Crap, it's starting to look like I won't make Platinum Medallion this year
 

Haven't been flying as much for work and the the flights have tended to have fewer segments. I still need 23,000 MQMs between now and the end of the year. I can envision work supplying maybe 6-8,000 of those.

I'm ready to do some long-distance travel, but am limited in how long I can be out of the office. Tough to get away for a week these days.

What are some trips you would consider to maximize your MQMs in the current environment if you needed, say 18,000 miles.

I can certainly do some flying on weekends.

I'd suggest a round trip to Singapore!

BOS-JFK-NRT-SIN is about
500+6730+3330 RT is ~21,120 miles

Even better if you can route yourself via the west coast or Atl if coming from the NE to Asia. Will add an extra 3000 miles or so and the cost will be ~$10 more.

If I were the OP, I'd be searching for rt DL tickets to SIN, BKK, SYD, ROR, MNL, HKG, BOM, JNB, GUM, SPN, or TPE. Depending on routing and connections these could put you at your goal. Note that BOM would require a VISA(for a US person) if you enter India, you'd have to research if a quick turn without one would be possible.

I was in a similar position with regard to needing more MQD's prior to year's end. I found that from Central FL, SIN, BKK, MNL, and TPE were usually the cheapest. I searched using ITA and the parameters DL+ /f bc=v which only displayed multiple DL flights and V class fares.

The OP's handle is BostonGuy but his profile shows him at BHM.

I'm kind of in the same boat with staying Diamond.

I've got the MQD covered but looks like I am going to need about 12k miles that work will not cover.

From MSP, I think I may go spend a few days in Singapore. I have friends there, I always like the place and I have 4 GUC's to burn.

I know NRT, PVG or PEK will also get me across the line and right now it looks like I can do PEK for about $1000.

I kind of hate doing a MR but the GUC for next year will be a lot more useful for my work travel than they were this year.

If you are traveling less, then there is less reason to have "status". Speaking as someone who has gone up and down and up and down in airline status levels over the years as job roles and projects have changed, just "let it go".

For all the money, not to mention inconvenience, that you could spend on mileage running, you could redirect some of that to replicating much of what's involved in a higher status (e.g., purchase day passes to lounges, purchase Economy Comfort, pay the $85 for TSA PreCheck or $100 for Global Entry; eat real food in an airport restaurant instead of carrot and celery sticks and stale pretzels in a Sky Club).

Couldn't agree more. Also, if you assume you'll need to take a weekend for the MR, count the hours you'll spend on the effort and assign some houry rate value to your hours and convert to $'s. How much is your "cost" to achieve that status?

RT BOS-DXB via ATL. 17K MQMs in coach, and it was fairly cheap last time I looked.

Have you tried signing up for a Delta Platinum/Reserve card? Last I checked, they offered MQMs as a sign-up bonus.

+1
Considering the reduce number of elites next year due to changes in qualification - save yourself the $1,000 and get equal service next year and accept the roll-over miles.

Give it up
 

I agree. This late in the year, and 22,000 miles short. I would forgot about wasting money for Plat, and be content with Gold.

While I respect those hardened flyers who do SIN runs; they aren't for me, and I suspect not too many other people either.

Remember that PEK or PVG may require an expensive visa, which is also a hassle, but you should be able to route at least PVG to be eligible for TWOV.

Look for 1-stop trips out to the west coast and back. You can do it twice in one weekend.