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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This thread lists attractive tier point (TP) runs under Ł3 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 Ł1.48/TP Ł650 (US$853) 440 TPs JFK-CLT/BOS-LAX-LAS and return all I class aa.com
6Sep Ł1.50/TP US$457 240TPs RIC-CLT-DCA-BOS, BOS-LGA/PHL-CLT-RIC all I class aa.com
Jan/Feb wide open Ł1.94/TP Ł700(US$883) 360 TPs SEA-CLT-MCO-PHX-SEA all I class aa.com
From Middle East, Asia and Australasia
18Jan Ł1.58/TP Ł883 560 CMB-xHKG-CGK return I cathaypacific.com ermen CX
28Feb Ł1.44/TP Ł575 400 MCT-DOH-BKK-DOH-MCT A/R/R/A travel.americanexpress.co.uk QR
21Feb Ł1.53/TP Ł860 560 HKG-CMB-MEL return I Expedia.com.hk Firemin UL
16Mar Ł1.22/TP Ł687 560 CGK-CMB-DXB return I srilankan.com Firemin UL
01Apr Ł0.87/TP Ł314 360 PEN-KUL-KTM return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
01Apr Ł1.19/TP Ł335 280 KUL-PER return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
01Apr Ł1.28/TP Ł335 360 PEN-KUL-PER return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
05Apr Ł2.00/TP Ł320 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 Ł300 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 Ł500.
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 Ł520.
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
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 Ł1,082, 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 - Ł1,296, see linked post for details
- from AMS to BKK INCEU60 reported here, e.g. BKK - Ł1,340, 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 Ł3 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 Ł1.48/TP Ł650 (US$853) 440 TPs JFK-CLT/BOS-LAX-LAS and return all I class aa.com
6Sep Ł1.50/TP US$457 240TPs RIC-CLT-DCA-BOS, BOS-LGA/PHL-CLT-RIC all I class aa.com
Jan/Feb wide open Ł1.94/TP Ł700(US$883) 360 TPs SEA-CLT-MCO-PHX-SEA all I class aa.com
From Middle East, Asia and Australasia
18Jan Ł1.58/TP Ł883 560 CMB-xHKG-CGK return I cathaypacific.com ermen CX
28Feb Ł1.44/TP Ł575 400 MCT-DOH-BKK-DOH-MCT A/R/R/A travel.americanexpress.co.uk QR
21Feb Ł1.53/TP Ł860 560 HKG-CMB-MEL return I Expedia.com.hk Firemin UL
16Mar Ł1.22/TP Ł687 560 CGK-CMB-DXB return I srilankan.com Firemin UL
01Apr Ł0.87/TP Ł314 360 PEN-KUL-KTM return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
01Apr Ł1.19/TP Ł335 280 KUL-PER return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
01Apr Ł1.28/TP Ł335 360 PEN-KUL-PER return Malaysian.com cgtechuk MH
05Apr Ł2.00/TP Ł320 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 Ł300 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 Ł500.
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 Ł520.
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 23, 2018, 3:12 am
#676
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: London
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club, BA GGL CCR, Amex Plat
Posts: 77
Jan 23, 2018, 3:36 am
#677
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: Mucci, BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Stena Gold
Posts: 1,086
Jan 23, 2018, 3:54 am
#678
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: 7,325
Is there any way to get Matrix to put me on a BA operated flight in F on the TATL?
Doing the usual f bc=a occasionally finds a BA metal flight for the return (on an AA ticket) but forcing the airline to BA on that TATL outbound leg smashes the price out the park.
Is it just a case of hit and miss? Or can I force it some other way?
Doing the usual f bc=a occasionally finds a BA metal flight for the return (on an AA ticket) but forcing the airline to BA on that TATL outbound leg smashes the price out the park.
Is it just a case of hit and miss? Or can I force it some other way?
Jan 23, 2018, 4:02 am
#679
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Is there any way to get Matrix to put me on a BA operated flight in F on the TATL?
Doing the usual f bc=a occasionally finds a BA metal flight for the return (on an AA ticket) but forcing the airline to BA on that TATL outbound leg smashes the price out the park.
Is it just a case of hit and miss? Or can I force it some other way?
Doing the usual f bc=a occasionally finds a BA metal flight for the return (on an AA ticket) but forcing the airline to BA on that TATL outbound leg smashes the price out the park.
Is it just a case of hit and miss? Or can I force it some other way?
In your routing codes, do something like this:
LHR O:BA JFK AA LAX AA PHX
The O:BA forces BA metal only between LHR and JFK. This does not necessarily mean a BA flight number, but most likely an AA flight number (codeshare) for a BA metal flight.
Jan 23, 2018, 4:08 am
#680
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: 7,325
Exactly what I needed. Thanks.
Jan 23, 2018, 5:13 am
#681
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: BA Gold/ Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 399
Thanks rossmacd for you feedback on my 20TP question. Much appreciated!
Jan 23, 2018, 5:20 am
#682
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 192
I'll put it here for now as I know others were considering it....
If you can get a mobile boarding pass it's likely doable with running and queue jumping. Mine wanted credit card verification on the ground. I called UL in London from Doha and they said this was false and I was good to fly. The app never gave me a BP.
