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
Nov 2, 2022, 9:27 am
#676
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,057
Departure Airport: WAS (JFK is a option)
Miles Needed: 1900 MQD
Required Spend or Budget: $1200 if possible
Available Travel Dates: flexible
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam
I’m approximately 1900 MQD from diamond - based in DC, so any WAS airport or flexible to New York. Open to quick turn or 2-3 days at destination. Thu-Sun travel preferred.
Also trying to figure out KLM fare codes: what is fare basis code ALN06SP1?
Miles Needed: 1900 MQD
Required Spend or Budget: $1200 if possible
Available Travel Dates: flexible
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam
I’m approximately 1900 MQD from diamond - based in DC, so any WAS airport or flexible to New York. Open to quick turn or 2-3 days at destination. Thu-Sun travel preferred.
Also trying to figure out KLM fare codes: what is fare basis code ALN06SP1?
Nov 2, 2022, 9:42 am
#677
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
I was booking via Delta.com. As soon as I selected the outbound itinerary, the next page was an error page. When I said "my dates are flexible" to get the pricing grid, it showed the same-day option as "Not available."
What's also weird is that when I did the one-day stay over, the refundable tickets showed a round trip price of ~$2200 but then the RT prices jumped to over $5k when selecting the return.
What's also weird is that when I did the one-day stay over, the refundable tickets showed a round trip price of ~$2200 but then the RT prices jumped to over $5k when selecting the return.
Last edited by canuck_traveler; Nov 2, 2022 at 11:35 am
Nov 2, 2022, 10:00 am
#678
Join Date: Oct 2022
Programs: Delta Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1
DL Platinum needing End of year MQMs
Hi all, this is my very first post, please forgive any protocol errors. I worked for a large carrier based in ATL 
for 10 years and have now been either Gold or Platinum for the last 10 or so years in a totally different industry. I am currently Platinum, but am just a little above the Gold min for MQMs , but very close to Plat MQDs oddly (good amount of close to departure biz travel)
Departure Airport: ATL (live here, willing to reposition ~1.5h flight East Coast/Central)
Miles Needed: As many as possible
Required Spend or Budget: Up to $2.5K
Available Travel Dates: Late Nov- week before Christmas
Required Metal or Codeshares okay: Any Skyteam
for 10 years and have now been either Gold or Platinum for the last 10 or so years in a totally different industry. I am currently Platinum, but am just a little above the Gold min for MQMs , but very close to Plat MQDs oddly (good amount of close to departure biz travel)Departure Airport: ATL (live here, willing to reposition ~1.5h flight East Coast/Central)
Miles Needed: As many as possible
Required Spend or Budget: Up to $2.5K
Available Travel Dates: Late Nov- week before Christmas
Required Metal or Codeshares okay: Any Skyteam
Last edited by rjbris; Nov 2, 2022 at 2:09 pm Reason: Clarification of need (MQMs not MQDs)
Nov 2, 2022, 11:18 am
#679
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: DL LOL, Mosaic, UAL Silver, MR Titanium
Posts: 115
Anyway, I was able to book the same routing you suggested just with a one day stay over. I'm not going to complain about spending a day sipping drinks on a beach! Thank you for your help.
**EDIT**
Looks like I was trying to search while the whole site was in the middle of crashing. It's working again.
Last edited by CptnInc; Nov 2, 2022 at 11:28 am
Nov 2, 2022, 11:34 am
#680
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Departure Airport: ORD, MDW, MSP, DTW, ATL, JFK (willing to travel to any east coast / Midwest airport)
Miles Needed: N/A
Delta MQD Needed: $5,000+
Required Spend or Budget: $1600-ish
Available Travel Dates: December 11 - December 24
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare okay
Miles Needed: N/A
Delta MQD Needed: $5,000+
Required Spend or Budget: $1600-ish
Available Travel Dates: December 11 - December 24
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Skyteam Codeshare okay
To earn $5000+ MQD you will need to travel a bit further (e.g. South Africa). Prices in Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight for that time period are running in the $4000+ range from ORD and would earn just under $5000 MQDs. (e.g. Dec 11 - 13, ORD - JNB, $4109, earning around $4900 MQDs)
Nov 2, 2022, 11:46 am
#681
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Nov 2, 2022, 4:50 pm
#682
Join Date: May 2016
Location: NYC
Posts: 274
Departure Airport: LGA / JFK
Miles Needed: I just need 2 more segments (2 one-ways or 1 RT), no min MQM/MQD requirement
Required Spend or Budget: Less than $200 total
Available Travel Dates: Likely same day RT, before EOY. Can do W/Sat/Sun.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Needs to be Delta operated
This is for a corporate promotion that can include personal travel. Trying to wrap up 1 more RT to reach Gold status. I think BOS is the easiest and cheapest option, it also seems like the most frequent route from NY?
Miles Needed: I just need 2 more segments (2 one-ways or 1 RT), no min MQM/MQD requirement
Required Spend or Budget: Less than $200 total
Available Travel Dates: Likely same day RT, before EOY. Can do W/Sat/Sun.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Needs to be Delta operated
This is for a corporate promotion that can include personal travel. Trying to wrap up 1 more RT to reach Gold status. I think BOS is the easiest and cheapest option, it also seems like the most frequent route from NY?
Nov 2, 2022, 4:55 pm
#683
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 9
I see a lot of folks discussing MR’s in/out of LAX to JNB/CPT. I too am in need of a MR and it so happens that LAX is my closest airport.
