Mar 5, 2013, 2:38 pm
A Challenge: The Least-Expensive Way to Get The Most Medallion Qualification Miles?
Sep 9, 2012, 9:31 pm
#2011
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AS MVPG, DL KM, Bee Six, Bonvoy Plat, Avis PC, Natl Exec, Greyhound Road Rewards Z"L
Posts: 16,721
Are you taking any more flights this year? If so, SDC onto something with a layover and that'll be an extra 500+ miles for only $50.
-J.
-J.
Sep 9, 2012, 9:35 pm
#2012
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
IIRC DL also had an option of getting MQMs by donating to certain (mostly Atlanta) charities during the last two years.
However, it would be better not to count on this and instead find a cheap and fun weekend trip or something. Remember than any extra miles will roll over, so it could later be an advantage to pick something farther away for roughly the same price.
However, it would be better not to count on this and instead find a cheap and fun weekend trip or something. Remember than any extra miles will roll over, so it could later be an advantage to pick something farther away for roughly the same price.
Sep 9, 2012, 11:43 pm
#2013
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: DL Diamond; Marriott Silver
Posts: 109
DL probably will offer the oppotunity to buy MQM's again (why not -- it allows DL to sell that seat the MR flyer would have taken AND get the MR flyer's money). If so, just buy the MQM's you need. If they haven't announced anything by December 1, then book a cheap flight.
Sep 10, 2012, 12:50 am
#2014
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Makati City, Philippines
Programs: Delta Skymiles DM, CX GO, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,361
That one made me laugh!! Good one!!!
Sep 10, 2012, 4:28 am
#2015
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: London
Programs: DL FO, BA Bronze, Avis Preferred
Posts: 851
Fly. Even if it's just to a nearby city for lunch, and back home. OP, what is your home airport?
Sep 10, 2012, 7:15 am
#2016
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta: Gold, Marriott: Silver
Posts: 188
A quick MR is absolutely the way to go for that few MQMs. LGA, ATL, DTW, for instance would all be quick hops from anywhere on the east coast or even midwest that would earn you at least 1000 MQMs and be less then $150 on a sLUT fair.
Sep 10, 2012, 8:41 am
#2017
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: DFW,TX USA
Programs: Lifetime Platinum Marriott
Posts: 1,568
If you don't want to do a quick Mileage run
Delta usually does some strange offer that will get you MQM near year end.
Club membership, transfers, donation, buy etc...
I would wait until November, see if anything happens then if not do a mileage run.
But most will probably cost more than a quick $150 flight somewhere.
Delta usually does some strange offer that will get you MQM near year end.
Club membership, transfers, donation, buy etc...
I would wait until November, see if anything happens then if not do a mileage run.
But most will probably cost more than a quick $150 flight somewhere.
Sep 10, 2012, 8:42 am
#2018
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LEX
Programs: Delta Reserve - PM
Posts: 1,143
Or, rent a car (one-way) and drive to a somewhat nearby airport, then get a one-way ticket and fly back home.
This would be very easy for me, so YMMV.
EDIT: Not anymore, as DL doesn't fly between SDF and CVG direct to LEX....so again, YMMV
This would be very easy for me, so YMMV.
EDIT: Not anymore, as DL doesn't fly between SDF and CVG direct to LEX....so again, YMMV
Sep 10, 2012, 10:27 am
#2020
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Remember that with rollover, the extra MQMs have some value, so I wouldn't do the one way rental unless the price difference were huge. Remember that most rental car contracts have drop off charges.
Sep 10, 2012, 10:51 am
#2021
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
I think this is the easiest and cheapest option. It doesn't require you to set aside the time for an unneeded trip. Changing to a flight that routes through a city further away could easily add the extra miles.
Sep 25, 2012, 3:11 pm
#2022
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2
Im PM until 2/13 (mostly from 2010 DMQM posted 1/11 and 2011 AMEX MQM) but only sitting on 20k MQM in 2012 from an Asia trip (MNL). I'm going to Asia (BKK) in 1/13 so it seems to me I'm better off letting my 20k carry over into 2013, then I can hit GM with my January BKK trip and 10k from the AMEX. If I hit Silver in 2012, I basically lose 20k MQM and am stuck at SM
Am I missing something? Why would someone with 20k want to do an MR to hit SM in 2012 when he/she can carry it over into 2013, then hit SM and carry it until 2014 with the potential to hit GM?
Am I missing something? Why would someone with 20k want to do an MR to hit SM in 2012 when he/she can carry it over into 2013, then hit SM and carry it until 2014 with the potential to hit GM?
Sep 25, 2012, 3:19 pm
#2023
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 198
It wont carry over unless you are at least FO.
Im PM until 2/13 (mostly from 2010 DMQM posted 1/11 and 2011 AMEX MQM) but only sitting on 20k MQM in 2012 from an Asia trip (MNL). I'm going to Asia (BKK) in 1/13 so it seems to me I'm better off letting my 20k carry over into 2013, then I can hit GM with my January BKK trip and 10k from the AMEX. If I hit Silver in 2012, I basically lose 20k MQM and am stuck at SM
Am I missing something? Why would someone with 20k want to do an MR to hit SM in 2012 when he/she can carry it over into 2013, then hit SM and carry it until 2014 with the potential to hit GM?
Am I missing something? Why would someone with 20k want to do an MR to hit SM in 2012 when he/she can carry it over into 2013, then hit SM and carry it until 2014 with the potential to hit GM?
Sep 25, 2012, 5:56 pm
#2024
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Correct, there's no carry-over until you hit Silver and then only the MQMs over the qualification threshold you passed will carry over to the following year.
Assuming DL continues the carry-over policy. There's no indication they *won't*, but then again, there's never indication they're about to "enhance" the SM program until they do.
Assuming DL continues the carry-over policy. There's no indication they *won't*, but then again, there's never indication they're about to "enhance" the SM program until they do.
Oct 16, 2012, 11:38 am
#2025
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2
Correct, there's no carry-over until you hit Silver and then only the MQMs over the qualification threshold you passed will carry over to the following year.
Assuming DL continues the carry-over policy. There's no indication they *won't*, but then again, there's never indication they're about to "enhance" the SM program until they do.
Assuming DL continues the carry-over policy. There's no indication they *won't*, but then again, there's never indication they're about to "enhance" the SM program until they do.