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.
----
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 18, 2019, 5:25 pm
#226
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Alternatively, you can fly the same route in Economy Delight for just over $900. However, ED class will only get you about $4500 MQD and 22,000 MQM. You can pick up the remaining MQD and MQM with a flight to LAS or the West Coast.
Aug 19, 2019, 10:50 am
#227
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: DL Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 204
Departure Airport: SoCal (SAN, LAX, PSP, SNA)
Miles Needed: 33K
MQDs Needed: $3.5K
Budget: $2K
Available Travel Dates: Mostly flexible Oct, Nov and Dec
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Trying to see what it would take to hit Diamond this year. The above are what I estimate I will need after taking into account pending upcoming travel and expected CC bonuses. Looked at LAX-LHR-JNB in PE on Virgin Atlantic and that would definitely cover it for about $1800. Wondering if there are options in that budget range that could be found with less flying time.
Miles Needed: 33K
MQDs Needed: $3.5K
Budget: $2K
Available Travel Dates: Mostly flexible Oct, Nov and Dec
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Trying to see what it would take to hit Diamond this year. The above are what I estimate I will need after taking into account pending upcoming travel and expected CC bonuses. Looked at LAX-LHR-JNB in PE on Virgin Atlantic and that would definitely cover it for about $1800. Wondering if there are options in that budget range that could be found with less flying time.
Aug 19, 2019, 7:47 pm
#228
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 4
Departure Airport: DTW
Miles Needed: ~7000
MQDs Needed: none
Budget: $300
Available Travel Dates: Labor day weekend 8/31-9/2 - shorter the better
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Trying to find a creative way to utilize labor day weekend to get some MQM's. Thank you for your help in advance!
Miles Needed: ~7000
MQDs Needed: none
Budget: $300
Available Travel Dates: Labor day weekend 8/31-9/2 - shorter the better
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Trying to find a creative way to utilize labor day weekend to get some MQM's. Thank you for your help in advance!
Aug 19, 2019, 7:56 pm
#229
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: 100,413
Departure Airport: DTW
Miles Needed: ~7000
MQDs Needed: none
Budget: $300
Available Travel Dates: Labor day weekend 8/31-9/2 - shorter the better
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Trying to find a creative way to utilize labor day weekend to get some MQM's. Thank you for your help in advance!
Miles Needed: ~7000
MQDs Needed: none
Budget: $300
Available Travel Dates: Labor day weekend 8/31-9/2 - shorter the better
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Trying to find a creative way to utilize labor day weekend to get some MQM's. Thank you for your help in advance!
Alaska? It's the end of their summer season, so you might be able to find a fairly reasonable fare. Look at routings through MSP (two flights to ANC daily) and SEA (ANC flights and also FAI is still in season). Many of these are night flights, so it should be efficient for your time.
Hawaii will be expensive and otherwise it's difficult to get a domestic trip with 3500 MQM per direction from a central USA hub since your $300 budget means using a coach fare. Too many decent fares from MSP and DTW require nonstop flights.
Mainland China is also cheap but might require a visa, which is an expensive hassle.
Hawaii will be expensive and otherwise it's difficult to get a domestic trip with 3500 MQM per direction from a central USA hub since your $300 budget means using a coach fare. Too many decent fares from MSP and DTW require nonstop flights.
Mainland China is also cheap but might require a visa, which is an expensive hassle.
Aug 19, 2019, 8:07 pm
#230
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 4
Alaska? It's the end of their summer season, so you might be able to find a fairly reasonable fare. Look at routings through MSP (two flights to ANC daily) and SEA (ANC flights and also FAI is still in season). Many of these are night flights, so it should be efficient for your time.
Hawaii will be expensive and otherwise it's difficult to get a domestic trip with 3500 MQM per direction from a central USA hub since your $300 budget means using a coach fare. Too many decent fares from MSP and DTW require nonstop flights.
Mainland China is also cheap but might require a visa, which is an expensive hassle.
Hawaii will be expensive and otherwise it's difficult to get a domestic trip with 3500 MQM per direction from a central USA hub since your $300 budget means using a coach fare. Too many decent fares from MSP and DTW require nonstop flights.
Mainland China is also cheap but might require a visa, which is an expensive hassle.
Aug 20, 2019, 6:22 am
#231
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Departure Airport: SoCal (SAN, LAX, PSP, SNA)
Miles Needed: 33K
MQDs Needed: $3.5K
Budget: $2K
Available Travel Dates: Mostly flexible Oct, Nov and Dec
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Trying to see what it would take to hit Diamond this year. The above are what I estimate I will need after taking into account pending upcoming travel and expected CC bonuses. Looked at LAX-LHR-JNB in PE on Virgin Atlantic and that would definitely cover it for about $1800. Wondering if there are options in that budget range that could be found with less flying time.
Miles Needed: 33K
MQDs Needed: $3.5K
Budget: $2K
Available Travel Dates: Mostly flexible Oct, Nov and Dec
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Trying to see what it would take to hit Diamond this year. The above are what I estimate I will need after taking into account pending upcoming travel and expected CC bonuses. Looked at LAX-LHR-JNB in PE on Virgin Atlantic and that would definitely cover it for about $1800. Wondering if there are options in that budget range that could be found with less flying time.
