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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Print Wikipost

BA Tier Point Runs | 2018 master thread

Old Sep 20, 2018, 4:06 am
  #4021  
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BA, Hilton
Posts: 2,085
Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
What are the chances of being "given" silver if I got to 595...? Not worth chancing it?
No idea, sorry. It can happen, and anecdotally there seem to be increased reports of it lately.

I would make the following points:
- if you rely on it and they say "no", you don't really have a leg to stand on if you are hoping to get it for the 595.
- you could possibly wait until Jan 9th or so to see if they renew you. If they do, happy days. If they don't, then you could use the 2 week grace period to collect the missing 5 points. But obviously you will need to be able to fly at short notice in that period.
- very much doubt you will get anything official from BA on this. It seems they will need to deal with each case individually. Even if there is some internally official policy of "let them keep it at 580+" they're not going to let that become common knowledge.

I'd personally go the AUP route unless all your existing flights are so close to the year end that lack of AUP would leave you short and not enough time to fix that.
cupsandsaucers likes this.
BertieBadger is online now  
Old Sep 20, 2018, 4:16 am
  #4022  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,691
Originally Posted by KARFA
I think MMB "upgrade using money" will only offer POUGs or standard fare difference upgrades - if it works at all which it often doesn't!

For AUPs I think they can only be done at the airport?
Yes, was referring to POUGs.

Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
It doesn't give me that option, (it's not TA booked, I booked it). But I think it's because there are other people on the booking also?
If there's no offer, then it would just be standard fare difference. Indeed, I believe you need to apply to all flyers on the booking - could ring BA and ask them to split you to your own PNR and see if that then generates an offer? I've never known LON-EDI vv. to not have it.... usually pops up without fail.
flashware is offline  
Old Sep 20, 2018, 4:17 am
  #4023  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,691
Originally Posted by BertieBadger
No idea, sorry. It can happen, and anecdotally there seem to be increased reports of it lately.

I would make the following points:
- if you rely on it and they say "no", you don't really have a leg to stand on if you are hoping to get it for the 595.
- you could possibly wait until Jan 9th or so to see if they renew you. If they do, happy days. If they don't, then you could use the 2 week grace period to collect the missing 5 points. But obviously you will need to be able to fly at short notice in that period.
- very much doubt you will get anything official from BA on this. It seems they will need to deal with each case individually. Even if there is some internally official policy of "let them keep it at 580+" they're not going to let that become common knowledge.

I'd personally go the AUP route unless all your existing flights are so close to the year end that lack of AUP would leave you short and not enough time to fix that.
Of course, AUP does tend to be more expensive (usually 10 more on an EDI-LON flight for example; that's based on HBO fares).
flashware is offline  
Old Sep 20, 2018, 4:31 am
  #4024  
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BA, Hilton
Posts: 2,085
Originally Posted by flashware
Of course, AUP does tend to be more expensive (usually 10 more on an EDI-LON flight for example; that's based on HBO fares).
Yes, agreed (and your quoted figure matches my experience). For me, the small additional cost of an AUP would be offset against the time needed to do a separate TP run. POUGs would be preferable of course, but they don't seem to get offered on connecting flights which is why I often did an AUP of the domestic leg when flying EDI-LHR-XXX on a WTP ticket

I'd also re-iterate that AUPs aren't always available, even if there is a spare seat. I've been refused them at EDI because it would take the CE passenger numbers over that which can be served by the allocated crew numbers
cupsandsaucers likes this.
BertieBadger is online now  
Old Sep 20, 2018, 4:34 am
  #4025  
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC: Silver. Nothing else as TopCashBack trumps all hotel programs
Posts: 801
Originally Posted by BertieBadger
I'd also re-iterate that AUPs aren't always available, even if there is a spare seat. I've been refused them at EDI because it would take the CE passenger numbers over that which can be served by the allocated crew numbers
I well belive you but am still suprised by this. Heck there is usually a handful, maybe 6 or 8 CE PAX on GLA/EDI-LHR flights. I would be amazed what the "allowance" is per crew. I mean in long haul 1 crew member is serving potentially 50 people meals etc.
cupsandsaucers is offline  
Old Sep 20, 2018, 4:57 am
  #4026  
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: LON
Programs: BA GFL, OW Gold, CX/MP Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 258
Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
I well belive you but am still suprised by this. Heck there is usually a handful, maybe 6 or 8 CE PAX on GLA/EDI-LHR flights. I would be amazed what the "allowance" is per crew. I mean in long haul 1 crew member is serving potentially 50 people meals etc.
On a long-haul you have 1 crew for 28pax for between 7 and 14hrs let say.

