Dec 31, 2018, 10:40 pm
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: 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:
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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
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.
----
NOTE: 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
----
*"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: 2019 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed
Sep 11, 2019, 9:17 am
#316
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 22
Seeking 24K MQM to Maintain Platinum
Departure Airport: BWI preferred but can also do DCA or IAD
Miles Needed: 24000
Required Spend or Budget: cheapest possible (already have minimum spend)
Available Travel Dates: weekends preferable (would prefer less than two trips)
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: anything yielding high MQM for Delta
Miles Needed: 24000
Required Spend or Budget: cheapest possible (already have minimum spend)
Available Travel Dates: weekends preferable (would prefer less than two trips)
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: anything yielding high MQM for Delta
Sep 11, 2019, 9:51 am
#317
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Hello all, first off thank you for your assistance. Based on travel on Skyteam airlines I have planned through the balance of the year it appears I will end up about 25,000MQMs short of Diamond this year. My budget is very flexible on fare price.
I am seeking a mileage run plan preferably in business or premium economy to get around 25K mqms, can even be done in separate trips if needs be with a one or two day stopover. Simply looking for the best cpm I can find (even open to route suggestions that I may keep in the future for weekend holidays and to just rack up some mqms)
Based on my residence MQDs do not apply to me so I am only seeking MQMs, home base airport is SJU but any airport within the US is fine for me as I have so many points on so many programs to burn I can always just book a reward ticket to any city to begin my mileage run.
I really appreciate all the help.
Cheers
I am seeking a mileage run plan preferably in business or premium economy to get around 25K mqms, can even be done in separate trips if needs be with a one or two day stopover. Simply looking for the best cpm I can find (even open to route suggestions that I may keep in the future for weekend holidays and to just rack up some mqms)
Based on my residence MQDs do not apply to me so I am only seeking MQMs, home base airport is SJU but any airport within the US is fine for me as I have so many points on so many programs to burn I can always just book a reward ticket to any city to begin my mileage run.
I really appreciate all the help.
Cheers
e.g. Nov 8 - 10, JFK-JNB, $1744, 27,000 MQMs
Sep 11, 2019, 9:58 am
#318
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Departure Airport: BWI preferred but can also do DCA or IAD
Miles Needed: 24000
Required Spend or Budget: cheapest possible (already have minimum spend)
Available Travel Dates: weekends preferable (would prefer less than two trips)
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: anything yielding high MQM for Delta
Miles Needed: 24000
Required Spend or Budget: cheapest possible (already have minimum spend)
Available Travel Dates: weekends preferable (would prefer less than two trips)
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: anything yielding high MQM for Delta
If you can reposition to JFK, then JFK-MEL, China Eastern, Nov 1 - 3, $946, 24,600 MQMs, 8 hours in Melbourne
Last edited by canuck_traveler; Sep 11, 2019 at 10:10 am Reason: added China Eastern option
Sep 11, 2019, 12:41 pm
#319
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 4
17k MQM, $1820 MQD School Teacher Help!
Departure Airport: TPA, FLL, MIA, MCO (In order of preference)
Miles Needed: 17k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: $1820 MQD Needed. Minimize cost.
Available Travel Dates: Weekends Only +1 Day (Friday or Monday). Not available Nov 6-11, Nov 23-30, Dec. 6-9, Dec. 24-31
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: SkyTeam
Currently Platinum Medallion, looking to keep Platinum Medallion. i have the Delta Reserve Amex but I'm 11k away from the waiver. I'm a school teacher, so overall cost is most important. I'd prefer to do weekends only if possible, but can take off a Monday or Friday if needed. The wife would prefer I accomplish it in 2 weekends or less.
So far, the best option I've found is: MIA-CDG-SVO-CDG-MIA w/ 10hrs in Paris on AirFrance Business Class Z Fare. $1710. SVO-CDG is operated by Aeroflot, but I don't think that matters?
Can anyone find something less expensive for my goals? Thanks in advance to everyone giving their time and expertise to laypeople like me.
Can anyone find other options?
Miles Needed: 17k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: $1820 MQD Needed. Minimize cost.
Available Travel Dates: Weekends Only +1 Day (Friday or Monday). Not available Nov 6-11, Nov 23-30, Dec. 6-9, Dec. 24-31
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: SkyTeam
Currently Platinum Medallion, looking to keep Platinum Medallion. i have the Delta Reserve Amex but I'm 11k away from the waiver. I'm a school teacher, so overall cost is most important. I'd prefer to do weekends only if possible, but can take off a Monday or Friday if needed. The wife would prefer I accomplish it in 2 weekends or less.
