Jan 2, 2022, 1:46 am
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
Need 4000+ MQDs?
If based in a city that is served by Virgin Atlantic such as IAD, JFK, BOS, MIA, LAS, LAX, SFO one of the best options is to fly to JNB or CPT via LHR. This can be done in a weekend and you can usually earn 4-5000 MQDs for under 1300-1600. You need to select Economy Delight which is similar to regular economy but with more legroom and the possibility of earning 20% of distance as MQDs. This is the most common way to earn large chunks at a cheap price.
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
Need 4000+ MQDs?
If based in a city that is served by Virgin Atlantic such as IAD, JFK, BOS, MIA, LAS, LAX, SFO one of the best options is to fly to JNB or CPT via LHR. This can be done in a weekend and you can usually earn 4-5000 MQDs for under 1300-1600. You need to select Economy Delight which is similar to regular economy but with more legroom and the possibility of earning 20% of distance as MQDs. This is the most common way to earn large chunks at a cheap price.
DL/Sky Team: 2022 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed
May 28, 2022, 9:05 pm
#181
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 10
Looking for MQD Run to Reach Diamond
I've met MQM for Diamond, but am $11,801 from Diamond. With the remaining travel for this year, I should be at about $6500-$7K. I'm trying to find a MQD run or two that will help me reach diamond. Any help is appreciated.
Departure Airport:Tampa is home airport. Orlando can get out of but will reposition to maximize.
Miles Needed: NA
Required Spend or Budget: $1500-$2K
Available Travel Dates: September to December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL or any Skyteam
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Departure Airport:Tampa is home airport. Orlando can get out of but will reposition to maximize.
Miles Needed: NA
Required Spend or Budget: $1500-$2K
Available Travel Dates: September to December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL or any Skyteam
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
May 28, 2022, 10:22 pm
#182
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
I've met MQM for Diamond, but am $11,801 from Diamond. With the remaining travel for this year, I should be at about $6500-$7K. I'm trying to find a MQD run or two that will help me reach diamond. Any help is appreciated.
Departure Airport:Tampa is home airport. Orlando can get out of but will reposition to maximize.
Miles Needed: NA
Required Spend or Budget: $1500-$2K
Available Travel Dates: September to December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL or any Skyteam
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Departure Airport:Tampa is home airport. Orlando can get out of but will reposition to maximize.
Miles Needed: NA
Required Spend or Budget: $1500-$2K
Available Travel Dates: September to December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL or any Skyteam
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
You can try Virgin Atlantic, MIA-JNB (via LHR) in Economy Delight which will earn about $5000 MQDs. Maybe get the rest on a several AeroMexico TIJ runs?
e.g Sept 23 - 25, $1275 (Economy Delight, V fare class), about 25,000 MQMs, $5000 MQDs, long layovers in LHR on both inbound and outbound, try the flexible date search to see lower priced options in Sept - December
May 29, 2022, 7:36 am
#183
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,038
MIA-TIJ can be found at times as low as $654
This example is just a day in TIJ, you could easily add a SJD or similar turn... MIA-TIJ would earn 8115 MQMs 2164 MQDs
This example is just a day in TIJ, you could easily add a SJD or similar turn... MIA-TIJ would earn 8115 MQMs 2164 MQDs
May 29, 2022, 8:35 am
#184
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 10
Thanks so much! Will definitely look at this and the MIA-TIJ runs.
May 29, 2022, 8:36 am
#185
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 10
Thanks for pointing this out. I'm going to be on the west coast... wonder if I can sneak in a TIJ to MIA.
May 29, 2022, 9:15 am
#186
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NY, or anywhere
Programs: Delta MM+ DM trusted traveler, goes, Marriott, IHG SPG. NH Hyatt, Hilton
Posts: 72
Hi are there any JFK TIJ same day turn around a for great prices in August
through December please ? Also I DO have a China Visa. My business class max would be in the 1500.00 range to go anywhere sky tram with best earnings.
you are all GREAT
i really am a Diamond but haven’t changed name
namaste
nina
you are all GREAT
i really am a Diamond but haven’t changed name
namaste
nina
May 29, 2022, 12:07 pm
#187
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Below are a few examples for Sept. 10. August prices are a few hundred dollars higher.
May 30, 2022, 6:07 pm
#188
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 1
MSP Mileage Run
Hey,
Looks like I'll be short of platinum this year, looking to close the gap:
Departure Airport: MSPMiles Needed: 9,400 MQM'sRequired Spend or Budget: flexible, obviously as low cost as reasonable Available Travel Dates: open, would like to avoid Wednesday+ Thursdays Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: YesDo you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)?: No
Let me know if you have any ideas!