2 crew for 12pax in less than 2h on a flight such as GVA/EDI... crew2ratio is different.
IAANN is offline  
Old Sep 20, 2018, 9:37 am
  #4027  
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Accor Live Limitless Gold, Hilton Honours Gold, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 1,806
Originally Posted by Chokkoubin


What were the dates you found for that? Id like to get something in October before my Bronze card expires and I can at least enjoy the 25% avios bonus
Those dates were beginning of December, I couldn't find anything in October that matched this. How many TPs and by which date did you need?
wilsnunn is offline  
Old Sep 20, 2018, 12:37 pm
  #4028  
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Platinum; Hilton Gold, IHG Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 783
If someone doesn't mind doing a terminally silly route for 160 TPs, you can get BHD-DUB return in CE for 292.
KARFA and josepciv like this.
Mordac is online now  
Old Sep 20, 2018, 1:01 pm
  #4029  
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: LON
Programs: BA GFL, OW Gold, CX/MP Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 258
Originally Posted by Mordac
If someone doesn't mind doing a terminally silly route for 160 TPs, you can get BHD-DUB return in CE for 292.
How? Sounds funny!!!
Sealink likes this.
IAANN is offline  
Old Sep 20, 2018, 1:04 pm
  #4030  
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Platinum; Hilton Gold, IHG Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 783
Originally Posted by IAANN
How? Sounds funny!!!
Via LHR! Here's a sample date: https://www.google.co.uk/flights/#fl...;sc:b;sd:1;t:f
Mordac is online now  
Old Sep 20, 2018, 1:05 pm
  #4031  
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,701
Originally Posted by Mordac
If someone doesn't mind doing a terminally silly route for 160 TPs, you can get BHD-DUB return in CE for 292.
this is the kind of routing I like ^
Sealink, dawntreader380 and NPC like this.
KARFA is online now  
Old Sep 21, 2018, 12:46 am
  #4032  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 832
Originally Posted by BertieBadger
- very much doubt you will get anything official from BA on this. It seems they will need to deal with each case individually. Even if there is some internally official policy of "let them keep it at 580+" they're not going to let that become common knowledge.
Quite right as well - if it becomes an "official" policy, then 600 is no longer the threshold at all. It's really 580 in every sense. - and then what happens when someone gets 575.

If anyone wants to be certain of getting/retaining status, then the only way of being certain - is to reach the official threshold.
zen100 is offline  
Old Sep 21, 2018, 1:24 am
  #4033  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Kris Flyer, Skywards, Accor Gold, Radisson Gold
Posts: 98
DUB - LON- DOH - SGN- DOH - LON - DUB 1,593

Looking at booking this for next weekend, out Friday back Monday. 640TP's if you include the last sector

If I skip the last leg (only need 595TP's) it means a LON return so no re positioning back from DUB

Can anyone shave anymore off this?
barney2201 is offline  
Old Sep 21, 2018, 2:23 am
  #4034  
 
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: 7,311
Originally Posted by barney2201
DUB - LON- DOH - SGN- DOH - LON - DUB 1,593

Looking at booking this for next weekend, out Friday back Monday. 640TP's if you include the last sector

If I skip the last leg (only need 595TP's) it means a LON return so no re positioning back from DUB

Can anyone shave anymore off this?
Short of flying economy to Dubai and doing a CGK run, that's the best you're likely to do ex-EU with a week's notice.

Book it.
Wozza2404 is offline  
Old Sep 21, 2018, 3:37 am
  #4035  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,261
Originally Posted by Mordac
If someone doesn't mind doing a terminally silly route for 160 TPs, you can get BHD-DUB return in CE for 292.
I'd like to see the face of the CSM doing connection announcements :-D
Kind of like when the LHR-HEL-OSL route was priced not too high last year... The puzzled look on the face of the CSM when landing in HEL was priceless.
StanStorby and bisonrav like this.
alex67500 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.