Deckhawk

When I look at my remaining flights for 2013, I'm coming up around 30K short of re-qualifying for DM for a 3rd straight year. I have the Delta credit card and will get 10K MQMs from that, but that leaves me with a 20K gap. I may be booking a few more flights for work, but I'm curious on any recommendations to get MQMs. Mileage run? Specials from outside vendors? Thoughts?

In addition to general recommendations, does Hertz or Marriott give you MQMs or are they just miles?? I'm always in a rental car and hotel, but obviously not flying long enough flights to easily re-qualify...

Appreciate the help!

Crossin Jordan

Best way to earn another 20k MQM is to fly. Book your upcoming flights for high-travel days when oversolds are not uncommon, such as Mondays or Sundays, and build flexibility into your schedule. Then look for VDB opportunities. You may be able to bag a few vouchers to help pay for some extra mileage runs.
Good thing about that next year is vouchers are a form of cash payment. I plan on doing more of that in 2014 to help meet the MQD requirements.

MSPeconomist

You should always watch for hotel and car offers that give MQMs, but generally you only get RDMs (and sometimes even this results in an added fee on rental cars). There had been a Hilton family promo for 1000 MQMs on two-night stays, but I don't know whether this has ended or not.

Last year you could buy up to 10,000 MQMs in December and January for about $1000, but one can't count on the same offer happening at the end of this year. You could also get some MQMs for purchasing a SC membership, but DMs get SC for free. In previous years, DL gave some MQMs if one made a donation to certain charities.

It might be best to plan to fly--or spend more to get additional MQMs from a DL AmEx Plat card (which you seem to have).

tentseller

For 20k MQM you need to think SIN BKK SYD JNB

orr333

Yep! That!

I am in the same boat. Q3-4 travel is being cut in half for me and that is about 23K that I need for DM this year. I will be booking one of these SIN or JNB runs that come up.

MarkCron

you can fly LAX-SIN in Nov for $800 and get your 20k mqms. Done

tentseller

Not quite if you are direct, even with routing via SLC SEA PDX SFO you are under 20k MQM.
SIN and BKK only work if you are east side of US. They are good choice due to no additional visa cost.
LAX best bet is LAX ATL JNB, if you can handle it LAX JFK/ATL AMS/CDG JNG will net more MQM at a lower cost.

MSPeconomist

For 150% MQMs, check for B (use SWUs) or discounted BE fares.

benzemalyonnais

Two BOS-ANC runs would net close to 20k, and would only cost 750$.

There is a lot of availability for all kinds of same day turns and short stays later in the year. Routing is very flexible on this one so its easy to get between 9-10k per RT.

HongKonger

We don't know whether vouchers will count for MQD. Never assume, especially with DL.

InsUW2

Thats what I am doing on any flight I have to reschedule or change and the last 2 I did, I was able to go from a U T fares to all M and it cost $3.20 and 15.80 respectively and the 150% bonus equates to 6200 additional MQM for $19.00

rwoman

I thought M fares no longer earn 150% MQMs.

suvayanr

How was an M fare that cheap compared to a U/T fare?

bertsirkin

Have you considered the AMEX Platinum Delta SkyMiles card - you can get 30k MQMs if you can spend $60k by year end.

bert

InsUW2

when the fares were originally purchased they were 6-700