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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.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 Please add important information to it or correct outdated information by clicking the "Edit" button below.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
Apr 9, 2019, 10:31 am
#1366
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,075
Apr 9, 2019, 12:08 pm
#1367
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 397
Surprised over your experiences. I'm EU-based and use either of my two cards, registred on my home address, for all reservations, be it BA, AA, AA, CX, MH, RJ or UL. Never had any problems in completing reservations. If the problem in your case is not having a US address, just put in the address/postal code of your favourite US hotel. Nobody will send you any snail mail anyhow.
When I try it defaults to the US billing address and the State is mandatory...
Am I over complicating this?
and when I try to redirect to the UK site, it just barfs...
Cheers, Stephen
Apr 9, 2019, 12:14 pm
#1368
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Yes, massively 
Don't click the link for change country / region. Enter a New York address for a hotel - choose your favourite, and your UK card details and it will process just fine. I have done this many, many, may times (except for a UK card, it is normally a CH card).
Don't click the link for change country / region. Enter a New York address for a hotel - choose your favourite, and your UK card details and it will process just fine. I have done this many, many, may times (except for a UK card, it is normally a CH card).
Apr 9, 2019, 2:14 pm
#1369
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: BA Gold, Amex Centurion, HH Diam
Posts: 68
You can use ITA Matrix powertools - that allows you to use AA Europe to book - which in my experience has less problems.
Starting point: https://github.com/SteppoFF/ita-matrix-powertools
Starting point: https://github.com/SteppoFF/ita-matrix-powertools
Apr 9, 2019, 5:48 pm
#1370
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,706
AMEX tends to be a little less strict on address checking, put in your usual address then postcode 90210 and should work OK.
Of course factor in any foreign exchange fees on your card, I've used my Lloyds Avios card in the past so no fees and it worked fine.
Of course factor in any foreign exchange fees on your card, I've used my Lloyds Avios card in the past so no fees and it worked fine.
Apr 10, 2019, 6:08 am
#1371
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Northants, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 111
Not hugely different from recent previous fares, but some decent Qatar fares from Stockholm to Far East...Bangkok at Ł1257 via DOH for 560 TPs + positioning in Sept to Dec. Not bad if you aren't hanging around as its Monsoon season.
Apr 10, 2019, 2:05 pm
#1372
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAGGL, A3G, Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, LHW Sterling
Posts: 1,308
Good spot! Seems to be a minimum 120 day advance purchase, and outbound TATL has to be MON/TUE/WEDS with inbound TUES/WEDS/THUR/FRI so not good for a very short stay. However, to get an even better bang for the buck, you can go INV - LHR - HEL - JFK - LAX - LAS return for Ł1,376 which, at 880 TPs, works out about Ł1.56 per TP, rather than Ł1.78 per TP for the trip above.....
So long as it's booked 120 days in advance, and by 30 April 2019, then it seems like there is no "travel by" restriction (I was trying for next January).
So long as it's booked 120 days in advance, and by 30 April 2019, then it seems like there is no "travel by" restriction (I was trying for next January).
Apr 10, 2019, 3:13 pm
#1373
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Aspen, CO
Posts: 792
Not bad for same day turns... $328 for 160 TP
Apr 10, 2019, 3:44 pm
#1374
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,190
That's pretty good. I may be looking for a TP run or two originating in the Bay Area towards the end of the year. My time is valuable to me, so what I call "flights to nowhere" that come back the same day are very attractive. Hopefully something like this will be available if/when I'm looking!
rb211.
rb211.
Apr 10, 2019, 3:57 pm
#1375
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA CCR/GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,483
Beyond my expertise I'm afraid - I've never booked a TP run bouncing around the States...... I did book an AA flight which LOOKED like it was booking into F on the JFK - LAX, but it actually ticketed in I, so I ended up cancelling :-(
Apr 10, 2019, 4:27 pm
#1376
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK.
Programs: Nowt of note.
Posts: 1,628
Apr 11, 2019, 5:18 am
#1378
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,197
Just got back from an INV <> SFO run and I have to say that on most things, the experience with AA outclassed the BA experience. Especially as they were on time for all of their flights (half an hour early on one), whereas 3 out of my 4 BA flights were late. Oh, and BA managed to mishandle my wife's checked bag (yes, I know having a checked bag on a TPR is stupid, but I couldn't get her to go without one). Their flagship lounges were nicer than BA's lounges, though I found BA's onboard food to be better (even with regard to special meals).
Safety was a bit concerning though. They didn't seem to care much about bags being left in "no stowage" areas during takeoff / landing and on one flight we took off / landed with all the blinds down... disconcerting!
Safety was a bit concerning though. They didn't seem to care much about bags being left in "no stowage" areas during takeoff / landing and on one flight we took off / landed with all the blinds down... disconcerting!
Apr 11, 2019, 6:12 am
#1379
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 31
Advice re AA Schedule Change
American Eagle do earn TP. I've used them many times.
Original routing credit is for IRROPS during the journey.
Any re-routing prior to the journey due to a schedule change doesn't qualify for ORC in my experience.
A schedule change on AA though is a bit like a blank cheque and provided you research your options, you can pretty much achieve any reasonable reroute.
So, based on the limited info provided, if your original routing was SFO-ORD-JFK, that would have given you 80 TP.
Assuming one of those legs is subject to schedule/equipment change, you could ask for SFO-JFK as you suggest and that would give you 140TP, being >2000miles.
An even better option would be to combine a >2000 mile sector with a shorter sector, giving 180TP eg SFO-CLT/PHL/BOS-JFK.
What is your routing and potential change?
Original routing credit is for IRROPS during the journey.
Any re-routing prior to the journey due to a schedule change doesn't qualify for ORC in my experience.
A schedule change on AA though is a bit like a blank cheque and provided you research your options, you can pretty much achieve any reasonable reroute.
So, based on the limited info provided, if your original routing was SFO-ORD-JFK, that would have given you 80 TP.
Assuming one of those legs is subject to schedule/equipment change, you could ask for SFO-JFK as you suggest and that would give you 140TP, being >2000miles.
An even better option would be to combine a >2000 mile sector with a shorter sector, giving 180TP eg SFO-CLT/PHL/BOS-JFK.
What is your routing and potential change?
My JFK-PHX has been moved back by 55 minutes and I called AA to ask for a rebook to JFK-LAX-PHX. The Agent couldn't get the system to rebook to AA341 connecting to AA2318. She called the AA Support team and then told me the 55 minutes change is not significant and the system doesn't allow her to rebook. The new flight would have arrived about 2 hours earlier than the original pre-change. However, it seemed that connections other than LAX / SFO such as ORD, CLT or DFW were ok.
Is this a "Hang up and call again" or am I out of luck here? What other options do I have?
Thanks in advance.
Apr 11, 2019, 8:05 am
#1380
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 50
Hello,
I'm new to the world of maximising tier points so please be gentle! (and feel free to tell me to go elsewhere). I need to travel from LON and arrive in KIN by 23 April, departing KIN on 7 June or a day or two later. I am time rich but cash poor. By default work would book me on a Ł1,600 PE ticket direct with BA. Is there anything I can do to better maximise my points? Many thanks in advance.
I'm new to the world of maximising tier points so please be gentle! (and feel free to tell me to go elsewhere). I need to travel from LON and arrive in KIN by 23 April, departing KIN on 7 June or a day or two later. I am time rich but cash poor. By default work would book me on a Ł1,600 PE ticket direct with BA. Is there anything I can do to better maximise my points? Many thanks in advance.