Hey guys wondering if you can help me?

I have recently came across Flyertalk after doing 10 US Airways flights to/around USA, and decided to start saving avios.

From that trip I somehow got 320 tier points ( i read they where doing a bonus from the OW merger with AA.) anyways myself and partner have booked a trip to Punta Cana in May WT+ from Glasgow (upgrading to CW with avios) earning us another 220 tier points.

I only need another 60 points by Sep7 th to get silver. We really want to go to Venice around June time.(think its 60 points each way) Maybe its me but to go business from GLA is costing around 500 each for 4 nights in a 3 star hotel with bad flight times through BA.

can anyone suggest any cheaper alternatives?.. can I book one way economy, and another business.

any help would be appreciated.....

P.S. is it normal to be addicted to these sites and trying to save Avios???

Three return flights between GLA and London would bag you 60 TPs. Flying to Gatwick would be cheaper than Heathrow. Flying on to Jersey, for a day trip, might not be much more expensive (and would add another 20 TPs).

Have you booked your trip to Venice yet? If not, look at booking a flight + car option on the BA site. Select Business for your flights and source your hotel separately. It might prove cheaper than what you're seeing now for the flights plus hotel option. If it is cheaper then skip the car hire - just don't bother turning up for the rental.

Also, look at the BA forum. There's some good advice there, particularly:

BA Tier Point runs | 2014 master thread

There will be a new thread for 2015 any day now.

Palmer