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
Oct 15, 2019, 5:53 pm
#496
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 11
Help!!!!
Departure Airport: Anywhere in US to maximiaze
Miles Needed:35,000 (can split)
Required Spend or Budget: $1500
Available Travel Dates: nov - dec
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
Miles Needed:35,000 (can split)
Required Spend or Budget: $1500
Available Travel Dates: nov - dec
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
Oct 15, 2019, 8:47 pm
#498
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Departure Airport: TPA is home airport. Easy drive to MCO or MIA. Open to positioning as well as needed.
Miles Needed: no MQM's needed, but more never hurt; need 4,500 MQD
Required Spend or Budget: As low as possible; don't have a cabin preference
Available Travel Dates: Available any time to fly
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares fine with me.
Good afternoon! I'm a Tampa based DL flier. I rely heavily on rollover and credit cards for MQM's. I'm projected to finish the year around 150k MQM's, but will be well short on MQD. The $250k AMEX spend waiver is not realistic for me. Given my efforts to minimize cash outflow, I think flying on a partner flight that earns MQD based on distance flown would be my best bet. The XXX-LHR-JNB on VS seems to be a common suggestion here. Out of JFK, I think that would be roughly 5,500 MQD.
Miles Needed: no MQM's needed, but more never hurt; need 4,500 MQD
Required Spend or Budget: As low as possible; don't have a cabin preference
Available Travel Dates: Available any time to fly
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares fine with me.
Good afternoon! I'm a Tampa based DL flier. I rely heavily on rollover and credit cards for MQM's. I'm projected to finish the year around 150k MQM's, but will be well short on MQD. The $250k AMEX spend waiver is not realistic for me. Given my efforts to minimize cash outflow, I think flying on a partner flight that earns MQD based on distance flown would be my best bet. The XXX-LHR-JNB on VS seems to be a common suggestion here. Out of JFK, I think that would be roughly 5,500 MQD.
Oct 15, 2019, 8:50 pm
#499
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: 100,369
hi. Looking to maintain Platinum status. I think my best bet is HNL for a little over 9000, but I am open to other suggestions!
Departure Airport: Cincinnati-CVG
Miles Needed: 10,000
Required Spend or Budget: 1000
Available Travel Dates: Any
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
Departure Airport: Cincinnati-CVG
Miles Needed: 10,000
Required Spend or Budget: 1000
Available Travel Dates: Any
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
Oct 16, 2019, 5:18 am
#500
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
hi. Looking to maintain Platinum status. I think my best bet is HNL for a little over 9000, but I am open to other suggestions!
Departure Airport: Cincinnati-CVG
Miles Needed: 10,000
Required Spend or Budget: 1000
Available Travel Dates: Any
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
Departure Airport: Cincinnati-CVG
Miles Needed: 10,000
Required Spend or Budget: 1000
Available Travel Dates: Any
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
Oct 16, 2019, 5:35 am
#501
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Departure Airport: LAX or close by, Tokyo, beginning of December
Miles Needed: 13611 for at least Silver. MQD waived
Required Spend or Budget: Low as possible, but I'll pay for J fares for less "air" time
Available Travel Dates: Available any time to fly
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares fine with me.
Good day, all. Here's my dilemma: I want to hit Platinum again and I see the flights from LAX-SIN, on MU. The price is nice, as well. I am 13611 miles away from Silver. We have 2.5 months left to go in the year. (I know, I know, waited too long.) What would be a good strategy here for maintaining status? Can I book 2 tickets on the same MU flight and get credited for both? (Probably not.) Fly the 3 trips from LA to Singapore? I live in Thailand and have seen Singapore so many times! I'm going to Tokyo at the end of November. Possible run from there the beginning of December? Any reasonable J fares to maintain status? I'm 6'5", 300lbs, and not trying to sit in a middle economy seat. I know the pros are in here and I appreciate any input you may have. Safe travels!
Miles Needed: 13611 for at least Silver. MQD waived
Required Spend or Budget: Low as possible, but I'll pay for J fares for less "air" time
Available Travel Dates: Available any time to fly
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares fine with me.
Good day, all. Here's my dilemma: I want to hit Platinum again and I see the flights from LAX-SIN, on MU. The price is nice, as well. I am 13611 miles away from Silver. We have 2.5 months left to go in the year. (I know, I know, waited too long.) What would be a good strategy here for maintaining status? Can I book 2 tickets on the same MU flight and get credited for both? (Probably not.) Fly the 3 trips from LA to Singapore? I live in Thailand and have seen Singapore so many times! I'm going to Tokyo at the end of November. Possible run from there the beginning of December? Any reasonable J fares to maintain status? I'm 6'5", 300lbs, and not trying to sit in a middle economy seat. I know the pros are in here and I appreciate any input you may have. Safe travels!
The cheapest is probably to fly LAX-SIN on China Eastern a few times as you mentioned. To add some variety, you could fly to LAX-KUL or LAX-HKT for about the same amount of miles. All routes seem to be available in the $500 range in November
Virgin Atlantic, LAX-JNB (economy classic since you don't need to worry about MQD) is also an option at $808 and will get you 22,000 MQMs. Economy Delight is $1028, will get you 27,000 MQMs and has a 34" seat pitch (vs 31" in Classic)
Last edited by canuck_traveler; Oct 16, 2019 at 6:35 am
Oct 16, 2019, 5:39 am
#502
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Two trips to SIN from JFK or LAX will get you the needed MQMs. China Eastern flights are available in the $500 - $600 range. Bookable on Expedia
Oct 16, 2019, 6:33 am
#503
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 11k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: as low as possible, ~$500
Available Travel Dates: Nov 1-4, Nov 22-25, Dec 6-8, Dec 20-22
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam
Looking to do a MR to earn the last 11k MQMs needed to secure Platinum. Ideally this would be done one day but I am flexible. Okay with domestic and international.