Trips from LAX that are 11,000+ (one way) would include JNB/CPT via AMS/LHR, SYD/MEL via ICN or AMS/CDG/LHR via PVG.
Aug 20, 2019, 9:39 am
#232
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,912
Flying out of the bay area, doing a status match to GOLD.. triggered in 5 days - which isn't what I was planning for but okay. Now, I've got 90 days for 12K or 12.5K?
I have one trip to ATL planned which should net 4273 RT. That was a $$ ticket (purchased before the challenge, does that count?). I'll need 2x more than that to get to target.
Out of SFO/SJC what are often good routes and flights to get a MR in within that timeframe?
I have one trip to ATL planned which should net 4273 RT. That was a $$ ticket (purchased before the challenge, does that count?). I'll need 2x more than that to get to target.
Out of SFO/SJC what are often good routes and flights to get a MR in within that timeframe?
Aug 20, 2019, 1:50 pm
#233
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
Flying out of the bay area, doing a status match to GOLD.. triggered in 5 days - which isn't what I was planning for but okay. Now, I've got 90 days for 12K or 12.5K?
I have one trip to ATL planned which should net 4273 RT. That was a $$ ticket (purchased before the challenge, does that count?). I'll need 2x more than that to get to target.
Out of SFO/SJC what are often good routes and flights to get a MR in within that timeframe?
I have one trip to ATL planned which should net 4273 RT. That was a $$ ticket (purchased before the challenge, does that count?). I'll need 2x more than that to get to target.
Out of SFO/SJC what are often good routes and flights to get a MR in within that timeframe?
Aug 20, 2019, 3:21 pm
#234
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Netherlands
Programs: Flying Blue, Miles & More, Matmid
Posts: 8
I'm new to the game, just got an AMEX Gold to help me boost my XPs and I now have 51XP. I would like to at least make it to Silver this year but I'm based in the Netherlands. Are there any worthy (and albeit not too expensive) xp runs out of Amsterdam by any chance? 
Aug 20, 2019, 3:27 pm
#235
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: 100,413
Probably not. Earning 150%, your 33,000 MQMs means about 22,000 miles of actual flying. If an airplane flies about 500 mph, it would mean about 44 hours of non-stop flying.
Trips from LAX that are 11,000+ (one way) would include JNB/CPT via AMS/LHR, SYD/MEL via ICN or AMS/CDG/LHR via PVG.
Trips from LAX that are 11,000+ (one way) would include JNB/CPT via AMS/LHR, SYD/MEL via ICN or AMS/CDG/LHR via PVG.
Mainland China would be cheaper, especially in coach, but one would need more than one RT and there might also be the cost and hassle of getting a visa.
Aug 20, 2019, 6:18 pm
#236
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
I think it's totally worth it. I think I read somewhere that subsequent visa applications will be easier to obtain.
Aug 21, 2019, 4:39 pm
#237
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: delta, american
Posts: 1
Delta Gold Match
Hello! I’m looking to complete my status match challenge on Delta. Any help is appreciated!
Departure Airport: CLT
Miles Needed: 8,500 to 12,500
Required Spend or Budget: budget as possible but require $1500 MQD
Available Travel Dates: Sept 15-November 10
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: sure
Departure Airport: CLT
Miles Needed: 8,500 to 12,500
Required Spend or Budget: budget as possible but require $1500 MQD
Available Travel Dates: Sept 15-November 10
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: sure
Aug 22, 2019, 1:43 am
#238
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 124
Departure Airport: NYC (JFK LGA EWR)
Miles Needed: 16,350
MQDs Needed: Only need about $600
Budget: $2,500 (business class preferred)
Available Travel Dates: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday up until late mid September
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Miles Needed: 16,350
MQDs Needed: Only need about $600
Budget: $2,500 (business class preferred)
Available Travel Dates: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday up until late mid September
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare
Aug 22, 2019, 9:18 am
#239
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AAdvantage
Posts: 3
New to Mileage Running and looking for some help.
Departure Airport: MSP
MQMs Needed: 7,900 (silver), 32,500 (gold)
Required Spend or Budget: I'd like to keep it under $1.5k (if possible)
Available Travel Dates: I'm pretty flexible
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:
Departure Airport: MSP
MQMs Needed: 7,900 (silver), 32,500 (gold)
Required Spend or Budget: I'd like to keep it under $1.5k (if possible)
Available Travel Dates: I'm pretty flexible
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:
Aug 22, 2019, 11:43 am
#240
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: DL
Posts: 2
Looking for the below to get Diamond under "Reclaim my Status". Have to go this weekend.
Departure Airport: CMH
MQMs Needed: 17,909
Required Spend or Budget: $1,011 or more
Available Travel Dates: This weekend Aug 24 depart, return Aug 25. Possibly could leave Friday night.
Departure Airport: CMH
MQMs Needed: 17,909
Required Spend or Budget: $1,011 or more
Available Travel Dates: This weekend Aug 24 depart, return Aug 25. Possibly could leave Friday night.