Return to The (ITA) Matrix - Finding and Booking Tier Point Runs
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
- In response to overwhelming public demand, here's another in-depth guide to ITA Matrix. To avoid making the same video again, this time I'll focus on how to find, plan, optimise and book a Tier Point Run.
I'll start with Google Flights, move through ITA Matrix and finish with Powertools, which I'll be talking about for the first time.
The Old Matrix - oldmatrix.itasoftware.com/
Head For Points Short Haul Plus List: www.headforpoints.com/2023/06...
Videos Referenced:
Tier Point Runs Explained: • Tier Point Runs Part 1...
Guide to Ex-EUs: • Business Class for the...
Original Guide to Matrix: • My Guide to Matrix ITA...
Advanced Terms Used: • Tier Point Runs - A Sl...
Changes to BA Holidays: • 3 Updates - BA Holiday...
⭐ #TierPointRuns #ITAMatrix #MattsPlanet ⭐
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⏰ Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1.38 - Finding a Run
3:54 - Google Flights
8:51 - Background to the Matrix
11:16 - Planning a Run
16:57 - Optimising Your Run
21:43 - The Multi-City Tab
25:44 - Booking The Trip
29:14 - Wrapping Up
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. This video may not be copied or reproduced without written permission.
The thumbnail is perfect 😂👌🏼EDIT: Your knowledge and experience shines through in these videos, absolutely incredible!
Half waiting for the copyright hammer to fall, but these were both public domain images so I should be ok! Had to do it thought! It's my head though!
@@MattsPlanet it's like advanced travel, on a different level from how my head works but a really interesting watch nonetheless! And I'm sure a couple of things will stick in my head the next time I find myself in ITA :)
Sharing is caring! Much appreciate your time and the straightforward explanation on how to use ITA Matrix and do my bookings!
I think i will stick around with your channel and looking forward for more great videos from you!
Thanks! I hope this doesn't take up too much of your spare time now!
One of your best videos Matt. Adding the flight codes is a brilliant tip!
Thanks - give the audience what they want, eh?
Hi Matt, I discovered your channel this year and you’ve been a huge influence on me . I’ve been watching travel vlogs for a while but there’s only so much of Noel Phillips eating that anyone can take …. Your presentation style and the fact you make videos like this has been an inspiration to me .
To cut a king story short , I’ve just booked my first tier point run for August Dub-LHR-JFK-LAX-TUC
At 1.85 per tier point
Very excited to say the least
So thanks again and best wishes for your health issues
Thanks Richard - a good run and £1.85 is a very good price these days... Plus you get to spend time in Tucson!!! Which will be a delight in August! Rent a car and visit the aircraft boneyard is my advice - not done it myself but its good fun!
Like button hit before you even start talking - your knowledge is just incredible!
Thanks - could have done with some soothing music as I was making this!
Great video Matt. As someone who has not booked a TP run yet but plans to in the future the content is super helpful.
Thanks - this video will be there when you need it!
This is absolutely incredible Matt! I had no idea this was even a thing! I always imagined this would cost 10's of 1000's of pounds to get that amount of TP! Saturday evening will now be spent trying to follow this guide on one screen and come up with a route on the other! Thanks again - love all of your content by the way! :)
Working through it step by step is definitely the way to go - good luck!
Mind blown! I’m and going to get so little work done in the next few days - whilst looking very busy.
One less of them, there's one more of us! Welcome aboard!
Thank you so much for this Matt! Really enjoyed this. Super clear, well structured and easy to understand. That's a lot of work pulling this together - really appreciate this!
Thanks Sergey - hope its useful
That thumbnail is everything! But I do miss the old intro where there was an evolution of passport photos, from an excited young lad...to eyelids that weigh 150 stone LOL!
- Red
I remember those photos.... Maybe they'll make a comeback!
Absolutely brilliant. Thank you
Thanks for watching!
OUTSTANDING!
You're making me blush...
Excellent. Thank you Matt!
Thanks - hope it helped!
