Old Jan 1, 2018, 5:20 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.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
  • 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.

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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:
  • 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
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
Print Wikipost

BA Tier Point Runs | 2018 master thread

Old Jul 11, 2018, 6:11 am
  #2926  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,295
Working in GVA for several weeks this month and next and have some 2-3-4 day stretches where I could take a TP run just about anywhere.

Looking for a good value on 600-1000 TPs and can easily position to a non-GVA airport.

I've searched heavily on ITA and not finding much worthwhile. Is finding something worthwhile from Central Europe these months a fools errand?

Would welcome any leads/advice, thanks!
Surgee is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2018, 8:16 am
  #2927  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: EI Gold Circle Elite, ICH Platinum, HH
Posts: 7
Hi All

I am looking to earn 100 tier points out of Dublin (cost effectively as possible) anytime the last 2 weeks in August / 1st week in Sep t to retain gold. Prefer to do it all in the same day. Any suggestions thanks.

J
jpm290975 is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2018, 11:02 am
  #2928  
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,689
Originally Posted by Lefly
GoSleep Pods.
I was looking at these, saves me 60 euros compared to the Hilton.
Might do pod on way out as I think it has that short transfer you mention.

Pods might also be good for straight UK-HEL TP runs.
DeathSlam is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2018, 11:19 am
  #2929  
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
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Posts: 4,510
Originally Posted by DeathSlam
I was looking at these, saves me 60 euros compared to the Hilton.
Might do pod on way out as I think it has that short transfer you mention.

Pods might also be good for straight UK-HEL TP runs.
I believe @teledude has used these or tried to but had an issue as they are airside.
madfish is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2018, 11:23 am
  #2930  
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
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Posts: 4,510
Originally Posted by jpm290975
Hi All

I am looking to earn 100 tier points out of Dublin (cost effectively as possible) anytime the last 2 weeks in August / 1st week in Sep t to retain gold. Prefer to do it all in the same day. Any suggestions thanks.

J
Not checked anything specific for 100TPs but you could look at DUB/LHR/??? with ??? being either a domestic or somewhere near by. LUX is often good value.

Also have a look at DUB/LHR/MAN/DUB as BA are operating some MAN/DUB flights this summer.
madfish is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2018, 11:42 am
  #2931  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,112
Originally Posted by jpm290975
Hi All

I am looking to earn 100 tier points out of Dublin (cost effectively as possible) anytime the last 2 weeks in August / 1st week in Sep t to retain gold. Prefer to do it all in the same day. Any suggestions thanks.

J
Do IB fly to DUB from BCN and MAD? Could do something like DUB>MAD>BCN>DUB or DUB>LHR>MAD>DUB

Would try those in google flights or similar
lorcancoyle is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2018, 11:45 am
  #2932  
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,689
Originally Posted by DeathSlam
tried OTP-PHX J for March-April 2019
Just realised I need to make sure I'm back in UK by 29th March
DeathSlam is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2018, 2:01 pm
  #2933  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Reading
Programs: BAEC GOLD HH GOLD
Posts: 21
Hi - I posted a couple weeks ago abd thought I had found out what I needed/would work as basically could get work to pay for it in a roundabout way. So firstly, the 2-week extension on tier point year end, is that guaranteed? So If I end Aug 8th - Can I fly out up to the 22nd. or at least completed all outbound travel by the 22nd?

Secondly - so I need 460 TP's from LON. I have found some good deals from FRA or AMS via PHL to SEA etc, anyother ideas in that bracket? If its dirt cheap may take daughter, both of us have ESTA's already. Or even open to shorthaul plus around the EU HEL/OSL etc?

Thanks

Andy
ukdelinquent is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2018, 2:48 pm
  #2934  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 844
Hi all,

I follow these boards closely and occasionally manage to contribute some useful snippets, but now I have a request.

We are looking to go to Japan next May/June for about 3 weeks. We have a GUF2 to use up. Happy to pay for W and upgrade to J.

An hour's searching today has thrown up decent fares to PVG in late May plus an affordable redempton on to HND.

But if anyone has suggestions of a cheaper way to get to Japan (mostly) in a flat-bed seat, we'd love to heat them...
OverTheHorizon is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2018, 11:06 pm
  #2935  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,023
Originally Posted by DeathSlam
I was looking at these, saves me 60 euros compared to the Hilton.
Might do pod on way out as I think it has that short transfer you mention.

Pods might also be good for straight UK-HEL TP runs.
They worked just fine
I had to go landside to retrieve the carry-on, then I went back airside through a very empty security point, and no one told me anything about the boarding pass for a flight 7 hrs later.
I wish they were available in more airports, as they are very convenient.
Lefly is offline  
Old Jul 12, 2018, 12:11 am
  #2936  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,113
Originally Posted by chistery
I'm doing an ex INV in NOV, and BA have just retimed a flight so I now have 40 mins at INV.
I do tend to do the B2B bit the day before though, so LHR-INV-LHR one day, then the long haul flight the next day.
40 mins should be fine at INV - it's the same aircraft.

Last edited by Sealink; Jul 13, 2018 at 7:03 am
Sealink is offline  
Old Jul 12, 2018, 12:15 am
  #2937  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
Originally Posted by Lefly
They worked just fine
I had to go landside to retrieve the carry-on, then I went back airside through a very empty security point, and no one told me anything about the boarding pass for a flight 7 hrs later.
I wish they were available in more airports, as they are very convenient.
So they get hot inside? Is there any form of cooling in them?
Frequent flyer 101 is offline  
Old Jul 12, 2018, 2:20 am
  #2938  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, FB Gold, Bonvoy Titanium / LTP, Accor Plat
Posts: 13,771
I found an interesting fare in Africa (in the GBP1.83/TP range at the maximum) but though EF has the fare filed and ITA can construct a journey around it, none of the OTAs seem to want to offer it - even as a simple point to point, rather than the complicated TP-maximising route ITA allows No joy with bookwithmatrix either.

Any hints on how to see if the fare really exists for booking? Don't really want to put it here if it's just a mirage. Thanks!
typical is offline  
Old Jul 12, 2018, 2:49 am
  #2939  
DVT
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Bronze
Posts: 523
Originally Posted by typical
Don't really want to put it here if it's just a mirage.
Don't worry about that, if it's non-bookable someone will usually work out why pretty quickly.
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Old Jul 12, 2018, 3:12 am
  #2940  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: UA 1K, BA GGL/CCR, TK Elite Plus, Marriott Gold4Lyfe, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Tesco Blue
Posts: 270
Originally Posted by OverTheHorizon
Hi all,

We are looking to go to Japan next May/June for about 3 weeks. We have a GUF2 to use up. Happy to pay for W and upgrade to J.
...
But if anyone has suggestions of a cheaper way to get to Japan (mostly) in a flat-bed seat, we'd love to heat them...
Just some advice from what I've learned, remember they stick you with the ridiculous surcharges when upgrading into J when you use a GUF, and sometimes (not always but sometimes - well, most of the time, as it seems, on the routes I have used), by the time you add up the additional surcharges and taxes, it's not very much more expensive/maybe around the same cost to purchase J and upgrade into F. Sounds crazy, I know, but the surcharges are really outrageous going from Y/W to J, and there are no add-ons going from J to F. So, if you can get a cheaper business class fare (perhaps I class), it can come out to be around the same total out of pocket cost, and you go in F.
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SkyTeem is offline  

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