So far, the best option I've found is: MIA-CDG-SVO-CDG-MIA w/ 10hrs in Paris on AirFrance Business Class Z Fare. $1710. SVO-CDG is operated by Aeroflot, but I don't think that matters?
Can anyone find something less expensive for my goals? Thanks in advance to everyone giving their time and expertise to laypeople like me.
Can anyone find other options?
Sep 11, 2019, 7:02 pm
#321
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Departure Airport: TPA, FLL, MIA, MCO (In order of preference)
Miles Needed: 17k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: $1820 MQD Needed. Minimize cost.
Available Travel Dates: Weekends Only +1 Day (Friday or Monday). Not available Nov 6-11, Nov 23-30, Dec. 6-9, Dec. 24-31
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: SkyTeam
Currently Platinum Medallion, looking to keep Platinum Medallion. i have the Delta Reserve Amex but I'm 11k away from the waiver. I'm a school teacher, so overall cost is most important. I'd prefer to do weekends only if possible, but can take off a Monday or Friday if needed. The wife would prefer I accomplish it in 2 weekends or less.
So far, the best option I've found is: MIA-CDG-SVO-CDG-MIA w/ 10hrs in Paris on AirFrance Business Class Z Fare. $1710. SVO-CDG is operated by Aeroflot, but I don't think that matters?
Can anyone find something less expensive for my goals? Thanks in advance to everyone giving their time and expertise to laypeople like me.
Can anyone find other options?
Miles Needed: 17k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: $1820 MQD Needed. Minimize cost.
Available Travel Dates: Weekends Only +1 Day (Friday or Monday). Not available Nov 6-11, Nov 23-30, Dec. 6-9, Dec. 24-31
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: SkyTeam
Currently Platinum Medallion, looking to keep Platinum Medallion. i have the Delta Reserve Amex but I'm 11k away from the waiver. I'm a school teacher, so overall cost is most important. I'd prefer to do weekends only if possible, but can take off a Monday or Friday if needed. The wife would prefer I accomplish it in 2 weekends or less.
So far, the best option I've found is: MIA-CDG-SVO-CDG-MIA w/ 10hrs in Paris on AirFrance Business Class Z Fare. $1710. SVO-CDG is operated by Aeroflot, but I don't think that matters?
Can anyone find something less expensive for my goals? Thanks in advance to everyone giving their time and expertise to laypeople like me.
Can anyone find other options?
For a little cheaper, a consideration would be a trip to Asia
e.g.
Oct. 26 - TPA-JFK (depart at 11:37am, arrive 2:17pm), Delta
Oct. 26 - JFK-PVG-CEB (depart 4:25pm, arrive 2:55am ), China Eastern
Oct. 28 - CEB-PVG-JFK (depart 4:55am, arrive 2:25pm), China Eastern
Oct. 28 - JFK-TPA ( depart, 4:59pm, arrive 10:17 pm), Delta
Delta ticket, TPA-JFK roundtrip - $410 (main cabin)
China Eastern ticket, JFK-CEB roundtrip - $985 (booking class N, B, R, R) earns 10% MQD on N and R booking classes and 20% on B, 18,000 MQMs, $1909 MQD (1474.6+290+145), bookable on Expedia
There are much cheaper fares on China Eastern to Asia that will earn you the required miles and $$$ but will require more travel time
You can also fly Delta, TPA-TPE, Sept 28 - 30, 17,400 MQMs, $1030 (arrive back at 11:10pm) or $1196 (arriving back at 7pm) but will leave you way short on MQDs
Last edited by canuck_traveler; Sep 11, 2019 at 10:49 pm
Sep 11, 2019, 9:21 pm
#322
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 3
Great info on this thread already, thanks to the great posters here. I am currently Silver but pushing for Platinum, live right next to the hub in MSP.
Departure Airport: MSP
Miles Needed: 35k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: $2500 MQD (shouldn't be an issue). Prefer to minimize cost as much as possible.
Available Travel Dates: I have 2.5 weeks of PTO so lots of flexibilty before December 15th.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes
Departure Airport: MSP
Miles Needed: 35k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: $2500 MQD (shouldn't be an issue). Prefer to minimize cost as much as possible.
Available Travel Dates: I have 2.5 weeks of PTO so lots of flexibilty before December 15th.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes
Sep 11, 2019, 9:45 pm
#323
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Great info on this thread already, thanks to the great posters here. I am currently Silver but pushing for Platinum, live right next to the hub in MSP.
Departure Airport: MSP
Miles Needed: 35k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: $2500 MQD (shouldn't be an issue). Prefer to minimize cost as much as possible.
Available Travel Dates: I have 2.5 weeks of PTO so lots of flexibilty before December 15th.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes
Departure Airport: MSP
Miles Needed: 35k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: $2500 MQD (shouldn't be an issue). Prefer to minimize cost as much as possible.
