Last edit by: Prospero
This thread is the continuation of the discussion hosted in the BA Tier Point Runs | 2019-20 edition thread.
Useful tips and technical pointers
El_Duderito's explanation on fare routings and the maximum permitted distance you are allowed to travel (based on the distance between the origin and destination airports)
Helpful maps
The following series of maps show a 2,000 mile radius around each oneworld hub, useful for strategic planning purposes. Hopefully these will help your imagination to run free. Click on the images to reveal the accompanying maps.
EMEA
Asia Pacific
North America
Previous editions
BA Tier Point Runs | 2019-20 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | 2018 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | 2017 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | 2016 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | 2015 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | 2014 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | original edition
Useful tips and technical pointers
El_Duderito's explanation on fare routings and the maximum permitted distance you are allowed to travel (based on the distance between the origin and destination airports)
Helpful maps
The following series of maps show a 2,000 mile radius around each oneworld hub, useful for strategic planning purposes. Hopefully these will help your imagination to run free. Click on the images to reveal the accompanying maps.
EMEA
Asia Pacific
North America
Previous editions
BA Tier Point Runs | 2019-20 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | 2018 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | 2017 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | 2016 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | 2015 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | 2014 edition
BA Tier Point Runs | original edition
BA Tier Point Runs | 2021 edition
#2221
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
That route and fare was posted last year. Some segments do not have anymore availability on J or I, therefore the price is higher. Find proper travel agent, give fare rule and ask to search. Note, that some fare requires 180 days of advance purchase. You will find all the necessary information in this thread on pages starting from September 2021.
#2222
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 383
I had the exact same problem and basically I just kept trying until I found one who knew what they were doing.
#2223
I just booked a Sofia-LAX run just for fun (I am sure some of it will be cancelled and I will rebook to a more opportunistic dates).
1034 GBP for 800tps (with GUF possibility) --> well within TP run range!
1034 GBP for 800tps (with GUF possibility) --> well within TP run range!
#2224
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,847
Thank you @xenole, @vintagepilot, and @Confus for your comments and suggestions. The suggestion to fly to the US in WT or WT+ then bounce around there for a bit is a possibility, and might indeed be cheaper than an ex-EU (even, potentially, an ex-SOF).
It really does seem like another world! I did see the thread and hoped to join, but for personal reasons couldn't commit and I think the advance purchase deadlines have now passed (to say nothing of availability). Will get in touch with ISTFlyer on the off chance it might work out.
Looking at late August midweek, I was able to price this up for SOF-SFO as one example (fare info and Matrix construction in the spoiler). However, I didn't see any BA availability for the transatlantic or transcontinental legs at all for this price - only about £300+ more - so am I right in thinking this will earn fewer Avios as it is AA metal/AA code for those flights?
I also noticed that on some other days, it was showing more a expensive "J" fare by about £100 - I think it might have been the return LHR-SOF leg only being available in J rather than I, or something like that, pushing the price up.
Is this about as cheap as the 180d advance SOF fare gets? Or are there other West Coast destinations that could bring it down a bit more? I noticed that on the cheaper fares I did see, the transcontinental AA legs were booking into Y. My Matrix skills are not advanced enough to know how to exclude those - all suggestions gratefully received, as is any help from Matrix whizzes such as Nephoi ...
EDIT - I should always refresh the thread I've left open all day because I see nufnuf77 has shown that it is indeed possible to get it cheaper - but without HEL, so 160TP fewer.
Ah, the Babybus push - seems like a lifetime ago.
Did you see this thread - perfect timing maybe DO: SOF-USA West Coast TP Run July-August 2022
Did you see this thread - perfect timing maybe DO: SOF-USA West Coast TP Run July-August 2022
Looking at late August midweek, I was able to price this up for SOF-SFO as one example (fare info and Matrix construction in the spoiler). However, I didn't see any BA availability for the transatlantic or transcontinental legs at all for this price - only about £300+ more - so am I right in thinking this will earn fewer Avios as it is AA metal/AA code for those flights?
Spoiler
I also noticed that on some other days, it was showing more a expensive "J" fare by about £100 - I think it might have been the return LHR-SOF leg only being available in J rather than I, or something like that, pushing the price up.
EDIT - I should always refresh the thread I've left open all day because I see nufnuf77 has shown that it is indeed possible to get it cheaper - but without HEL, so 160TP fewer.
