Jan 2, 2021, 12:23 am

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.

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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:

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

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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

DL/Sky Team: 2021 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed

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Oct 28, 2021, 5:59 pm

#196

viz

Join Date: Dec 2017

Location: JFK/YYZ

Programs: DL DM, AC 75K, NEXUS, Bonvoy Platinum

Posts: 61

Departure Airport: SEA or JFK
Miles Needed: 7506 MQM
Budget: lowest CPM
Available Travel Dates: JFK: November, SEA: December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL but open to others
Only need a smallish number of miles but looking for the most cost effective routing here.

Oct 29, 2021, 2:35 am

#197

Kwbaier

Join Date: Oct 2021

Posts: 4

Need $4k MQM for Platinum Medallion

Departure Airport: FCA
Miles Needed: $4k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: $500
Available Travel Dates: 11/18-11/22
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL

**Thanks in advance for your help!!**

Last edited by Kwbaier; Oct 29, 2021 at 2:49 am Reason: Add a thank you.

Oct 29, 2021, 10:44 am

#198

Schmoops

Join Date: Apr 2012

Location: NY/CT

Programs: DL PM, Marriott PM

Posts: 263

Quote:

Originally Posted by viz

$148 JFK-SFO-JFK same day turns available a number of dates in November (use matrix to search) for $148. ~5,150 MQM before accelerator, ~7,750 after.

viz likes this.

Oct 29, 2021, 3:46 pm

#199

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwbaier

Departure Airport: FCA
Miles Needed: $4k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: $500
Available Travel Dates: 11/18-11/22
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL

**Thanks in advance for your help!!**

I seem to have difficulty posting screenshots now but one option is FCA-NYC on Nov. 18 and return on Nov. 19. Requires overnight stay in NYC. Price from $341 (arriving at LGA and departing JFK). If arriving and departing from LGA, price is about $100 more. Earns over 6000 MQMs

Also, FCA-ANC on Nov. 18 and returning on Nov. 19. Requires overnight stay in Anchorage. $405 (basic economy). Earns about 8000 MQMs.

FCA-ORD, Nov. 18. $361 (basic economy). Earns about 5300 MQMS. 6.5 hours in Chicago.

Last edited by canuck_traveler; Oct 29, 2021 at 3:59 pm Reason: add Anchorage option

Nov 1, 2021, 8:04 pm

#200

klaue2

Join Date: Nov 2021

Programs: Delta

Posts: 2

Need a bit of creativity to get Diamond
Departure Airport: LAX or SFO areas
Miles Needed: 35000
Required Spend or Budget: Flexible but trying to maximize efficiency.
Available Travel Dates: Weekends preferred but fairly flexible.

Nov 2, 2021, 1:03 pm

#201

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by klaue2

Are you wanting domestic and / or international options?

Nov 2, 2021, 1:24 pm

#202

Kwbaier

Join Date: Oct 2021

Posts: 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck_traveler

Nov 2, 2021, 1:25 pm

#203

Kwbaier

Join Date: Oct 2021

Posts: 4

Thanks for your reply! It looks like I'll only need 2k miles. What's the cheapest way to get 2k MQM's? Thank you!

Nov 2, 2021, 1:28 pm

#204

Kwbaier

Join Date: Oct 2021

Posts: 4

Thanks for your reply! It looks like I'll only need 2k miles. What's the cheapest way to get 2k MQM's? Thank you!

Nov 2, 2021, 3:42 pm

#205

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwbaier

Thanks for your reply! It looks like I'll only need 2k miles. What's the cheapest way to get 2k MQM's? Thank you!

Since flying in to FCA usually requires connecting from a bigger airport, take a look at flights to SEA, PDX, BOI. 4 segments = 2000 MQMs plus the Skymiles accelerator bonus

e.g.: Nov. 18, FCA-SLC-SEA-SLC-FCA, $235 (basic economy), 3600 MQMs

Nov 2, 2021, 4:45 pm

#206

klaue2

Join Date: Nov 2021

Programs: Delta

Posts: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck_traveler

Are you wanting domestic and / or international options?

Either one works, American passport and vaccinated here.

Nov 2, 2021, 6:02 pm

#207

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by klaue2

Either one works, American passport and vaccinated here.

You can pick up about 27,000 MQMs with a trip to the Middle East / Africa such as KWI or JNB and then the remainder with a East Coast run

e.g.
Dec 10 - 12, LAX-BOS-AMS-KWI-DXB-AMS-BOS-LAX, $882, 27,300 MQMs (book on Delta, depart date Dec. 10, return Dec 11); 75 minutes in KWI

Dec 4 - 5, LAX-SEA-BOS-SEA-LAX, $239 (BE), 8,300 MQMS, red-eye flight, 90 minutes in Boston

Last edited by canuck_traveler; Nov 3, 2021 at 7:20 am Reason: made some edits

Nov 8, 2021, 9:24 am

#208

sherbst812

Join Date: Nov 2021

Programs: Delta

Posts: 1

Departure Airport: WAS (DCA, IAD, BWI) preferred, JFK easy enough, can position elsewhere if needed
MQD/MQM Needed: $9,168 MQD, 16,045 MQM to Diamond
Budget: lowest cost possible for the MQD
Available Travel Dates: Nov. 20-Dec. 5; Dec. 12-17; Dec. 27-31
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL or DL codeshares to maximize MQD

I'm assuming I'll have no trouble meeting the MQM requirement if I can find something that also fulfills the MQD. Totally okay with international flights and quick turnarounds. I'd ideally like to reach the MQD and MQM all in one go. Okay with flying a premium cabin, as long as I'm minimizing the cost to get the MQD in one trip. Thanks in advance!

Last edited by sherbst812; Nov 8, 2021 at 9:57 am

Nov 8, 2021, 12:04 pm

#209

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherbst812

How about Virgin Atlantic, Economy Delight, JFK-JNB, will take two trips to earn the needed MQDs

e.g. Nov. 20 - 22, JFK-LHR-JNB-LHR-JFK, $1172 (Economy Delight, V Fare Class), $4500 MQDs, 22,600 MQMs, 10 hours in JNB, on Virgin Atlantic website flexible date search for departure on Nov. 20, return on Nov. 21, various dates available

Last edited by canuck_traveler; Nov 8, 2021 at 12:09 pm

Nov 9, 2021, 12:15 pm

#210

ATLtoffee

Join Date: Nov 2021

Programs: Delta Skymiles

Posts: 1

MQD Run before it's too late!

Hi All,
Trying to put together a MQD run before the end of the year.
As it stands I am $6500 MQD short.
Would love to try and run from Fr-Sun if possible, or overnights during the week

Departure Airport: ATL, preferred, but will fly anywhere if it's worth it
Miles Needed: $6500 MQD, 5000 MQM
Required Spend or Budget: Would love to keep it under 2K
Available Travel Dates: Late November to Mid December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL or DL codeshares