DL/Sky Team: 2022 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed

Aug 3, 22, 4:58 am - Wikipost

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Last edit by: jfkeze
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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.

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Apr 2, 22, 5:37 am

#91

jfkeze

Join Date: Mar 2008

Location: Multiple locations

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

Posts: 4,657

Quote:

Originally Posted by asian_crossfitter

Looking for suggestions to fly to Manila or close by flights in SEA from Europe.

Departure: AMS or anywhere in Europe
XP Needed: maximum allowable
Required Spend or Budget: up to 1200 EUR
Available Travel Dates: Any dates after August 12, 2022
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: SKYTEAM

SV ATH-KUL for €826 gives 15 XPs for ATH-JED and 30 XPs for JED-KUL grand total of 90 XPs

They have some good fares also to MNL but don't see it over the summer, also the layovers are horrible... also don't forget it's a DRY airline... 36 XPs each way for JED-MNL or 102 XPs per RT
Google Flights

asian_crossfitter likes this.

Apr 3, 22, 11:02 am

#92

asian_crossfitter

Join Date: Oct 2017

Location: Amsterdam

Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Oneworld pleb, Accors Hotel Gold

Posts: 148

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfkeze

SV ATH-KUL for €826 gives 15 XPs for ATH-JED and 30 XPs for JED-KUL grand total of 90 XPs

I've been thinking about this flight for some time now! I wondered if there were alternatives from Skyteam. I am probably going to try to find BKK or KUL, then nest the MNL flight.. thank you!

Apr 3, 22, 8:17 pm

#93

rajhyd99

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Austin TX

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

Posts: 341

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfkeze

Perhaps Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy via London?, a popular MQD Run pre-Covid...
Google Flights

JFK-BOM would earn 23814 MQMs 4763 MQDs 3.41 MQD Ratio while Delta Diamond members would obtain 42865 RDMs, Platinum 36515 RDMs, Gold 33340 RDMs, Silver 30164 RDMs, Base 23814 RDMs

You can then try to upgrade to Upper Class, per GodSaveThePoint's Guide?

Looks like this fare is gone now for whole year.

Apr 5, 22, 11:52 pm

#94

gugnheim

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Hattiesburg, MS, USA

Programs: Delta, AirTran, Marriott

Posts: 18

Departure Airport: MSY/GPT/JAN
Miles Needed: About 12k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: Like to keep under 2K but flexible esp for upgrades
Available Travel Dates: Anytime before May 24, multiple runs fine if they amount to same thing, but I'm much closer to miles than segments. Willing to take long or multiple shorts. No issue going anywhere.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:No, pretty much need DL MQDs

Apr 6, 22, 12:34 pm

#95

Watermelonpanda

Join Date: Apr 2022

Posts: 1

Departure Airport: JFK or ATL
Miles Needed: max MQDs (6k min)
Required Spend or Budget: ~$1,500 ideally
Available Travel Dates: June, Sept, Oct
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: partners ok. For Delta.

Apr 6, 22, 6:09 pm

#96

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,294

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugnheim

A mileage run from MSY to HNL/OGG/LIH/KOA will get you 8000+ MQMs with prices for main cabin as low as $605. Immediate turn. Take a look using the Delta flexible date search.

e.g. MSY-OGG, April 29, $605 (Main cabin), 10,434 MQMs, just under 2 hours in OGG

Last edited by canuck_traveler; Apr 6, 22 at 6:20 pm

Apr 7, 22, 2:52 am

#97

jfkeze

Join Date: Mar 2008

Location: Multiple locations

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

Posts: 4,657

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watermelonpanda

4 to 1 ratio might be hard ex-JFK, ATL unless the Aeromexico EU deals come back....

Might be worth looking into positioning to TIJ and do a few back to backs...

TIJ-CUL for $326 TIJ-CUL would earn 6240 MQMs 1664 MQDs 5.10 MQD Ratio

Apr 7, 22, 3:08 am

#98

jfkeze

Join Date: Mar 2008

Location: Multiple locations

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

Posts: 4,657

Also Premium Economy on Aeromexico basically a Coach seat with extra leg room books into W class which earns 25% of distance as MQDs...
You could use this to position and then grab a TIJ-Other part of Mexico fare or two and add it in...

