 checked bag, it often saves money - as you only need an HBO fare for your outbound positioning flight - plus you can B2B
On your return leg, your luggage will go back to AMS, so ensure that you have a luggage-fare for your return positioning flight.
But if you only have 1 checked bag, it often saves money - as you only need an HBO fare for your outbound positioning flight - plus you can B2B
On your return leg, your luggage will go back to AMS, so ensure that you have a luggage-fare for your return positioning flight.
Sep 9, 2018, 5:01 am
#3702
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Shoreham By Sea
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,333
Position to AMS on the B2B from LHR.
Check in for all flights prior to arriving at the airport.
Go to bag drop and hand over your LHR to BKK boarding pass
Travel to AMS and back with only hand Lugggage
I’ve used this method many times, without issue.
Check in for all flights prior to arriving at the airport.
Go to bag drop and hand over your LHR to BKK boarding pass
Travel to AMS and back with only hand Lugggage
I’ve used this method many times, without issue.
Sep 9, 2018, 5:08 am
#3703
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 833
Yes, that's an even better option. Presumably it works for any run - as long as when you depart for your positioning flight, you are within 24 hours of the LHR=>onward leg.
Sep 9, 2018, 5:19 am
#3704
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 383
Do I just pick the flight from LHR to AMS that appears to run immediately before the one back to LHR?
It all sounds quite nerve-racking
