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
Oct 12, 2022, 5:46 am
#541
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,038
Newbie trying to earn Silver Medallion before end of year. $300 MQD away. Looking for best bang for buck.
Thanks!
Departure Airport: WAS, CLT (anywhere in between)
Miles Needed: NA
Required Spend or Budget: $300 MQD
Available Travel Dates: First half Nov, first half Dec
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: No
Thanks!
Departure Airport: WAS, CLT (anywhere in between)
Miles Needed: NA
Required Spend or Budget: $300 MQD
Available Travel Dates: First half Nov, first half Dec
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: No
Oct 12, 2022, 9:43 pm
#542
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 2
Depart from MSP Need 4,000 Delta MQDs
I need about 4,000 MQDs to make Diamond status with Delta. I'd like to travel from MSP and have a short turnaround to get back. Would like to spend less than $2,000. Please let me know some destinations that I could consider booking.
Oct 13, 2022, 5:52 am
#543
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 2
Need 4,000 MQDs to reach Delta Diamond
Since I'm a newbie I realized my initial posting needed more info. Please share any ideas you have to earn 4,000 MQDs
Departure Airport: MSP preferred but can be flexible for any departure airport.
Miles Needed: 4,000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: under $2,000
Available Travel Dates: late Oct through December
Required Metal Any Sky Miles or Delta partner
Departure Airport: MSP preferred but can be flexible for any departure airport.
Miles Needed: 4,000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: under $2,000
Available Travel Dates: late Oct through December
Required Metal Any Sky Miles or Delta partner
Oct 13, 2022, 1:30 pm
#544
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,038
Since I'm a newbie I realized my initial posting needed more info. Please share any ideas you have to earn 4,000 MQDs
Departure Airport: MSP preferred but can be flexible for any departure airport.
Miles Needed: 4,000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: under $2,000
Available Travel Dates: late Oct through December
Required Metal Any Sky Miles or Delta partner
Departure Airport: MSP preferred but can be flexible for any departure airport.
Miles Needed: 4,000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: under $2,000
Available Travel Dates: late Oct through December
Required Metal Any Sky Miles or Delta partner
Maybe add some internal flights ex TIJ
Oct 13, 2022, 2:19 pm
#545
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 50
AM just dumped my whole $900 itinerary to TYO in NOV, which was supposed to net me $3400 minimum MQDs, so now scrambling to figure out a new mileage run to clear platinum.
Departure Airport: SEA preferred but can be flexible for any departure airport.
Miles Needed: 4,000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: under $2,000
Available Travel Dates: late Oct through December weekends
Required Metal Any Sky Miles or Delta partner
Departure Airport: SEA preferred but can be flexible for any departure airport.
Miles Needed: 4,000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: under $2,000
Available Travel Dates: late Oct through December weekends
Required Metal Any Sky Miles or Delta partner
Oct 14, 2022, 10:20 am
#546
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,038
AM just dumped my whole $900 itinerary to TYO in NOV, which was supposed to net me $3400 minimum MQDs, so now scrambling to figure out a new mileage run to clear platinum.
Departure Airport: SEA preferred but can be flexible for any departure airport.
Miles Needed: 4,000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: under $2,000
Available Travel Dates: late Oct through December weekends
Required Metal Any Sky Miles or Delta partner
Departure Airport: SEA preferred but can be flexible for any departure airport.
