Jan 4, 2019, 9:09 am
Last edit by: jfkeze
Welcome to the thread. This is a continuation of the highly popular 2018 Tier Point thread (found here). 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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.
A new guideline thread for TP meetups has been created on 31 March 2020. If you would like other members to join your TP, or if you want to organize a TP run with other members. Please visit there. From the first few posts over there you could see the active ( confirmed ) TP meetings and the links to their relevant discussion threads, connect with other members and learn the details about the run. Click here to access that thread.
Current Promotions of Interest
Sale Fares
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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.
A new guideline thread for TP meetups has been created on 31 March 2020. If you would like other members to join your TP, or if you want to organize a TP run with other members. Please visit there. From the first few posts over there you could see the active ( confirmed ) TP meetings and the links to their relevant discussion threads, connect with other members and learn the details about the run. Click here to access that thread.
Current Promotions of Interest
Sale Fares
See here in post 9 for a 2019 archive of exEU sale fare, and see this post in the 2018 thread for last years’ archive of exEU sale fares.
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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
15 Oct Ł0.96/TP Ł154 160 TPs LHR-SOF (2021 dates)
24 Feb Ł1.90/TP Ł152 80TP MAD-FRA Z/Z LA (available Feb-Mar 2019, immediate turnarounds possible)
10 Aug Ł2.06/TP Ł329 160TP LHR-MAD-RAK RAK-MAD-LHR I/I/I/I IB (available August, Sat night stay) BA.com, note hotels on offer until 26 March
3 Jul Ł2.99/TP Ł2,758.45 920TP DUB-LHR-JFK-LAX-HNL-LAX-JFK-LHR-DUB J/I/I/I/I/I/I/J Fare basis INX4C3S4 and INN4C1S4. Booked on AA via ITA Matrix Powertools script
18 Dec Ł1.90/TP Ł1370 720TP DUB-LHR-JFK-LAX-LAS-LAX-JFK-LHR-DUB All I class Flights 25 December to 31 March 2020, transatlantic Mon to Thur. Offer to 18 Dec. ITA details booked by TA Propeller
27 Apr Ł2.29/TP Ł640TP BEG-DOH-KUL-PEN-KUL-DOH-BEG I / I / I / I / I / I Fare IJR2R1RE Bookable on QR.com
From North, Central and South America
10Jan Ł1.52/TP Ł668 440tp JFK-BOS/CLT-LAX-LAS-LAX-BOS/CLT-JFK I / I / I / I / I / I HPN-HRL AA (find with ITA; probably have to book via a TA)
12Apr Ł0.90/TP Ł215 240tp DCA-ORD-CLT-RDU-CLT-ORD-DCA I/I/I/I/I/I/I AA Found with ITA, booked on the AA site with BookWithMatrix
23Apr Ł 0.76/TP Ł 182 240TP DCA-PHL-CLT-RDU-CLT-ORD-DCA I / I / I / I / I / I AA Found with ITA Matrix, Book on AA.com via BookWithMatrix or PowerTools
24Apr Ł 1.04/TP Ł 459 440TP YVR-LAX-CLT-ATL-CLT-LAX-YVR I / I / I / I / I / I AA Found with ITA Matrix, Book on AA.com via BookWithMatrix or PowerTools
23May Ł 0.70/TP Ł 169 240TP EWR-ORD-CLT-RDU-CLT-DFW-EWR I / I / I / I / I / I AA Found with ITA Matrix, Book on AA.com via BookWithMatrix or PowerTools
24Jun Ł 0.52/TP Ł 128 240TP LAX-DFW-PHX-SJC-PHX-DFW-LAX I / I / I / I / I / I AA Found with ITA Matrix, Book on AA.com via BookWithMatrix or PowerTools
From Middle East, Asia and Australasia
04/01 Ł0.95/TP Ł479 560tp AUH-CMB-CGK-CMB-AUH I / I / I / I cgtechuk UL
1FEB Ł1.49/TP Ł1,673 1,120tp PER-SYD-SIN-TYO-BKK Return (All book in I Class) timcjp BA (Ticket sold by BA, flights are on QF, BA & JL and lie flat seats available for all sectors)
23/04 Ł2.07/TP Ł2,112 1020TP CAI-LHR-JFK-LAX-HNL-DFW-ORD-LHR-CAI I/R here (All flights must be BA numbered)
From Africa
04/01 Ł1.80/TP Ł721 400tp CPT-JNB-GRU-JNB-DUR-CPT I / Z / Z / I / I ubiest LA
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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 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 (here), 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 BA flight out on a Saturday, airport hotel and return on 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
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Historic information
2018 Archive
2017 Archive
2016 Archive
2015 Archive (6 months Jul to Dec)
2015 Archive (6 months Jan to Jun)
2014 Archive
BA Tier Point Runs | 2019-20 edition
Jan 12, 2019, 4:27 am
#316
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: GGL/CCR
Posts: 1,899
Priceline from powertools - but I'm no fan of OTAs so would recommend Propeller Travel.
