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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.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 Nov 25, 2018, 2:04 am
  #4756  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,509
Originally Posted by KARFA


it is possible as you say - albeit there are the occasional reports of not having any success but that seems to be due to individual agent issues rather than any over-arching BA policy not to do it. Also someone recently confirmed they did it using the self bagdrop desks too.

there is no reason why this should not be possible as the baggage system retains the bags until a passenger has cleared conformance.

Having dropped your bag you clear conformance on you boarding pass to the EU not the long haul flight. You only clear the long haul when you return to Heathrow from the EU. At that point bags would be released for loading.

given the number of people doing this and that it has been going on for years any blips would be down to staff ignorance or bloody mindedness. Neither are uncommon.

BA maybwish to make this harder at some stage just like through check of bags on separate tickets but they would then need to make that transparent......in turn that would only serve to advertise the extraordinary disparity between ex EU and ex LHR fares.

binman is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 3:14 am
  #4757  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Dubai
Posts: 821
Originally Posted by Ned1968
ARN-MIA is also possible to route via New Orleans (5.5 hour stopover) and Chicago on the way back, with Babybus and Helsinki on both the outward and return journeys e,g,

https://goo.gl/flights/pH8ZL

Or for 1,200 it can be done with a night in Aruba in the Caribbean on the way back (still includes 2 x Helsinki) e.g.

https://goo.gl/flights/a54rw

Or a night in Suan Juan (SJU - Puerto Rico) for 1,138

https://goo.gl/flights/swyns

And for 1,165 you can route back via the Cayman Islands (no overnight stay though) and Chicago for anyone chasing Avios e.g.

https://goo.gl/flights/i4tWA

Are there date restriction on this fare ? Im looking for something in January. Thanks
dolfinco is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 3:24 am
  #4758  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,023
Originally Posted by dolfinco
Are there date restriction on this fare ? Im looking for something in January. Thanks
Yep!

PERMITTED 27JUN THROUGH 04SEP OR 18NOV THROUGH 22NOV OR 22DEC THROUGH 01JAN OR 15APR THROUGH 26APR FOR EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
Unfortunately, January is out
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Lefly is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 4:41 am
  #4759  
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 370
hi everyone, so i'm looking to do this TP run in Dec any ideas on how i can maximise the stops to get more TP ?
ARN-HEL-LHR-JFK-MIA-CLT-JFK-LHR-HEL-ARN
https://matrix.itasoftware.com/#view...8-12-21;stay=1
Palty is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 4:50 am
  #4760  
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,706
Originally Posted by Palty
hi everyone, so i'm looking to do this TP run in Dec any ideas on how i can maximise the stops to get more TP ?
ARN-HEL-LHR-JFK-MIA-CLT-JFK-LHR-HEL-ARN
https://matrix.itasoftware.com/#view...8-12-21;stay=1
i dont think there is much more you can do. You are allowed two connections in each region which you have got already. Also I cant see anyway to route to the west coast so a flight back to MIA is over 2000 miles for a 140 TP flight.
KARFA is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 4:56 am
  #4761  
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 370
Originally Posted by KARFA


i dont think there is much more you can do. You are allowed two connections in each region which you have got already. Also I cant see anyway to route to the west coast so a flight back to MIA is over 2000 miles for a 140 TP flight.
thanks,
Palty is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 6:22 am
  #4762  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
I am sure that I have missed it, but would be grateful if someone would post the dates for the OTP-PHX fares for next year. Have booked one for Spring as the dates worked with my plans but may want to do another one.

Also, are the GOT-US fares the same dates?

Looking for something in February and the at an point later in the year.

Thanks in advance.
TravellerFrequently is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 8:54 am
  #4763  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC-GGL, GFL, *A Gold, Hilton Diamond , IHG Diamond/Ambassador
Posts: 242
Ex-EU to Taipei and Beach(DPS)

Looking for Asia DPS/Malaysian etc ideas.
Starting to plan a trip for 3 people last 1.5 weeks of September 2019 to TAIPEI for 2-3 days plus 4-5 days on a nice beach... Bali is a request by fellow travelers.
GGL+2G so wanting to UuA (joker) the long haul to F. Wanting to get a lot of TP but without too much zig zagging.
Happy to switch from Bali to another nice beach place. The beach resort quality bar was set last year by FourSeasons Nam Hai ...

Current idea is getting 700+TP for about 2300, but there must be a better way .


Starting from Cambridge to will need to do LHR-DUS-LHR as well...
flyerkit is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 2:02 pm
  #4764  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 299
Originally Posted by KARFA


it is possible as you say - albeit there are the occasional reports of not having any success but that seems to be due to individual agent issues rather than any over-arching BA policy not to do it. Also someone recently confirmed they did it using the self bagdrop desks too.

So im still confused in what I can do when it comes to hold/checkin luggage..