Miles Needed: 4,000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: under $2,000
Available Travel Dates: late Oct through December weekends
Required Metal Any Sky Miles or Delta partner
Google Flights
Oct 14, 2022, 4:47 pm
#547
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Delta PM, Hilton Silver, UA Plat
Posts: 261
Need some help for the gf who is trying to reach PM
Departure Airport: SFO, SJC, OAK
Miles Needed: 6577 MQMs (MQDs already met)
Required Spend or Budget: As small as possible
Available Travel Dates: No preference but needs to be over a weekend and quick turn around - No PTO left
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:
Departure Airport: SFO, SJC, OAK
Miles Needed: 6577 MQMs (MQDs already met)
Required Spend or Budget: As small as possible
Available Travel Dates: No preference but needs to be over a weekend and quick turn around - No PTO left
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:
Oct 14, 2022, 9:30 pm
#548
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Need some help for the gf who is trying to reach PM
Departure Airport: SFO, SJC, OAK
Miles Needed: 6577 MQMs (MQDs already met)
Required Spend or Budget: As small as possible
Available Travel Dates: No preference but needs to be over a weekend and quick turn around - No PTO left
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:
Departure Airport: SFO, SJC, OAK
Miles Needed: 6577 MQMs (MQDs already met)
Required Spend or Budget: As small as possible
Available Travel Dates: No preference but needs to be over a weekend and quick turn around - No PTO left
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:
Oct 15, 2022, 1:25 am
#549
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1
May need about 2500MQDs
Departure Airport: LAX
Miles Needed: None
MQDs Needed: about 2500 or so
Required Spend or Budget: low as possible
Available Travel Dates: December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
I've been looking at the TIJ thread and may up doing that, but if I could do it in one shot it would be ideal. The JNB run is $2k. I could do two sets of flights around Mexico but the idea of taking 8 flights in a weekend is something I'm not looking forward to. I may have other business trips that would eat into the needed MQDs but they're always last minute.
Miles Needed: None
MQDs Needed: about 2500 or so
Required Spend or Budget: low as possible
Available Travel Dates: December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
I've been looking at the TIJ thread and may up doing that, but if I could do it in one shot it would be ideal. The JNB run is $2k. I could do two sets of flights around Mexico but the idea of taking 8 flights in a weekend is something I'm not looking forward to. I may have other business trips that would eat into the needed MQDs but they're always last minute.
Oct 15, 2022, 1:49 am
#550
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,038
Departure Airport: LAX
Miles Needed: None
MQDs Needed: about 2500 or so
Required Spend or Budget: low as possible
Available Travel Dates: December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
I've been looking at the TIJ thread and may up doing that, but if I could do it in one shot it would be ideal. The JNB run is $2k. I could do two sets of flights around Mexico but the idea of taking 8 flights in a weekend is something I'm not looking forward to. I may have other business trips that would eat into the needed MQDs but they're always last minute.
Miles Needed: None
MQDs Needed: about 2500 or so
Required Spend or Budget: low as possible
Available Travel Dates: December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
I've been looking at the TIJ thread and may up doing that, but if I could do it in one shot it would be ideal. The JNB run is $2k. I could do two sets of flights around Mexico but the idea of taking 8 flights in a weekend is something I'm not looking forward to. I may have other business trips that would eat into the needed MQDs but they're always last minute.
Six flights in a weekend? One day in Santo Domingo and 16 hours in MEX... I always mix up if you get 500 Min Miles for MQD calculations... so its either 6472 or 6044 x 40% which means 2589 or 2418 MQDs for $857.
Google Flights
Oct 15, 2022, 12:14 pm
#551
Join Date: Mar 2022
Programs: Delta
Posts: 33
Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 25,000
Required Spend or Budget: Under 2300
Available Travel Dates: Anytime November-Mid late december
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: No
I recently became Silver Medallion literally last night. Should I chase for Gold while in 2022 for the 2023 year? My understanding is that only the 8 MQMs and any that I accrue till 1/31/22 will roll over. So should I chase for Gold while it's basically halfway there? Instead of chasing after 50K MQMs in 2023? I already have the Amex waiver for 2022.
25K MQMs seems like a lot but if within reasonable budget... I'm game.
Miles Needed: 25,000
Required Spend or Budget: Under 2300
Available Travel Dates: Anytime November-Mid late december
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: No
I recently became Silver Medallion literally last night. Should I chase for Gold while in 2022 for the 2023 year? My understanding is that only the 8 MQMs and any that I accrue till 1/31/22 will roll over. So should I chase for Gold while it's basically halfway there? Instead of chasing after 50K MQMs in 2023? I already have the Amex waiver for 2022.
25K MQMs seems like a lot but if within reasonable budget... I'm game.
Oct 15, 2022, 3:39 pm
#552
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Austin TX
Programs: AA EXEP 2MM, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Avis President Club, Marriot gold,Emerald Exec,
Posts: 413
Departure Airport: AUS
Miles Needed: 30000
MQDs Needed: None
Required Spend or Budget: low as possible
Available Travel Dates: Nov
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
Not sure is it worth for going for Diamond Status with 30K MQM required. I am doing on ok MQD. Presently at Platinum status and official travel is done for the rest of year. I have AUS-LAX-KOA return trip in Nov but in Economy. After this trip I will be short of 30K. How much budget is required for 30K MQM and can anybody suggest some good mileage run for MQM.