Jan 12, 2019, 4:36 am
#317
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 371
I'm thinking of doing this run in Aug. But wanna the 1080 TP (with the hel-lhr shuffle)
hope the weather is nice and not too hot in hawaii
Jan 12, 2019, 4:38 am
#318
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,082
I was hoping it was self-bookable for simplicity, but hey ho. I'll suggest Propeller in case the friend is seriously interested in the trip/price.
Jan 12, 2019, 6:06 am
#319
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,532
as for the weather. Generally glorious. I don’t go to HNL now but rather Big Island which I think is fabulous. There is a risk of hurricanes in August but direct hits are very rare there was a storm last August but I did not notice in Waikoloa but the area around the volcano National Park did get rain.
in 2016 there was heavy rain in Waikiki for about an hour😁
Jan 12, 2019, 6:19 am
#320
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London, England
Programs: BA:Gold; IHG: Platinum;
Posts: 69
Just when I thought I'd mastered Tier Point optimisation, someone comes up with a great principle, of potentially wider application, that I'd never previously even considered! Thanks, teledude
Jan 12, 2019, 6:19 am
#321
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 22
Advice on positioning
Del post.
Last edited by Definilogy; Jan 12, 2019 at 3:03 pm
Jan 12, 2019, 6:23 am
#322
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: East Coast, USA
Programs: BAEC, Etihad Guest, trying to figure out Skywards
Posts: 21
10 TP run North East, USA
I'm at 590 TPs and needed a TP run along the East Coast area to attain Silver before my collection year ends in the first week of Feb. The cheapest flights that worked with my schedule were BOS-LGA. The summary of cost and booking class was $95 for (B), $114 (N) and $196 (I) when I checked last week. I booked the $196 flight for the 40 TPs as I didn't want to do a round trip in Eco. This works out to ~ $5/TP: is that good/ok/bad value?
While booking I received an AA Advantage CC offer, which included a $250 credit on any AA expenses. I took the offer, was approved, and made my purchase with this new card. I put in my BAEC number for the TP post booking. Let's see what the CC statement will reflect.
I've also found that booking via the Chase UR portal using a mix of points and money also yields regular TP and Avios earnings while offsetting the cost.
Thanks!
Jan 12, 2019, 6:38 am
#323
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: East Coast, USA
Programs: BAEC, Etihad Guest, trying to figure out Skywards
Posts: 21
TP for AA "S" booking short- haul domestic: 5 or 10?
Hello!
On Jan 1st I did a one-way flight (PIT-PHL-HVN), booking code "S". For this, I received 10 TP for each leg. My recent transactions show "PIT-PHL, S/Y, 10 TP, 250 Avios". Other S bookings (like LGA-ORD) have also earned me 10 TP. The TP calculator shows that "S" booking on AA should be only 5 TP. Has anyone else seen this?
I ask because I was running the numbers before my PIT-PHL-HVN flight and figured I needed 20 TPs to make Silver. On economy flights, I would've had to do 4 legs given the booking codes I was seeing on AA. If the TP calculator isn't accurate, it does throw the planning out of whack!
Also, are any TPs earned on AA's basic economy (B)?
Thanks!
Thanks!
On Jan 1st I did a one-way flight (PIT-PHL-HVN), booking code "S". For this, I received 10 TP for each leg. My recent transactions show "PIT-PHL, S/Y, 10 TP, 250 Avios". Other S bookings (like LGA-ORD) have also earned me 10 TP. The TP calculator shows that "S" booking on AA should be only 5 TP. Has anyone else seen this?
