Playing the 'positioning flight' game - have I got this right ?

PeacefulWaters

budgetflyer wrote: »

I think I read somewhere, as well as the TPs, you may also need 4 BA flights to get Silver.

Yes.

Dublin to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia to Vegas.
Vegas to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia to Dublin.

Caz3121

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Hotel stopover at Dublin Airport booked with a Kaligo 3,000 Avios promotional offer. £60 for three of us including breakfast. Courtesy bus transfers from/to terminal.

which hotel did you go for?...I am looking for a night for next month and want to be near airport due to short time (arrive about 8pm and flight leaves 1pm next day)

SW17

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Yes.

Dublin to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia to Vegas.
Vegas to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia to Dublin.

If those flights are operated by US Airways (even with BA flight numbers), I don't think they will count towards the 4 flights for Silver. The 4 flights need to be operated by BA or Iberia. The Tier Points will count, but you'll still need 4 flights on BA/IB metal within your membership year.

Caz3121

SW17 wrote: »

If those flights are operated by US Airways (even with BA flight numbers), I don't think they will count towards the 4 flights for Silver. The 4 flights need to be operated by BA or Iberia. The Tier Points will count, but you'll still need 4 flights on BA/IB metal within your membership year.

From the Flyertalk guide to Exec Club

Examples of criteria used to determine eligible flights:
BA operated + BA flight prefix
BA operated + other flight prefix
Other carrier operated + BA flight prefix
IB operated + IB flight prefix

SW17

Caz3121 wrote: »

From the Flyertalk guide to Exec Club

Examples of criteria used to determine eligible flights:
BA operated + BA flight prefix
BA operated + other flight prefix
Other carrier operated + BA flight prefix
IB operated + IB flight prefix

Thanks, I stand corrected

dickydonkin

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Ordinarily, SWMBO wouldn't entertain the idea either, but the current aspiration is that next we're going to have a week in Hawaii and a week in mainland USA.
The only way that I can 'sell' the idea to The Boss, is that if we can take advantage of the Business Class offers that crop up from time to time, flying from DUB/GOT/OSL that mean that Business Class fare can be (much) cheaper than the standard cattle class fare.
The saving, when I've done dummy bookings is several thousand pounds and more importantly, makes the getting 'permission to book the trip' a goer.

Mrs DD and I are doing a similar trip to Kauai/Maui in August via Dublin - as you mentioned earlier, business class/domestic first flights were cheaper than economy booked through AA. All flights ex UK/Dub are with BA.

I have also done/doing similar flights to Asia ex Amsterdam and (IMHO) even when factoring in positioning flights and overnight hotel stays, the savings were well worth it.

For me, I used BA reward flight saver for my positioning flights although now that the regional leg to Heathrow from NCL is now charged, other options will now need to be considered in the future.

I ALWAYS travel to my EU departure point a day before and pay for an airport hotel - the 60 quid or so is worth the reduction of hassle in the event of delays when travelling the same day.

As for missing the last leg of the itinerary, personally I wouldn't take the risk although I am not aware of anyone being penalised for doing so..........yet!

Saving a fortune, enjoying lie flat seats to one of the best destinations in the world, I'm sure your persuasive skills will entice Mrs MTC to 'release the funding' for your trip. Enjoy!

Murphy_The_Cat

richardw wrote: »

Don't forget US coach class flights to HNL are often classed as domestic and if you pick a long one, food is not included and can cost a lot.

cheers richard

For this trip, the only way that Mrs Cat will entertain the idea is if a) its NOT in Coach/Cattle/Economy Class and b) the promotional BA/AA fares via DUB/GOT/OSL etc are in operation and disgustingly reasonably priced i.e Economy Class pricing.

If those 'lines in the sand' requirements can be met, it'll aloha Murphy.
If not, it'll be be Plan B:beer:

BigBoss

Links to literature about the positioning flight game?

duchy

I wouldn't think of that as a reason not to do it- US domestic F class is a very different animal to long haul when it comes to catering and the food is mediocre at best. The seat is what matters (although I'd try and route via LA or SF to get the longer better transatlantic leg if I could just not based on food but on seat).

duchy

BigBoss wrote: »

Links to literature about the positioning flight game?

Google is your friend