Your channel is the best !!! Could you do an in depth video on how to book the cheapest flight using Fare Information ?
Thanks Louis. Not sure what you mean by Fare Information - I did a video about ExpertFlyer a few years back...
Omg I wish I've known your channel sooner ❤
Better late than never! Welcome
Cheers Matt! Great watch
Thanks - not a video for the casual viewer perhaps, but if you know, you know!!!
Incredible. This is a masterclass that will be followed step by step. Thank you Matt x
Thanks - use it well!
Thank you for the informative video, Matt. Would it be possible to have a video on searching for mixed cabin flights via the ITA Matrix?
Probably a bit niche for a video but you can do it using fare buckets - f bc=w for example (fare booking code is W, which is Premium Economy). A bit fiddly for multiple legs so its a little easier using the multi-city tab. Good luck!
Wow this is brilliant!!
Not everyone agrees, but if this sort of thing is your bag, then it is really good!
Thank you for creating this
I video I needed to make. And now I have, the rest of my life can begin!
Hi Matt. Felt compelled to comment after a year or two benefiting from your videos. It's difficult to find good advice on these topics. So please keep up the good work!
I can only apologise! But I will keep it up!
I love that I now understand this all, although still a couple of things I didn’t know like x’s and the flight codes…Thanks for help with this over the years…I booked my second TP run a couple of weeks ago DUB-LHR-BOS-LAX-JFK-LHR-AGP, should get me silver and that’s all I need 👍🙌
Superb! I hoped there'd be something tucked away in here that more experienced users might not know so it would still be a relevant video! Enjoy you trip and enjoy the delights of silver!
I’m impressed
Thanks! I'd rather be a footballer or a singer, but if this is my talent, I'm going to flog it!!!!
Thanks for making this update! I have booked several TP runs using your originals videos, yet still learned new things in this video. Explainer videos like this is your perfect niche, although I’m sure you have more fun filming flight product reviews ;-)
Thanks - these videos are great but the audience is a lot smaller than flight reviews!
Fantastic video, thanks a lot!🎉
You're welcome!
Amazing video I may now do a tier run! Thank you
They're addictive...
what a video mate, thanks !
Thanks for watching
This is an amazing video. Thank you Matt
Glad you enjoyed it!
This has help me massively. Thank you Matt
You are very welcome
Excellent as ever.
Thanks very much!
great info, thanks
Thanks!
Fantastic Matt, great video!
Thanks
Aced that Matt. Thank you. Learnt lots as always!
Thanks
Enormous thanks Matt for sharing your knowledge!
Enormous thanks for watching!!
Great explanations and I hate to sound negative but the video ends just like it has for me and no doubt others. Unless you can book via a travel agent (not many around these days) or spend some time on the phone it isn’t easy to book these through an airlines site. AA keeps kicking me back or throws up errors. Again great video
Booking something you find can indeed be a pain.... I managed to get the last trip to book through the powertools but calling hasn't been a huge pain in the past...
Absolutely epic! This is brilliant and so helpful, thank you!
Thanks so much
Thanks for the great information + video!
You're welcome
Thank you
You've welcome!
Thanks, really great and in-depth video :)
Thanks for watching!
Excellent work Matt. Keep them coming
Thanks for watching!
Great video, really great information
Thanks
Thanks it helped a lot
Have fun searching!
What an epic video Matt, I really appreciate. Thank you.
Thanks Phil. Not expecting many to watch all of it straight away, but when they need it, it will be there!
Brilliant, love your blogs. Now to try using it., Thanks
Good luck!
Thanks Matt for another useful video
You're welcome
Great video Matt
Thanks! Hope it was helpful
This is a tremendous bit of useful knowledge. Much appreciated
Thanks!
Thanks
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it
Matt, I have been watching more and more of your videos lately - not necessarily in any order and I have to confess, I have absolutely loved this video - it is soooo complex but I so enjoyed it - I think it brings out my anally retentive personality! Living near Sofia and wanting to get silver, I really want to play with this when nobody is looking! Thank you so much for all your time and efforts!