I ask because I was running the numbers before my PIT-PHL-HVN flight and figured I needed 20 TPs to make Silver. On economy flights, I would've had to do 4 legs given the booking codes I was seeing on AA. If the TP calculator isn't accurate, it does throw the planning out of whack!
Also, are any TPs earned on AA's basic economy (B)?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jan 12, 2019, 9:47 am
#324
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PHL
Posts: 71
Hello!
I'm at 590 TPs and needed a TP run along the East Coast area to attain Silver before my collection year ends in the first week of Feb. The cheapest flights that worked with my schedule were BOS-LGA. The summary of cost and booking class was $95 for (B), $114 (N) and $196 (I) when I checked last week. I booked the $196 flight for the 40 TPs as I didn't want to do a round trip in Eco. This works out to ~ $5/TP: is that good/ok/bad value?
While booking I received an AA Advantage CC offer, which included a $250 credit on any AA expenses. I took the offer, was approved, and made my purchase with this new card. I put in my BAEC number for the TP post booking. Let's see what the CC statement will reflect.
I've also found that booking via the Chase UR portal using a mix of points and money also yields regular TP and Avios earnings while offsetting the cost.
Thanks!
I'm at 590 TPs and needed a TP run along the East Coast area to attain Silver before my collection year ends in the first week of Feb. The cheapest flights that worked with my schedule were BOS-LGA. The summary of cost and booking class was $95 for (B), $114 (N) and $196 (I) when I checked last week. I booked the $196 flight for the 40 TPs as I didn't want to do a round trip in Eco. This works out to ~ $5/TP: is that good/ok/bad value?
While booking I received an AA Advantage CC offer, which included a $250 credit on any AA expenses. I took the offer, was approved, and made my purchase with this new card. I put in my BAEC number for the TP post booking. Let's see what the CC statement will reflect.
I've also found that booking via the Chase UR portal using a mix of points and money also yields regular TP and Avios earnings while offsetting the cost.
Thanks!
Correct on the Chase -- it looks like a "normal" purchase to the airline.
Jan 12, 2019, 10:07 am
#325
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,844
Just to flag up that you need 4 BA flights (or BA coded flights on partners) as well as 600TP - I assume you’ve already got those/know about this, but sometimes people are caught out.
Jan 12, 2019, 2:42 pm
#326
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
can I ask being a bit of a BA novice the 4 flights are they four return flights of 4 sectors ie two return flights thanks in advance
Jan 12, 2019, 2:47 pm
#328
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
Many thanks Palty for quick reply . That makes it a bit easier for me. Cheers
Jan 12, 2019, 3:13 pm
#329
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,082
Anyway, I don't think is a valid option for the friend case.
As for me, I have already maxed out the summer vacation time
Jan 12, 2019, 3:20 pm
#330
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
exOTP Advanced Purchase Fare AA ILW8C8S6 to PHX
Some information below on this advanced purchase OTP fare. I think this may cover multiple US destinations, but this is highlighted for PHX which is particularly cheap.
Bear in mind LHR-OTP is a short haul + route so earns 80 TPs one way in J, so a simple OTP-LHR- JFK-LAX-PHX-LAX-JFK- LHR-OTP would earn 80+140+140+40+40+140+140+80=800 TP.
See this post from rossmacd which has a worked example of how to search for this fare using itamatrix https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29240873-post36.html
The end date for this sale is 31 January
Example price:
OTP-PHX - Ł1,200
This allows positioning for your inbound TATL prior to the Sunday. You can therefore set off from PHX on Saturday arriving in to NYC during Saturday, have a night in NYC night, and then do your TATL on Sunday.
So 2 transfers in Europe and 2 transfers in the US each way. An overnight connection of up to 24 hrs between flights would be counted as a transfer, anything beyond that would be a stopover.
Some information below on this advanced purchase OTP fare. I think this may cover multiple US destinations, but this is highlighted for PHX which is particularly cheap.
Bear in mind LHR-OTP is a short haul + route so earns 80 TPs one way in J, so a simple OTP-LHR- JFK-LAX-PHX-LAX-JFK- LHR-OTP would earn 80+140+140+40+40+140+140+80=800 TP.