Transfer security at Doha nor transfer agents in CMB could issue a BP and they said it needed to be done in CGK but all looked fine.
I sprinted off the plane (first off) and jumped the entire immigration queue (after asking a ground agent!) And the check in desks were not open. That's game over. There is no one else to help and no UL presence land side.
The annoying thing is the DXB b2b was good as they were clearly expecting me because they rang asking where I was!
If you can refund it now, potentially via chargeback?! I would and save yourself the hassle. I'm a little dissapointing in UL tbh and will be taking it up with them.
Happy to answer any more questions. I will be posting pics etc I took in the other thread soon that show how it would have been possible with a proper transfer route airside.
If you can get a mobile boarding pass it's likely doable with running and queue jumping. Mine wanted credit card verification on the ground. I called UL in London from Doha and they said this was false and I was good to fly. The app never gave me a BP.
Transfer security at Doha nor transfer agents in CMB could issue a BP and they said it needed to be done in CGK but all looked fine.
I sprinted off the plane (first off) and jumped the entire immigration queue (after asking a ground agent!) And the check in desks were not open. That's game over. There is no one else to help and no UL presence land side.
The annoying thing is the DXB b2b was good as they were clearly expecting me because they rang asking where I was!
If you can refund it now, potentially via chargeback?! I would and save yourself the hassle. I'm a little dissapointing in UL tbh and will be taking it up with them.
Happy to answer any more questions. I will be posting pics etc I took in the other thread soon that show how it would have been possible with a proper transfer route airside.
Thanks for the clarity, I think I'll contact UL directly and ask them to change the dates on my nested ticket. As a point of reference lastminute.com are the only people I've seen to offer a ticket refund for a 10% surcharge even on non refundable tickets. I didn't read it fully but might be worth bearing in mind in the future for someone else.
I checked the sri lankan website and it states that mobile boarding passes are not valid at jakarta
- could be the reason that they would not issue one in the app."If you are boarding from any of the following destinations, you are required to carry a Boarding Pass issued by the airline at the airport check-in counter instead of a home printed Boarding Pass as per Airports Authority & Emigration requirements.
China Except Guangzhou (Canton)
Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur
Bangladesh - Dhaka
Kuwait
Maldives - Gan Island
Pakistan - Lahore
India ALL Destinations
Maldives
Indonesia - Jakarta
Oman - Muscat
Jeddah
Singapore
Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur
Bangladesh - Dhaka
Kuwait
Maldives - Gan Island
Pakistan - Lahore
India ALL Destinations
Maldives
Indonesia - Jakarta
Oman - Muscat
Jeddah
Singapore
Jan 23, 2018, 9:34 am
#683
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Essex
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Diamond; IHG Spire Ambassador,
Posts: 93
Well with a lot of help from this forum and from reading rossmacd great overview on the OTP-PHX I have finally managed to book my first real TP run.
By the time I get back I should be gold all being well and work trips pending so thank you all for your help!
I do however have a few questions if you kind people can help.....
1). The trip is showing on AA.com but i am unable to reserves seats on any sector that isn't operated by AA. Where should I access to get these to show?
2). When I login to my BAEC account I see only some of the flights that are on the trip, even then I had to call BA to book the 747 upper deck on the return and the other flights are not available either (AY1332 LHR-HEL, BA0799 HEL-LHR & BA0886 LHR-OTP) .
3). The following flights are not showing at all on my BAEC (BA885 OTP-LHR, AY1336 LHR-HEL & AY1331 HEL-LHR), how and where can I get these mobile passes?
Many thanks for your help
By the time I get back I should be gold all being well and work trips pending so thank you all for your help!
I do however have a few questions if you kind people can help.....
1). The trip is showing on AA.com but i am unable to reserves seats on any sector that isn't operated by AA. Where should I access to get these to show?
2). When I login to my BAEC account I see only some of the flights that are on the trip, even then I had to call BA to book the 747 upper deck on the return and the other flights are not available either (AY1332 LHR-HEL, BA0799 HEL-LHR & BA0886 LHR-OTP) .
3). The following flights are not showing at all on my BAEC (BA885 OTP-LHR, AY1336 LHR-HEL & AY1331 HEL-LHR), how and where can I get these mobile passes?
Many thanks for your help
Jan 23, 2018, 9:47 am
#684
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
Well with a lot of help from this forum and from reading rossmacd great overview on the OTP-PHX I have finally managed to book my first real TP run.
By the time I get back I should be gold all being well and work trips pending so thank you all for your help!
I do however have a few questions if you kind people can help.....
1). The trip is showing on AA.com but i am unable to reserves seats on any sector that isn't operated by AA. Where should I access to get these to show?
2). When I login to my BAEC account I see only some of the flights that are on the trip, even then I had to call BA to book the 747 upper deck on the return and the other flights are not available either (AY1332 LHR-HEL, BA0799 HEL-LHR & BA0886 LHR-OTP) .
3). The following flights are not showing at all on my BAEC (BA885 OTP-LHR, AY1336 LHR-HEL & AY1331 HEL-LHR), how and where can I get these mobile passes?
