Segments vs MQM's
 

Hi all! I fly more frequently than the average consumer (about once/month) but nowhere near what many/most of you do, so I am unclear about exactly how things work as far as gaining status. As far as I can see I can either fly 25k miles or do 30 flight "segments" in a year to reach Silver.

Are segments just from one city to the next? So if I have a layover, say SLC>MSP>DTW that would count for 2 segments?

If I use miles to pay for part of my trip, does that mean I don't get awarded segments?

I've read here that status rolls through February - does that mean I have until February to earn the segments, or is it through December 31?

I think that I could easily gain Silver status this year if I plan my flights accordingly (and take an extra layover here and there). Is it worth trying to do this to gain Silver, or should I just pick flights based on what works with my schedule and not try for status? I expect to fly about the same amount next year as well (and I almost always fly across the country so they are longer trips).

Thank you for all help!

Hi

I'm not the segment expert it's a tough way to earn but....

Are segments just from one city to the next? So if I have a layover, say SLC>MSP>DTW that would count for 2 segments? - Yes


If I use miles to pay for part of my trip, does that mean I don't get awarded segments? You probably don't want to use your mile this way. There are usually better uses

I've read here that status rolls through February - does that mean I have until February to earn the segments, or is it through December 31? - December 31

If you are going to start flying DL, then you might want to get a Delta Amex for the MQMs and near Silver benefits.

Thank you! I actually already have a Delta Amex. Thinking of upgrading to the Platinum once my year is up (in April) since the companion ticket change.

I just counted up all of the segments I will fly this year with normal layovers and I will be at 32 IF the segments from a flight I paid for with miles counts. If that flight doesn't count I would be at 28 (doh). I can't find any reassurance either way if they count - I know that I don't earn normal miles but I'm hoping it still counts as segments.

Also, what would I use miles for if not to pay for flights? Perhaps I've been missing something here...

Edited to add: I'm segment heavy because I normally fly from a small airport out to a slightly bigger one and then to a hub before getting to my destination, so for a normal trip home I'm earning around 6 segments so they add up quick!

mapsgl is correct. But for the specific example you gave, you'd be almost equally well off taking the nonstop and qualifying on miles --- particularly if you get some bonus MQMs from a credit card (since credit cards don't give bonus MQSs) --- and be spending less time in coach and with one fewer flight for something to go wrong on.

SLC-DTW is 1481 miles, or 1481/25000 = 5.9% of the way to Silver.
SLC-MSP-DTW is 2 segments, or 2/30 = 6.7% of the way to Silver (or 6.1% by MQMs).

It's only if you average less than 833 MQMs/segment (factoring in the 500 mile minimums) that segment qualification happens before MQM qualification.

And flights purchased with miles do not earn miles. From Delta: "Pay with Miles tickets are not eligible for mileage accrual, Medallion Qualification Segments, Medallion Qualification Miles, or Best Fare Guarantee."

Rats! I wish I had come here and asked these questions before booking those tickets with miles.

I just went through and looked up flights and chose the ones I'd be most likely to pick when I book. I get 28 segments and 22580 miles. So I guess I'll have to wait to see if I can get a bonus for upgrading to the next higher up Delta Amex because that could put me over for miles? Otherwise I might be making a quick jump to SLC and back for my extra 2 segments if I decide it's worth it...

Many people make superfluous trips to get over a status threshold - the term used is "mileage run" (or "segment run").

It's possible that sometimes you can jiggle your travel to get some extra segments. Are there any airports near you from which you can fly into SLC, flying xxx-SLC-MSP-DTW to pick up a couple extra segments? I'm a USAir flyer and I sometimes fly BDA-PHL-CLT-RDU rather than BDA-PHL-RDU to get extra segments.

I think the DL Plat Amex requires $25K in annual spend to get 10K MQM's - can you spend that much?

You have until 12/31 to accumulate the miles/segments, which would get you status from the day you go over (actually probably the next week) until 2/28/2015.

People differ on the value of Silver status, some don't think it's worth much, I personally disagree. You're low on the totem pole for upgrades, but they do happen.

