Mar 5, 2013, 2:38 pm
A Challenge: The Least-Expensive Way to Get The Most Medallion Qualification Miles?
Nov 30, 2011, 8:45 am
#1876
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: 1/2 way between FNT,DTW
Programs: DL Plat, US Gold
Posts: 711
Most weeks I have been getting emails for weekend get away fares, this week it was DTW-SAN and a few others for $299 roundtrip, with a ATL connection on both legs you could get about 4500 to 4600 right there.
Also, cheapish same turns to MCO, FLL, TPA, PBI can often be had this time of year where you could do 2 rountrips 4 flights flight on 1 saturday or mid week tuesday or wednesday flight.
Also, cheapish same turns to MCO, FLL, TPA, PBI can often be had this time of year where you could do 2 rountrips 4 flights flight on 1 saturday or mid week tuesday or wednesday flight.
Dec 1, 2011, 2:22 am
#1877
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: DL SPG IHG
Posts: 13
So close, yet so far. What'd you do if you were me?
I'd like to make FO (for the first time--Yay!) in time for my last flight of the year on 12/7. I'll be boarding with 25,832 MQM's. But the day before, when it matters for status updates, I'll be a mere 155 MQM's short of promoting! :-(
I'll be coming home from a grueling multi-city biz trip and was really, really, really hoping to sit up front (and not have to pay baggage fees!) on the way home. Sadly, there are no upgrades using miles available for my itinerary, which means that the only way I'd have even a glimmer of hope would be to bump up to FO in time.
So, two questions:
--Do GA's see how many MQM's one has? Is there a chance that one might have pity on me and put me on the upgrade list?
--Or should I hold I tin cup and bat my eyelashes in front of the SkyClub, hoping that some kindly Amex Reserve cardmember has 155 extra MQM's in his or her pocket?
(I have 500 Hilton promotion MQM's coming to me, so all would be well if they hit my account by the 6th. But Delta says it would take "up to six weeks and it's only been two so far. So I'm guessing this won't help me...)
Thoughts? Advice?
:-/
I'll be coming home from a grueling multi-city biz trip and was really, really, really hoping to sit up front (and not have to pay baggage fees!) on the way home. Sadly, there are no upgrades using miles available for my itinerary, which means that the only way I'd have even a glimmer of hope would be to bump up to FO in time.
So, two questions:
--Do GA's see how many MQM's one has? Is there a chance that one might have pity on me and put me on the upgrade list?
--Or should I hold I tin cup and bat my eyelashes in front of the SkyClub, hoping that some kindly Amex Reserve cardmember has 155 extra MQM's in his or her pocket?
(I have 500 Hilton promotion MQM's coming to me, so all would be well if they hit my account by the 6th. But Delta says it would take "up to six weeks and it's only been two so far. So I'm guessing this won't help me...)
Thoughts? Advice?
:-/
Dec 1, 2011, 2:26 am
#1878
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: Delta DM MM, IHG Plat, Hilton DM, Marriott SE, Emerald EE, Oakdale Gun Club, NRA & GOA Life Member
Posts: 3,870
I'd buy 2500 MQMs today for $299.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...-buy-mqms.html
Edited to add that the GAs will NOT put you on the upgrade list as a general member.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...-buy-mqms.html
Edited to add that the GAs will NOT put you on the upgrade list as a general member.
Dec 1, 2011, 3:18 am
#1879
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DTW, LAX, MBJ
Programs: AA, Delta Kryptonium (DM) Hyatt Diamond IHG Fake Plat (Ambassador), HH Gold
Posts: 832
As mentioned above,
1. if you really want your FO. Buy the MQMs
2. See if the Hilton hits your account. the have been pretty quick for me about 4 or 5 days.
3. Check EF to see if V inventory is even a possibility on your routes. I have three flights on that date as a PM and it looks like I'll be in back entire time.
4. Enjoy your last flight without status. Soon you'll be able to board with the other 80percent of the Pax
Good luck
1. if you really want your FO. Buy the MQMs
2. See if the Hilton hits your account. the have been pretty quick for me about 4 or 5 days.
3. Check EF to see if V inventory is even a possibility on your routes. I have three flights on that date as a PM and it looks like I'll be in back entire time.
4. Enjoy your last flight without status. Soon you'll be able to board with the other 80percent of the Pax
Good luck
Dec 1, 2011, 6:09 am
#1880
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: DL PM, Hertz Gold Plus, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,049
Sucked, too, because there was an empty seat up front on the leg I would've been FO for - 10 seats open in FC, 9 people on the upgrade list. FA pulled someone from coach to fill the seat.
