I have done much research since my last post, and realize how ignorant I was just last night!

For this NY-LA trip, I have done many searches on DL, adding stops in each of their hubs. I now know how many MQM's and segments each scenario will yield. Two questions - besides checking ATL, CLT, CVG, SLC, MEM, DTW, and MSP, what other airports normally yield higher than normal MQM's on a NY-LA trip?

When weighing MQM's, segments, and price, these seem to be my best options :
Outbound
Thurs, 1/12 - NYC-LAX - 9p/12:25a - $189 - 2475 MQM/1 segment

Fri, 1/13 - NYC-LAX - 7a/12:05p - $180 - 2811 MQM/2 segments

Fri, 1/13 - NYC-CLT - 6a/10:33a - $213 - 1261 MQM/2 segments
CLT-LAX - 11:15a/3:07p - $314 - 2446 MQM/1 segment
TOTAL NYC-CLT-LAX - $527 - 3707 MQM/3 segments
Return
Mon, 1/16 - LAX-NYC - 11p/9:22a - $200 - 2480 MQM/2 segments (arrives Tue)

Mon, 1/16 - LAX-ATL - 12:15p/7:33p - $379 - 1946 MQM/1 segment
ATL-NYC - 8:45pm/11:05p - $209 - 760 MQM/1 segment

Mon, 1/16 - LAX-SLC - 6p/8:52p - $115 - 590 MQM/1 segment
SLC-NYC - 12:55a/9:55a - $329 - 2350 MQM/2 segments (arrive Tue)
TOTAL LAX-SLC-NYC - 2940 MQM/3 segments

Is there a formula I should be using (eg cents per mile) to decide the best deal?

Again, my last question from above - is voluntarily bumping to a later flight with transfers going to yield more MQMs, or just some sort of voucher or upgrade on the new flights?

Clacko - you seem to be the guru on many threads (and the only so far to reply to mine!). Any advice??