What's a TP worth in £s?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,764
What's a TP worth in £s?
We all know that when using Avios, getting around 1p is considered average-good value, anything below .5p is pointless. And buying them is different again.
Getting value from Tier Points on the other hand is subject to what value you put on various levels of status and what that status brings you.
I'm interested in what is considered worth the cost to 'buy' TPs? For example, I am currently being offered a £90 upgrade on my HBO SH fare which will get me 40TPs v the 5TPs for my Y seat. Is £2.57 / TP a good price? Now, to take this a step further, I have discovered I now need to add a hold bag to the fare at a cost of £35, meaning I would effectively be paying just £55 more to upgrade (90 - 35). This brings the TP cost down to £1.57. Is this worth it? This could make the difference at the end of March as to whether I hit Silver again or not.
At the other end of the scale, I gave up the chance of around 600 TPs by choosing a non-OW carrier to Australia last year. I saved around £2000 in fares, meaning I would have spent around £3.33/TP (and easily hit silver, which I have retained anyway). The £2K went a long way towards food, etc and I still flew in J.
I know that all answers are subjective, but interested in the views here.
Getting value from Tier Points on the other hand is subject to what value you put on various levels of status and what that status brings you.
I'm interested in what is considered worth the cost to 'buy' TPs? For example, I am currently being offered a £90 upgrade on my HBO SH fare which will get me 40TPs v the 5TPs for my Y seat. Is £2.57 / TP a good price? Now, to take this a step further, I have discovered I now need to add a hold bag to the fare at a cost of £35, meaning I would effectively be paying just £55 more to upgrade (90 - 35). This brings the TP cost down to £1.57. Is this worth it? This could make the difference at the end of March as to whether I hit Silver again or not.
At the other end of the scale, I gave up the chance of around 600 TPs by choosing a non-OW carrier to Australia last year. I saved around £2000 in fares, meaning I would have spent around £3.33/TP (and easily hit silver, which I have retained anyway). The £2K went a long way towards food, etc and I still flew in J.
I know that all answers are subjective, but interested in the views here.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,056
It's all subjective. Notionally, the closer you are to a desired level of elite status, the more "valuable" the TPs.
In practice, you aren't going to find too many opportunities to acquire TPs for less than £2-3. So paying £1.6 per TP on a trip you are already taking - with the added benefit of flying J instead of Y - and it's a pretty straightforward decision for anybody who thinks they might come up short on renewal or upgrading their level of status.
In practice, you aren't going to find too many opportunities to acquire TPs for less than £2-3. So paying £1.6 per TP on a trip you are already taking - with the added benefit of flying J instead of Y - and it's a pretty straightforward decision for anybody who thinks they might come up short on renewal or upgrading their level of status.
#3
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 943
Impossible to quantify at the moment, I'd say. You can probably get Silver for just over £1k (£1.67 per TP) if you're meticulous and have just about unlimited flexibility. On the other hand, 200 TPs via the Amex offer is probably the most inefficient at £25k.
So, anywhere between £1.67 to £125.
We will find out for real what BA thinks they are worth when the inevitable happens, unfortunately.
So, anywhere between £1.67 to £125.
We will find out for real what BA thinks they are worth when the inevitable happens, unfortunately.
#4
Either way pretty good value.
#5
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: BA Gold, Amex UK Plat
Posts: 89
It's an interesting question. Given how you can now earn status with some U.S airlines without stepping foot on an aircraft (due to commission paid to the airline) and some people think that the BA Amex offer might suggest BA is thinking about moving in a similar direction, it poses the question whether an airline would simply allow you to pay for status outright without the costs associated with actually transporting you anywhere! If they did, what do you think they would charge for the various levels of status in order to for the scheme to generate a profit?
#6
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Blue, Hilton Gold, Virgin Red
Posts: 2,138
As others have said it's all subjective. If you are Avios rich as I was a few years back I used them for RFS all the time. I didn't really care about the value as the flexibility of Avios tickets was better. This was before Nectar which was, at the time and up to the recent devaluation in exchanging, a game changer.
Raffles aka Head for Points does a deep dive on the subject. In summary anything where you get ½p or less in value is poor. They value them at around a penny.
https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/03/25/what-is-an-avios-point-worth-7/
https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/04/17/part-pay-with-avios/
Raffles aka Head for Points does a deep dive on the subject. In summary anything where you get ½p or less in value is poor. They value them at around a penny.
https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/03/25/what-is-an-avios-point-worth-7/
https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/04/17/part-pay-with-avios/
#7
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 298
They devalued the Nectar route recently. An avio is worth 0.5p now and this is arguably the "floor".
