Jan 2, 2022, 1:46 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

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

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Aug 7, 2022, 9:49 pm

#286

rajhyd99

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Austin TX

Programs: AA EXEP 2MM, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Avis President Club, Marriot gold,Emerald Exec,

Posts: 413

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck_traveler

Miami to Capetown on Virgin Atlantic is available for $1239 (economy delight class) on weekends in November (e.g. Nov 12 - 14). The MR would earn about $5000 MQDs.

Miami to Johannesburg is about $200 more.

Two runs to CPT in Economy Delight would earn you about $10,000 MQDS. If you bump half of one of the trips (i.e. MIA-LHR-CPT or CPT-LHR-MIA) to Premium Economy for around $430, you would have enough MQDs to meet your MQD requirement. Premium Economy earns 30% of distance flown for MQDs.

How is Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight product ? I am debating whether its worth for such long journey and long layover in LHR.

Aug 7, 2022, 10:49 pm

#287

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajhyd99

How is Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight product ? I am debating whether its worth for such long journey and long layover in LHR.

Pretty much the same as economy (seat, meals) except for the extra legroom.

Aug 8, 2022, 6:51 am

#288

Flyyy14

Join Date: Aug 2022

Programs: Delta

Posts: 3

Good morning. I am in need of 12K MQMs to reach Diamond before the end of 2022. I've already met the MQD spend. Hoping for a few good deals to reach my goal!

Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 12,000
Required Spend or Budget: Trips under $1000
Available Travel Dates: Today (August 8) - Year End
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL or partner airlines

Thank you for the help!

Aug 8, 2022, 9:03 am

#289

Tyler.Bauman

Join Date: Aug 2022

Posts: 5

Departure Airport: MSP
Miles Needed: 10000 MQMs & 3000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: not sure. Ideally less than $1200
Available Travel Dates: Anytime before end of year
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: I think it can be DL or any partner if the miles go towards skymiles account

never done a mileage run before, but would like to get to platinum before 2023 and this is what I need to make that happen. No idea if my budget is too high or low. Just looking for the best deal to make this happen

Aug 8, 2022, 9:58 am

#290

Lchen1989

Join Date: Jul 2019

Location: New York

Posts: 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyyy14

Nice to be able to contribute for the first time! Look on google flights. ATL - ARN on premium select will net you 13k MQM on select dates throughout the year. The ticket costs ~1,100 but worth the extra to not have to sit in economy.

Flyyy14 likes this.

Aug 8, 2022, 10:35 am

#291

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyyy14

A MR to the Hawaiian islands will get you around 9500 MQMs

e.g. August 29, ATL-SEA-LIH-SEA-ATL, $663 (MC), 9700 MQMs

The remaining miles can be done with a trip like the following:
e.g. Sept. 13, ATL-PHX-ATL, $292, 3100 MQMs

So only a little bit cheaper than the option to ARN.

Flyyy14 likes this.

Last edited by canuck_traveler; Aug 8, 2022 at 11:35 am Reason: add idea for remaining miles

Aug 8, 2022, 11:19 am

#292

Flyyy14

Join Date: Aug 2022

Programs: Delta

Posts: 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lchen1989

Thank you for the warm welcome and sweet option! I will definitely look into that. It’s definitely worth paying a little more for a better cabin experience!

Aug 8, 2022, 11:22 am

#293

Flyyy14

Join Date: Aug 2022

Programs: Delta

Posts: 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck_traveler

A MR to the Hawaiian islands will get you around 9500 MQMs

e.g. August 29, ATL-SEA-LIH-SEA-ATL, $663 (MC), 9700 MQMs

This is an awesome option. Thank you!

Aug 8, 2022, 11:22 am

#294

ctoni222

Join Date: Aug 2022

Programs: Delta

Posts: 4

MQD Run

Departure Airport: CMH or CVG/ATL/NYC/DTW
MQD Needed: 2500 or so
Required Spend or Budget: Sub $1000 or so
Available Travel Dates: October or early November
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL or any partner

Looking to do something in Europe or Mexico over an extended weekend. Thanks!

Aug 8, 2022, 12:10 pm

#295

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctoni222

CMH - TIJ in business class on AeroMexico will get you the necessary MQDs. Use ITAMatrix to search out options and use the AeroMexico website to book

e.g. Oct 14 - 15, CMH-DTW-MEX-TIJ-MEX-ATL-CMH, $985, about $2800 MQDs, just under 7 hours in TIJ

jfkeze and DeltaGoldLass like this.

Aug 9, 2022, 11:13 pm

#296

initial e

Join Date: Mar 2022

Programs: Delta

Posts: 33

Guys I need some help for a milage run. Need this before my statement closes on 11/8

Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 8000 MQMs
MQD Needed: 0
Required Spend or Budget: Less than 1300
Available Travel Dates: Anytime other than Oct 10-14
Required Metal or Codeshares okay: DL preferred....

TIA!

Aug 10, 2022, 4:20 am

#297

jfkeze

Join Date: Mar 2008

Location: Multiple locations

Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold

Posts: 5,038

Quote:

Originally Posted by initial e

Try KLM codeshares on Delta metal from Atlanta to Copenhagen, must be on the KLM codeshares for the better earnings for MQDs but if just MQMs then DL code can work...
Google Flights

ATL-CPH would earn 13848 MQMs 2770 MQDs 2.57 MQD Ratio

Aug 10, 2022, 8:47 am

#298

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,895

Quote:

Originally Posted by initial e

If you don't mind Economy and want to stay within the US, then a run to Hawaii (LIH, KOA) will get you the needed miles with prices in the $500s

e.g. August 31, ATL - SEA - KOA - LAX - ATL, $532 (MC), 9300 MQMs, immediate turn, use Delta flexible day search (use same date for departure and return)

Aug 10, 2022, 11:34 am

#299

initial e

Join Date: Mar 2022

Programs: Delta

Posts: 33

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfkeze

Try KLM codeshares on Delta metal from Atlanta to Copenhagen, must be on the KLM codeshares for the better earnings for MQDs but if just MQMs then DL code can work...
Google Flights

ATL-CPH would earn 13848 MQMs 2770 MQDs 2.57 MQD Ratio

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck_traveler

Thank you both! I'm not familiar with the code shares though...

I dont think I can fly Hawaii in economy anymore. My ... just cant handle it.

But more info on these code shares and of the like, would be appreciated. I'm still learning.

Aug 10, 2022, 11:44 am

#300

jfkeze

Join Date: Mar 2008

Location: Multiple locations

Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold

Posts: 5,038

Quote:

Originally Posted by initial e

Thank you both! I'm not familiar with the code shares though...

I dont think I can fly Hawaii in economy anymore. My ... just cant handle it.

But more info on these code shares and of the like, would be appreciated. I'm still learning.

Its just another airline selling a ticket on a Delta flight, you need to book it on KLM or Air France site and then add your Delta FFN...

This is Delta Y+ so not lie flat and on the ATL--JFK segment is just Y with more legroom.