Need Medallion Qualification Dollars or MQDs: MQD Requirement for Medallion Status
Dec 9, 2014, 2:10 pm
#46
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No, don't expect to get credit for that as goodwill. There is no cost effective way to do this. You're short $900 in MQDs, there's nothing you can really use to make that cost anything other than $900. It's not like trying to earn MQMs where you can work to reduce the CPM. The only way to get around the MQD requirement is to spend $25k on a Delta Amex card. If you're within range of being able to do that, there are ways to manufacture spend. Or you can move out of the country and update your address, as non-US members don't have to fulfill MQD requirements.
Dec 9, 2014, 2:14 pm
#47
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Get a Delta gold credit card. Comes with free checked bags.
Dec 9, 2014, 2:17 pm
#49
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Dec 9, 2014, 2:21 pm
#50
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Dec 9, 2014, 2:34 pm
#51
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Of course it would be cheaper to get the DL AmEX, but maybe OP wants the phone priority, slight chance of upgrades and free C+ seats, etc Not everyone wants or can get a DL AmEx card..
Dec 9, 2014, 2:55 pm
#52
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I think a post was edited or deleted here questioning the number fifty. I seem to remember the word FIFTY in all caps.
Of course it would be cheaper to get the DL AmEX, but maybe OP wants the phone priority, slight chance of upgrades and free C+ seats, etc Not everyone wants or can get a DL AmEx card..
Of course it would be cheaper to get the DL AmEX, but maybe OP wants the phone priority, slight chance of upgrades and free C+ seats, etc Not everyone wants or can get a DL AmEx card..
Dec 9, 2014, 2:59 pm
#53
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 20
Thanks for the input, everyone!
Just to clarify two things - my VS flight was in March 2014, so it would have counted (Doh!).
I have a Platinum Delta Amex, but I think it would be difficult to get up to $25,000 in spending in the rest of the year (although I am open to suggestions).
I have one more upcoming Delta RT in domestic F but I'm not sure exactly how many MQDs it will get (is there a way to check?)
So if paying for MQMs is the only option it seems like it's not worth it - 12.5 cents per mile at best is not a good deal for the marginal benefits of Silver.
Just to clarify two things - my VS flight was in March 2014, so it would have counted (Doh!).
I have a Platinum Delta Amex, but I think it would be difficult to get up to $25,000 in spending in the rest of the year (although I am open to suggestions).
I have one more upcoming Delta RT in domestic F but I'm not sure exactly how many MQDs it will get (is there a way to check?)
So if paying for MQMs is the only option it seems like it's not worth it - 12.5 cents per mile at best is not a good deal for the marginal benefits of Silver.
Last edited by RetroJetSet; Dec 9, 2014 at 3:04 pm Reason: Consolidation. Removing repetition.
Dec 9, 2014, 3:13 pm
#54
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Easy way to check MQDs is to do a dummy booking for your route and fare class; the exact dates don't matter. After you've selected the flights, MQMs will appear on the left side of the page, almost across from the cost numbers for the ticket. You can also click on the flight numbers when searching; a box will show the actual distance DL uses, which you can convert into MQMs. Most FC tickets earn 150% MQMs but FULL F gets 200%. This is assuming you don't have a consolidator ticket, codesahre, etc.
Dec 9, 2014, 3:16 pm
#55
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Hit up every pharmacy in your town and buy $500 Vanilla VISA gift cards to get your AMEX spend up to $25k. You can convert this to money orders which can then be deposited into your bank account or sent to AMEX as payment.
Dec 9, 2014, 3:18 pm
#56
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Dec 9, 2014, 5:59 pm
#57
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Dec 10, 2014, 2:48 pm
#59
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 20
Saidoh,
I'm projecting my travel on Delta will look something like this in 2015:
Low end: 4 domestic first RT, 8 domestic economy, 2 intercontinental business
High end: 6 domestic first RT, 12 domestic economy, 4 intercontinental business
I'm projecting my travel on Delta will look something like this in 2015:
Low end: 4 domestic first RT, 8 domestic economy, 2 intercontinental business
High end: 6 domestic first RT, 12 domestic economy, 4 intercontinental business
Dec 10, 2014, 5:30 pm
#60
Join Date: Oct 2014
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I see. So we're talking a little over half of projected travel in which the FO benefits would come into play. I lean towards voting that you do nothing, but one tidbit I almost forgot about is that if you don't make at least silver, all those MQMs you've got are out the window. It wouldn't be the end of the world if you dropped down to kettle, since you've got the AMEX to cover bags and boarding, but it's just something to consider. IDK how far off you are from $25k, but perhaps you could just MS the hell out of your AMEX (Serve would help but this late in the game the most you could get out of it is $1,000), and then not only would MQDs become irrelevant, but you'd get a bonus of 10k RDMs, plus 10k MQMs to rollover. But I would definitely recommend against MRing or buying up, since with the first/business that you'll be doing (and extra MQM and MQD you'll be earning) you should reach status again in no time.