Best routes/strategies for a mileage run?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: MLA
Programs: A3*G, BA Silver, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold, CC Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 63
Best routes/strategies for a mileage run?
Hi all,
I was hoping someone could help me a little / point me in the right direction.
I recently got a status match from Delta, which comes with the 12,500 MQMs in 3 months requirement. I was stupid enough to apply for the status match over 2 months before I'll be in the States (and travelling extensively), and needless to say, Delta wouldn't budge when asked to move the start date forward.
So now I'm in a situation where I'll land in SFO on June 8th and need to acquire 12,500 MQMs by June 22nd. Quite a pickle, but doable, especially considering time isn't a massive issue.
With this in mind, I was wondering if anyone has any tips as to how to maximise MQMs and which routes / fares to look at? I was thinking of doing SFO-EWR in First, which would supposedly give me around 7710 MQMs, followed by a shorter trip in First for the remaining, but the prices seem quite steep, considering I'll have my better half with me and wouldn't really want to seat her in Coach while I'm in First.
I'd be grateful for any tips or recommendations you guys may have.
Thanks
Bryan
I was hoping someone could help me a little / point me in the right direction.
I recently got a status match from Delta, which comes with the 12,500 MQMs in 3 months requirement. I was stupid enough to apply for the status match over 2 months before I'll be in the States (and travelling extensively), and needless to say, Delta wouldn't budge when asked to move the start date forward.
So now I'm in a situation where I'll land in SFO on June 8th and need to acquire 12,500 MQMs by June 22nd. Quite a pickle, but doable, especially considering time isn't a massive issue.
With this in mind, I was wondering if anyone has any tips as to how to maximise MQMs and which routes / fares to look at? I was thinking of doing SFO-EWR in First, which would supposedly give me around 7710 MQMs, followed by a shorter trip in First for the remaining, but the prices seem quite steep, considering I'll have my better half with me and wouldn't really want to seat her in Coach while I'm in First.
I'd be grateful for any tips or recommendations you guys may have.
Thanks
Bryan
#2
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: Delta Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 85
I'd recommend checking out the mileage run deals forum here: Mileage Run Deals
Hi all,
I was hoping someone could help me a little / point me in the right direction.
I recently got a status match from Delta, which comes with the 12,500 MQMs in 3 months requirement. I was stupid enough to apply for the status match over 2 months before I'll be in the States (and travelling extensively), and needless to say, Delta wouldn't budge when asked to move the start date forward.
So now I'm in a situation where I'll land in SFO on June 8th and need to acquire 12,500 MQMs by June 22nd. Quite a pickle, but doable, especially considering time isn't a massive issue.
With this in mind, I was wondering if anyone has any tips as to how to maximise MQMs and which routes / fares to look at? I was thinking of doing SFO-EWR in First, which would supposedly give me around 7710 MQMs, followed by a shorter trip in First for the remaining, but the prices seem quite steep, considering I'll have my better half with me and wouldn't really want to seat her in Coach while I'm in First.
I'd be grateful for any tips or recommendations you guys may have.
Thanks
Bryan
I was hoping someone could help me a little / point me in the right direction.
I recently got a status match from Delta, which comes with the 12,500 MQMs in 3 months requirement. I was stupid enough to apply for the status match over 2 months before I'll be in the States (and travelling extensively), and needless to say, Delta wouldn't budge when asked to move the start date forward.
So now I'm in a situation where I'll land in SFO on June 8th and need to acquire 12,500 MQMs by June 22nd. Quite a pickle, but doable, especially considering time isn't a massive issue.
With this in mind, I was wondering if anyone has any tips as to how to maximise MQMs and which routes / fares to look at? I was thinking of doing SFO-EWR in First, which would supposedly give me around 7710 MQMs, followed by a shorter trip in First for the remaining, but the prices seem quite steep, considering I'll have my better half with me and wouldn't really want to seat her in Coach while I'm in First.
I'd be grateful for any tips or recommendations you guys may have.
Thanks
Bryan
#3
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,991
Are you going to be based in SFO? If so, have you considered flying (and doing a status match for) United? Delta has very limited service to SFO (only 9 non-stops, 10 if you include a seasonal to HNL).
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: MLA
Programs: A3*G, BA Silver, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold, CC Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 63
Nope, I'll actually be travelling for roughly 1.5 years with basically no home base, hence why the status match (I'm already top tier with the other 2 alliances.. was only missing SkyTeam).
#6
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,774
At the risk of stating the obvious, can you not fly from somewhere in Europe to the US when you fly to SFO? I realize that Delta doesn’t serve Malta (or doesn’t appear to, on a quick search), but you could fly from the nearest European city served by Delta or an eligible partner.
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
At the risk of stating the obvious, can you not fly from somewhere in Europe to the US when you fly to SFO? I realize that Delta doesnt serve Malta (or doesnt appear to, on a quick search), but you could fly from the nearest European city served by Delta or an eligible partner.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,991
Fair enough. If that's the case, then my recommendation would just be to forget about the status match. You're status matching to Gold which really won't get you much on Delta (first class upgrades will be rare unless you fly at very off peak times). Unless you will fly a whole lot of short haul, It will be cheaper for you just to pay for Comfort+ seats while you fly organically (Comfort+ provides virtually all of the benefits you would get as a Gold medallion).
#10
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,991
Good option. My only commentary would be not to do this if you're not a US citizen or permanent resident (not sure what OP's status is). You will likely run into significant scrutiny by the CBP for these types of mileage runs as a non-citizen (you'll also potentially get it as a citizen, but there is less they can do to ruin your day/life other than detain you for a few hours).
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: MLA
Programs: A3*G, BA Silver, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold, CC Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 63
I'd recommend checking out the mileage run deals forum here: Mileage Run Deals
At the risk of stating the obvious, can you not fly from somewhere in Europe to the US when you fly to SFO? I realize that Delta doesnt serve Malta (or doesnt appear to, on a quick search), but you could fly from the nearest European city served by Delta or an eligible partner.
Fair enough. If that's the case, then my recommendation would just be to forget about the status match. You're status matching to Gold which really won't get you much on Delta (first class upgrades will be rare unless you fly at very off peak times). Unless you will fly a whole lot of short haul, It will be cheaper for you just to pay for Comfort+ seats while you fly organically (Comfort+ provides virtually all of the benefits you would get as a Gold medallion).
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: MLA
Programs: A3*G, BA Silver, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold, CC Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 63
Good option. My only commentary would be not to do this if you're not a US citizen or permanent resident (not sure what OP's status is). You will likely run into significant scrutiny by the CBP for these types of mileage runs as a non-citizen (you'll also potentially get it as a citizen, but there is less they can do to ruin your day/life other than detain you for a few hours).
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
What are you talking about? Delta Connection is fine for an MQM challenge, and there are 9 flights on SFO-LAX alone tomorrow.
#14
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,820
#15
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,991
I had interpreted that OP was going to be flying out of SFO regularly. It is now clear that he is just wants to do the status match to get ST Elite+ and that he doesn't plan on flying Delta much in the US.