Many thanks for your help
By the time I get back I should be gold all being well and work trips pending so thank you all for your help!
I do however have a few questions if you kind people can help.....
1). The trip is showing on AA.com but i am unable to reserves seats on any sector that isn't operated by AA. Where should I access to get these to show?
2). When I login to my BAEC account I see only some of the flights that are on the trip, even then I had to call BA to book the 747 upper deck on the return and the other flights are not available either (AY1332 LHR-HEL, BA0799 HEL-LHR & BA0886 LHR-OTP) .
3). The following flights are not showing at all on my BAEC (BA885 OTP-LHR, AY1336 LHR-HEL & AY1331 HEL-LHR), how and where can I get these mobile passes?
Many thanks for your help
A glitch means not all flights show up on BA.com. It’s worth downloading the aa app and using this.
Jan 23, 2018, 9:49 am
#685
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,888
Well with a lot of help from this forum and from reading rossmacd great overview on the OTP-PHX I have finally managed to book my first real TP run.
By the time I get back I should be gold all being well and work trips pending so thank you all for your help!
I do however have a few questions if you kind people can help.....
1). The trip is showing on AA.com but i am unable to reserves seats on any sector that isn't operated by AA. Where should I access to get these to show?
2). When I login to my BAEC account I see only some of the flights that are on the trip, even then I had to call BA to book the 747 upper deck on the return and the other flights are not available either (AY1332 LHR-HEL, BA0799 HEL-LHR & BA0886 LHR-OTP) .
3). The following flights are not showing at all on my BAEC (BA885 OTP-LHR, AY1336 LHR-HEL & AY1331 HEL-LHR), how and where can I get these mobile passes?
Many thanks for your help
By the time I get back I should be gold all being well and work trips pending so thank you all for your help!
I do however have a few questions if you kind people can help.....
1). The trip is showing on AA.com but i am unable to reserves seats on any sector that isn't operated by AA. Where should I access to get these to show?
2). When I login to my BAEC account I see only some of the flights that are on the trip, even then I had to call BA to book the 747 upper deck on the return and the other flights are not available either (AY1332 LHR-HEL, BA0799 HEL-LHR & BA0886 LHR-OTP) .
3). The following flights are not showing at all on my BAEC (BA885 OTP-LHR, AY1336 LHR-HEL & AY1331 HEL-LHR), how and where can I get these mobile passes?
Many thanks for your help
2) yes so your BA PNR is there for your BA operated flights. Typically it will only show the flight before and after your BA flight and not every one. The master PNR is the one on aa,com and that should show everything.
3) I suspect you have a second BA PNR which isn’t showing as your BAEC number isn’t added. You may have to call BA to get that, or try looking at Qantas MMB - see post 7
Jan 23, 2018, 10:01 am
#686
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 844
Well with a lot of help from this forum and from reading rossmacd great overview on the OTP-PHX I have finally managed to book my first real TP run.
By the time I get back I should be gold all being well and work trips pending so thank you all for your help!
I do however have a few questions if you kind people can help.....
1). The trip is showing on AA.com but i am unable to reserves seats on any sector that isn't operated by AA. Where should I access to get these to show?
2). When I login to my BAEC account I see only some of the flights that are on the trip, even then I had to call BA to book the 747 upper deck on the return and the other flights are not available either (AY1332 LHR-HEL, BA0799 HEL-LHR & BA0886 LHR-OTP) .
3). The following flights are not showing at all on my BAEC (BA885 OTP-LHR, AY1336 LHR-HEL & AY1331 HEL-LHR), how and where can I get these mobile passes?
Many thanks for your help
By the time I get back I should be gold all being well and work trips pending so thank you all for your help!
I do however have a few questions if you kind people can help.....
1). The trip is showing on AA.com but i am unable to reserves seats on any sector that isn't operated by AA. Where should I access to get these to show?
2). When I login to my BAEC account I see only some of the flights that are on the trip, even then I had to call BA to book the 747 upper deck on the return and the other flights are not available either (AY1332 LHR-HEL, BA0799 HEL-LHR & BA0886 LHR-OTP) .
3). The following flights are not showing at all on my BAEC (BA885 OTP-LHR, AY1336 LHR-HEL & AY1331 HEL-LHR), how and where can I get these mobile passes?
Many thanks for your help
Jan 23, 2018, 10:03 am
#687
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 844
Jan 23, 2018, 10:04 am
#688
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
It is not a glitch. AA only shares what it needs to with airlines on the same ticket, hence does not share all segments. Similar happens on other airlines and GDS combinations.
Jan 23, 2018, 10:05 am
#689
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,237
My OTP-PHX over 8 legs mirrors perfectly on BA.com MMB and also the App. As rossmacd says - I was not expecting this !
Jan 23, 2018, 10:08 am
#690
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
When I moved the date of my HNL - LAX flight for the upcoming CAI-HNL trip, I think it must have created a seperate booking. I cannot view or edit my AA seats on the LAX-HNL-LAX segments. Loading up my AA booking it lets me move seats on JFK-LAX and LAX-JFK only.