Dec 31, 2018, 10:40 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.

----

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

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 4, 2019, 1:40 pm

#1126

selladuraiv

Join Date: Dec 2019

Programs: Delta Skymiles

Posts: 2

3600 MQMS Needed

Need Help to reach Platinum Status.Thanks in advance for any help!

Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 3600 MQM
Required Spend or Budget: up to $600
Available Travel Dates: 12/6 Evening to 12/7 night or 12/13 Evening to 12/14 night. If possible Main Cabin or higher.

Dec 4, 2019, 1:50 pm

#1127

rjt123

Join Date: Feb 2018

Posts: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by selladuraiv

ATL to LAX, 12/13-14 would get you 3,892 MQMs, $517 in main cabin - booked direct on Delta.com (quite a few times available)

Last edited by rjt123; Dec 4, 2019 at 1:54 pm Reason: typo

Dec 4, 2019, 2:01 pm

#1128

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjt123

Updated request - had a few last minute work trips pop up, but still have a bit of a stretch to reach Diamond for 2020:

Departure Airport: LAX or nearby
Miles Needed: 17,250 MQM, $1,100 MQD
Required Spend or Budget: ideally no more than $1,000
Available Travel Dates: 12/26-12/31

I could also travel from AUS on 12/20 - if there is something that makes sense from there!

Thank you!

Dec 29 - 31, China Eastern, LAX-BKK, $860 (fare classes: T-B-B-N), about 18,000 MQMs, $1800 MQDs

Dec 4, 2019, 2:10 pm

#1129

selladuraiv

Join Date: Dec 2019

Programs: Delta Skymiles

Posts: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjt123

ATL to LAX, 12/13-14 would get you 3,892 MQMs, $517 in main cabin - booked direct on Delta.com (quite a few times available)

Thanks rjt123 .

Dec 4, 2019, 6:41 pm

#1130

tmedinajr

Join Date: Dec 2019

Posts: 1

Need 4 DL segments from MCI

Departure Airport: MCI
Miles Needed: 4 segments
Required Spend or Budget: as cheap as possible
Available Travel Dates: 12/25-12/29
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes

need only 4 segments on Delta to maintain Platinum status after my final work trips. Any low price flights out of MCI?

(I hope I did this right)

Dec 4, 2019, 7:13 pm

#1131

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmedinajr

Dec 25, MCI-MSP-SDF-ATL-MCI, $192 (BE), 4 MQS, about 2100 MQMs

Dec 4, 2019, 9:39 pm

#1132

fernandop

Join Date: Nov 2019

Programs: Delta Skymiles

Posts: 4

Hello,
Year is almost over and I finally have more clarity on end-of-year plans.

Departure Airport: FLL or MIA
Miles Needed: 3540
Required Spend or Budget: N/A
Available Travel Dates: Departing Dec 29, 30 or 31
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes

Besides the information posted above, there is one additional constraint: I need to land at DEN airport.
Also, I have some availability on Dec 14th, 15th and 16th to do a mileage run departing and returning from DTW if something makes sense.

Thanks in advance,
Fernando

Dec 4, 2019, 9:49 pm

#1133

pdazzle

Join Date: Dec 2019

Programs: Delta Skymiles, Turkish Miles&Smiles

Posts: 1

Hi all, it's the end of year rush to try to get Delta Platinum again after I forgot to check some fare codes and a few codeshare trips didn't qualify for MQM.

Departure Airport: CDG or ORY
Miles Needed: 9840
Required Spend or Budget: 500 USD or less
Available Travel Dates: 18-20 December or 27-31 December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes

I know it's a longshot but would be interesting if anybody has seen anything!

Thanks!

Dec 4, 2019, 11:21 pm

#1134

ariannajackson

Join Date: Dec 2019

Posts: 2

Currently Platinum & trying to maintain for 2020

Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 9,500 MQMs
Required Spend or Budget: Ideally $1000 or less
Available Travel Dates: anytime to the end of the year but preferably as short a trip as possible (happy to run redeye return flights)
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes

Dec 5, 2019, 3:25 am

#1135

ProfRB

Join Date: May 2014

Posts: 195

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCAFly

No mileage run request but can we all just give a shout out to canuck_traveler for all of his/her help in this thread. Seriously above and beyond. Thank you.

Yes yes yes!!! Many thanks!

LeedH and fernandop like this.

Dec 5, 2019, 3:33 am

#1136

ProfRB

Join Date: May 2014

Posts: 195

Does anyone know if a 2020 thread has been started yet? If so, would you please direct me there?

If not, I'm looking for a MQD run for the first 2 weeks in January 2020. I'm currently on a Virgin Atlantic run to Jo'burg, and would happily replicate that itin, but unfortunately the inexpensive flights there don't kick in until mid-January. I'm based in PIT but could easily reposition to JFK, DTW, Boston, CLE, etc. I'll have almost enough rollover MQMs to be diamond on 1/1, but am perpetually way short on MQDs. My destination's flexible, though I don't (yet) have a Chinese visa.

Dec 5, 2019, 3:57 am

#1137

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariannajackson

Dec 28, ATL-MSP-LAX-OGG-LAX-MSP-ATL, $986, about 9800 MQMs, 1 hour in OGG, arrives back in ATL early evening on Dec 29

If you are okay with 9300 miles then you can save a few dollars

Dec 28, ATL-MSP-LAX-OGG-LAX-ATL, $856, about 9300 MQMs, 1 hour in OGG, arrives back in ATL early afternoon on Dec 29

If you are willing to travel on Dec 25 - 26,

Dec 25 - 26, ATL-LAX-SLC-OGG-LAX-ATL, $632, about 9800 MQMs, get in evening of Dec 25, leave afternoon of Dec 26, 18 hours in OGG, arrives back in ATL early morning on Dec 27

Last edited by canuck_traveler; Dec 5, 2019 at 4:05 am

Dec 5, 2019, 4:00 am

#1138

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfRB

I believe most airlines with still have the higher prices until later in January.

Dec 5, 2019, 4:30 am

#1139

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdazzle

For $815, you can do CDG-LAX on Dec 28 - 29 on Delta, 27 hours in LAX, bookable on Delta

Dec 5, 2019, 4:36 am

#1140

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernandop

That option that I had suggested earlier for you going to DTW via LAS works for DEN as well but at a higher price

Dec 29 - 30, MIA-ATL-LAS-LAX-DEN, $609, about 3600 MQMs, Delta multi-day search

fernandop likes this.

Last edited by canuck_traveler; Dec 5, 2019 at 4:54 am