Your secret is safe with me....
Excellent, many thanks. Saved for when we do another TP trip.
Thanks Colin. One to file for when you need it.... Or when you can't get to sleep....
Legend. Thanks for this video Matt. Had no idea about being able to input flight numbers!
Thanks Oliver. The little question mark pop-up boxes beside the routing and extension fields give you a clue as to what is possible!
well done Matt, thank you so much. This really helped for my status run in the US.
Thanks Oliver
Very useful, and some great resources I was unaware of, even for simple trip planning to find the best price. Well done mate!
Thanks!
Thanks heaps for this very useful video. I particularly enjoyed your explanation of using the advanced controls, along with clear examples.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks Matt for sharing this knowledge. It’s a really comprehensive and practical guide for anyone planning a tp run.
Thanks - hopefully helpful
Excellent video my friend, learned a lot, so lucky to live in Dublin.
Lots of reasons to like living in Dublin... Cheap pints isn't one of them, at least not when I was last in Temple Bar!!!
Thanks for videos like these Matt, over the last couple of years these have given me some great insight to the point of now looking to book my first one for next year!
Its an addictive (and expensive) hobby...
@@MattsPlanet too true 😅
Thanks Matt. Your videos have always been an advanced course for FFP players, yet very accessible.
Thanks David. This one won't be for everyone, but if it is for you, I hope it helps!
Another great video - this is the one I have been waiting for you to make, Matt! It's also great to know about the Power Tool which may eliminate having to book by phone. Will definitely start looking for a good tier run in the new year. Thank you so much Matt!
Thanks - this video has had a real spike in views this week - I guess people are planning their 2024 travels!
Hi Matt Thank you so much for your videos and the hard work you put into them. Having just just signed up to avios and now a blue member of the BA Club. I am booking a flight to NIce to see a friend and then I shall be following your tier point runs to boost my status. I have enjoyed watching your previous videos some going back over 4 years. please keep up the good work and thank you
No worries Lewis. It's an addictive hobby so beware!
Seriously considering my first tier point run next year. Thanks for the insight.
Welcome to the club!
Yes! Yes! I've not even watched this yet but so excited I'm commenting now. This is the video I've been waiting for! Hopefully I too can in (at least 180 days time) book a multi-leg tier point run.
Thanks - enjoy! You can book one that departs tomorrow using this technique but it might cost a bit more!!!
I feel like I'm not supposed to know this information, thanks for sharing your expertise Matt.
You know the secret handshake, right???
Another fantastic video Matt. Very insightful and something I hope to do next year after the astronomical costs of a wedding in early March are behind me!
Thanks! The wedding comes first.... But there's always the honeymoon???
Amazing, I didn’t know about the xis code. I always used the painful approach e.g. multistop.
Thanks - the x x x does speed things up...
I got my gold renewal with two 800TP itineraries through ITA Matrix. Great system!
Fantastic! Congrats on Gold. West Coast USA x2 I'm guessing??
@@MattsPlanet kinda… there was a great fare from JFK-TIJ with a high MPM so I bounced around the USA for a bit before ending up with a nice burrito dinner in Mexico
Another Great video Matt! I recently achieved Silver status (period ending 8th August) for the first time and this has really helped me understand how to construct a Tier Point run to retain status in a cost effective and efficient way.
Thanks Eamonn! That's exactly why I make these videos! Enjoy your silver status!
Great video Matt, very helpful as always! Thanks for taking the time to script and record all of your knowledge, highly appreciate it!
I decided to go the Qatar Airways (Privilege Club) way months ago due to my favourite routes. They give far better ratios (EUR per Qpoint) for economy rather than business class fares. But for now I'm happy about that, as I can visit more destinations for the same money on my way to Emerald.
Hope to see you in a first class lounge for a glass of champagne one day! :)
Thanks - a few votes for Qatar's scheme recently... I'll see you in Doha!
