Originally Posted by
xliioper
Since the goal is just to earn MQDs, might as well just buy a refundable fare (so you can get your money back if you change your mind). Don't forget to exclude taxes/fees (total fare will need to be around $900 for domestic non-stop roundtrip itin). It's also possible earn 800 MQD with less spend than that with DL Vacations packages (which use distance to calculate MQD earn).
Refundable fare can be much more expensive unnecessarily if you do choose to use it. Surely you can use up an $800 DL credit in the next 14 months.