DL: 14500 Mileage Run
Dec 11, 2015, 9:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 2
DL: 14500 Mileage Run
I know its probably difficult but I am looking for a single or 2 economically priced mileage runs out of the Buffalo, NY area to bump up to Platinum on Delta. I am over on the money spend but pretty short on mileage. I am looking at about 14,500 miles or 25 qualifying segments. I have some PTO time on the back half of the month but flight prices around the holiday look to be pretty elevated.
Last edited by flyergirl111; Dec 11, 2015 at 9:31 am
Dec 11, 2015, 12:38 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: CHA
Programs: DL-DM (1.75MM), Bonvoy LifeTi, Hertz-PC
Posts: 618
Hey flyergirl111 - welcome to Flyertalk.
Ugh, last weekend seemed to be near the end of any real deals for mileage run. We're now into holiday territory and airlines know it.
Best luck I can think of from my limited experience of a MR to Alaska last weekend and two hops to LAX for my wife is to do what FTers call: reposition yourself to/from another (beneficial) airport.
For instance, my MR to ANC was best priced out of LAX. Being based in CHA, I hopped through ATL to LAX with a stopover (overnight layover) to then get the LAX-MSP-ANC deal. I was able to call Delta and have it all booked together instead of having two separate tickets.
So check out the forum for deals, also play with Google/flights and the ITA matrix - both take time and creativity - but can be fruitful in finding the best worthwhile deal.
Good luck!
Ugh, last weekend seemed to be near the end of any real deals for mileage run. We're now into holiday territory and airlines know it.
Best luck I can think of from my limited experience of a MR to Alaska last weekend and two hops to LAX for my wife is to do what FTers call: reposition yourself to/from another (beneficial) airport.
For instance, my MR to ANC was best priced out of LAX. Being based in CHA, I hopped through ATL to LAX with a stopover (overnight layover) to then get the LAX-MSP-ANC deal. I was able to call Delta and have it all booked together instead of having two separate tickets.
So check out the forum for deals, also play with Google/flights and the ITA matrix - both take time and creativity - but can be fruitful in finding the best worthwhile deal.
Good luck!
Dec 12, 2015, 12:19 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: DL-DM AA-Platnum
Posts: 1
A few last minute options
Since you're in NY, your best bet is to head to the city. There you have a few options. If you can take a few days off, you can easily make it before the end of the year.
Long Hauls:
There are some options from JFK to ANC (~8K RT) and SVO (~10K RT). Both can be done for about .06/mi. Those are historically the best single destination trips I've found on Delta. I am actually just now getting back from a run to ANC to get the last 8K I needed to maintain diamond.
"Short Hauls":
The other painful, but reasonably priced option is to do a few out and backs to LAX,SFO or SEA - whichever happens to be cheapest from NYC.
Good luck!
Long Hauls:
There are some options from JFK to ANC (~8K RT) and SVO (~10K RT). Both can be done for about .06/mi. Those are historically the best single destination trips I've found on Delta. I am actually just now getting back from a run to ANC to get the last 8K I needed to maintain diamond.
"Short Hauls":
The other painful, but reasonably priced option is to do a few out and backs to LAX,SFO or SEA - whichever happens to be cheapest from NYC.
Good luck!
Dec 12, 2015, 7:59 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: AVL
Programs: DL DM MM; Hilton Diamond; Hertz 5*
Posts: 706
DL: 14500 Mileage Run
That's a lot of miles. Look at flights to Asia - likely to get in one trip for less cost overall. Also look at departures from UA and AA hubs like PHL and EWR.
HKG was cheap a while back. But this close to year end and to departure may mean nothing is really cheap.
HKG was cheap a while back. But this close to year end and to departure may mean nothing is really cheap.
Dec 12, 2015, 9:17 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 2
Thanks
Thank you all for the suggestions. I travel frequently for work and we aren't dedicated to one airline, it's based on price. When I realized I was over on dollar spend for platinum I thought it might be worth trying to grab the points to lock me in for next year. I do get upgraded frequently as gold.
Dec 14, 2015, 2:37 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 85
I'd also keep an eye on SkyTeam partners - Air France, KLM, Alitalia. JFK SVO was around 5.3 CPM last weekend (10.1k MQMs, $596), 48 hours with a little breathing room at CDG, AMS, MXP depending on your preference.
Try to spend as little time as possible at SVO but remember you need time to make your return flight!
Try to spend as little time as possible at SVO but remember you need time to make your return flight!
Dec 14, 2015, 11:57 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SLC
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 63
I'd also keep an eye on SkyTeam partners - Air France, KLM, Alitalia. JFK SVO was around 5.3 CPM last weekend (10.1k MQMs, $596), 48 hours with a little breathing room at CDG, AMS, MXP depending on your preference.
Try to spend as little time as possible at SVO but remember you need time to make your return flight!
Try to spend as little time as possible at SVO but remember you need time to make your return flight!
Dec 15, 2015, 12:08 am
#8
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: 100,409
Domestic flights are full and fares are high around the holidays, but many overseas destinations are priced very reasonably during this period.