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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.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
Jan 19, 2018, 6:20 pm
#556
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 932
yes i will do 2 short Iberia turnaround for qualification.Assuming you have an eligible passport you could travel from there to HKG on a separate ticket to avoid getting a Chinese visa (eg. BKK - KUL - PEK - HKG - PVG - KUL - BKK) - both Beijing and Shanghai now have a 144 hour transit without visa scheme (for certain nationalities).
Jan 20, 2018, 1:35 am
#557
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: BA, AA, SQ, UA, AC, WS, MR TIT
Posts: 8,659
Jan 20, 2018, 7:24 am
#558
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 932
Unlikely to find anything cheaper (in terms of TP ratio) than that I think ...
Jan 20, 2018, 7:53 am
#559
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Jan 20, 2018, 7:55 am
#560
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,609
Still, £750 for 560 TP isn't anything to complain about
Jan 20, 2018, 8:08 am
#561
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 932
Ooops - I think you might be right! Thanks for pointing that out. I spent so much time trying to get the VPN to work access to Google Flights that I totally forgot to check the booking class. Clearly not my day today ...
Jan 20, 2018, 9:59 am
#562
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 87
Feel like this OTP-PHX first fare is too good to decline. Will be my first TP run. I have some questions if anyone would be kind enough to advise?
1. How can I get the matrix to split the OTP-LHR and LHR-JFK on separate days?
2. After getting 1080 TPs, I will be 200 short of gold. Are there any US routes to earn that cheaply that I can nest inbetween?
3. I was looking at routing via BOS one leg to get on the A380, but can only find the fare available in J. Has anyone booked it in F?
Cheers
1. How can I get the matrix to split the OTP-LHR and LHR-JFK on separate days?
2. After getting 1080 TPs, I will be 200 short of gold. Are there any US routes to earn that cheaply that I can nest inbetween?
3. I was looking at routing via BOS one leg to get on the A380, but can only find the fare available in J. Has anyone booked it in F?
Cheers
Jan 20, 2018, 10:05 am
#563
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
Feel like this OTP-PHX first fare is too good to decline. Will be my first TP run. I have some questions if anyone would be kind enough to advise?
1. How can I get the matrix to split the OTP-LHR and LHR-JFK on separate days?
2. After getting 1080 TPs, I will be 200 short of gold. Are there any US routes to earn that cheaply that I can nest inbetween?
3. I was looking at routing via BOS one leg to get on the A380, but can only find the fare available in J. Has anyone booked it in F?
Cheers
1. How can I get the matrix to split the OTP-LHR and LHR-JFK on separate days?
2. After getting 1080 TPs, I will be 200 short of gold. Are there any US routes to earn that cheaply that I can nest inbetween?
3. I was looking at routing via BOS one leg to get on the A380, but can only find the fare available in J. Has anyone booked it in F?
Cheers
2. There are some routes but I’ve not found any for my needs. You can get 840TPs fairly cheaply but the route is a little tricky.
3. Not tried it.
Jan 20, 2018, 10:09 am
#564
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Feel like this OTP-PHX first fare is too good to decline. Will be my first TP run. I have some questions if anyone would be kind enough to advise?
1. How can I get the matrix to split the OTP-LHR and LHR-JFK on separate days?
2. After getting 1080 TPs, I will be 200 short of gold. Are there any US routes to earn that cheaply that I can nest inbetween?
3. I was looking at routing via BOS one leg to get on the A380, but can only find the fare available in J. Has anyone booked it in F?
Cheers
1. How can I get the matrix to split the OTP-LHR and LHR-JFK on separate days?
2. After getting 1080 TPs, I will be 200 short of gold. Are there any US routes to earn that cheaply that I can nest inbetween?
3. I was looking at routing via BOS one leg to get on the A380, but can only find the fare available in J. Has anyone booked it in F?
Cheers
1. Easy - using the multi-city function in Matrix, you will be able to select different dates for your sectors - flight 1 do OTP-LHR (day 1), then flight 2 LHR-JFK-..... (day 2). Make sure that you are at LHR for 24 hours or less, or it will be classed as a stopover, not a transfer (and the fare will rise significantly)
2. The most lucrative is LAX-PTY, where you can yield many TPs - up to 840 for about ~£750, or you can do a cut down version of it for lower TPs and less time
3. It can be booked in F, but I would really avoid this since you will miss out on the Transcon product potentially on your next flight (assuming you are heading to LAX after BOS) and you'll be on the standard Domestic F product, not the lie-flats
Jan 20, 2018, 10:48 am
#565
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Berkshire
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Accor Plat, Pucci Fan Club
Posts: 1,779
Just thought I’d share my views on the difference between J and F on the OTP-PHX deal.
The availability of F on any day and also the restricted flights options convinced me to book J for the following reasons.
1. The J fare is still a good 800 TPs for just £1223
2. The availability is much wider in J.
3. The usual plane from London to New York is the Jumbo and I find the difference between F and UD J not very big, in fact I prefer 64 or 62 over the 744 F in any seat except 1a/k.
4. The J seat on the JFK-LAX is absolutely fine... some say better than the single F seat. Lots on google about this. I’ve flown both and didn’t think F was that good (it’s not bad either... it’s just not a great F product).