I have the following booked;

3/12 LHR 0725 > OSL 1100 (Seperate Ticket)
3/12 OSL 1140 > LHR 1320
3/12 LHR 1530 > LAX 1850
3/12 LAX 2130 > SFO 2259
15/12 SFO 1152 > JFK 2030
15/12 JFK 2235 > LHR 1030+1
16/12 LHR 1240 > OSL 1600
16/12 OSL 1640 > LHR 1805 (Seperate Ticket)

Now as you see from the above im away for 2 weeks, so need hold luggage... if you were doing my itinerary, what would you do with hold luggage? Would you/can you get BA to take my bag and check it in for the LHR > LAX and I then clear it in LAC as its first point of entry? As there is not enough time for me to check it in to LHR > OSL > LHR B2B?

I am reading different/conflicting info.

Any advice would be great.
PrivatePilotDR40 is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 2:08 pm
  #4765  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,933
Originally Posted by PrivatePilotDR40
So im still confused in what I can do when it comes to hold/checkin luggage..

I have the following booked;

3/12 LHR 0725 > OSL 1100 (Seperate Ticket)
3/12 OSL 1140 > LHR 1320
3/12 LHR 1530 > LAX 1850
3/12 LAX 2130 > SFO 2259
15/12 SFO 1152 > JFK 2030
15/12 JFK 2235 > LHR 1030+1
16/12 LHR 1240 > OSL 1600
16/12 OSL 1640 > LHR 1805 (Seperate Ticket)

Now as you see from the above im away for 2 weeks, so need hold luggage... if you were doing my itinerary, what would you do with hold luggage? Would you/can you get BA to take my bag and check it in for the LHR > LAX and I then clear it in LAC as its first point of entry? As there is not enough time for me to check it in to LHR > OSL > LHR B2B?

I am reading different/conflicting info.

Any advice would be great.
it is possible for BA to take the bag for your LHr-LAX flight, Ive done it many times before with status, I know a number of people who have been unsuccessful without status and a few with status and this is at the discretion of the check-in manager (and some dont appear to know how to do it).

as an alternative, you can use the left luggage fasciity at a LHR T5 landslide and check in your bag during your short layover. There is a small risk with a delay on this, but 130 minutes should be sufficient
navylad is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 2:11 pm
  #4766  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,509
Bag drop T5 opens at 5am. Check bag to LAX.
Go through security on OSL boarding pass and complete journey. Bag will load when you return to T5.
if they refuse then put it in left luggage on arrivals. You have more than 2 hours transit if you need it.

have ignored last sectors for obvious reasons
binman is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 2:15 pm
  #4767  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 299
Thanks both, so going by this we should be good to check it in early for the LHR > LAX flight when I arrive 5am for my LHR > OSL.

Hopefully, I catch a morning person at check in...
If not, can someone remind me on where the left luggage is located, and also what to say when dropping it there?
Thanks all again
PrivatePilotDR40 is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 2:21 pm
  #4768  
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,524
Left luggage is in the arrivals area downstairs, to the left as you come into the terminal from the outside part (the bus stops for example). You can earn Heathrow rewards, and it's a standard service, just go there and ask to store bags.

PS: I think it doubles as the click and collect pick up point.
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bisonrav is online now  
Old Nov 25, 2018, 2:32 pm
  #4769  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: LHR/BHD
Programs: BAEC (Blue, usually)
Posts: 40
The Y fare for LHR-IAD went substantially up rather than down over Black Friday sales, so I figure if they aren't going to come back down anytime soon (it's had an adventurous price history on Google Flights), I figure I might as well see if I can make a run out of it.

Does anyone reckon there's any serious improvements either TP or price wise to what I have here? This wouldn't get me to Gold (would be short 300 including positioning in ET), but sets me up well to get it in the Easter/Summer time. I'm positioning from LHR and also would heavily prefer to be in DC by dinner time on the 26th. Return date I could maybe extend another day or two, but preferably keep it to being able to get back to LHR the Monday evening (assuming all goes well and there is a lack of IRROPS).

It's not gloriously efficient coming in at over 3/TP and I suspect I'd be much wiser just going with UA or VS in Y instead, but figured I'd entertain the idea.


Last edited by ifearn0thing; Nov 25, 2018 at 2:40 pm
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Old Nov 25, 2018, 2:36 pm
  #4770  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 299
Originally Posted by bisonrav
Left luggage is in the arrivals area downstairs, to the left as you come into the terminal from the outside part (the bus stops for example). You can earn Heathrow rewards, and it's a standard service, just go there and ask to store bags.

PS: I think it doubles as the click and collect pick up point.
perfect thank you. So I guess, if they dont check it. I head there after the return from Oslo and quick bag drop meeting the min drop off time of 1 hour before.

Thanks
PrivatePilotDR40 is offline  

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