Matt will drink that glass with you but probably not enjoy it. Lol. One of his unpopular opinions.
Superb video - thank you Matt !
Thanks - use the knowledge wisely!!!
I'm only just slightly disappointed that when you chose SJC as your destination, you didn't ask Google if it knew the way to San Jose ;) ;)
@@MattsPlanet
I'd have gone for Amarillo if I was asking that!
@@MattsPlanet also a good song.
And now, time to search the Matrix for a TP run to Amarillo as well 😂😂
This is such a brilliant video especially your tips on how to fill in ITA Matrix progressively and the field options available. I foresee myself spending hours of fun playing around with this to set up an interesting trip or two and rake in the TPs.
Thanks - now the evenings are drawing in, its a great hobby to take up!
Hi Matt, when submitting the desired route for e.g. AA to book (using your last method), is it best to add BA Exec number (rather than AAAdvantage) to pick up the TPs more easily?
@@ukdavepianoman You absolutely must put your BA number in otherwise the flights will credit towards status with American and will be wasted!!!
Great video as always, please make a similar video for M&B FPP.
Slightly different economics for M&B but I will be covering it....
Learned a few new tricks from this video! Thanks for the detailed explanation.
I recently learned that Charlotte North Carolina is just over 2,000 miles from the US West Coast and has American Airlines flights to Europe including LHR. Have you ever built a tier point run with a connection there? I'm kind of curious on how British Airways compares to American on a trans-Atlantic flight.
I have actually been through Charlotte onto a transatlantic and have another connection through there upcoming. Its a nice airport - 99% American airlines! Cheapest duty free I think I've ever seen... Transatlantic on AA was ok - seat was better than the old club dorm and service was a little distant, although that's often the case on US airlines.
Awesome continued master class from the originals I've benefitted so much from. This time: I didn't know "X" could be added multiple times, AND that two prolonged transfers likely break an itinerary. I've fiddled multiple named airports instead of multiple X's in my ig'nance, and simply gave up on second long transfers, but now I know why! Now I'm going to go play w/oldmatrix, which remains my personally-preferred tool. For some reason, "new" Matrix is much slower to resolve the same results. Believe the web page is more code-heavy.
Thanks Kevin. I am tempted to run some tests on the old and new matrix engines to see if there is any real difference, but that would be too dull a video, even for me!!!!
Thank you for doing this again - did not know the x x x x trick. Your explanations are, as ever, concise and well presented. Regarding the booking not taking using Power Tools: one thing I've noticed, particularly with BA flights - if you are trying to book a valid itinerary on BA, to get Power Tools to work seems to require all the flights to have BA flight numbers. Might be one of the hiccups you are seeing is driven by something similar with the Alaska flight number in your example?
That's an excellent theory - I could see an Alaskan leg flummoxing the AA site - thanks! The one I booked went through ok but was only on AA flight numbers...
Thank you very much for the video! I am absolutely new to the frequent traveler world, but your videos already helped a lot! Since I am living in Germany, Miles & More is the most interesting scheme for me. They are changing their method of calculating miles/points, starting in 2024, which will also result in a change of the "best" way to earn a status. I don't know how often you use Star Alliance or if you presently hold a status, but maybe you could make a video about how to plan a "tier point run" for Miles & More in 2024. I would love to see that video and I guess many other would agree.
Thanks - I'm with Aegean and I do keep an eye out for the best way to renew my status - but with Aegean its really quite easy! When it comes to other schemes, its really hard to present myself as an authority when I have no base knowledge... But I have been asked a few times so will give it some thought...
Hi Matt - excellently detailed video! I will definitely be following this towards the end of next year when I do a TP Run!
Just one note, the Power Tools extension will work on Windows, Mac and Linux - since it requires the Chrome browser. Unfortunately, extensions like this don't work on mobile or tablets :(
Thanks so much Callum! Well outside of my comfort zone with EU261 and we are completely out of it with tech advice on getting Chrome to work!!! But I suppose that makes sense as Chrome is Google so wouldn't perhaps be device specific
Brilliant video Matt, I never knew the Matrix could do so much. After watching your easy to follow instructions, I’ve manage to bag a 920 tier point run to Hawaii in January for just over £2k.