Miles Needed: 30000
MQDs Needed: None
Required Spend or Budget: low as possible
Available Travel Dates: Nov
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
Not sure is it worth for going for Diamond Status with 30K MQM required. I am doing on ok MQD. Presently at Platinum status and official travel is done for the rest of year. I have AUS-LAX-KOA return trip in Nov but in Economy. After this trip I will be short of 30K. How much budget is required for 30K MQM and can anybody suggest some good mileage run for MQM.
Oct 15, 2022, 4:11 pm
#553
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Departure Airport: ATL
Miles Needed: 25,000
Required Spend or Budget: Under 2300
Available Travel Dates: Anytime November-Mid late december
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: No
I recently became Silver Medallion literally last night. Should I chase for Gold while in 2022 for the 2023 year? My understanding is that only the 8 MQMs and any that I accrue till 1/31/22 will roll over. So should I chase for Gold while it's basically halfway there? Instead of chasing after 50K MQMs in 2023? I already have the Amex waiver for 2022.
25K MQMs seems like a lot but if within reasonable budget... I'm game.
Miles Needed: 25,000
Required Spend or Budget: Under 2300
Available Travel Dates: Anytime November-Mid late december
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: No
I recently became Silver Medallion literally last night. Should I chase for Gold while in 2022 for the 2023 year? My understanding is that only the 8 MQMs and any that I accrue till 1/31/22 will roll over. So should I chase for Gold while it's basically halfway there? Instead of chasing after 50K MQMs in 2023? I already have the Amex waiver for 2022.
25K MQMs seems like a lot but if within reasonable budget... I'm game.
A trip to LIH or KOA with an immediate turn can be as low as mid $600's (MC) and would earn around 8500 MQMs per trip.
A trip booked with Virgin Atlantic (economy delight class) from Atlanta to JNB is available for about $2100 and would earn about 25,000 MQMs. Immediate turn with about 8 hours in JNB is available (e.g. Nov 18 - 19).
Oct 15, 2022, 4:27 pm
#554
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Departure Airport: AUS
Miles Needed: 30000
MQDs Needed: None
Required Spend or Budget: low as possible
Available Travel Dates: Nov
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
Not sure is it worth for going for Diamond Status with 30K MQM required. I am doing on ok MQD. Presently at Platinum status and official travel is done for the rest of year. I have AUS-LAX-KOA return trip in Nov but in Economy. After this trip I will be short of 30K. How much budget is required for 30K MQM and can anybody suggest some good mileage run for MQM.
Miles Needed: 30000
MQDs Needed: None
Required Spend or Budget: low as possible
Available Travel Dates: Nov
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: yes
Not sure is it worth for going for Diamond Status with 30K MQM required. I am doing on ok MQD. Presently at Platinum status and official travel is done for the rest of year. I have AUS-LAX-KOA return trip in Nov but in Economy. After this trip I will be short of 30K. How much budget is required for 30K MQM and can anybody suggest some good mileage run for MQM.
AUS-SIN is available on Delta (e.g. Nov 7 - 9, $1239 earning 17,400 MQMs). Book on Delta.
Last edited by canuck_traveler; Oct 15, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Oct 16, 2022, 3:13 pm
#555
Join Date: Oct 2022
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1
SLC MQD Run
Departure Airport: SLC preferred, could also use LAS or SEA
Miles Needed: 5,000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: under $2,000
Available Travel Dates: late Oct through December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshare ok (going for MQDs)
I'm ~5k away from Diamond this year and am wondering if it's worth it to fly around and collect the status. Already ok on the MQMs since I was flying lots of cheap fares earlier in the year. New to the forum and appreciate the help.
Miles Needed: 5,000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: under $2,000
Available Travel Dates: late Oct through December
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshare ok (going for MQDs)
I'm ~5k away from Diamond this year and am wondering if it's worth it to fly around and collect the status. Already ok on the MQMs since I was flying lots of cheap fares earlier in the year. New to the forum and appreciate the help.