Jan 2, 23, 1:40 pm

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 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: 2023 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed

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Sep 23, 23, 10:23 am

#346

hjg

Join Date: Dec 2018

Programs: Delta

Posts: 6

$1675 MQD Needed for 2024 DM

Hi all -
I'm looking for suggestions for flights from Seattle to hit DM for 2024. Currently I'm short $1675 MQD. Thanks so much!

Departure Airport: SEA
Miles Needed: 0
Required Spend or Budget: $1675 MQD (first class ok)
Available Travel Dates: October 9 - 31; December 8 - 31
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:

Sep 23, 23, 12:43 pm

#347

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,829

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjg

Seattle to Mexico City or Cancun on Aero Mexico business are possilble:

e.g. Oct 14 - 15, SEA-MEX-CUN-SEA, $1141 (Premier), about $2300 MQDs, overnight in Cancun (19.5 hours), bookable on Aero Mexico website, Google Flights Link

e.g. Oct 22 -23, SEA - MEX-CUN-SEA, $1063 (Premier), about $2300 MQDs, overnight in Mexico City (14.5 hours), bookable on OTA (e.g. Expedia), Google Flights Link

Another option is to fly from Vancouver, BC to Cancun

e.g. Dec. 8 - 9, YVR - MEX - CUN - MEX - YVR, $897 (Premier), about $2550 MQDs, 1 hour in CUN, bookable on OTA (e.g. Booking.com, Flight Hub), Google Flights Link

Sep 25, 23, 5:12 pm

#348

jcurv

Join Date: Sep 2023

Posts: 1

Hello!
I'm looking for suggestions for flights from NYC to hit DM for 2024. Currently I'm short $6k MQDs. Thanks so much!

Departure Airport: NYC (willing to commute)
Miles Needed: 0
Required Spend or Budget: $6k MQDs needed
Available Travel Dates: Fairly flexible through year-end, weekends preferrable
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: n/a

Thanks in advance for the help. Quite flexible but looking for the best MQD per dollar spent and don't mind annoying itineraries

Sep 26, 23, 11:22 am

#349

cjspel

Join Date: Sep 2023

Posts: 1

Hi all, looking for suggestions for flights out of the Bay Area. I need 5300 MQMs. Thank you!

Departure Airport: SJC or SFO
Miles Needed: 5300
Required Spend or Budget: hoping to spend no more than ~$500
Available Travel Dates: flexible through year-end. October is best.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:

Sep 26, 23, 12:40 pm

#350

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,829

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjspel

SFO to KOA via Seattle will get you the needed MQMs.

e.g. Dec. 5, SFO-SEA-KOA-SEA-SFO, $330 (MC), about 6700 MQMs, 4 hours in Kona, bookable on Delta, various dates available

Spoiler

An option for October travel

Oct. 3, SFO-MSP-CVG-BOS-SFO, $381, about 5600 MQMs, a little under 4 hours in Boston, Google Flights link

Spoiler

Last edited by canuck_traveler; Sep 26, 23 at 1:05 pm Reason: add October option

Sep 26, 23, 1:36 pm

#351

DW13

Join Date: Sep 2023

Posts: 1

Delta mileage run, Silver Medallion to Gold, New at this.

Departure Airport: SDF
Miles Needed: 14,400 MQM
Required Spend or Budget: 1500 ish +
Available Travel Dates: Oct 5-8, 13-15, possible more, waiting on work schedule.
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes I believe? As long as it gets me the MQM?

I'm covered on MQD, just need MQM. Thank you so much!

Sep 26, 23, 3:50 pm

#352

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,829

Quote:

Originally Posted by DW13

Louisville to Santiago, Chile will get you around 10,000 MQMs
e.g. Oct. 6 - 7. SDF-ATL-SCL-LIM-ATL-SDF, $980 (MC), 13.5 hours in SCL, overnight in Lima on return (10.5 hours), Google Flights Link

pick up remaining MQMs with a trip to the West Coast
e.g. Oct. 13 - 14, SDF - ATL - SFO - ATL - SDF, $485 (MC), about 5200 MQMs, 5.5 hours in San Francisco, Google Flights Link

Indianapolis to Johannesburg will get you around 19,000 MQMs
e.g. Oct. 5 - 7, IND-ATL-JNB-AMS-MSP-IND, $1404 (MC), 28 hours in JNB, Google Flights Link

DCAhome and DW13 like this.