Last edited by squawk; Feb 11, 2022 at 1:05 pm
#2225
Thank you @xenole, @vintagepilot, and @Confus for your comments and suggestions. The suggestion to fly to the US in WT or WT+ then bounce around there for a bit is a possibility, and might indeed be cheaper than an ex-EU (even, potentially, an ex-SOF).
It really does seem like another world! I did see the thread and hoped to join, but for personal reasons couldn't commit and I think the advance purchase deadlines have now passed (to say nothing of availability). Will get in touch with ISTFlyer on the off chance it might work out.
Looking at late August midweek, I was able to price this up for SOF-SFO as one example (fare info and Matrix construction in the spoiler). However, I didn't see any BA availability for the transatlantic or transcontinental legs at all for this price - only about £300+ more - so am I right in thinking this will earn fewer Avios as it is AA metal/AA code for those flights?
I also noticed that on some other days, it was showing more a expensive "J" fare by about £100 - I think it might have been the return LHR-SOF leg only being available in J rather than I, or something like that, pushing the price up.
Is this about as cheap as the 180d advance SOF fare gets? Or are there other West Coast destinations that could bring it down a bit more? I noticed that on the cheaper fares I did see, the transcontinental AA legs were booking into Y. My Matrix skills are not advanced enough to know how to exclude those - all suggestions gratefully received, as is any help from Matrix whizzes such as Nephoi ...
EDIT - I should always refresh the thread I've left open all day because I see nufnuf77 has shown that it is indeed possible to get it cheaper - but without HEL, so 160TP fewer.
It really does seem like another world! I did see the thread and hoped to join, but for personal reasons couldn't commit and I think the advance purchase deadlines have now passed (to say nothing of availability). Will get in touch with ISTFlyer on the off chance it might work out.
Looking at late August midweek, I was able to price this up for SOF-SFO as one example (fare info and Matrix construction in the spoiler). However, I didn't see any BA availability for the transatlantic or transcontinental legs at all for this price - only about £300+ more - so am I right in thinking this will earn fewer Avios as it is AA metal/AA code for those flights?
Spoiler
I also noticed that on some other days, it was showing more a expensive "J" fare by about £100 - I think it might have been the return LHR-SOF leg only being available in J rather than I, or something like that, pushing the price up.
EDIT - I should always refresh the thread I've left open all day because I see nufnuf77 has shown that it is indeed possible to get it cheaper - but without HEL, so 160TP fewer.
#2226
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,090
I managed this and then booked directly with GGL Phone Line.
Only challenge was the AY seats where I had to call in AY to help.
Only challenge was the AY seats where I had to call in AY to help.
#2228
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 6
Newbie question, hoping for some pointers please.
I need to fly LHR>LAX between 18-20 March, then LAS>LAX>LHR or LAS>LHR anytime after 28 March. Happy to spend a bit more time either doing an ex-EU departure (as long as I make it to LAX by 20 March), or doing east-west coast trips whilst in the US.
Any recommendations for how I should go about finding the best routes/deals? I'm looking to try and find 600 TPs without blowing the bank!
I need to fly LHR>LAX between 18-20 March, then LAS>LAX>LHR or LAS>LHR anytime after 28 March. Happy to spend a bit more time either doing an ex-EU departure (as long as I make it to LAX by 20 March), or doing east-west coast trips whilst in the US.
Any recommendations for how I should go about finding the best routes/deals? I'm looking to try and find 600 TPs without blowing the bank!
Last edited by willz3010; Feb 13, 2022 at 7:40 am
#2229
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Newbie question, hoping for some pointers please.
I need to fly LHR>LAX between 18-20 March, then LAS>LAX>LHR or LAS>LHR anytime after 28 March. Happy to spend a bit more time either doing an ex-EU departure (as long as I make it to LAX by 20 March), or doing east-west coast trips whilst in the US.
Any recommendations for how I should go about finding the best routes/deals? I'm looking to try and find 600 TPs without blowing the bank!
I need to fly LHR>LAX between 18-20 March, then LAS>LAX>LHR or LAS>LHR anytime after 28 March. Happy to spend a bit more time either doing an ex-EU departure (as long as I make it to LAX by 20 March), or doing east-west coast trips whilst in the US.
Any recommendations for how I should go about finding the best routes/deals? I'm looking to try and find 600 TPs without blowing the bank!
