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
Sep 25, 2022, 11:40 am
#481
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: *G
Posts: 461
Departure Airport: CPH
Miles Needed: 16.5k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: <800 USD
Available Travel Dates: most weeks +1-2 days off around the weekend
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes
Miles Needed: 16.5k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: <800 USD
Available Travel Dates: most weeks +1-2 days off around the weekend
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes
Sep 25, 2022, 12:08 pm
#482
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,037
USD 1,070 DKK 8,203
Sep 26, 2022, 11:19 am
#483
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 1
Departure Airport: PNS/MSY/BHM/TLH/ATL, MIA in DEC
MQMs Needed: 6,000 (the more the merrier though, so that I can roll them over to next year for a head start)
MQDs Needed: 1200
Required Spend or Budget: Low as possible
Available Travel Dates: Flexible if quick turnaround. I also have a trip to MIA 15-18 DEC so I could do something in the front or back end of that
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshare okay. Delta or Delta partners are okay.
Open to quick turnarounds to do by myself but would prefer a few days-weeklong trip with the wife. Live in Pensacola but I have a wedding in Miami on Dec 16th so open to doing a trip on the front/back end of that if there's anything out of there.
Thanks so much in advance
MQMs Needed: 6,000 (the more the merrier though, so that I can roll them over to next year for a head start)
MQDs Needed: 1200
Required Spend or Budget: Low as possible
Available Travel Dates: Flexible if quick turnaround. I also have a trip to MIA 15-18 DEC so I could do something in the front or back end of that
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshare okay. Delta or Delta partners are okay.
Open to quick turnarounds to do by myself but would prefer a few days-weeklong trip with the wife. Live in Pensacola but I have a wedding in Miami on Dec 16th so open to doing a trip on the front/back end of that if there's anything out of there.
Thanks so much in advance
Sep 26, 2022, 1:06 pm
#484
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,037
Departure Airport: PNS/MSY/BHM/TLH/ATL, MIA in DEC
MQMs Needed: 6,000 (the more the merrier though, so that I can roll them over to next year for a head start)
MQDs Needed: 1200
Required Spend or Budget: Low as possible
Available Travel Dates: Flexible if quick turnaround. I also have a trip to MIA 15-18 DEC so I could do something in the front or back end of that
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshare okay. Delta or Delta partners are okay.
Open to quick turnarounds to do by myself but would prefer a few days-weeklong trip with the wife. Live in Pensacola but I have a wedding in Miami on Dec 16th so open to doing a trip on the front/back end of that if there's anything out of there.
Thanks so much in advance
MQMs Needed: 6,000 (the more the merrier though, so that I can roll them over to next year for a head start)
MQDs Needed: 1200
Required Spend or Budget: Low as possible
Available Travel Dates: Flexible if quick turnaround. I also have a trip to MIA 15-18 DEC so I could do something in the front or back end of that
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshare okay. Delta or Delta partners are okay.
Open to quick turnarounds to do by myself but would prefer a few days-weeklong trip with the wife. Live in Pensacola but I have a wedding in Miami on Dec 16th so open to doing a trip on the front/back end of that if there's anything out of there.
Thanks so much in advance
MCO-TIJ for $722 would earn 8130 MQMs 2168 MQDs 3.00 MQD Ratio
Sep 26, 2022, 2:43 pm
#485
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 37
Question, I'm planning to book a few round trip flights from TIJ to SJD with Aeromexico to get some cheap MQD's. On Aeromexico website I selected their "Premier" class which is their business class to be able to qualify for the 40% rate to MQD's. The first leg of the flight is from TIJ to MEX which is flown in the "premier" and the second left from MEX to SJD is flown in "Premier Light". Does anyone know if the second leg also counts as Business class to be able to get the 40%? Also prior to booking a ticket on Aeromexico how can I see what fare code (letter to compare to chart below) a certain flight would fall under so that I can better gage my estimates when comparing it to delta's chart below. Sorry for the novice questions. Fairly new to this. Thank you!!