But patience, grasshopper... your time will come.
Dec 1, 2011, 6:27 am
#1881
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: MLB
Programs: DL - KM DM, DL 1.57 MM, UA - 1P, AA - EXP HH - Diamond, PC - Platinum, SPG - Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 887
Certainly not worth spending the money for some outside shot for an upgrade as an FO. We don't know your itinerary but some routes are even hard as a PM/DM. The only thing you would have for sure is saving the checked bag fee. Just hope the Hilton promo comes in in time or as mentioned above, just enjoy the bennies next year.
Dec 1, 2011, 7:51 am
#1882
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
get yourself a cane and an old man disguise. Fake a very bad injury when entering the plane. You just might find some very nice elite sitting in F willing to give up his/her seat for yours!
Dec 1, 2011, 11:05 am
#1883
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 2
Just Shy
I need 3,012 MQM's for my next upgrade on Delta. I have plans to fly from NY to Orange County, CA for Christmas but I don't think thats enough for 3,012 miles.
Any advice?
Layovers/etc..
Higher Class fare?
Thought about opening the credit card...
Not sure what to do.
Thanks.
Any advice?
Layovers/etc..
Higher Class fare?
Thought about opening the credit card...
Not sure what to do.
Thanks.
Dec 1, 2011, 11:12 am
#1884
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: MLB
Programs: DL - KM DM, DL 1.57 MM, UA - 1P, AA - EXP HH - Diamond, PC - Platinum, SPG - Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 887
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...-buy-mqms.html
you can buy MQMs now but a NY - CA round trip flight will get you enough MQMs
Welcome to FT.
you can buy MQMs now but a NY - CA round trip flight will get you enough MQMs
Welcome to FT.
Last edited by DaChief; Dec 1, 2011 at 11:19 am
Dec 1, 2011, 11:13 am
#1885
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Rocky MOuntain High
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, Marriott Gold, Hilton, Hertz
Posts: 461
I need 3,012 MQM's for my next upgrade on Delta. I have plans to fly from NY to Orange County, CA for Christmas but I don't think thats enough for 3,012 miles.
Any advice?
Layovers/etc..
Higher Class fare?
Thought about opening the credit card...
Not sure what to do.
Thanks.
Any advice?
Layovers/etc..
Higher Class fare?
Thought about opening the credit card...
Not sure what to do.
Thanks.
You could add an additional stop say ATL and it would add miles if you are one way, or get an American Express card. Hilton offers a nice promo as well, although it might be too late to purchase it at this point.
Dec 1, 2011, 11:14 am
#1886
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,551
Dec 1, 2011, 11:20 am
#1887
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 2
Thanks guys,
I wasn't sure that you could buy MQM's, thought you could only buy miles.
As for the roundtrip question, my return flight is after the new year so they won't count.
Thanks again.
I wasn't sure that you could buy MQM's, thought you could only buy miles.
As for the roundtrip question, my return flight is after the new year so they won't count.
Thanks again.
Dec 1, 2011, 11:48 am
#1888
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Maine
Programs: AA Plat, FI Silver, DL alumnus
Posts: 1,432
LGA-BNA-DTW-ATL-SNA is a valid routing and would yield 3788 miles o/w.
Dec 1, 2011, 12:30 pm
#1889
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CVG,SDF,LEX
Programs: Delta DM MM
Posts: 772
SEA is a valid connection JFK to SNA.....Doesnt' usually cost any more...
Dec 1, 2011, 12:47 pm
#1890
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: DL PE, Hyatt Diamond, HH Gold, UA Prem, PC Plat
Posts: 653
There are a number of same-day MR options from NYC that will cost $150 or less, too. Any round-trip, added to your Orange County mileage, will put you over the hump.
Among the possibilities with lots of availability for a same-day turn: WAS, BWI, ORD ("shuttle" service), MYR. Others to look at include DTW, BOS, and SYR (if you can travel on the morning of 12/20, JFK-SYR-JFK can be done in less than 4 hours for $119).
Among the possibilities with lots of availability for a same-day turn: WAS, BWI, ORD ("shuttle" service), MYR. Others to look at include DTW, BOS, and SYR (if you can travel on the morning of 12/20, JFK-SYR-JFK can be done in less than 4 hours for $119).