Two approaches emerge:
- Use the trip as a little indulgence where you actually do something fun (NYC,LAS,FLL) and the price is not as critical because of other benefits. Can use Google flights to look at options
- Cheapest possible trip to anywhere to get the miles. You could think about using Skyscanner and looking for the cheapest flights from DTW to "Everywhere". You would get a list of locations where DL might try to compete with cheap flights (e.g. Spirit) and you can use Google flight to look at those cheap markets. Problem would be avoiding overnight stays. You could also possibly find a one way that got you the necessary miles and you could return one way on a different carrier with a cheaper return option. Example could be fly Spirit to ATL for $44 and return DL for $119. You would need a location farther away than ATL to get the 680 miles, but that is the thinking.
It's a good problem to have, so good luck. And, welcome to Flyertalk!
Last edited by xooz; Nov 16, 2019 at 9:34 am