In summary, if I could find F availability easily without compromising on the schedule (no red eye or overnights in LAX or JFK) then I’d snap it up for £1500 odd quid. However the J availability is much better and not many fewer TPs.
The availability of F on any day and also the restricted flights options convinced me to book J for the following reasons.
1. The J fare is still a good 800 TPs for just £1223
2. The availability is much wider in J.
3. The usual plane from London to New York is the Jumbo and I find the difference between F and UD J not very big, in fact I prefer 64 or 62 over the 744 F in any seat except 1a/k.
4. The J seat on the JFK-LAX is absolutely fine... some say better than the single F seat. Lots on google about this. I’ve flown both and didn’t think F was that good (it’s not bad either... it’s just not a great F product).
In summary, if I could find F availability easily without compromising on the schedule (no red eye or overnights in LAX or JFK) then I’d snap it up for £1500 odd quid. However the J availability is much better and not many fewer TPs.
Jan 20, 2018, 10:54 am
#566
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 692
I'm looking for an OTP-PHX fare ideally during late April, May or June (or even March). The lowest I can find during that period is around £2000. There are a couple of dates in July that I've seen fares in the £1400s but that's the lowest. If anybody has recently found the lower fare during the above periods (staying as short as possible in PHX) I'd appreciate a pointer (PM fine). I'm assuming the cheap fares require a Sat night stay and that's what I've been looking for but if Saturday night isn't required that's fine too. 1080 TPs will nudge me nicely into Gold until Feb 20.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Jan 20, 2018, 11:06 am
#567
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 28
Hopefully a simple question - I'm looking to book a run (my very first) in July on the OTP -> PHZ in first. A return for about 1600 GBP
Question 1: Assume that even booking on American Airlines - I can receive full tier points on BA?
Question 2: I have quite a tight connection when inbound from OTP at Heathrow -> out to JFK. Connection of 1:15. Is this enough? What happens if the flight is delayed... ? Assume I am covered?
Question 1: Assume that even booking on American Airlines - I can receive full tier points on BA?
Question 2: I have quite a tight connection when inbound from OTP at Heathrow -> out to JFK. Connection of 1:15. Is this enough? What happens if the flight is delayed... ? Assume I am covered?
Jan 20, 2018, 11:14 am
#568
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
I'm looking for an OTP-PHX fare ideally during late April, May or June (or even March). The lowest I can find during that period is around £2000. There are a couple of dates in July that I've seen fares in the £1400s but that's the lowest. If anybody has recently found the lower fare during the above periods (staying as short as possible in PHX) I'd appreciate a pointer (PM fine). I'm assuming the cheap fares require a Sat night stay and that's what I've been looking for but if Saturday night isn't required that's fine too. 1080 TPs will nudge me nicely into Gold until Feb 20.
Thanks.
Thanks.
PERMITTED 01JUL THROUGH 31AUG OR 22NOV THROUGH 29NOV OR
24DEC THROUGH 31DEC OR 24MAR THROUGH 08APR FOR EACH
TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
24DEC THROUGH 31DEC OR 24MAR THROUGH 08APR FOR EACH
TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
Jan 20, 2018, 11:15 am
#569
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 1,713
Hopefully a simple question - I'm looking to book a run (my very first) in July on the OTP -> PHZ in first. A return for about 1600 GBP
Question 1: Assume that even booking on American Airlines - I can receive full tier points on BA?
Question 2: I have quite a tight connection when inbound from OTP at Heathrow -> out to JFK. Connection of 1:15. Is this enough? What happens if the flight is delayed... ? Assume I am covered?
Question 1: Assume that even booking on American Airlines - I can receive full tier points on BA?
Question 2: I have quite a tight connection when inbound from OTP at Heathrow -> out to JFK. Connection of 1:15. Is this enough? What happens if the flight is delayed... ? Assume I am covered?
Make sure you put your BA exec number in on aa.com when you’re booking. As for the connection, I’ve booked a similar connection with no fear. The great thing about flying to NYC is the significant number of alternatives for BA to rebook you on if your inbound is so late that you miss it. You can still afford a 30 minute delay though.
Jan 20, 2018, 11:17 am
#570
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Hopefully a simple question - I'm looking to book a run (my very first) in July on the OTP -> PHZ in first. A return for about 1600 GBP
Question 1: Assume that even booking on American Airlines - I can receive full tier points on BA?
Question 2: I have quite a tight connection when inbound from OTP at Heathrow -> out to JFK. Connection of 1:15. Is this enough? What happens if the flight is delayed... ? Assume I am covered?
Question 1: Assume that even booking on American Airlines - I can receive full tier points on BA?
Question 2: I have quite a tight connection when inbound from OTP at Heathrow -> out to JFK. Connection of 1:15. Is this enough? What happens if the flight is delayed... ? Assume I am covered?
2. Yes, this is enough, in fact the shorter the connection the better in my opinion
If you are delayed (unlikely on the early OTP-LHR sector since it is the aircraft's first rotation of the day), then you are covered and BA/AA will find you an alternative routing depending on availability. But the booking windows of this fare means mostly summer conditions, so weather is less likely to have impacts than such as the winter months.