Crap, it's starting to look like I won't make Platinum Medallion this year
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Birmingham, AL (weekdays) and Atlanta, GA (weekends)
Programs: DL Platinum Medallion
Posts: 585
Crap, it's starting to look like I won't make Platinum Medallion this year
Haven't been flying as much for work and the the flights have tended to have fewer segments. I still need 23,000 MQMs between now and the end of the year. I can envision work supplying maybe 6-8,000 of those.
I'm ready to do some long-distance travel, but am limited in how long I can be out of the office. Tough to get away for a week these days.
What are some trips you would consider to maximize your MQMs in the current environment if you needed, say 18,000 miles.
I can certainly do some flying on weekends.
I'm ready to do some long-distance travel, but am limited in how long I can be out of the office. Tough to get away for a week these days.
What are some trips you would consider to maximize your MQMs in the current environment if you needed, say 18,000 miles.
I can certainly do some flying on weekends.
#5
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: DAB
Programs: DL PM UA PSilver Marriott Lifetime Plat, AMEX Platinum, Avis PC, UA MPPPlus
Posts: 961
If I were the OP, I'd be searching for rt DL tickets to SIN, BKK, SYD, ROR, MNL, HKG, BOM, JNB, GUM, SPN, or TPE. Depending on routing and connections these could put you at your goal. Note that BOM would require a VISA(for a US person) if you enter India, you'd have to research if a quick turn without one would be possible.
I was in a similar position with regard to needing more MQD's prior to year's end. I found that from Central FL, SIN, BKK, MNL, and TPE were usually the cheapest. I searched using ITA and the parameters DL+ /f bc=v which only displayed multiple DL flights and V class fares.
I was in a similar position with regard to needing more MQD's prior to year's end. I found that from Central FL, SIN, BKK, MNL, and TPE were usually the cheapest. I searched using ITA and the parameters DL+ /f bc=v which only displayed multiple DL flights and V class fares.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Center City, MN
Programs: DL Diamond, MM, Hilton, Marriott, Priority Club, etc
Posts: 436
I'm kind of in the same boat with staying Diamond.
I've got the MQD covered but looks like I am going to need about 12k miles that work will not cover.
From MSP, I think I may go spend a few days in Singapore. I have friends there, I always like the place and I have 4 GUC's to burn.
I know NRT, PVG or PEK will also get me across the line and right now it looks like I can do PEK for about $1000.
I kind of hate doing a MR but the GUC for next year will be a lot more useful for my work travel than they were this year.
I've got the MQD covered but looks like I am going to need about 12k miles that work will not cover.
From MSP, I think I may go spend a few days in Singapore. I have friends there, I always like the place and I have 4 GUC's to burn.
I know NRT, PVG or PEK will also get me across the line and right now it looks like I can do PEK for about $1000.
I kind of hate doing a MR but the GUC for next year will be a lot more useful for my work travel than they were this year.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA - Seattle area
Programs: DL Platinum, "alum" of high status with UA but not any more
Posts: 525
If you are traveling less, then there is less reason to have "status". Speaking as someone who has gone up and down and up and down in airline status levels over the years as job roles and projects have changed, just "let it go".
For all the money, not to mention inconvenience, that you could spend on mileage running, you could redirect some of that to replicating much of what's involved in a higher status (e.g., purchase day passes to lounges, purchase Economy Comfort, pay the $85 for TSA PreCheck or $100 for Global Entry; eat real food in an airport restaurant instead of carrot and celery sticks and stale pretzels in a Sky Club).
For all the money, not to mention inconvenience, that you could spend on mileage running, you could redirect some of that to replicating much of what's involved in a higher status (e.g., purchase day passes to lounges, purchase Economy Comfort, pay the $85 for TSA PreCheck or $100 for Global Entry; eat real food in an airport restaurant instead of carrot and celery sticks and stale pretzels in a Sky Club).
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,077
If you are traveling less, then there is less reason to have "status". Speaking as someone who has gone up and down and up and down in airline status levels over the years as job roles and projects have changed, just "let it go".
For all the money, not to mention inconvenience, that you could spend on mileage running, you could redirect some of that to replicating much of what's involved in a higher status (e.g., purchase day passes to lounges, purchase Economy Comfort, pay the $85 for TSA PreCheck or $100 for Global Entry; eat real food in an airport restaurant instead of carrot and celery sticks and stale pretzels in a Sky Club).
For all the money, not to mention inconvenience, that you could spend on mileage running, you could redirect some of that to replicating much of what's involved in a higher status (e.g., purchase day passes to lounges, purchase Economy Comfort, pay the $85 for TSA PreCheck or $100 for Global Entry; eat real food in an airport restaurant instead of carrot and celery sticks and stale pretzels in a Sky Club).
#10
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SEA, or BOS, or MUC, or other places (probably connecting). "Detroit, Michigan is in the Eastern time zone."
Programs: DL PM/1MM, AS 100K, NEXUS/GE, CLEAR, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,201
RT BOS-DXB via ATL. 17K MQMs in coach, and it was fairly cheap last time I looked.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
Programs: 1K - UAL, Platinum DL, Marriott, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 1,815
If you are traveling less, then there is less reason to have "status". Speaking as someone who has gone up and down and up and down in airline status levels over the years as job roles and projects have changed, just "let it go".
For all the money, not to mention inconvenience, that you could spend on mileage running, you could redirect some of that to replicating much of what's involved in a higher status (e.g., purchase day passes to lounges, purchase Economy Comfort, pay the $85 for TSA PreCheck or $100 for Global Entry; eat real food in an airport restaurant instead of carrot and celery sticks and stale pretzels in a Sky Club).
For all the money, not to mention inconvenience, that you could spend on mileage running, you could redirect some of that to replicating much of what's involved in a higher status (e.g., purchase day passes to lounges, purchase Economy Comfort, pay the $85 for TSA PreCheck or $100 for Global Entry; eat real food in an airport restaurant instead of carrot and celery sticks and stale pretzels in a Sky Club).
Considering the reduce number of elites next year due to changes in qualification - save yourself the $1,000 and get equal service next year and accept the roll-over miles.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
Give it up
While I respect those hardened flyers who do SIN runs; they aren't for me, and I suspect not too many other people either.
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,334
I'm kind of in the same boat with staying Diamond.
I've got the MQD covered but looks like I am going to need about 12k miles that work will not cover.
From MSP, I think I may go spend a few days in Singapore. I have friends there, I always like the place and I have 4 GUC's to burn.
I know NRT, PVG or PEK will also get me across the line and right now it looks like I can do PEK for about $1000.
I kind of hate doing a MR but the GUC for next year will be a lot more useful for my work travel than they were this year.
I've got the MQD covered but looks like I am going to need about 12k miles that work will not cover.
From MSP, I think I may go spend a few days in Singapore. I have friends there, I always like the place and I have 4 GUC's to burn.
I know NRT, PVG or PEK will also get me across the line and right now it looks like I can do PEK for about $1000.
I kind of hate doing a MR but the GUC for next year will be a lot more useful for my work travel than they were this year.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,247
Look for 1-stop trips out to the west coast and back. You can do it twice in one weekend.