Dec 27, 2016, 5:58 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: Pat89339

For each request, please include the following information:

Departure Airport:
Miles Needed:
Required Spend or Budget:
Available Travel Dates:
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:

For each response. Please quote the original request. DO NOT START A SEPARATE THREAD.

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NOTE: there is not much time left in 2017, given that travel tends to be expensive around holidays. You will have greater chances of success if you have greater flexibility on travel dates and cost. If you need a lot of MQMs on weekends only for < 5 cpm it probably won't happen.

Other creative possibilities depending how many MQMs you need:

signup bonuses for various DL-branded AMEX cards (usually have a spend requirement)
if you already have planned travel, consider buying up (in advance, not at check in) for 50% MQM bonus and more flexible same-day-confirmed options which are another way to increase MQMs
Hilton 250 MQMs per stay of 2 nights or more
if you are close to a threshold Delta often will offer a buy-up (at exorbitant prices). 2016 thread, and speculation/anticipation thread for 2017

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*"Required Metal or Codeshares" is, approximately, asking whether you need a flight operated specifically by Delta or if partner flights are ok. If you are just looking for MQMs to hit a Medallion tier the normal way, then the answer is yes. If you are doing a status challenge, the answer is also probably yes, but read the T&C of your challenge carefully to be sure (for the regular status challenge the answer is also "yes")

NOTE: some partner flights earn MQMs at reduced rates. See this chart for more info.

Newcomers may also be interested in the FlyerTalk Glossary

DL/Sky Team: 2017-2018 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed

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Nov 30, 2018, 8:53 am

#1846

Dwayne Waterman

Join Date: Nov 2018

Programs: Delta

Posts: 1

i would say MCO or MSY.

Nov 30, 2018, 9:26 am

#1847

divehub

Join Date: Nov 2018

Programs: DL DM

Posts: 7

A few work trips just got cancelled and I'll be short mostly on MQD

Would appreciate some help trying to find some last minute runs...
Departure Airport: BNA (preferably), ATL, NY(JFK/LGA/EWR)
Miles Needed: 5,700 MQM for DM
MQD Needed: $800
Available Dates: pref weekends, 12/8 or 12/15 or 12/22 (from YYZ) - same day or next day RT

Trying to spend the least possible, my best bet may be partner airlines, but haven't had much luck finding flights.

Nov 30, 2018, 9:45 am

#1848

Rashad Taylor

Join Date: Nov 2018

Programs: delta

Posts: 2

need 11k miles by end of year

Departure Airport: ATL or DCA or BWI
Miles Needed:11,000
Required Spend or Budget: n/a
Available Travel Dates: anytime before end of the year
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:

Nov 30, 2018, 10:25 am

#1849

Cnutt09

Join Date: Jul 2016

Posts: 4

DL Mileage Run - ATL - 19,000 MQMs needed

Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 19,000
Required Spend or Budget: MQD Waived - Budget $600
Available Travel Dates: Flexible before 12/23
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL

Nov 30, 2018, 10:47 am

#1850

xliioper

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2003

Posts: 23,062

Quote:

Originally Posted by divehub

A few work trips just got cancelled and I'll be short mostly on MQD

Partner bookings generally only help in the premium classes, but there aren't many to be found that are $800 or less. Even more unlikely with your limited dates. So they probably won't do you any good. You can do DL Vacations packages from BNA-YVR for about $560 that will earn 710 MQD's and 5500 MQM's with the right routing and fare classes.

Nov 30, 2018, 10:54 am

#1851

MileageGuy18

Join Date: Nov 2018

Programs: Delta

Posts: 1

Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 6,000 MQM to hit Diamond
Required Spend or Budget: $600 range
Available Travel Dates: Anytime after 12/21 (ideally day trip)
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Delta

Nov 30, 2018, 11:03 am

#1852

stargoalie06

Join Date: Nov 2018

Programs: Delta

Posts: 1

Help - need MQMs (13,100) for Diamond (current Diamond)

Departure Airport: MSP
Miles Needed: 13,100 MQM to reach Diamond (current Diamond)
Required Spend or Budget: N/A - met MQD
Available Travel Dates: 12/21-12/31 (ideally 12/28-12/31 or 12/21-12/24)
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes

Best price available and short turn around. Also if anyone has other advice besides flying, willing to consider as well. Currently have the Gold AmEx card.

Nov 30, 2018, 11:19 am

#1853

scainas

Join Date: Jun 2009

Posts: 1

DL Mile Run from ATL Before Year End

I know it's challenging at this time of year, but any suggestions appreciated! Perhaps 2 trips?

Departure Airport: ATL (or LAX)
Miles Needed: 18,000
Required Spend of Budget: Under $1,000
Available Travel Dates: Ideally weekend or any dates from 12/21 thru 12/31.
Required Metal: Delta

Nov 30, 2018, 1:20 pm

#1854

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rashad Taylor

Departure Airport: ATL or DCA or BWI
Miles Needed:11,000
Required Spend or Budget: n/a
Available Travel Dates: anytime before end of the year
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:

DCA-KOA, $575 (BE) various days in December (e.g. 4, 5, 11), immediate turn, 11,000 MQMs depending on routing

Nov 30, 2018, 2:40 pm

#1855

redstapler11

Join Date: Jan 2017

Location: New York, NY

Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond

Posts: 20

Departure Airport: NYC (JFK/LGA/EWR)
Miles Needed: 13,600 MQMs
Required Spend or Budget: N/A hit MQD
Available Travel Dates: Flexible before 12/23 or after 12/26
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes

Any help/thoughts appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Nov 30, 2018, 4:36 pm

#1856

uibd

Join Date: Mar 2005

Location: MLI

Programs: UA Silver, MR Ambassador, HH Gold

Posts: 255

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBJ

one trip? not a chance. The circumference of the earth is 25K miles. You're talking a couple trips to South Asia or South Africa and 6 days of flying. Suggest you consider rolling over.

I haven't looked but flying to India in business would get you there or very very close. You can do about a 16 hour turn there. Takes 3 days total.

Nov 30, 2018, 5:15 pm

#1857

xliioper

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2003

Posts: 23,062

Quote:

Originally Posted by uibd

I haven't looked but flying to India in business would get you there or very very close. You can do about a 16 hour turn there. Takes 3 days total.

Yes, it's possible if you fly business. But not terribly "economical". MU has a $4K JFK-AKL business fare that would work in one trip. But that's a lot to pay for bumping your status.

Nov 30, 2018, 6:31 pm

#1858

xliioper

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2003

Posts: 23,062

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileageGuy18

Don't think it can be done with that date limitation. Can do ATL - YVR via LAX on 12/24 - 12/25 for $747 and earn 6052 MQM's. Probably better to break it into two trips. ATL-DEN on 12/23 is $321. ATL-SLC on 12/24 is $331.

Last edited by xliioper; Nov 30, 2018 at 10:47 pm

Dec 1, 2018, 1:42 am

#1859

xliioper

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2003

Posts: 23,062

Quote:

Originally Posted by stargoalie06

There's currently a 10K MQM bonus for signing up for the DL AMEX Reserve after $3K in spend. You could combine that with a RT to SFO on 24th for $486. Not really seeing any reasonably priced options to do this just with flying for those dates.

Dec 1, 2018, 1:47 am

#1860

xliioper

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2003

Posts: 23,062

Quote:

Originally Posted by redstapler11

NYC-JNB, 12/8 - 12/10 is available from $759.