Sep 28, 2022, 6:30 am
#486
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: ATL, DSM
Programs: Delta PM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 24
Trying to complete Delta Diamond before the end of the year. TIA for any ideas.
Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 6,000 MQMs
MQDs not needed.
Required Spend or Budget: not picky -- willing to pay for comfort/1st if reasonable
Available Travel Dates: 9/30-10/3, 10/21-10/23, 11/11-11/12, 12/2-12/4
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares okay
Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 6,000 MQMs
MQDs not needed.
Required Spend or Budget: not picky -- willing to pay for comfort/1st if reasonable
Available Travel Dates: 9/30-10/3, 10/21-10/23, 11/11-11/12, 12/2-12/4
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares okay
Last edited by cyplainsdrifter; Sep 28, 2022 at 7:49 am
Sep 28, 2022, 8:43 am
#487
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Trying to complete Delta Diamond before the end of the year. TIA for any ideas.
Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 6,000 MQMs
MQDs not needed.
Required Spend or Budget: not picky -- willing to pay for comfort/1st if reasonable
Available Travel Dates: 9/30-10/3, 10/21-10/23, 11/11-11/12, 12/2-12/4
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares okay
Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 6,000 MQMs
MQDs not needed.
Required Spend or Budget: not picky -- willing to pay for comfort/1st if reasonable
Available Travel Dates: 9/30-10/3, 10/21-10/23, 11/11-11/12, 12/2-12/4
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshares okay
You can also do a run to Mexicali on Aeromexico business class for a bit more. Google Flight Link
Sep 28, 2022, 12:29 pm
#488
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: AS & DL
Posts: 14
Hi, I'm EXTREMELY new to flying with DL and I was hoping you could explain how to figure out this fare earning $1750 MQD and 6500 MQMs? Appreciate the help!
e.g. Nov. 12 - 13, IAH-MEX-TIJ-MEX-TIJ, about $1750 MQD, 6500 MQMs Business Class
e.g. Nov. 12 - 13, IAH-MEX-TIJ-MEX-TIJ, about $1750 MQD, 6500 MQMs Business Class
Last edited by wildeyofatime; Sep 28, 2022 at 12:36 pm
Sep 28, 2022, 12:48 pm
#489
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,037
In plain English, you need MQD or Spend to obtain status with Delta or United, American had it and now replaced with Loyalty Points.
MQDs usually match 1-1 with real cash spend. Airlines are pretty good at calculating how much money they make off each ticket they sell you, and what part is taxes etc. So on a $100 fare they can say you had spend of $90.
Now the issue is with partner airline, sometimes they have lots of information, otherwise they just know you flew from X to Y via Z in A class. That's great but doesn't give a full picture for them, now they could spend more to get additional information, especially with Joint Ventures but in reality it's a spend vs return on spend idea.
So to keep things simple they credit different flights at different rates based upon the booking code, with some airlines giving closer partners a higher rate.
Things get complicated easily so they generally give ranges of earnings on partners from 0% to 60% of distance as MQDs
You can earn Delta MQMs, RDMs and MQDs from at least 384 unique airfare buckets across 4 types of cabin (First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy) and subcategories within each area on over 20 different airlines! Data as of mid 2022 from my site Premiumcabindeals
Aeromexico in Business Class gives you 40% of Distance flown as MQDs and 150% of distance as MQMs.
Using your example: IAH-MEX-TIJ-MEX-TIJ gives 5050 flown miles, which times 40% gives 2020 MQDs and 150% MQMs or 7577 MQMs. Numbers from MileCalc.
Sep 28, 2022, 1:38 pm
#490
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: AS & DL
Posts: 14
Totally appreciate all the info!
Sep 28, 2022, 2:04 pm
#491
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
In plain English, you need MQD or Spend to obtain status with Delta or United, American had it and now replaced with Loyalty Points.
MQDs usually match 1-1 with real cash spend. Airlines are pretty good at calculating how much money they make off each ticket they sell you, and what part is taxes etc. So on a $100 fare they can say you had spend of $90.
Now the issue is with partner airline, sometimes they have lots of information, otherwise they just know you flew from X to Y via Z in A class. That's great but doesn't give a full picture for them, now they could spend more to get additional information, especially with Joint Ventures but in reality it's a spend vs return on spend idea.