Fantastic - congrats. Never done a Hawaii run - that last 6 hours on from the West Coast has always felt like a flight too many! Would love to know how you found it when you get back!
@MattsPlanet will do Matt. I did a Hawaii trip around 15 years ago. First Class BA LHR-SFO with a 2-4-1 voucher, then SFO-HNL paid ticket in economy - not a nice experience. I don't expect West Coast to Hawaii in First Class will be that much better, but I'll let you know.
Hi Matt, just got back from my tier point run to Hawaii. I had to rearrange my SFO-HNL flight which was on on an Alaskan 737 Max 9 and had been cancelled, so re-routed from JFK to LAX and via the tiny KOA airport on the Big Island, on American and Hawaiian. That did mean I got to use the American Flagship lounge at LAX, for the longer layover, which is very good. The AA LAX-KOA and HNL-LAX flights are not flat beds (same with Alaskan), which was not that pleasant an experience. UA for example use a 777 with Polaris flat beds from LAX. The LAX-KOA was bearable, and the HNL-LAX which was an overnight flight was challenging, but I managed to sleep most of the flight. It was a small price to pay for my tier point run though. Not sure if I could’ve maximised the tier points and had flat bed flights all the way via different airports? The flat beds on the A321 TransCon from JFK-LAX and LAX-BOS were very pleasant. I also got to use the Greenwich lounge at JFK on my outbound journey and the BA lounge at Boston on my inbound journey, which were both very nice.
I must be really nerdy Matt as I found this video really fascinating.
I'm not even planning on going anywhere in the short term but i'm still tempted to spend an hour or two on ITA Matrix to see what I could do - if funds permitted...
Don't worry at all - there's something very addictive about finding a trip that you could never afford but which offers amazing value!
LOL I love doing this type of thing, not that the boss appreciates the "ooh look, we could go to"... every 5 minutes.. when BA had their premium sale on earlier in the year it was possible to get INV to ABQ in First for £10 more than Business. Grumpy didnt want to go thogh lol. Great video Matt, thank you!
You can snag a bargain in a sale and if you do it right, you can double the tier points...
Great video Matt... I am now subscribed :-). Quick question though. It was as if you knew the tier point awards by heart... is there a link or a table which will help me with that?
BA has a lookup table but its a quick one to learn in business at least... 40 for a business flight on OneWorld. 140 if its over 2,000 miles. BA has an 80 point tier for short haul plus generally over 1,000 miles and there's also a super long haul over 6,000 miles of 160. There are some odd exceptions but that's basically it - you pick them up really quickly.
Another great video - what would happen if you missed one of the legs due to flight delays. Would the airline prefer to put you on a direct flight, ie JFK direct to SJC and if they did would you lose those additional tier points or would they honour them? Don't worry found the answer in your Tier Point Runs advance guide under OCR!
Spot on Emma. You might actually quite like a delay and a rebooking as you could still get the points without the faff! It can take a while for the ORC claim to be settled but it should happen eventually
Thank you for this video, Matt! ITA Matrix is a fascinating tool. I understand it was important to have One World airlines for the tier point run. Do you have any experience booking flights with "connections" between two different airlines that are not alliance partners? If the matrix displays cash flights, say, from Air Canada and Air France as connecting flights, is it fair to presume it would be possible to book them as such? What about award redemptions? Thanks for your time!