If you have a *very* large Avios balance - particularly if you accumulate them fast - the Nectar route has limited use as the number you can exchange per month is limited. Therefore you might even say the "pay for a standard booking with Avios" lowest rate - about 0.4p/avio - is the "floor".
Obviously, a well-judged redemption - particularly with an Amex or Barclays voucher that might otherwise have not been used - can achieve a multiple of this value.
If you have a *very* large Avios balance - particularly if you accumulate them fast - the Nectar route has limited use as the number you can exchange per month is limited. Therefore you might even say the "pay for a standard booking with Avios" lowest rate - about 0.4p/avio - is the "floor".
Obviously, a well-judged redemption - particularly with an Amex or Barclays voucher that might otherwise have not been used - can achieve a multiple of this value.
#8
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,976
We all know that when using Avios, getting around 1p is considered average-good value, anything below .5p is pointless. And buying them is different again.
Getting value from Tier Points on the other hand is subject to what value you put on various levels of status and what that status brings you.
I'm interested in what is considered worth the cost to 'buy' TPs? For example, I am currently being offered a £90 upgrade on my HBO SH fare which will get me 40TPs v the 5TPs for my Y seat. Is £2.57 / TP a good price? Now, to take this a step further, I have discovered I now need to add a hold bag to the fare at a cost of £35, meaning I would effectively be paying just £55 more to upgrade (90 - 35). This brings the TP cost down to £1.57. Is this worth it? This could make the difference at the end of March as to whether I hit Silver again or not.
At the other end of the scale, I gave up the chance of around 600 TPs by choosing a non-OW carrier to Australia last year. I saved around £2000 in fares, meaning I would have spent around £3.33/TP (and easily hit silver, which I have retained anyway). The £2K went a long way towards food, etc and I still flew in J.
I know that all answers are subjective, but interested in the views here.
Getting value from Tier Points on the other hand is subject to what value you put on various levels of status and what that status brings you.
I'm interested in what is considered worth the cost to 'buy' TPs? For example, I am currently being offered a £90 upgrade on my HBO SH fare which will get me 40TPs v the 5TPs for my Y seat. Is £2.57 / TP a good price? Now, to take this a step further, I have discovered I now need to add a hold bag to the fare at a cost of £35, meaning I would effectively be paying just £55 more to upgrade (90 - 35). This brings the TP cost down to £1.57. Is this worth it? This could make the difference at the end of March as to whether I hit Silver again or not.
At the other end of the scale, I gave up the chance of around 600 TPs by choosing a non-OW carrier to Australia last year. I saved around £2000 in fares, meaning I would have spent around £3.33/TP (and easily hit silver, which I have retained anyway). The £2K went a long way towards food, etc and I still flew in J.
I know that all answers are subjective, but interested in the views here.
I flew waw doh jnb return on qr in j for 560 tp. I needed very little further flying to maintain silver. Compared with lots of 10 tp flights that can be worth it.
Will be different for everyone depending on their flying pattern
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London
Programs: BAEC, QRPC, Amex MR, World of Hyatt, IHG one rewards, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, etc…
Posts: 691
completely agreed, have basically no cost. For me it was about bringing forward some purchase I was going to do anyway, plus some work expenses that I put on my personal card instead of the corporate card (that was congenitally misplaced for few weeks, than found, but obviously claimed it all back). In addition, this came with about 41,000 Avios (about 3000 was BA spend)
#10
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,278
As a very much retired Blue - who had a good few years when Gold was less common - I now think that a TP is worth nothing.
There are places at LHR and LGW and other parts of the world which are perfectly decent to loiter in without needing a "Lounge" . Free drinks would have some attraction.............
There are places at LHR and LGW and other parts of the world which are perfectly decent to loiter in without needing a "Lounge" . Free drinks would have some attraction.............
#12
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond *, IHG, Couples Romance Rewards
Posts: 2,363
We all know that when using Avios, getting around 1p is considered average-good value, anything below .5p is pointless. And buying them is different again.
Getting value from Tier Points on the other hand is subject to what value you put on various levels of status and what that status brings you.
I'm interested in what is considered worth the cost to 'buy' TPs? For example, I am currently being offered a £90 upgrade on my HBO SH fare which will get me 40TPs v the 5TPs for my Y seat. Is £2.57 / TP a good price? Now, to take this a step further, I have discovered I now need to add a hold bag to the fare at a cost of £35, meaning I would effectively be paying just £55 more to upgrade (90 - 35). This brings the TP cost down to £1.57. Is this worth it? This could make the difference at the end of March as to whether I hit Silver again or not.
