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:
----
*"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
Aug 6, 2019, 12:40 pm
#211
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 17
Hello,
I have 2 GUC's that expire on September 14 and I'm trying to find a way to use them before I lose them. I have a LAS-PVG mileage run in November already planned but looking for another option before 9/14 where I can use these. As long as I can apply the upgrade certs, I'm fine with whatever airline (assuming They have spots or at least get on the wait list).
I know this is pretty limited but I know you are all much more knowledgeable about various options than me so I wanted to reach out.
Thanks in advance for any ideas!
Departure Airport: SLC is home airport but can position to anywhere, easiest on west coast
Miles Needed: as many as possible
Required Spend or Budget: up to $600
Available Travel Dates: mostly looking in the month of August but could also do Sep 4-5
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: as long as I can get Delta MQM and MQDs!
I have 2 GUC's that expire on September 14 and I'm trying to find a way to use them before I lose them. I have a LAS-PVG mileage run in November already planned but looking for another option before 9/14 where I can use these. As long as I can apply the upgrade certs, I'm fine with whatever airline (assuming They have spots or at least get on the wait list).
I know this is pretty limited but I know you are all much more knowledgeable about various options than me so I wanted to reach out.
Thanks in advance for any ideas!
Departure Airport: SLC is home airport but can position to anywhere, easiest on west coast
Miles Needed: as many as possible
Required Spend or Budget: up to $600
Available Travel Dates: mostly looking in the month of August but could also do Sep 4-5
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: as long as I can get Delta MQM and MQDs!
Aug 6, 2019, 7:47 pm
#212
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 20
Have checked most of what I know to look for, but wondering if any of you have any creative ideas. Date restriction is unfortunately what it is, so I know I'm probably not going to get stellar value.
Departure Airport: DTW/LAN/GRR/YYZ (or very easily able to reposition otherwise, particularly on an outbound leg, and particularly to the east coast)
Miles Needed: as many as possible, but at least 14500
Required Spend or Budget: as low as possible; best I currently have is AF stock DTW-SIN for ~$1500.
Available Travel Dates: Aug 21-26, but ideally back early on the 26th.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: ability to potentially apply some GUCs would be nice, but whatever is necessary.
Don't have a Chinese visa, unfortunately. Thanks in advance; bad parameters but figured I'd shoot.
Departure Airport: DTW/LAN/GRR/YYZ (or very easily able to reposition otherwise, particularly on an outbound leg, and particularly to the east coast)
Miles Needed: as many as possible, but at least 14500
Required Spend or Budget: as low as possible; best I currently have is AF stock DTW-SIN for ~$1500.
Available Travel Dates: Aug 21-26, but ideally back early on the 26th.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: ability to potentially apply some GUCs would be nice, but whatever is necessary.
Don't have a Chinese visa, unfortunately. Thanks in advance; bad parameters but figured I'd shoot.
Aug 7, 2019, 3:40 pm
#213
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Have checked most of what I know to look for, but wondering if any of you have any creative ideas. Date restriction is unfortunately what it is, so I know I'm probably not going to get stellar value.
Departure Airport: DTW/LAN/GRR/YYZ (or very easily able to reposition otherwise, particularly on an outbound leg, and particularly to the east coast)
Miles Needed: as many as possible, but at least 14500
Required Spend or Budget: as low as possible; best I currently have is AF stock DTW-SIN for ~$1500.
Available Travel Dates: Aug 21-26, but ideally back early on the 26th.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: ability to potentially apply some GUCs would be nice, but whatever is necessary.
Don't have a Chinese visa, unfortunately. Thanks in advance; bad parameters but figured I'd shoot.
Departure Airport: DTW/LAN/GRR/YYZ (or very easily able to reposition otherwise, particularly on an outbound leg, and particularly to the east coast)
Miles Needed: as many as possible, but at least 14500
Required Spend or Budget: as low as possible; best I currently have is AF stock DTW-SIN for ~$1500.
Available Travel Dates: Aug 21-26, but ideally back early on the 26th.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: ability to potentially apply some GUCs would be nice, but whatever is necessary.
Don't have a Chinese visa, unfortunately. Thanks in advance; bad parameters but figured I'd shoot.
Aug 8, 2019, 5:39 am
#214
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 2
Shy 680 MQM before Aug 17th to complete “reclaim my status”
Looking for cheap in and out mileage run to complete my “reclaim my status”.
Departure Airport: DTW or FNT
Miles Needed: 680
Required Spend or Budget:
Available Travel Dates: weekdays must be before Aug 17
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:
Departure Airport: DTW or FNT
Miles Needed: 680
Required Spend or Budget:
Available Travel Dates: weekdays must be before Aug 17
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:
Aug 8, 2019, 7:35 pm
#215
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Lansing or Kalamazoo are in the $300 from Detroit.
Aug 9, 2019, 1:51 pm
#217
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: sky team
Posts: 2
Need some miles by next week
Departure Airport: LAX
Miles Needed: 7667
Required Spend or Budget: budget is about $1000
Available Travel Dates: August 12-18 preferably same day travel there and back
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:
Thanks!
Miles Needed: 7667
Required Spend or Budget: budget is about $1000
Available Travel Dates: August 12-18 preferably same day travel there and back
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:
Thanks!
