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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.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 Dec 15, 2018, 2:57 am
  #5041  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: M&M Senator, BAEC GGL, Delta Platinum
Posts: 256
Originally Posted by flashware
Only a few good offers there. BKK-KUL-TPE is around 670 Euros for 360 TP...
chrini1 is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2018, 3:17 am
  #5042  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 156
Originally Posted by dakaix

You can go try going to the Baggage Service desk at Heathrow and requesting they retrieve your case, however this can easily take an hour (so shouldnt be relied on).
I would do this, and then take the back-to-back, and on the return your suitcase will still be going in circles. Just make sure there are no valuables in the suitcase.
linz36 is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2018, 9:11 am
  #5043  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Dubai
Posts: 821
Any of these in January ?
dolfinco is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2018, 10:37 am
  #5044  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 299
Originally Posted by linz36
I would do this, and then take the back-to-back, and on the return your suitcase will still be going in circles. Just make sure there are no valuables in the suitcase.
okay I may try this. But I have booked the BA769 just in case its not possible and just means I spend 4.5 hours in Oslo airport before then flying back to London. The only thing in my suitcase is Californian wine and an Xbox... no one would possibly want those 😂
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PrivatePilotDR40 is offline  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 10:32 am
  #5045  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 688
Does anyone know of any ex LAX (or any other LA airport) domestic routes, even to somewhere like Mexico, that are good for a TP run that can be booked at late notice? Looks like I'll be ending up there over the Xmas break, and I need a 235 points (plus 1 more BA flight - loads of time on BA metal this year, just not eligible flights) by Feb. So I would like to put a nice dent in it, and just be left with a easy LHR/LGW weekend trip in the new year to get past the post.
Forever in Seattle is offline  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 11:14 am
  #5046  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,264
Originally Posted by Forever in Seattle
Does anyone know of any ex LAX (or any other LA airport) domestic routes, even to somewhere like Mexico, that are good for a TP run that can be booked at late notice? Looks like I'll be ending up there over the Xmas break, and I need a 235 points (plus 1 more BA flight - loads of time on BA metal this year, just not eligible flights) by Feb. So I would like to put a nice dent in it, and just be left with a easy LHR/LGW weekend trip in the new year to get past the post.
After taking a quick look,I don't see anything very good out of LAX this month. Best I see is 240 TP via LAX-TUS-DFW-SAL-DFW-TUS(or SAN)-LAX for $900+, but you have to depart LAX no later than 27 Dec and can't come back until the red-eye 29/30 Dec, so 2+ nights in El Salvador. Assuming you are based in the UK or Europe, I suspect that you would be better off just booking a 160 TP run + an 80 TP run (or 3 nested AMS-LGW-JER return trips) when you are back.

EDIT: Best same-day TP run I see is $991 LAX-JFK-LAX on the 27th - more TP than you need but it would be comfortable, or you could route through Vegas both ways for more TP and lower cost (~$825) but less comfort.

Last edited by HPN-HRL; Dec 16, 2018 at 11:38 am Reason: Added LAX-JFK info
HPN-HRL is offline  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 2:07 pm
  #5047  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: BAEC Gold; Le Club Accorhotels Plat; Marriott Gold
Posts: 371
Originally Posted by Ned1968
How about 1,080 TPs for 2,106 in April (can be done for 2,152 in May):



Or you can fly to the Big Island (well worth a visit) for 1,999:

hi Ned1968, may I please ask you what tool have you used? And have you used multi city option? I tried AA.com and itamatrix.com multi city, but it only allows 6 itineraries... thank you.
tenn_ace is offline  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 2:30 pm
  #5048  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: BER
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,842
Originally Posted by tenn_ace


hi Ned1968, may I please ask you what tool have you used? And have you used multi city option? I tried AA.com and itamatrix.com multi city, but it only allows 6 itineraries... thank you.
im not ned, but you'll have to use the advanced controles.

