Bus Trip & Maximizing Tier Points
 

I think I'll be doing my first RTW (bus class) later this spring, and I'd like some advice on an itinerary that will cover the required locations for business, add-on holiday and maximize tier points on BA in a little less than 3 weeks (and I don't want to spend all my time on planes, although I'm willing to add a few side trips). My goal would be to earn 950 tier points on this trip (so that I'll earn a Gold upgrade certificate) - although I won't be heartbroken if I don't. There's another possible trip later this year that will help me keep Gold status for next year.

Here's what I'm considering: YYZ-LHR-LIS (pre-business long weekend to a warm city I haven't visited yet), LIS-LHR-BOM (the business part of the trip), BOM-BKK (side trip to Phuket - holiday - and business in BKK), BKK-HKG-LAX-BGI (visit friend, possibly business), BGI-JFK (shopping pitstop), LGA-YYZ. Any suggestions to improve tier points (particularly on the post-business Asian part of the trip)? I looked into BKK-HKG-YVR ... BGI, so that I could visit family overnight on the way home, but am finding it difficult to figure out how to make it work.

Hi Kate,
Since you want tier points and not necessarily miles I can see increases in tier points on your way to (if your time constraints allow routing thru HKG) and from BKK (routing thru CMB) and in the US by going for segments greater than 2000 where C is offered. A quick look relying upon the OW planner that shows C being offered for sale yields about 1080 tier pts like this:
YYZ-LHR 120 BA TIER PTS
LHR-LIS 40
LIS-LHR 40
LHR-BOM 120
BOM-HKG 120
HKG-BKK 40
BKK-CMB 40
CMB-HKG 120
HKG-LAX 120
LAX-JFK 120
JFK-BGI 120 AA1385
BGI-JFK 120 AA1384
JFK-DFW 20
DFW-YYZ 40

You could also add substantial tier points in Europe by doing LHR-DXB-LHR either before or after your LIS stop. edited to add this comment.


[This message has been edited by jerry a. laska (edited Jan 24, 2004).]

From above YYZ-LHR-LIS-LHR-BOM-BKK-HKG-LAX-BGI-JFK//LGA-YYZ
This is 26558 miles, but only 10 segments So far you have used 3 in NA, 2 in Eu,2 in Asia and 3 inter continentals segments out of 17 allowable.
-
On a DONE3 you have 6 in NA, 4 in Eu, 4 is Asia and the 3 inter continental for a total 17 allowable segments. You are only allowed have 2 stop overs (greater than 24hrs) in your continent of origin (North America). From your comments these are BGI and JFK. Also in NA trans continental’s are limited to 1.

To maximise miles – tier credits it best to go from the extreme west in one region the extreme east in the next HKG-JFK (8072 miles) is far better than HKG-LAX (7260 miles) Miles from http://gc.kls2.com/00

Not wanting to spend all your time on planes and maximising miles are opposite objectives but improvements can be made.

Improvements possible to consider
YYZ-LAX-LHR instead of YYZ-LHR. Using another NA segment and 4075 extra miles.
LHR-DXB-LHR the classic mileage run to Dubai. Uses 2 Eu segments & 6841 extra miles
LHR-HKG-BOM instead of LHR-BOM 4166 extra miles
HKG-JFK instead of HKG-LAX , extra 452 miles. (may not be worth it when considering you complete itinerary)

I cannot find a LAX-BGI direct flight. Options include LAX-SJU-BGI, LAX-MIA-BGI, LAX-JFK&LGA –BGI, LAX-PHL-BGI

A possible itinerary
YYZ-LAX-LHR-DXB-LHR-LIS-LHR-HKG-BOM-BKK-HKG-LAX-SJU-BGI-JFK-YYZ is 41657 miles and 15 segments

You may also wish to consider if BA is the best FF program for you. AA may be better

Jeery's YYZ-LHR-LIS-LHR-BOM-HKG-BKK-CMB-HKG-LAX-JFK-BGI-JFK-DFW-YYZ is 34168 miles and 14 segements

What are mileage breaks to maximise tier credits?

(miles corrected)

[This message has been edited by Mwenenzi (edited Jan 24, 2004).]

On BA, on partners, flights in C earn 120 tier points if the flight is more than 2000 miles. If the flight is less than 2000 on partners in C you only earn 40 tier points. BA longhaul earns 120 tier points in C while clubeurope earns 40 pts. So by flying into LAX instead of JFK you can pick up 120 tier points for LAX-JFK and 120 each for JFK-BGI-JFK if you select the single flight number for the JFK-BGI flights. The tier points can be maximized in Asia by routing as I did it as opposed to BOM-BKK-HKG.
Is this what you were asking about?

Yes.
So to maximise tier credits need flights over 2000 miles.
My itinerary has 9 segments over the 2000 miles (including 2 for DXB)

Mwenenzi,
I think you have 2 NA transcontinentals:
YYZ-LAX and LAX-SJU.
The other difficult thing to consider is since the ticket is booked in D we need to have NA flights with D and not F or in addition to F. This basically limits us to the 3 class domestic US flights and the 2 class flights from the US to SA or canada, otherwise Kate will have to book in M and only receive 20 tier points.

One World Explorer tickets in Business Class (D) are booked into A class on AA North American flights. Most (all?) AA domestics are Economy or what they call First (which is only the same as ordinary Business Class in other continents).

og,
You're right, my bad. I'm always forgetting the US/CA exception:
FOR TRAVEL WITHIN/BETWEEN THE U.S./CA WHERE NO BUSINESS CLASS CABIN IS OFFERED, PASSENGERS MAY TRAVEL IN THE FIRST CLASS CABIN.
The general rule:
WHERE NO FIRST/BUSINESS CLASS IS AVAILABLE, FIRST CLASS PASSENGERS WILL TRAVEL IN BUSINESS/ECONOMY AND BUSINESS CLASS PASSENGERS WILL TRAVEL IN ECONOMY.

A few hints from someone who abuses RTW's in the US, for BA status.

DFW/ORD - SJU is a winner. The best year-round route to pick up 120 points (as the flight is over 2000 miles).

MIA - LAX/SFO is the best transcon route as you have a good chance of getting a 767-300, plus they are 2 class, allowing you to book in A and earn 180 points.

If you choose to fly YYZ - LHR, why not try YYZ - ORD - LAX - LHR, which earns a cool 220 points.

Very true
How's this
YYZ-LHR-DXB-LHR-LIS-LHR-BOM-BKK-SIN-HKG-LAX-TPA-LAX-JFK-BGI-JFK-YYZ
16 segments, 10 over 2000 miles, 39722 miles
I think TPA is not in the list of transcontinental's but is 2158 miles from LAX
Also TPA-SJcv TPA-SAN

Still, hard to beat Jerry's intineray

You are correct that TPA is not in the list of prohibited transcons, however, I do not think there are any direct flights TPA-LAX or TPA-SAN. There are direct flights TPA-SJC.

From the PDF timeAAble
TPA-LAX AA2465 3:24 7:22 by a 757
TPA-SAN AA1199 7:10 10:56 by a M80

LAX-TPA AA1396 11:38 8:46 on a 757
SAN-TPA no flights listed
and
SAN-YYZ 2368 miles

The AA WWW site does show AA1199 operating TPA-DFW-SAN. It looks like a change will be made for the month of February but it isn't clear what that will be.

It shows AA2465 as only operating DFW-LAX. The TPA-DFW segment was dropped after 5 January.

It shows AA1396 as now operating ABQ-DFW. It did operate LAX-TPA through 5 January.

OneeWorld Explorer Fares: Where can I find a list of prohibited Transcons please