Thanks for the kind words. Matrix will show you everything that is sold as a fare, so if cross-alliance airlines offer through ticketing it should pop up in a search.... Might be tricky to find them but if you know the combinations you're trying to flush out there are some advanced filters you can add although that's getting quite tricky. If you wanted to fly (say) Paris to Montreal on AF then Montreal to Vancouver on AC, if that's not a codeshare / partnership ticket that is sold then matrix won't know about it and you'd have to book 2 separate tickets
Hello Matt, I'll endeavour to be as brief as possible, but hey why say just a couple of words when several hundred is way way better (It is myself I describe). This is an utterly brilliant video, concise, informative, well presented and I adore the little humerous lines that find their way into the script, brilliant, and yes I do watch it for the content, but also for the presenter as well.
Four times for me watching this video now, and as a result I've spent an entire weekend playing pretend 'Travel Agent', brilliant fun - I even found a return fare to Sydney for less the £750 economy - China Southern via CAN both ways, I felt so proud, what a powerful bit of software this is, superb and thank you again Sir.
On a slightly different topic, have you ever done a video on travel insurance at all, I'd be interested to know your thoughts, as I looked at insuring a £1000 package holiday with TUI to Spain, and as a chap with Leukaemia I was quoted over £1500 for a ten day holiday.
AND - Have you ever met Simon Calder ?
Thanks so much Paul - I hope this video helps! And I've spent a good few hours answering random "what if" questions myself! I was a CFO for many years and always had a bit of a blind spot when it came to insurance... It also does vary a bit by country too which would limit the relevance of any video to many viewers... My Mum can only remain insured as she's been with the same people for decades and so can maintain a pre-existing conditions chain. Sorry to hear about the illness - it must be really annoying that it has such an impact on what you might want to do to keep things "normal". Seen Simon C on a few panels but never met him - he is a bit of a hero though... Funny story - he has a habit of posting his boarding passes on Instagram - with the barcodes - and people have taken to logging into the booking and changing his seat! Or at least he used to - hopefully he's learned!
What a wonderful and educational video you have made. I'm quite green and new to the ITA matrix, could you clarify that thing with codes in the ITA Matrix, I don't really understand that thing with XXX XXX and alliance oneworld different codes at airports and what this means.
I can't really offer one on one tuition... "x x x" just means I want to make three connections but I don't care where they are....
Hi Matt, love you content, and I am just exploring the ITA and possibilities. I have a question, for the long layovers are you able to exit the airport and visit, or do you have to remain in transit?
Often on a TP run you'll be on a domestic US leg when you force a long transfer so you'll be free to leave and re-enter the airport as you wish as you're legally in the country. On an international leg, provided you have the right to enter the country you can leave and re-emigrate to pick up the trip.
May i suggest a video on how to “fish” for good Star Alliance runs! Seems a lot less obvious than ex-EU + East Coast + West Coast, due to miles status multipliers when crediting from various airlines? Anyway love you work
Thanks. Star Alliance trips are a little trickier and with 27 members of the alliance it gets really complicated really quickly! It is something I do look at though so I will keep this in mind
Brilliant Matt, well walked through. Thank you
Would this itinerary work and qualify for British Airways Holidays double Tier points offer?
A BAH would need to start in the UK (including Jersey) so no... But the same process can flush out ex-UK trips and even though the price is a lot higher, the doubling of TPs can offset that. They all have to be BA flight numbers too...
@@MattsPlanetYes that’s true I forgot about the start in UK part thank you for pointing out. I’ll see if can start at MAN for example to meet that requirement. perhaps MAN-DUB-LHR-JFK-LAX-SJC. Aiming to achieve Gold, looks like it’ll be painfully fun.
As much as the prospects of gold status seem alluring, i can’t justify using 1 weeks annual leave to go somewhere just for points. Looks like i will stick with silver which seems a lot more achievable with my normal holidays. Maybe when i retire i can do points runs with mini breaks in between. Shame it doesn’t really work for going east.
Absolutely! It really works if you travel a lot for work perhaps in economy and having gold would make each of those experiences much more enjoyable! Getting status and sitting at home all year is a bit pointless... At least I can get some videos out of the trips!!!!
One further comment regarding tier-point runs: the speed of how points are credited to your account is important!