i looks something like this.
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Nephoi is online now  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 3:45 pm
  #5049  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: BAEC Gold; Le Club Accorhotels Plat; Marriott Gold
Posts: 371
Thank you Nephoi for helping this novice
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Old Dec 16, 2018, 3:54 pm
  #5050  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: BER
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,842
Originally Posted by tenn_ace
Thank you Nephoi for helping this novice
i had the same question a few weeks ago when i booked my babybus tour. Im just passing the information to the next Generation

happy Holiday-season
Nephoi is online now  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 7:04 pm
  #5051  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: BA Gold, Amex Centurion, HH Diam
Posts: 68
Originally Posted by Forever in Seattle
Does anyone know of any ex LAX (or any other LA airport) domestic routes, even to somewhere like Mexico, that are good for a TP run that can be booked at late notice? Looks like I'll be ending up there over the Xmas break, and I need a 235 points (plus 1 more BA flight - loads of time on BA metal this year, just not eligible flights) by Feb. So I would like to put a nice dent in it, and just be left with a easy LHR/LGW weekend trip in the new year to get past the post.
There isn't too much. But if you don't mind flying on the 24/25th there's a LAX-PHX-DFW-AUS-DFW-PHX-LAX for 240TP @ $784.
Xonus is offline  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 7:22 pm
  #5052  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 239
Originally Posted by dakaix


If the agent follows company policy, then no. Youre through checked on the same day, so your bag will be checked to OSL.

AA has also recently reminded their agents of the necessity to catch those people trying to drop the last sector (see @JonNYCs tweets on this topic), and use short-checking of baggage as a red flag.

You can go try going to the Baggage Service desk at Heathrow and requesting they retrieve your case, however this can easily take an hour (so shouldnt be relied on).
Planning an AMS-LHR-CPT//JNB-LHR-AMS next year. Hope to book the day flight ex JNB and then go to AMS the following day. What are the chances if my bag being short checked to LHR as Id have about 20 hours before the AMS flight? Hoping to just do a b2b to/from AMS. Thanks
EGLK FLYER is offline  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 8:49 pm
  #5053  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: The Garden of England
Programs: BA Silver AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 657
Originally Posted by EGLK FLYER

Planning an AMS-LHR-CPT//JNB-LHR-AMS next year. Hope to book the day flight ex JNB and then go to AMS the following day. What are the chances if my bag being short checked to LHR as Id have about 20 hours before the AMS flight? Hoping to just do a b2b to/from AMS. Thanks
I've never had a problem getting bags checked to LHR with an overnight connection.

Spike
Funky Spike is offline  
Old Dec 17, 2018, 1:33 am
  #5054  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: CBG
Programs: BAEC Silver; M&M FT
Posts: 233
Originally Posted by Forever in Seattle
Does anyone know of any ex LAX (or any other LA airport) domestic routes, even to somewhere like Mexico, that are good for a TP run that can be booked at late notice? Looks like I'll be ending up there over the Xmas break, and I need a 235 points (plus 1 more BA flight - loads of time on BA metal this year, just not eligible flights) by Feb. So I would like to put a nice dent in it, and just be left with a easy LHR/LGW weekend trip in the new year to get past the post.
Hello everyone,

a similar one: I need 240TP *and* go from LAX to DCA at some point btw 8 March and 11 March - any chance I can achieve this in one go (and hopefully fairly cost-effective)?
BAMuc is offline  
Old Dec 17, 2018, 1:59 am
  #5055  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: BA Gold, Amex Centurion, HH Diam
Posts: 68
Originally Posted by BAMuc
Hello everyone,

a similar one: I need 240TP *and* go from LAX to DCA at some point btw 8 March and 11 March - any chance I can achieve this in one go (and hopefully fairly cost-effective)?
You can do LAX-PHX-PHL-DCA and back for 440TP total in J @ $1124. DCA is a low cost destination from LAX.
Xonus is offline  

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