Available Travel Dates: I have 2.5 weeks of PTO so lots of flexibilty before December 15th.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes
Oct. 15 - Delta, MSP-LAX, (Depart 11:30am, arrive 1:30pm)
Oct. 15 - Virgin Atlantic, LAX-LHR-JNB (depart 3pm, arrive, 10:55am Oct. 17)
Oct. 17 - Virgin Atlantic, JNB-LHR-LAX (depart, 9pm, arrive 12:55pm Oct. 18)
Oct. 18 - Delta, LAX - MSP (depart 3:59pm, arrive 9:35pm)
Delta tickets, MSP-LAX roundtrip - $438 (main cabin), 3054 MQMs
Virgin Atlantic tickets, LAX-JNB roundtrip - Premium Economy, $1867, 33,135 MQMs (50% bonus MQM), $6627 MQD (30% MQD)
For a little less money, you can do two trips to SIN from LAX on China Eastern in Economy. Tickets are as low as $486 and earn 19,000 MQMs and at least $1600 MQD.
Last edited by canuck_traveler; Sep 11, 2019 at 10:08 pm Reason: add China Eastern option
Sep 11, 2019, 10:06 pm
#324
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 3
How about a trip to JNB?
Oct. 15 - Delta, MSP-LAX, (Depart 11:30am, arrive 1:30pm)
Oct. 15 - Virgin Atlantic, LAX-LHR-JNB (depart 3pm, arrive, 10:55am Oct. 17)
Oct. 17 - Virgin Atlantic, JNB-LHR-LAX (depart, 9pm, arrive 12:55pm Oct. 18)
Oct. 18 - Delta, LAX - MSP (depart 3:59pm, arrive 9:35pm)
Delta tickets, MSP-LAX roundtrip - $438 (main cabin), 3054 MQMs
Virgin Atlantic tickets, LAX-JNB roundtrip - Premium Economy, $1867, 33,135 MQMs (50% bonus MQM), $6627 MQD (30% MQD)
Oct. 15 - Delta, MSP-LAX, (Depart 11:30am, arrive 1:30pm)
Oct. 15 - Virgin Atlantic, LAX-LHR-JNB (depart 3pm, arrive, 10:55am Oct. 17)
Oct. 17 - Virgin Atlantic, JNB-LHR-LAX (depart, 9pm, arrive 12:55pm Oct. 18)
Oct. 18 - Delta, LAX - MSP (depart 3:59pm, arrive 9:35pm)
Delta tickets, MSP-LAX roundtrip - $438 (main cabin), 3054 MQMs
Virgin Atlantic tickets, LAX-JNB roundtrip - Premium Economy, $1867, 33,135 MQMs (50% bonus MQM), $6627 MQD (30% MQD)
Sep 11, 2019, 10:14 pm
#325
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
on the Virgin Atlantic Website, select LAX-JNB, then use flexible date search, trip duration of 3 days, within 5 weeks and premium cabin
Sep 12, 2019, 8:44 am
#327
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 5
Ive checked out a bunch of these. Im still getting between 14 and 20 cpm dont mind paying but how are people getting in the 3-5cpm range???
Sep 12, 2019, 8:54 am
#328
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
In the few items that I suggested for you, the domestic flights (i.e. ATL-KOA, ATL-ANC) are 8cpm and 9cpm. The ATL-LAX-SCL option is at 10cpm. The option for ICN is much higher.
The main problem is that you can only travel on Saturday and Sunday which restricts what is available for the long haul trips and the better mileage earnings. Also, Atlanta is a Delta hub which also doesn't help with good prices.
Last edited by canuck_traveler; Sep 12, 2019 at 9:00 am
Sep 12, 2019, 12:48 pm
#329
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion
Posts: 14
Looking for 20-24k MQM Delta: NYC
Departure Airport: NYC area airports
Miles Needed: 20-24k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: Have a $300 Delta voucher to apply. Looking to spend $400-$500 after using voucher
Available Travel Dates: November Sat-Mon
Required Metal or Codeshares okay
Hi everyone- Need to travel Sat-Mon in late Oct or November
Thank you! First time post.
Miles Needed: 20-24k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: Have a $300 Delta voucher to apply. Looking to spend $400-$500 after using voucher
Available Travel Dates: November Sat-Mon
Required Metal or Codeshares okay
Hi everyone- Need to travel Sat-Mon in late Oct or November
Thank you! First time post.
Sep 12, 2019, 12:51 pm
#330
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
This will be hard. You won't earn 150% MQMs with a $800 longhaul fare. I don't think SIN with a creative routing would be enough MQMs, although it would help to know *exactly* how many you need.