Looks like I'll be short of platinum this year, looking to close the gap:
Departure Airport: MSPMiles Needed: 9,400 MQM'sRequired Spend or Budget: flexible, obviously as low cost as reasonable Available Travel Dates: open, would like to avoid Wednesday+ Thursdays Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: YesDo you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)?: No
Let me know if you have any ideas!
May 30, 2022, 9:40 pm
#189
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Hey,
Looks like I'll be short of platinum this year, looking to close the gap:
Departure Airport: MSPMiles Needed: 9,400 MQM'sRequired Spend or Budget: flexible, obviously as low cost as reasonable Available Travel Dates: open, would like to avoid Wednesday+ Thursdays Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: YesDo you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)?: No
Let me know if you have any ideas!
Looks like I'll be short of platinum this year, looking to close the gap:
Departure Airport: MSPMiles Needed: 9,400 MQM'sRequired Spend or Budget: flexible, obviously as low cost as reasonable Available Travel Dates: open, would like to avoid Wednesday+ Thursdays Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: YesDo you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)?: No
Let me know if you have any ideas!
Last edited by canuck_traveler; May 30, 2022 at 10:01 pm Reason: add PHX option for remaining miles
May 31, 2022, 7:42 am
#190
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,038
Hey,
Looks like I'll be short of platinum this year, looking to close the gap:
Departure Airport: MSPMiles Needed: 9,400 MQM'sRequired Spend or Budget: flexible, obviously as low cost as reasonable Available Travel Dates: open, would like to avoid Wednesday+ Thursdays Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: YesDo you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)?: No
Let me know if you have any ideas!
Looks like I'll be short of platinum this year, looking to close the gap:
Departure Airport: MSPMiles Needed: 9,400 MQM'sRequired Spend or Budget: flexible, obviously as low cost as reasonable Available Travel Dates: open, would like to avoid Wednesday+ Thursdays Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: YesDo you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)?: No
Let me know if you have any ideas!
Jun 2, 2022, 3:26 pm
#191
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: DL Charter DM/DM/2MM, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,925
Unfortunately, June is start of the summer travel season. If you are willing to wait until later in the year, there will probably be some better deals.
For $8000 MQDs, you will need to fly a pretty long distance. JFK-LHR-JNB-LHR-JFK on Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight class earns about $4500 MQDs.
e.g. May 28-29, $1225, depart Saturday and arrive back in New York on Monday (3 days travel). Other dates available but will require 4 days of travel and slightly higher prices.
For $8000 MQDs, you will need to fly a pretty long distance. JFK-LHR-JNB-LHR-JFK on Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight class earns about $4500 MQDs.
e.g. May 28-29, $1225, depart Saturday and arrive back in New York on Monday (3 days travel). Other dates available but will require 4 days of travel and slightly higher prices.
Jun 2, 2022, 3:58 pm
#192
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Note that the MQD earning is different for each partner airline. You can get more details from the Delta website link here.
Jun 2, 2022, 4:20 pm
#193
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: DL Charter DM/DM/2MM, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,925
When one flies on a partner marketed flight (and credit to your Delta Skymiles account), the calculation for MQDs is based on the distance flown and the fare class. Virgin Atlantic's economy delight fare (V) earns 25% x distance flown for MQDs. Since the distance for this trip JFK-LHR-JNB-LHR-JFK is roughly 18,000 miles the earning for MQD is $4500 (18,000 x 0.25)
Note that the MQD earning is different for each partner airline. You can get more details from the Delta website link here.
Note that the MQD earning is different for each partner airline. You can get more details from the Delta website link here.
Jun 5, 2022, 12:43 pm
#194
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 57
Departure Airport: TPA, MCO, RSW, MIA
Miles Needed: N/A
Required Spend or Budget: 5K MQDs
Available Travel Dates: Any, except last week of July
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Preferred for MQD accrual
Miles Needed: N/A
Required Spend or Budget: 5K MQDs
Available Travel Dates: Any, except last week of July
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Preferred for MQD accrual
Jun 5, 2022, 2:11 pm
#195
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Virgin Atlanic from Miami to Johannesburg is another option. However, you will need to wait until September for better prices.
e.g. Sept 9 - 11, $1488 (Economy Delight class), MIA-LHR-JNB-LHR-MIA, 25,000 MQMs, $5000 MQDs, long layover in LHR for both outbound and inbound. Bookable on Virgin Atlantic website. Use flexible search for other dates.