Last edited by canuck_traveler; Sep 26, 23 at 3:57 pm

Sep 26, 23, 4:39 pm

#353

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,829

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcurv

If you are willing to reposition to Miami, then Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight to Capetown can get you about $5200 MQDs

e.g. Nov 3 - 5, MIA-LHR-CPT-LHR-MIA, $1982 (Economy Delight, V fare class), about $5200 MQDs, about 2.5 hours in CPT, long layovers in LHR on both outbound and inbound, bookable on Virgin Atlantic website, various dates available

Spoiler

Sep 26, 23, 8:52 pm

#354

Loquascious

Join Date: Dec 2012

Posts: 142

Hello,

I'm looking to fly to Tokyo and can leave from any US city. I was going to do an award trip but figured I'd check to see if I could do a mileage run. I need to be there November 1 and will be leaving Nov 8th.

Departure Airport: Any US City
Miles Needed: 0
Required Spend or Budget: $$2500
Available Travel Dates: November 1 - 8
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*:

Sep 26, 23, 8:55 pm

#355

delt8girlie

Join Date: Sep 2023

Posts: 1

Hello, looking for flight suggestions for my MQD shortage. Based out of BOS/ORD, but open to flights from NYC as well, TIA!
Departure Airport: BOS/ORD open to NYC
Miles Needed: 3000-3500 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: as budget-friendly as possible, open to points 300k DL miles
Available Travel Dates: 11/2-6, 11/25-12/1, 12/6-31
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: open to all sky team partners

Sep 27, 23, 11:53 am

#356

Jkh4343

Join Date: Sep 2023

Posts: 1

SLC MR

Departure Airport: SLC
Miles Needed: 5050 MQM (to hit Platinum)
Required Spend or Budget: NA
Available Travel Dates: open, weekends best
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes

Need help to hit platinum since rollover miles are no longer a thing. Would likely spend a night or two wherever the destination is. Thanks!

Sep 27, 23, 2:59 pm

#357

canuck_traveler

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,829

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jkh4343

Departure Airport: SLC
Miles Needed: 5050 MQM (to hit Platinum)
Required Spend or Budget: NA
Available Travel Dates: open, weekends best
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Yes

Need help to hit platinum since rollover miles are no longer a thing. Would likely spend a night or two wherever the destination is. Thanks!

How about Kona? Friday - late Saturday, same price for Friday - late Sunday

Dec 1 - 2, SLC-SEA-KOA-SEA-SLC, $558 (MC), about 6700 MQMs, get back to SLC on Dec 3, Bookable on Delta, Google Flights link, various dates available

Spoiler

Sep 27, 23, 3:36 pm

#358

Nuttz4Sports

Join Date: Jun 2018

Posts: 29

Departure Airport: DTW, but can reposition if needed to ORD, NYC, CLE
Miles Needed: 25K
Required Spend or Budget: $4k
Available Travel Dates: 29 Nov - 7 Dec and 18 Dec - 28 Dec
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshare OK

Just made Gold and would like to get to Platinum, but won't be able to travel until after Thanksgiving. Guessing going with a partner would probably give the best chance of hitting the requirements in one flight.

Sep 27, 23, 4:53 pm

#359

epleyhead

Join Date: Sep 2023

Posts: 4

Am I doing this correctly?

Hi all, loving this forum and all the help. Learning how to do this on my own but want to double-check I'm doing it right. Any help/advice is appreciated, thanks.

Departure Airport: SEA
Miles Needed: No miles, Need ~5000 MQDs
Required Spend or Budget: 2.5k US
Available Travel Dates: Dec 1-20
Required Metal or Codeshares okay*: Codeshare OK

Using google flights I've found Aeromexico, SEA-MEX-LIM. Round trip Business class for 1290 USD.
Using qualifyingmiles.com I'm getting 9,946 miles. 40% as it's Business Class, so I end up with 3,978 MQDs.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.

This doesn't get me the full 5k but I can easily book another flight between now and then that will take care of that. And this gets me almost a week in Peru, so that's a plus.

A second question is, if I book through a third party, like Booking.com, do I still get the MQDs?
TIA