While I'm spoiled when using QR flights in the Privilege Club - they get credited while you're flying, points are usually on your account when landing - it can be very frustrating with partner airlines. Malaysia Airlines took about 5 days to credit on QR which I consider reasonable. BA didn't credit several independent flights until 5-6 weeks later, and only after requesting them manually. And one BA flight was denied crediting, although QR confirmed that the flight was eligible for points/Avios.
Long story short: when creating tier-point runs for specific days (e.g. right before expiring like you mentioned in earlier videos), then it is crucial to only use the program's own flights. I wouldn't rely on partner airlines when the only goal of the trip is to get tier points on time.
Would be interesting to see your experience and suggestions on that topic in future videos!
Thanks Jochen... When the points do eventually show up, they will get posted into the date of travel, and any status implications will then be reflected... I've heard stories of people travelling shortly after flights where points have not posted, and they've been able to get the ground experience of the upgraded status before the point actually land... It's a pain, and puts a burden on you that shouldn't be needed, but its not necessarily a catastrophe....
Thanks Matt, feel I could have a stab now after this video......but will stick to my double Tier Point Holidays....The idea of rushing around for Tier Points is just not for me.
No worries - those double tier points are quite handy... This video will be there if you need it!
This is an amazing video. I’m leaning quite a bit and I appreciate it! Any advice for an American living in the us to try to attempt something like this?
Thanks! The fares do work the other way round (so starting in LAX and finishing in DUB with JFK, BOS and LHR in the middle) but the pricing of it is usually not appealing. Hence its not something people talk about! You occasionally get interesting stuff to SE Asia starting on the East Coast so its a case of hacking through the options on Google Flights to flush out leads, then jump over to Matrix to see what's possible
@@MattsPlanet I very much appreciate the response! I’ll do some digging. I currently live about an hour away from Cleveland and about 2 hours away from Pittsburg. I suppose I could shoot for status with American instead, I think there is an American lounge in Pittsburg airport, I do however plan to do a lot more traveling in Europe over the course of the next couple years that’s why I was looking at maybe BA. With American, I think you get loyalty points with spend on their credit card as well as by flying so there might be something there.
Matt. very interesting well laid out Vid, I do like ITA Matrix despite the frustrations. Bit like LFC's defence, one moment it's working, the next 4 or 5 it's not.😆
I'll have to watch the other vids again though to get a full picture.🥴🥴
Steve. C. YNWA.
PS. Did you plan any stopovers in that trip?
Thanks Steve... Liverpool may well pull a transfer or two out of the bag still, but it would be nice if they got on with it.... No stopovers this time - nor long transfers... Happy to get in and back!
@@MattsPlanet did I miss read something? I thought you was away from the 7/04/24-12/04/24 with this tp run.
Steve. C.
YNWA
Hi Matt, thanks for the video! If all else fails and you end up calling the airline what do you say/which bits from Matrix do you need to give them?
Just go through the dates and the flights and hopefully it will work... A good agent can usually make it work. If you get a bad agent, that mumbo jumbo at the bottom of the booking bit may help, or HUACA - Hang Up And Call Again and try and get a better agent...
Hi Matt! Great video as always. I've just had some luck with ITA and found a pretty brilliant looking TP run, however I did have one question - does flying Alaskan for one leg of the trip still allow me to get the double TP on BA holidays deal?
Thanks - they all need BA flight numbers to count. It is possible to get an Alaskan flight on a BA flight number but it takes some patience - not at the very end of a convoluted run either... I believe if you have an Alaskan leg that's not BA it just won't count for double TPs - the others still will....
@@MattsPlanet thanks for the reply!
Matt, discovered your videos just recently and wanna say thanks for the top tips regarding tier points, etc. Me and the wife have been collecting Avios for years via the AMEX CC's and been able to enjoy business flights to California and Texas the last couple of years, utilising the companion vouchers. We've never been interested or tier points until watching your videos. When looking at doing a tier points run, particularly to the USA my major question would be....do your bags make it? I'm mindful with so many possible hops/connections there's an increased risk in actually missing the flight, but also bags not making the transfer. How's your experience been? I'd be ok with a carry-on but the wife NEEDS a checked bag!
