Beginner having problems
 

I hope I don't get run off the forum for this as I've seen others, but I have read the help features all over, including the ITA instructions, farbuckets, etc. and I just can't seem to figure any of this out.

Here is my situation: I am in need of 8,400 miles to reach my goal but need to leave from MSP. Is the fact that I am in a central U.S. hub city the reason this is impossible to find anything that works. Ideally, I'd like to spend under $400 but also don't know if this is reasonable. I'd be willing to spend up to $600 if the flight works. I also would like to do it in one day, preferably not a weekend.

I've tried routing to other hub cities thinking these will be the cheapest flights, but no luck whatsoever.

In summary, I'm not looking for the answer (although I'll take it) but I just don't understand why i can't get anything to work.

Thanks!

Welcome to FT!

Captive hub market and end of year make it tough to find good deals. And don't forget that MSP is pretty convenient geographically which may make the distances harder to find unless you go to Asia or Europe.

But getting 8,400 miles on $400 might be tough. Have you looked at the Buy MQM options from Delta? https://dn.delta.com/skymiles/purchasemqms/buy/landing

Buying some in addition to a quick trip somewhere may be your best bet.

Short answer is: BOS-LAX-BOS is only 5k MQMs. You cant make it work because the continent is not big enough for you ;)

8400 is an awful big number to get in one weekend. Even a transcon will only get you 5k. You need to go international or pay FC to get 1.5x MQMs.

You are looking for status miles from a fortress hub for under five cents per mile, which generally is not realistic. MSP tends to have high fares and geography does not work in your favor. Anything with an M or A/P fare for 150% MQMs will be too expensive, which leaves a lot of Europe and Asia as possibilities if you can find a really cheap fare. Your best bet might be a TPAC RT to HND through LAX, which is likely to be much cheper than NRT flights.

Without flying TPAC or TATL I don't see how you are going to get that many miles in a short amount of time. And unfortunately you are so close to the end of the year that finding a cheap fare is going to be even tougher.

I would have to agree with TTT that buying the MQMs would be your best bet. Don't wait too long, the promotion ends today! :-:

Little-known fact: BOS-LAX is actually shorter than BOS-SFO. California curves "in" / to the west as you go south.

Even lesser known fact: SYD-LAX is farther than SYD-SFO for the same reason.

Maybe you'd be better served by originating at another major airport and driving there (ORD? I don't live in the Midwest anymore so don't know what'd work best), but then you probably can't do this in a day. Agree with other posters that 8,400 is too much to earn in your preferred time/cost constraints.

Thanks for all the responses. I knew it was a stretch but was not sure if it was my lack of ability to search for these fares or a combination of geography and simply my hub. Glad to hear that it was more about my location than my searching ability.

I guess rollover is my answer!

I am a DTW captive and regularly drive to FNT to increase MQMs. I have also driven to Pittsburgh for a MR.
Good luck mspfly

Come on!! Are we THAT BAD?!?!?! :D

Welcome to FlyerTalk!!

We're a friendly bunch! Really! :)

What status do you have now?

I am Silver now but will be travelling alot next year so would like to be able to get the Gold benefits for next year's travel. My issue is that because of my location, all my flights are low miles. I have 47 segments to get my to those 41,000 miles.

The perks are much better as a GM. If you are going to be flying a lot next year it may be good to go for Gold. I would either just buy the 10,000 MQMs (by today!) or but 5,000 MQMs and then find a 3,000 mile run (MSP-LAX/SFO/SEA).

Here's the problem. You can do it domestically, but there's little availability to enable you to do it at a semi-decent price, so you're looking at $2k.

You can do it internationally for $340 for a RT to London (via DTW/AMS)... but there's $511 in taxes on top of the ticket price.

So you can waste a day for $851, or buy the miles for $895.

Or stay FO.