My question is - Delta flies ATL-JNB/CPT-ATL nonstop on an A350. I would much rather prefer to connect domestically and onwards to JNB/CPT, but all of the partner airlines don’t market LAX-ATL-JNB/CPT-ATL-LAX on their sites. Is it possible that they have access to this inventory outside of their website?
My question is - Delta flies ATL-JNB/CPT-ATL nonstop on an A350. I would much rather prefer to connect domestically and onwards to JNB/CPT, but all of the partner airlines don’t market LAX-ATL-JNB/CPT-ATL-LAX on their sites. Is it possible that they have access to this inventory outside of their website?
Nov 3, 2022, 1:34 am
#684
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,040
Departure Airport: LGA / JFK
Miles Needed: I just need 2 more segments (2 one-ways or 1 RT), no min MQM/MQD requirement
Required Spend or Budget: Less than $200 total
Available Travel Dates: Likely same day RT, before EOY. Can do W/Sat/Sun.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Needs to be Delta operated
This is for a corporate promotion that can include personal travel. Trying to wrap up 1 more RT to reach Gold status. I think BOS is the easiest and cheapest option, it also seems like the most frequent route from NY?
Miles Needed: I just need 2 more segments (2 one-ways or 1 RT), no min MQM/MQD requirement
Required Spend or Budget: Less than $200 total
Available Travel Dates: Likely same day RT, before EOY. Can do W/Sat/Sun.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Needs to be Delta operated
This is for a corporate promotion that can include personal travel. Trying to wrap up 1 more RT to reach Gold status. I think BOS is the easiest and cheapest option, it also seems like the most frequent route from NY?
Nov 3, 2022, 1:43 am
#685
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,040
I see a lot of folks discussing MR’s in/out of LAX to JNB/CPT. I too am in need of a MR and it so happens that LAX is my closest airport.
My question is - Delta flies ATL-JNB/CPT-ATL nonstop on an A350. I would much rather prefer to connect domestically and onwards to JNB/CPT, but all of the partner airlines don’t market LAX-ATL-JNB/CPT-ATL-LAX on their sites. Is it possible that they have access to this inventory outside of their website?
My question is - Delta flies ATL-JNB/CPT-ATL nonstop on an A350. I would much rather prefer to connect domestically and onwards to JNB/CPT, but all of the partner airlines don’t market LAX-ATL-JNB/CPT-ATL-LAX on their sites. Is it possible that they have access to this inventory outside of their website?
You could try to force codeshares (not sure if VS codeshares on ATL-JNB) via ITA Matrix but not sure if anything attractive would show up...
Nov 3, 2022, 8:03 am
#686
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: DL, B6
Posts: 251
EWR
OP should also give EWR a try - a few regionals to BOS each day and the price typically beats LGA or Kennedy. You can also find a friendly GA in BOS that may give you a free change to return to LGA/JFK on an earlier flight (assuming you don't already have a free SDC option).
Nov 3, 2022, 2:15 pm
#687
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 2
Departure Airport: SLC
MQD Needed: 2971
Required Budget: flexible, but under $1,500 ideal
Available Travel Dates: any weekend or overnight trips during the week before end of year
Required Metal or Codeshare: DL or SkyTeam
Nov 3, 2022, 3:47 pm
#688
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,040
Significant layovers in MEX so basically a long weekend there with some side flying...
Nov 4, 2022, 8:41 am
#689
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: CVG
Posts: 9
I have done a lot of reading on the mileage runs but it seems that there is still something I am missing. I am Delta Platinum and need mqd's to reach diamond for 2023.
On Tuesday I flew CVG - CDG which I booked directly through the air france website. The confirmation and the ticket itself both have AF flight numbers on them but the flight was operated by Delta Airlines. When I landed in Paris I was very disappointed to see that I only received mqd's based on spent dollars and not on flown distance. What did I do wrong? I read through the posts here and most of the said it does not matter who is the operating airline but it matters wo marketed the flight (flight number). Why didn't it work for me?
Thanks in advance
On Tuesday I flew CVG - CDG which I booked directly through the air france website. The confirmation and the ticket itself both have AF flight numbers on them but the flight was operated by Delta Airlines. When I landed in Paris I was very disappointed to see that I only received mqd's based on spent dollars and not on flown distance. What did I do wrong? I read through the posts here and most of the said it does not matter who is the operating airline but it matters wo marketed the flight (flight number). Why didn't it work for me?
Thanks in advance
Nov 4, 2022, 12:02 pm
#690
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,344
I have done a lot of reading on the mileage runs but it seems that there is still something I am missing. I am Delta Platinum and need mqd's to reach diamond for 2023.
On Tuesday I flew CVG - CDG which I booked directly through the air france website. The confirmation and the ticket itself both have AF flight numbers on them but the flight was operated by Delta Airlines. When I landed in Paris I was very disappointed to see that I only received mqd's based on spent dollars and not on flown distance. What did I do wrong? I read through the posts here and most of the said it does not matter who is the operating airline but it matters wo marketed the flight (flight number). Why didn't it work for me?
Thanks in advance
On Tuesday I flew CVG - CDG which I booked directly through the air france website. The confirmation and the ticket itself both have AF flight numbers on them but the flight was operated by Delta Airlines. When I landed in Paris I was very disappointed to see that I only received mqd's based on spent dollars and not on flown distance. What did I do wrong? I read through the posts here and most of the said it does not matter who is the operating airline but it matters wo marketed the flight (flight number). Why didn't it work for me?
Thanks in advance
If not, file a missing mileage request, and ask for the MQDs based on flown distance (assuming MQD will be higher, the % varies based on fare class).