Originally Posted by
travelinmanS
As an overseas based member I'm still unclear how I'm going to earn MQD next year. I primarily fly on MU and KE with tickets booked through them. Is there any way I'm earning MQD on these flights next year or do I need to book the tickets with Delta to qualify next year?
In my understanding of DL's rules, MQD for partner-marketed flights are actually calculated as distance flown x fraction defined by fare class. For discounted economy, this is often 5%. So for a hypothetical return LAX-AMS-VIE on KLM in V class, you earn 5% of the miles flown, ~617 MQDs. Of course, the ticket is likely to be more expensive that $617 for most dates. You might be able to find better deals on MU or KE, tickets may be cheaper if billed in local currency. For my travel patterns though, the rate almost always yields <1 MQD/USD spent. Here is the relevant wording
3) Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) apply to Medallion qualification. Flights marketed by the partner will earn MQDs based on a percentage of distance flown* as determined by the fare class paid.
*For purposes of calculating mileage credit and MQDs, "distance flown" means the calculated distance between origin and destination, as determined by Delta in its sole discretion, regardless of the actual distance traveled on any individual flight.
Source:
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...rline-partners