Are you going to be flying as much next year? It's kind of pointless to get status if you won't be actually using it.

Finally, do your calculations right. Don't count on getting status if you get 29 segments or 24,950 miles. You might, but airlines are not especially accommodating in that way.

Thank you for the extra information!

I actually usually fly EKO>SLC>MSP>GRR and back. There is one trip farther to the east where I think I could pick up an extra segment that would bring me to 30, but since I'm not actually buying those flights yet it's hard for me to know if it will work. Flying EKO>SLC>EKO would cost me about $300 and definitely get me to 30 segments if I can't do it another way.

I've been seeing upgrade bonuses of 5k MQM's for the Platinum, so I'm hoping that sticks around for another few weeks until I can upgrade myself, as that would make this easier. I could hit 25k but probably not starting halfway through the year.

I fly a lot because I live in Nevada and all my friends/family are in Michigan. I know for sure I would be flying at least 6 times in 2014, plus any trips (weddings?) that get added in. I've been watching the upgrade success thread to see the odds of me being upgraded as a Silver on the flights I take, but most don't live out here in BFE so I'm not getting an accurate picture :) Even if I got upgraded 1 or 2 times I'd be excited, since I've never been in First Class.

Basically what I've learned is that I need to keep an eye on my segments/miles and I need to not use miles to pay for any other flights this year if I hope to make it. And hopefully I can eek out another segment somewhere along the way. And THEN I have to hope that there aren't one million medallions flying with me to and from SLC :)

I qualified for FO on segments, and I am an ATL captive. It is most certainly worth it for segment fliers, IMO, and worth a quick segment or mileage run to get it.

For those of us on segments, that's that many more opportunities for delays and IRROPS, and that many more security/boarding cycles to contend with, and that many more exit row seats to grab at booking. Combined with an Amex Platinum (unbranded) for SkyClub access and GE-->PreCheck, it makes segment traveling actually enjoyable at times.

And upgrades do happen from time to time. :) Monitor the UG chances thread and plan for days/times that are less medallion heavy if you can.

UG's in the event of IRROPS are one of the most valuable perks of being an FO, to me at least. I don't expect to sit up front without paying for it but when a short travel day turns unexpectedly long it sure is nice to have the added comfort level.

Sorry to be daft - I know what UG and IRROPS stand for, but I don't know how they connect.

Also great point gooselee - with the amount of segments I take, it gives me a lot more opportunity to possibly get an upgrade. I hardly ever connect in Atlanta so at least I have that going for me. Too bad our plane in Elko is just a tiny thing with no first class.

I spent a few hours (sigh) going through possible flight options and segments and miles for the rest of the trips I need to book this year, and have them in a spreadsheet so I can reference the miles and segments and routes without doing it all again when it comes time to book... if I can get that 5k MQM bonus it would easily allow me to get it via miles, otherwise I may be doing either some crazy flights (EKO>SLC>LAX>MSP>GRR for instance) or a quick run EKO>SLC>EKO since that wouldn't take too long anyways.

I'm not sure if this applies to reward travel but typically with paid travel: in the event of IRROPS when a flight is rebooked it is typically changed to a Y fare and thus the likelihood of an upgrade is greatly increased. As an FO I am almost 100% on UG's when I've been rebooked because of IRROPS.

If you're looking for extra segments (or the minimum 500 MQM per segment) can you change a couple of your MSP>GRR to a MSP>DTW>GRR?

Keep in mind your spend though as this is the last year you only qualify on Miles or Segements.

Starting Jan 1 2014 your spend counts as well for the 2015 program year. So if you do not spend more than 2,500 on tickets (taxes and fees do not count) or put more than 25K on your AMEX it doesn't matter if you have 100 segments you would not be Silver for the 2015 program. Of course it increments to 5K, 7.5K and 12.5K for GM,PM,DM but the 25K spend on AMEX applies to all levels.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...bably-not.html

Making status on segments is a tough way to go. I'll settle for Platinum this tear.