Before you crucify me, I thought I had it all mapped out. I applied for DL Reserve (thought I was upgrading my Options) in plenty time. After a few hours on the phone and on FT asking questions, I finally find out today why my MQMs haven't posted. I didn't upgrade, I got a new account with the Reserve and not only am I not entitled to a welcome bonus (np), but I cannot get the upgrade bonus (10K what I thought I was getting). They couldn't even push through a new upgrade because I have the Reserve now. D'uh. My only option was to get the Biz Reserve but that won't be here for 2-3 days (rep said UPS was showing 1/1/13). I don't really trust the MQM posting system on this but if it works, great.

I am flying JFK-CAI in Feb 2013 and if my Reserve miles post in 2013 then I only have to take a short-haul sometime in Jan-Feb to not feel any sting so I am not too stressed. But some part of me feels a bit sad that I am throwing away the 23K that I earned this year by not making it to Silver. So, I am thinking about a mileage run. At first I tried to find a ~5000 one for around $400 but it's the holidays and it seems as though I may be out of luck. Then I stumbled onto a 12/30 same day NYC-HNL ticket for $500. Unfortunately, DL is lo peor and it all goes to hell once I push purchase. Dammit too! I was pretty excited to get 10K MQM and RDM for a little more than the cost of the Reserve.

Long story short...anyone seen a nice chunk of miles or a little chunk of change and time? I've been on kayak, ita, and my crystal ball for a large part of the evening and now I need to finish some work before I get a pink slip. If any of you wonderful people have any suggestions or just want to scream at me, I would at least be entertained. TIA!

(Oh, and I actually like Silver...miles bonus and my pretty decent upgrade record have made me a grateful FO. I honestly cannot believe I am still there this year though. If I planned it a little bit better, segments would have put me over the top. Too many damn short trips!)

Couldn't you just purchase MQM's to get you the remaining 2200? You could buy 2500 for $395 which albeit is higher than the MR you were looking for but you don't have to fly. I'd say you just keep looking the next couple days and then if you can't find a viable MR, just make the purchase.

That's right acswank, that is an option. I am not inclined to go that route only because I will make silver pretty easily in the new year. I want a more lucrative MR, if possible, to get a better rollover and pad my account a little bit more into 2013. The 2500 is sort of the lowest bang for my buck I think and don't desperately want/need it since it'll only allow me to roll over a paltry sum. Thanks!

$715 for ~10K MQM to Kauai. 12/29-12/30. Not a perfect MR by any means. Am I crazy to go for it?

That's not terrible given you really only have a couple of days left. Also as you mentioned that rollover is important, it is certainly a better deal than $395 to buy 2500 MQMs.

Hope you get to hang out on the ground in Hawaii for a day! Good luck.