Cheers Mark! I've never done a run with checked bags and I never will. And most people I know never have and never will. The risk is extreme.... But.... I tend to do them with short turnarounds so a) don't need much luggage and b) bags may not catch up with me before I turn around and come back again. So if you plan a run as part of a proper holiday where you'll stay somewhere for a week or two before coming back, lost bags have a good chance of catching up with you. And going back home its less important that the bags make it with you. Take enough in hand luggage to cover a few days until stuff catches up... Or don't, and take it as an opportunity to refresh your wardrobe down route at the airlines expense.....
@@MattsPlanet yeah, this is what I thought. far too risky. we'll look at short 3-5 day stays then I reckon and just have carry-on with no liquids. thanks for your help, keep up the good work and good luck with your health.
Hi Matt liked and subscribed! Can I ask what are your thoughts on lifetime Gold BA and how close are you. I am about 5K short retired and not flying different routes. Should I still focus on one world. Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks
Thanks Andrew.... Lifetime Gold is fantastic... I lived outside of the UK from 1999 to 2012 so pumped lots of points into Qantas and Air New Zealand without really thinking about it. I re-joined the exec club in 2012 and have around 7k points... It all depends on your travel plans but being 5k short would make it very tempting to prioritise getting that status... But only if you're going to fly OneWorld regularly in retirement...
This is perfect, well put together and I think I may have to spend the rest of the night throwing together fares I wont ever actually book...
Thanks again Matt!
edit: Whilst im here, might be good time to ask a question. Im considering a West Coast US Tier Point run, however i'm planning on an actual "normal persons" holiday in Canada, would you say its risky to plan a trip inbetween the inbound and outbound legs of the Tier Point run under a seperate booking (flying up to Canada and back again for return to UK)?
Thanks Ethan. I wouldn't be too concerned about nesting an onward trip - leave a buffer between flights, ideally overnight and you should be fine. Tired, but fine! If you can finish in Portland or Seattle its pretty easy to head North - Halifax or Newfoundland from the West Coast are a bit of a pain and are probably closer to Europe!
@@MattsPlanet Awesome, i'll do some digging. Heading up to Vancouver so its well connected with not long transfers. I think 12 flights in about 9 days is a bit mental but hey im up for the challenge
Hi Matt great video, thank you. Is it possible to merge this with the double tier points offer if you did 5 nights interwoven within the itinerary? If so a short video maybe trying to show the best use of the double tier points and a tier point run could be really helpful. Thank you very much
Hi Jack. This can indeed be used for finding double tier point holidays. Two challenges - qualifying trips need to start from the UK (which includes Jersey) so its likely to be expensive, and all flights need to have BA flight numbers, which does limit the number of hops you can do in the US. Not sure there's a full video in that, but I will give it some thought!
@@MattsPlanet Many thanks, Matt.
I find this topic fascinating, even if I am unlikely to attempt such a rigorous journey. I am American (sorry!), SEA my nearest big airport: can a tier point run work in reverse of what you describe? And, while this video is immensely well thought out and presented, I tend to lose track of the big picture midst all the details, so the occasional map graphic, with circles and arrows and such, showing the legs and stopover/transfer times at each interim airport, would be brilliant. Cheers!
Thanks! No issues here about being American! You can do this in reverse although its expensive as there isn't a wide range of non-US countries close by to start your itinerary in. Useful feedback on jazzing up the video!
Great video but get this error message "Error: QPX Warning. Bad route specification" Dub to SFO!
You just have to step back connection by connection until you isolate what's kicking out the error.... I often forget to reverse the stop order on the way back which sometimes causes this?
@@MattsPlanet Massive thanks: was using ITA though not very well so these tips refined and got 1.68 TP which am well happy with so TY. I guess with so many changes and only 6 nights in final destination it's safer to go HLO