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
Jul 21, 2019, 7:19 am
#166
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,648
yesterday there were tons of under $3k business return fares (some as low as $2,400) between del & a number of cities on the east coast....today they are all gone....can't find anything for under $3.5k anymore....
Jul 22, 2019, 11:14 pm
#167
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Amsterdam
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Oneworld pleb, Accors Hotel Gold
Posts: 163
DO all the China Eastern (Air China that stops over at TPE right?) count towards ST/FB accounts?
Jul 23, 2019, 4:54 am
#168
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,648
i'm currently sitting on 80k mqms with 2 more international trips scheduled between india-u.s. that will get me another 50k mqms....i just found out that i may have to end up taking the second trip on ua since my clients have an agreement with that carrier....i'm still trying to get out of that & fly my usual kl/af/dl route but if i can't then i'll end up about 20k-25k mqms short of re-qualifying for diamond....
Departure Airport: any airport in india....i'm also open to other airports like dxb, sin, bkk, cmb but preference would be from india....
Miles Needed: 25k for diamond....
Required Spend or Budget: would like to stay under $3k....
Available Travel Dates: preferred dates would be 20th november - 25th december but i can even make other months work if a good deal is available....
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: metal preferred but codeshares also okay....
if possible, i would like to get the required mqms in one trip & business class routes are preferred....
thanks in advance for the suggestions....
Departure Airport: any airport in india....i'm also open to other airports like dxb, sin, bkk, cmb but preference would be from india....
Miles Needed: 25k for diamond....
Required Spend or Budget: would like to stay under $3k....
Available Travel Dates: preferred dates would be 20th november - 25th december but i can even make other months work if a good deal is available....
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: metal preferred but codeshares also okay....
if possible, i would like to get the required mqms in one trip & business class routes are preferred....
thanks in advance for the suggestions....
yesterday i noticed tons of availability between del - various cities on the east coast for travel in november & december in business class for as low as $2.5k....very few of them are bookable on delta but they are all bookable either on klm, air france or virgin....
prices range from $2,500 - $2,800 & mqm in the 25k range....
Jul 23, 2019, 8:11 am
#169
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,894
Each SkyTeam airline has slightly different earnings with partners so you would need to go to each program and look up the details.
Jul 23, 2019, 12:20 pm
#170
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: RDU
Programs: SkyMiles
Posts: 3
Need 48,000 MQMs to reach Platinum
First time posting so please let me know if I have missed something or done something incorrectly. I'm looking to do as many mileage runs as needed to reach Platinum status. I have reached the $25,000 spend on the Delta Amex so I'm not worried about MQD's and want to try and reach Platinum (75,000 MQMs). 48,000 MQMs will get me to 75,000 MQMs and anything more will benefit me on the rollover for next year.
I would prefer to miss as little work as possible (Mon-Fri travel), so weekends are preferred; however, I have an unlimited PTO policy and am able to travel anytime within my date range below. I imagine approximately three flights to Asia or similar distance would get me there, but I'm looking for the most cost-effective way. I do not have a China Visa, but I have a current US Passport.
Departure Airport: RDU
Miles Needed: 48,000+ MQMs
Required Spend or Budget:~$5,000
Available Travel Dates: Anytime between August 26th and December 16th
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes
I would prefer to miss as little work as possible (Mon-Fri travel), so weekends are preferred; however, I have an unlimited PTO policy and am able to travel anytime within my date range below. I imagine approximately three flights to Asia or similar distance would get me there, but I'm looking for the most cost-effective way. I do not have a China Visa, but I have a current US Passport.
Departure Airport: RDU
Miles Needed: 48,000+ MQMs
Required Spend or Budget:~$5,000
Available Travel Dates: Anytime between August 26th and December 16th
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes
Last edited by AustFuller; Jul 23, 2019 at 12:21 pm Reason: Added Chinese details
Jul 23, 2019, 1:47 pm
#171
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,894
First time posting so please let me know if I have missed something or done something incorrectly. I'm looking to do as many mileage runs as needed to reach Platinum status. I have reached the $25,000 spend on the Delta Amex so I'm not worried about MQD's and want to try and reach Platinum (75,000 MQMs). 48,000 MQMs will get me to 75,000 MQMs and anything more will benefit me on the rollover for next year.
I would prefer to miss as little work as possible (Mon-Fri travel), so weekends are preferred; however, I have an unlimited PTO policy and am able to travel anytime within my date range below. I imagine approximately three flights to Asia or similar distance would get me there, but I'm looking for the most cost-effective way. I do not have a China Visa, but I have a current US Passport.
Departure Airport: RDU
Miles Needed: 48,000+ MQMs
Required Spend or Budget:~$5,000
Available Travel Dates: Anytime between August 26th and December 16th
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes
I would prefer to miss as little work as possible (Mon-Fri travel), so weekends are preferred; however, I have an unlimited PTO policy and am able to travel anytime within my date range below. I imagine approximately three flights to Asia or similar distance would get me there, but I'm looking for the most cost-effective way. I do not have a China Visa, but I have a current US Passport.
