For the past two years my husband and myself have had Gold Medallion status with Delta. We have really enjoyed the perks associated with this, and would like to maintain it.

Looking over the travel we expect to take between now and Dec. 31, I think we are going to be about 16,000 miles short. Originally I thought we would just fly between JAX and SEA five times, because I could always find fares for $198. I have not seen a $198 fare from JAX to SEA in months.

Delta has a sale going for international flights. I can fly to either Beijing or Sydney for about $1000. I think this would be the least expensive way to get those extra 16,000 miles.

I have no experience at managing my itinerary to earn maximum points, and no way to calculate the best and least expensive way to accumulate miles.

The Delta sale ends July 31. Should I buy these international tickets or wait and watch and hope I see some more of those MCO to LAX fares before the end of the year?