Aug 9, 2019, 3:15 pm
#218
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
e.g. August 14, LAX-KOA, $1095 (first)
Two trips to the East Coast will give you the necessary miles as well.
e.g. August 14, LAX-MCO, $441 (MC), about 4400 MQMs
If you want to spend a bit more travel time
e.g. August 13 - 15, LAX-SIN, $751, China Eastern, about 20,000 MQM
Last edited by canuck_traveler; Aug 9, 2019 at 3:27 pm Reason: add MCO option
Aug 9, 2019, 5:21 pm
#219
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: sky team
Posts: 2
Thank you very much. I am taking the Kona trip.
A trip to Hawaii in Business will earn you the required MQMs (just).
e.g. August 14, LAX-KOA, $1095 (first)
Two trips to the East Coast will give you the necessary miles as well.
e.g. August 14, LAX-MCO, $441 (MC), about 4400 MQMs
If you want to spend a bit more travel time
e.g. August 13 - 15, LAX-SIN, $751, China Eastern, about 20,000 MQM
e.g. August 14, LAX-KOA, $1095 (first)
Two trips to the East Coast will give you the necessary miles as well.
e.g. August 14, LAX-MCO, $441 (MC), about 4400 MQMs
If you want to spend a bit more travel time
e.g. August 13 - 15, LAX-SIN, $751, China Eastern, about 20,000 MQM
Aug 9, 2019, 11:07 pm
#221
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,076
Departure Airport: DCA/IAD/BWI (preferably DCA)
Miles Needed: ~17,000
Required Spend or Budget: $2500
Available Travel Dates: Can fly/return on Tu-We or Fri-Sa but need to be home Thu, Sun, Mon
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: As long as it earns MQM!
Miles Needed: ~17,000
Required Spend or Budget: $2500
Available Travel Dates: Can fly/return on Tu-We or Fri-Sa but need to be home Thu, Sun, Mon
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: As long as it earns MQM!
Aug 10, 2019, 8:57 am
#222
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
e.g. Oct. 25, DCA-KOA, $645 (BE) / $735 (MC), about 10,000 MQMs (depending on routing), many dates at this price available within your travel restrictions, use Delta flexible date search, 1 day trip duration
A trip to Anchorage will earn about 8000 MQMs
e.g. Sept 24, DCA-ANC, $465 (BE) / $585 (MC), about 8,000 MQMs (depending on routing), many dates at this price available within your travel restrictions, use Delta flexible date search, 1 day trip duration
Aug 15, 2019, 8:36 am
#223
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: SkyTeam
Posts: 1
Delta MR Needed to Keep Platinum
My work travel is slowing for the year but I know will pick up next year. I want to keep my Platinum Status so I'm looking for a MR... I've seen some great deals to PEK in Premium Select but sounds like the Visa requirement isn't worth the hassle?
Departure Airport: CVG (or could easily reposition to MSP, ATL, DTW, LGA, JFK
Miles Needed: 18,600 MQMs
Required Spend or Budget: I'd like to keep it under $2k (Premium Select or better)
Available Travel Dates: I'm pretty flexible, have started looking around the week of Thanksgiving
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Delta only (I have a $900 ecredit)
Departure Airport: CVG (or could easily reposition to MSP, ATL, DTW, LGA, JFK
Miles Needed: 18,600 MQMs
Required Spend or Budget: I'd like to keep it under $2k (Premium Select or better)
Available Travel Dates: I'm pretty flexible, have started looking around the week of Thanksgiving
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Delta only (I have a $900 ecredit)
Aug 18, 2019, 7:25 am
#224
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: SKYTEAM
Posts: 2
Looking to maximize MQDs for Platinum
Departure Airport: NYC (JFK/LGA/EWR)
Miles Needed: 25K
MQDs Needed: $5K
Required Spend or Budget: $2K
Available Travel Dates: Flexible (11/21 - 12/1)
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Miles Needed: 25K
MQDs Needed: $5K
Required Spend or Budget: $2K
Available Travel Dates: Flexible (11/21 - 12/1)
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Aug 18, 2019, 7:36 am
#225
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
My work travel is slowing for the year but I know will pick up next year. I want to keep my Platinum Status so I'm looking for a MR... I've seen some great deals to PEK in Premium Select but sounds like the Visa requirement isn't worth the hassle?
Departure Airport: CVG (or could easily reposition to MSP, ATL, DTW, LGA, JFK
Miles Needed: 18,600 MQMs
Required Spend or Budget: I'd like to keep it under $2k (Premium Select or better)
Available Travel Dates: I'm pretty flexible, have started looking around the week of Thanksgiving
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Delta only (I have a $900 ecredit)
Departure Airport: CVG (or could easily reposition to MSP, ATL, DTW, LGA, JFK
Miles Needed: 18,600 MQMs
Required Spend or Budget: I'd like to keep it under $2k (Premium Select or better)
Available Travel Dates: I'm pretty flexible, have started looking around the week of Thanksgiving
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Delta only (I have a $900 ecredit)
You can find TPAC RT PS fares under $2000 depending on the dates; the good G fares tend to have both advance (50 or 28 day, but if there's an underlying coach fare (dual inventory) it can be as much as 99 days) purchase and minimum stay (Saturday night or 7 days) requirements now. This would mean either HND or ICN which at 150% MQMs is about the number needed, so calculate carefully for your routing and be award that the distance shown on your PNR is only an approximation.
Mainland China would be even cheaper, but I'm not sure which routes have PS at this time and unless you have a visa for China already, you would need to be careful about TWOV actual rules and whether DL will let you board even with a TWOV compliant itinerary.
Mainland China would be even cheaper, but I'm not sure which routes have PS at this time and unless you have a visa for China already, you would need to be careful about TWOV actual rules and whether DL will let you board even with a TWOV compliant itinerary.