Departure Airport: RDU
Miles Needed: 48,000+ MQMs
Required Spend or Budget:~$5,000
Available Travel Dates: Anytime between August 26th and December 16th
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes
positioning flight of RDU-ATL-JFK (return) twice should get you about 5000 miles and to the 48,000 MQM threshold
Since you are transiting through China on the way to/from SIN, you don't need a Chinese Visa
Jul 23, 2019, 2:39 pm
#172
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: RDU
Programs: SkyMiles
Posts: 3
I would hazard that the cheapest way is JFK-SIN on China Eastern ....... earns 21,000+ MQMs per trip and some tickets are available for $500 in the timeframe you have indicated. Immediate turn in SIN.
positioning flight of RDU-ATL-JFK (return) twice should get you about 5000 miles and to the 48,000 MQM threshold
Since you are transiting through China on the way to/from SIN, you don't need a Chinese Visa
positioning flight of RDU-ATL-JFK (return) twice should get you about 5000 miles and to the 48,000 MQM threshold
Since you are transiting through China on the way to/from SIN, you don't need a Chinese Visa
Last edited by AustFuller; Jul 23, 2019 at 2:52 pm Reason: Editing incorrect information
Jul 23, 2019, 5:26 pm
#173
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,894
Thanks for your help on this! When you say Immediate turn, you mean book a one-day itinerary directly with China Eastern? And then I book the positioning flights with Delta to get me to JFK before the itinerary I book with China Eastern and after the arrival on the return.
You can book the China Eastern flights directly with China Eastern or through an online travel agency like Expedia.com (which is what I normally do.)
Jul 24, 2019, 11:14 pm
#174
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 12
Departure Airport: MSP (can position easily)
Miles Needed: 12,739 MQM's
Required Spend or Budget: Around $600 budget (have a $200 eCredit as well)
Available Travel Dates: Pretty wide open (I can work from anywhere), but need the MQM's by August 25 for Reclaim Status program. Quicker the turn around the better. Only weekend travel I can do is August 16-18.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares okay
Miles Needed: 12,739 MQM's
Required Spend or Budget: Around $600 budget (have a $200 eCredit as well)
Available Travel Dates: Pretty wide open (I can work from anywhere), but need the MQM's by August 25 for Reclaim Status program. Quicker the turn around the better. Only weekend travel I can do is August 16-18.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares okay
Jul 25, 2019, 5:38 am
#175
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,894
Departure Airport: MSP (can position easily)
Miles Needed: 12,739 MQM's
Required Spend or Budget: Around $600 budget (have a $200 eCredit as well)
Available Travel Dates: Pretty wide open (I can work from anywhere), but need the MQM's by August 25 for Reclaim Status program. Quicker the turn around the better. Only weekend travel I can do is August 16-18.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares okay
Miles Needed: 12,739 MQM's
Required Spend or Budget: Around $600 budget (have a $200 eCredit as well)
Available Travel Dates: Pretty wide open (I can work from anywhere), but need the MQM's by August 25 for Reclaim Status program. Quicker the turn around the better. Only weekend travel I can do is August 16-18.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares okay
LAX-HKG/BKK in the $700 range on China Eastern is probably your best bet. (economy)
Jul 25, 2019, 12:14 pm
#176
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 12
Was able to book LAS-HND round-trip in premium economy for ~$900 today. Not too shabby, and will easily get me the MQM's needed. Woo!
Jul 25, 2019, 5:33 pm
#177
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 3
Hello, I have a cancelled Delta ticket worth $1400 that I have to use or it will expire by the end of August. I'm looking for ways to use it and maximize miles earned.
Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: as much as possible
Required Spend or Budget: $1400
Available Travel Dates: not available between 11th and 29th of Aug, prefer weekends but I can do one or 2 work days.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: not sure, only Delta I guess
Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: as much as possible
Required Spend or Budget: $1400
Available Travel Dates: not available between 11th and 29th of Aug, prefer weekends but I can do one or 2 work days.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: not sure, only Delta I guess
Jul 25, 2019, 9:20 pm
#178
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,894
Hello, I have a cancelled Delta ticket worth $1400 that I have to use or it will expire by the end of August. I'm looking for ways to use it and maximize miles earned.
Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: as much as possible
Required Spend or Budget: $1400
Available Travel Dates: not available between 11th and 29th of Aug, prefer weekends but I can do one or 2 work days.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: not sure, only Delta I guess
Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: as much as possible
Required Spend or Budget: $1400
Available Travel Dates: not available between 11th and 29th of Aug, prefer weekends but I can do one or 2 work days.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: not sure, only Delta I guess
Jul 26, 2019, 11:03 am
#179
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 3
November is too far away, my trip has to start before Aug 30. The Aug 29 one looks good but unfortunately doesn't work because I can't travel before 6pm on that day and the flights I saw are in the morning.
Jul 26, 2019, 12:57 pm
#180
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,894
ATL-CGK (Jakarta), August 16 - 18, $1330, Premium Select
Last edited by canuck_traveler; Jul 26, 2019 at 1:00 pm Reason: removed August 30 option as OP has to start trip before 30th