So to keep things simple they credit different flights at different rates based upon the booking code, with some airlines giving closer partners a higher rate.
Things get complicated easily so they generally give ranges of earnings on partners from 0% to 60% of distance as MQDs
You can earn Delta MQMs, RDMs and MQDs from at least 384 unique airfare buckets across 4 types of cabin (First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy) and subcategories within each area on over 20 different airlines! Data as of mid 2022 from my site Premiumcabindeals
Aeromexico in Business Class gives you 40% of Distance flown as MQDs and 150% of distance as MQMs.
Using your example: IAH-MEX-TIJ-MEX-TIJ gives 5050 flown miles, which times 40% gives 2020 MQDs and 150% MQMs or 7577 MQMs. Numbers from MileCalc.
MQDs usually match 1-1 with real cash spend. Airlines are pretty good at calculating how much money they make off each ticket they sell you, and what part is taxes etc. So on a $100 fare they can say you had spend of $90.
Now the issue is with partner airline, sometimes they have lots of information, otherwise they just know you flew from X to Y via Z in A class. That's great but doesn't give a full picture for them, now they could spend more to get additional information, especially with Joint Ventures but in reality it's a spend vs return on spend idea.
So to keep things simple they credit different flights at different rates based upon the booking code, with some airlines giving closer partners a higher rate.
Things get complicated easily so they generally give ranges of earnings on partners from 0% to 60% of distance as MQDs
You can earn Delta MQMs, RDMs and MQDs from at least 384 unique airfare buckets across 4 types of cabin (First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy) and subcategories within each area on over 20 different airlines! Data as of mid 2022 from my site Premiumcabindeals
Aeromexico in Business Class gives you 40% of Distance flown as MQDs and 150% of distance as MQMs.
Using your example: IAH-MEX-TIJ-MEX-TIJ gives 5050 flown miles, which times 40% gives 2020 MQDs and 150% MQMs or 7577 MQMs. Numbers from MileCalc.
Sep 29, 2022, 2:35 am
#492
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,638
I booked this, but ticketed through VS. Will the Comfort+ legs credit properly as Premium Economy for MQDs when crediting to DL?
Sep 29, 2022, 9:41 am
#493
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,037
Sep 29, 2022, 5:47 pm
#494
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: DL PM, WN A-List
Posts: 340
Question, I'm planning to book a few round trip flights from TIJ to SJD with Aeromexico to get some cheap MQD's. On Aeromexico website I selected their "Premier" class which is their business class to be able to qualify for the 40% rate to MQD's. The first leg of the flight is from TIJ to MEX which is flown in the "premier" and the second left from MEX to SJD is flown in "Premier Light". Does anyone know if the second leg also counts as Business class to be able to get the 40%? Also prior to booking a ticket on Aeromexico how can I see what fare code (letter to compare to chart below) a certain flight would fall under so that I can better gage my estimates when comparing it to delta's chart below. Sorry for the novice questions. Fairly new to this. Thank you!!
edit: sorry didn't see this was already answered
Sep 30, 2022, 2:06 pm
#495
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 2
Hello!
Trying to figure out how to hit Diamond for the first time. Will make it on MQMs, but way short on MQDs. Wondering if anyone has suggestions for good routes for hitting MQD requirements w intl travel without actually spending $7000.
Departure Airport: LAX/BUR, JFK, or DCA
MQMs Needed: N/A
MQDs Needed: $7000
Required Spend or Budget: Would like to keep it low if possible
Available Travel Dates: Flexible schedule after November 1
Trying to figure out how to hit Diamond for the first time. Will make it on MQMs, but way short on MQDs. Wondering if anyone has suggestions for good routes for hitting MQD requirements w intl travel without actually spending $7000.
Departure Airport: LAX/BUR, JFK, or DCA
MQMs Needed: N/A
MQDs Needed: $7000
Required Spend or Budget: Would like to keep it low if possible
Available Travel Dates: Flexible schedule after November 1