JFK-TIJ in Y+

JFK-TIJ would earn 10557 MQMs 1760 MQDs 3.22 MQD Ratio

Apr 7, 22, 11:37 am

#99

JFKEWR

Join Date: Aug 2021

Location: SLC, PHX

Programs: DL PM, AA EXP, BA Silver, NH Platinum

Posts: 55

Departure Airport: SLC or PHX, can relocate to anywhere west coast + LAS/DEN
Miles Needed: 12k MQM
Required Spend or Budget: ~$600 if that's possible
Available Travel Dates: May~September
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Domestic preferred

Not for me but my SO. This is the first she's close to PM. Schedule pretty flexible over the summer but we don't want to deal with COVID test so domestic preferred. We would also like to take a 1~2 days break if possible. Thanks in advance!

Apr 7, 22, 2:36 pm

#100

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,294

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFKEWR

It is unlikely you will be able to get 12,000 MQMs with a single domestic trip given your location (if flying from the East Coast to Hawaii, possibly). Some possibilities from SLC are:

SLC - MIA is around 5000 MQMs. You can find tickets in the $360 (Main Cabin) price range in September.

SLC - HNL is around 6000 MQMs (via LAX). Tickets in the $540 range in September.

MCO - HNL is around 10,000 MQMs. Tickets around $650 in September.

You could do a positioning flight to the East Coast (e.g. Orlando or Miami) and then fly to Hawaii. You can either have your break in Hawaii or Florida.

Last edited by canuck_traveler; Apr 7, 22 at 2:42 pm

Apr 7, 22, 5:13 pm

#101

JFKEWR

Join Date: Aug 2021

Location: SLC, PHX

Programs: DL PM, AA EXP, BA Silver, NH Platinum

Posts: 55

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck_traveler

Thank you so much canuck_traveler , We just booked a SLC-MCO-HNL-SLC trip in late August which is about $1300 for 2!

jfkeze and canuck_traveler like this.

Apr 7, 22, 5:57 pm

#102

thiazi

Join Date: Apr 2022

Posts: 3

Hi all!

Departure Airport: ATL, but happy to reposition
MQM Needed: Ideally 30k, happy to do this in multiple runs
MQD needed: Not needed / N/A
Class: Business preferred
Required Spend or Budget: Nothing required, but trying to keep it as cost efficient as possible
Available Travel Dates: Ideally a Thursday/Friday - Sunday run, but can do mid week if necessary - need to complete by June
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:
Current Medallion Level: Diamond

Apr 7, 22, 6:28 pm

#103

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,294

Quote:

Originally Posted by thiazi

Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight (V) class fare from Atlanta to Johannesburg (ATL-LHR-JNB-LHR-ATL) is available for $1282 on various dates (e.g. May 13 - 15) and earns about 25,000 MQMs. Premium class fare would be $2937 and earns about 30,000 MQMs. You can find the fare on Virgin Atlantic website. Use the flexible date.

Apr 10, 22, 9:43 am

#104

thesolecloset

Join Date: Apr 2022

Programs: Delta Skymiles Silver, Marriott Titanium

Posts: 9

Departure Airport:Washington Area (BWI,DCA,IAD)
MQM Needed: 22,000 but can do in multiple runs
MQD needed: Not needed / N/A already did platinum spend on Amex Skymiles card
Class: Doesn't matter
Required Spend or Budget:Sub $1k if possible
Available Travel Dates: Any(the sooner the better)
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: DL or partner
Current Medallion Level: Silver

Apr 10, 22, 11:54 am

#105

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,294

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesolecloset

Some thoughts:

Virgin Atlantic, IAD - LHR - JNB - LHR - JNB in Economy Delight class costs $1324 and earns about 23,500 MQMS (e.g. May 7 - 9, gets back on May 10th with long layovers in LHR, 8 hours in JNB).

Delta, IAD - AMS - JNB - AMS - IAD in main cabin is similarly priced and earns 18,900 MQMs (e.g. April 30 - May 1, gets back on May 2, 2 hours in JNB)

Delta, IAD - HNL, about $748 in main cabin, earns about 10,500 MQMs (e.g. May 5, immediate turns, gets back on May 6)

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