Miles Needed: 11k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: as low as possible, ~$500
Available Travel Dates: Nov 1-4, Nov 22-25, Dec 6-8, Dec 20-22
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam
Looking to do a MR to earn the last 11k MQMs needed to secure Platinum. Ideally this would be done one day but I am flexible. Okay with domestic and international.
I imagine that you will need about $1000 to achieve the desired miles flying economy class
e.g
Dec 6-7, ATL-LIH, $717 (Basic Economy), about 9700 MQM, immediate turn in LIH on Dec 6 arriving back in ATL on December 7
Dec 8, ATL-DFW, $147 (Basic Economy), about 1500 MQMs
Oct 16, 2019, 10:25 am
#504
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ATL, NYC, MIA, PHL
Programs: DL Diamond, DL Amex Reserve, AMEX Plat, + GE & Clear
Posts: 24
You could take a repositioning flight to LAX and then do two MR to JNB on Virgin Atlantic in Economy Delight earning a little over 27,000 MQMs each run. Weekend departure in Economy Delight class in November are available for $1028 ($1008 from SFO.)
For a little less money, take a repositioning flight to JFK and then do two MR to SIN on China Eastern earning about 21,000 MQMs each run. JFK-SIN tickets are available in the $500 - $700 range for November travel. Then pick up the remaining 8000 MQMs with a trip to Hawaii.
For a little less money, take a repositioning flight to JFK and then do two MR to SIN on China Eastern earning about 21,000 MQMs each run. JFK-SIN tickets are available in the $500 - $700 range for November travel. Then pick up the remaining 8000 MQMs with a trip to Hawaii.
Thanks for the response canuck_traveler - If I go for the first option for example, would I need to book through Virgin Atlantic site and then ask Delta for the mileage to be credited afterwards? Last time I flew Virgin to London, I had to call Delta twice to make sure I got credit for my mileage even though I booked it with my sky miles number on the ticket and used their app. Forgive my ignorance, I usually make Diamond with butt-in-seat mileage in a year, so rarely need to do a MR; much of this is new to me!
ALSO - I forgot to mention, have remaining GLOBAL upgrade certs that I have not used.....
Oct 16, 2019, 12:04 pm
#505
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Thanks for the response canuck_traveler - If I go for the first option for example, would I need to book through Virgin Atlantic site and then ask Delta for the mileage to be credited afterwards? Last time I flew Virgin to London, I had to call Delta twice to make sure I got credit for my mileage even though I booked it with my sky miles number on the ticket and used their app. Forgive my ignorance, I usually make Diamond with butt-in-seat mileage in a year, so rarely need to do a MR; much of this is new to me!
ALSO - I forgot to mention, have remaining GLOBAL upgrade certs that I have not used.....
ALSO - I forgot to mention, have remaining GLOBAL upgrade certs that I have not used.....
As for using up GUC, you could call up the Diamond desk and see where there is upgrade space on some of these longer routes (e.g. SIN, JNB).
Oct 16, 2019, 12:10 pm
#506
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: 100,369
Sorry to hear that you had trouble getting mileage credited to Delta. When booking on the Virgin Atlantic website, under the frequent flyer section - I have simply selected Delta and given my SkyMiles number.
As for using up GUC, you could call up the Diamond desk and see where there is upgrade space on some of these longer routes (e.g. SIN, JNB).
As for using up GUC, you could call up the Diamond desk and see where there is upgrade space on some of these longer routes (e.g. SIN, JNB).
Oct 16, 2019, 12:51 pm
#507
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
Thanks for the response canuck_traveler - If I go for the first option for example, would I need to book through Virgin Atlantic site and then ask Delta for the mileage to be credited afterwards? Last time I flew Virgin to London, I had to call Delta twice to make sure I got credit for my mileage even though I booked it with my sky miles number on the ticket and used their app. Forgive my ignorance, I usually make Diamond with butt-in-seat mileage in a year, so rarely need to do a MR; much of this is new to me!
ALSO - I forgot to mention, have remaining GLOBAL upgrade certs that I have not used.....
ALSO - I forgot to mention, have remaining GLOBAL upgrade certs that I have not used.....
Oct 16, 2019, 1:17 pm
#508
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA Platinum, HH Diamond, Delta Platinum
Posts: 130
canuck_traveler, thank you, once again, for coming through with routes. I might do the KUL route, as I'm tired of Singapore. KUL has some good food, and Penang, as well! HKT is cool, but I live a few hours from there. JNB would be nice, but if I can get 2 flights for the price of 1, I'll take that. Going to use my Chase UR to book it, so, I can get the miles, too! Thank you, once again!
Oct 16, 2019, 1:52 pm
#509
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
canuck_traveler, thank you, once again, for coming through with routes. I might do the KUL route, as I'm tired of Singapore. KUL has some good food, and Penang, as well! HKT is cool, but I live a few hours from there. JNB would be nice, but if I can get 2 flights for the price of 1, I'll take that. Going to use my Chase UR to book it, so, I can get the miles, too! Thank you, once again!
Oct 16, 2019, 2:03 pm
#510
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA Platinum, HH Diamond, Delta Platinum
Posts: 130