At the other end of the scale, I gave up the chance of around 600 TPs by choosing a non-OW carrier to Australia last year. I saved around £2000 in fares, meaning I would have spent around £3.33/TP (and easily hit silver, which I have retained anyway). The £2K went a long way towards food, etc and I still flew in J.
I know that all answers are subjective, but interested in the views here.
Getting value from Tier Points on the other hand is subject to what value you put on various levels of status and what that status brings you.
I'm interested in what is considered worth the cost to 'buy' TPs? For example, I am currently being offered a £90 upgrade on my HBO SH fare which will get me 40TPs v the 5TPs for my Y seat. Is £2.57 / TP a good price? Now, to take this a step further, I have discovered I now need to add a hold bag to the fare at a cost of £35, meaning I would effectively be paying just £55 more to upgrade (90 - 35). This brings the TP cost down to £1.57. Is this worth it? This could make the difference at the end of March as to whether I hit Silver again or not.
At the other end of the scale, I gave up the chance of around 600 TPs by choosing a non-OW carrier to Australia last year. I saved around £2000 in fares, meaning I would have spent around £3.33/TP (and easily hit silver, which I have retained anyway). The £2K went a long way towards food, etc and I still flew in J.
I know that all answers are subjective, but interested in the views here.
#13
formerly JackDann
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 1,665
As a very much retired Blue - who had a good few years when Gold was less common - I now think that a TP is worth nothing.
There are places at LHR and LGW and other parts of the world which are perfectly decent to loiter in without needing a "Lounge" . Free drinks would have some attraction.............
There are places at LHR and LGW and other parts of the world which are perfectly decent to loiter in without needing a "Lounge" . Free drinks would have some attraction.............
#14
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,932
Tend to buy on price and service rather than tier point/avios. I fly on holiday, 10 J and 1 F in the last year, all but four paid for with money. So could be silver and probably gold but I’m a tumbling bronze!
However, I enjoyed being silver and being able to use lounges, reserve seats and luggage when flying Y short haul. May try to regain silver soon!
However, I enjoyed being silver and being able to use lounges, reserve seats and luggage when flying Y short haul. May try to regain silver soon!
#15
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: North East London
Programs: BA Exec Gold
Posts: 268
We all know that when using Avios, getting around 1p is considered average-good value, anything below .5p is pointless. And buying them is different again.
Getting value from Tier Points on the other hand is subject to what value you put on various levels of status and what that status brings you.
I'm interested in what is considered worth the cost to 'buy' TPs? For example, I am currently being offered a £90 upgrade on my HBO SH fare which will get me 40TPs v the 5TPs for my Y seat. Is £2.57 / TP a good price? Now, to take this a step further, I have discovered I now need to add a hold bag to the fare at a cost of £35, meaning I would effectively be paying just £55 more to upgrade (90 - 35). This brings the TP cost down to £1.57. Is this worth it? This could make the difference at the end of March as to whether I hit Silver again or not.
At the other end of the scale, I gave up the chance of around 600 TPs by choosing a non-OW carrier to Australia last year. I saved around £2000 in fares, meaning I would have spent around £3.33/TP (and easily hit silver, which I have retained anyway). The £2K went a long way towards food, etc and I still flew in J.
I know that all answers are subjective, but interested in the views here.
Getting value from Tier Points on the other hand is subject to what value you put on various levels of status and what that status brings you.
I'm interested in what is considered worth the cost to 'buy' TPs? For example, I am currently being offered a £90 upgrade on my HBO SH fare which will get me 40TPs v the 5TPs for my Y seat. Is £2.57 / TP a good price? Now, to take this a step further, I have discovered I now need to add a hold bag to the fare at a cost of £35, meaning I would effectively be paying just £55 more to upgrade (90 - 35). This brings the TP cost down to £1.57. Is this worth it? This could make the difference at the end of March as to whether I hit Silver again or not.
At the other end of the scale, I gave up the chance of around 600 TPs by choosing a non-OW carrier to Australia last year. I saved around £2000 in fares, meaning I would have spent around £3.33/TP (and easily hit silver, which I have retained anyway). The £2K went a long way towards food, etc and I still flew in J.
I know that all answers are subjective, but interested in the views here.
Lounge access can easily provide £20 of food (at airport prices) and while you can take a pack lunch and hang around some corner of the airport I do feel lounges do markedly improve the airport experience. So much that on a recent short United flight I paid £50 for lounge access and used it excessively at both ends of the 45 minute flight...
So status has value and if you wouldn't have reached that level based on your normal flight pattern then the tier points are worth a lot of cash. But if your normal pattern of flying would end up in one the gaps between status or never even reaching Bronze then they aren't much value at all.