See this post from rossmacd which has a worked example of how to search for this fare using itamatrix https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29240873-post36.html
The end date for this sale is 31 January
Example price:
OTP-PHX - Ł1,200
INBOUND - PERMITTED
21 DEC 18 THROUGH 02 JAN 19 OR
4 APR 19 THROUGH 21 APR 19 OR
01 JUL 19 THROUGH 31 AUG 19
FOR EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
OUTBOUND - PERMITTED
22 DEC 18 THROUGH 06 JAN 19 OR
14 APR 19 THROUGH 22 APR 19 OR
01 JUL 19 THROUGH 31 AUG 19
FOR EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
21 DEC 18 THROUGH 02 JAN 19 OR
4 APR 19 THROUGH 21 APR 19 OR
01 JUL 19 THROUGH 31 AUG 19
FOR EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
OUTBOUND - PERMITTED
22 DEC 18 THROUGH 06 JAN 19 OR
14 APR 19 THROUGH 22 APR 19 OR
01 JUL 19 THROUGH 31 AUG 19
FOR EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
FROM EUROPE - PERMITTED MON/FRI/SAT/SUN ON EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
TO EUROPE - PERMITTED THU/FRI/SAT/SUN ON EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
TO EUROPE - PERMITTED THU/FRI/SAT/SUN ON EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
TRAVEL FROM INBOUND TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR MUST COMMENCE NO EARLIER THAN THE FIRST SUN AFTER DEPARTURE OF THE OUTBOUND TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
RESERVATIONS FOR ALL SECTORS ARE REQUIRED AT LEAST 28 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE.
2 TRANSFERS PERMITTED IN EACH DIRECTION FREE
UNLIMITED STOPOVERS PERMITTED IN EACH DIRECTION IN EUROPE AT EUR 150.00 EACH.
UNLIMITED STOPOVERS PERMITTED IN EACH DIRECTION IN THE UNITED STATES/CANADA/MEXICO AT EUR 600.00 EACH.
UNLIMITED STOPOVERS PERMITTED IN EACH DIRECTION IN THE UNITED STATES/CANADA/MEXICO AT EUR 600.00 EACH.
TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON/AFTER 04JAN 19 AND ON/BEFORE 31 JAN 19.
Code:
CANCELLATIONS
ANY TIME
TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE.
NOTE -
IN THE CASE OF THE DEATH OF THE
PASSENGER/OR A TRAVELING COMPANION/
THE SERVICE CHARGE MAY BE WAIVED OR
THE TICKET REFUNDED.
VISIT AA.COM FOR DETAIL
----
WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE
-----------------------------------------------
WHEN COMBINING FARES THAT HAVE CANCELLATION FEES
THE HIGHEST CANCELLATION FEE OF EACH OF THE
CANCELLED PRICING UNITS APPLIES
WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION
WHEN COMBINING A REFUNDABLE FARE WITH A
NON-REFUNDABLE FARE
1.THE AMOUNT PAID ON THE REFUNDABLE FARE COMPONENT
IS REFUNDED LESS ANY APPLICABLE PENALTY
2.THE AMOUNT PAID ON THE NON-REFUNDABLE FARE
COMPONENT WILL NOT BE REFUNDED
-----------------------------------------------
REFUND OF UNUSED TAXES FEES AND CHARGES PAID TO
THIRD PARTIES PERMITTED.
-----------------------------------------------
FOR TRAVEL AGENCY BOOKINGS MADE IN MEXICO / THE
CARIBBEAN / CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA - AA WILL
ASSESS A USD50.00 FEE ON ANY UNTICKETED
RESERVATION NOT CANCELLED BEFORE DEPARTURE
CHANGES
ANY TIME
CHANGES NOT PERMITTED.
NOTE -
A CHANGE IS A DATE/ OR FLIGHT/ OR ROUTING/ OR
RESERVATION CHANGE
----------------------------------------------
WHEN COMBINING FARES THAT HAVE CHANGE FEES
THE HIGHEST PENALTY OF ANY OF THE CHANGED
FARE COMPONENTS APPLIES
WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION
WHEN COMBINING NON-CHANGEABLE FARES WITH
CHANGEABLE FARES THE CHANGEABLE FARE
COMPONENTS REMAIN CHANGEABLE.