In most cases, most decent ex-EU fares require an advance purchase requirement somewhere between 90-180 days.
One exception would be Istanbul where the prices range about USD $2200-2500 that has a 7 or 14 day APEX as it's not part of the joint-venture thus you would be able to fly IST-LHR-LAX ( or maybe add JFK for more TP's ) for a decent price. Also one important thing is that most of the deal fares do not allow stopovers, thus if you would like to visit two cities with each being more than 24 hours, it's highly recommended that you purchase your own separate ticket between them.
If I'm also not wrong ex-Dublin also has a 30 day APEX, though, the most recent sale fares from Dublin doesn't include Los Angeles I'm afraid.
#2230
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Hi willz3010 , welcome to FlyerTalk
In most cases, most decent ex-EU fares require an advance purchase requirement somewhere between 90-180 days.
One exception would be Istanbul where the prices range about USD $2200-2500 that has a 7 or 14 day APEX as it's not part of the joint-venture thus you would be able to fly IST-LHR-LAX ( or maybe add JFK for more TP's ) for a decent price.
In most cases, most decent ex-EU fares require an advance purchase requirement somewhere between 90-180 days.
One exception would be Istanbul where the prices range about USD $2200-2500 that has a 7 or 14 day APEX as it's not part of the joint-venture thus you would be able to fly IST-LHR-LAX ( or maybe add JFK for more TP's ) for a decent price.
#2231
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: near Heathrow
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL (OWE), SA LifePlat (*G), BD Gold to the end, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,911
I took ISTFlyer’s advice to be a proactive suggestion of an alternative solution to the question posed.
#2232
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
ISTFlyer is undoubtedly aware of world geography. In the past, ‘ex-EUs’ have included starting places like Cairo and I’ve always taken the term to generically mean a non-UK starting point to save money.
I took ISTFlyer’s advice to be a proactive suggestion of an alternative solution to the question posed.
I took ISTFlyer’s advice to be a proactive suggestion of an alternative solution to the question posed.
#2233
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: MAN, PSP
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 208
Newbie question, hoping for some pointers please.
I need to fly LHR>LAX between 18-20 March, then LAS>LAX>LHR or LAS>LHR anytime after 28 March. Happy to spend a bit more time either doing an ex-EU departure (as long as I make it to LAX by 20 March), or doing east-west coast trips whilst in the US.
Any recommendations for how I should go about finding the best routes/deals? I'm looking to try and find 600 TPs without blowing the bank!
I need to fly LHR>LAX between 18-20 March, then LAS>LAX>LHR or LAS>LHR anytime after 28 March. Happy to spend a bit more time either doing an ex-EU departure (as long as I make it to LAX by 20 March), or doing east-west coast trips whilst in the US.
Any recommendations for how I should go about finding the best routes/deals? I'm looking to try and find 600 TPs without blowing the bank!
Dont forget, if you’re running for Silver ( which I may be wrong in presuming ) that you need 4 BA operated flight segments too…and if you want your points quickly be warned that the bonus TPs from BAH take up to 60 days to credit.
Edit - Also just noticed that there are exDublin trips to SFO around your dates for around £1150 return in Business with American - stops in PHL and PHX, but I’m sure more creative routings could be priced up. This routing has an overnight in PHX…and getting from SFO to/from where you want to be is fairly simple and quick.
Last edited by Hydebear; Feb 13, 2022 at 3:07 pm
#2234
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Gold, Caesars Diamond
Posts: 921
Thanks to people mentioning DUB sale fares I didn't realise.
/
It doesn't seem to include LAX, does anyone know a way to mix this in for June? Best I can do is DUB-SFO and LAS-BCN back but its far from convenient.
/
It doesn't seem to include LAX, does anyone know a way to mix this in for June? Best I can do is DUB-SFO and LAS-BCN back but its far from convenient.
#2235
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 65
First time thinking about a TP run so excuse my ignorance but I have a couple of questions for you experts.
I'm silver now with collection year ends on Nov 8. The flight I'm looking at leaves the US on Nov 7th but lands in Spain Nov 8 - will the points go to this year or the next?
Would I be better postponing the trip until after the start of the new collection year?
I'm silver now with collection year ends on Nov 8. The flight I'm looking at leaves the US on Nov 7th but lands in Spain Nov 8 - will the points go to this year or the next?
Would I be better postponing the trip until after the start of the new collection year?