Do you need some Delta Air Lines MQD and MQM for your SkyMiles Medallion status goals? Can you get to New York-Kennedy (JFK) airport? If you answered “yes” to both of those questions, then you might like this JFK to Quito (UIO) business class mileage run. (And it earns back 3.5X MQD on your airfare investment!)
The price is $919.11 I like that this is a quick-ish turn and you can knock it out during a weekend.
AeroMexico operates this trip, which flies JFK-Mexico City (MEX)-UIO-MEX-JFK. ITA Matrix estimates the itinerary will travel 8,074 miles. Because this is an AeroMexico “I” fare, you’ll earn 40% of that distance as MQD when you credit the trip to your Delta SkyMiles number. HERE IS HOW AND WHY THAT HAPPENS.
You’re projected to earn:
- $3229.60 MQD (that’s a return of 3.5X MQD for your ~$913 airfare!)
- 12,036 MQM (7.6 CPMQM. Nothing stellar but certainly not terrible.)
- 16,048 redeemable SkyMiles (before any applicable Medallion bonuses)
There are a few weekend dates available from May through July. (Just a quick heads-up: some of the trips require an overnight in Mexico City on the return.)
Are you worried you’ll screw up the booking and not get your MQD, MQM, and redeemable SkyMiles (you’re not the only one, I promise you)? Fear not. The Mileage Run department at point.me (formerly Juicy Miles) can take care of booking the trip for you.
Book Soon
These deals have a tendency to disappear not long after we blog them. Why?
- The airline hikes the price ASAP, or
- Readers snatch up the available inventory, or
- Both of the above
“This Run Doesn’t Work for ME!”
If you want something tailored to your schedule, wants, needs, preferences, desires, and assorted other necessities, my friends in the Mileage Run department at point.me (formerly Juicy Miles) would love to help you. Don’t tell them I said this — but they’re mileage run nerds who love a good challenge. And they’re very good at what they do.
We trust point.me to take care of our readers.
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They have similar runs from LAX.Admittedly, the flight which allows me to spend 24 hours in Mexico City is attractive. But the idea of landing in Quito at 11:30 pm and then hoping to make it onto the return flight at 1:00 am is a little tight for me as a non-Spanish speaker.
Adios!
The JFK run had the biggest bang for the buck. And I had to do something to keep my New York readers happy. 🙂
@Trly – Easy turn. Done this run a number of times.
@Rene. Wow, really. How does the clearing immigration in 90 minutes work?
@Trly – Simple. Walk off jet, clear immigration in minutes, go back to security and head towards lounge. Does not take long at all. 90 minutes is plenty of time.
Great work Chris. I missed this one but Keep them coming!
Woe is me, I missed it 🙁
Any help would be appreciated
Please
Pretty please
@Nina – Sign up for email alerts for mileage runs. This post email went out almost instantly.
Lol this is hilarious…if you are in Quito, why not stay for a couple of days? Is that not an option?
Some people make the trips just to get the miles, hence “mileage run.” Play with the dates and you might find something that works for you!
@rene the guys at point.me have set me up with a similar mileage run. How do you make the turn around in Quito in 90 minutes on a sat/sun night? How feasible is this and do you have any tips? What to expect?
@Kevin S – It is zero issue. Clear customs takes a few minutes, back up stairs can check-in and get pass for lounge, clear security and chill for a little bit before flight.
Rene thanks for the reply! It makes me nervous but I’ll go for it!
Just a data point for anyone else looking at a turnaround in Quito. In total the turnaround from the plane, through immigration, and back to the gate was about 15 minutes-
Thank you!
Thanks Kevin!!
I’m in MEX on the last leg MEX-JFK and this has been a breeze. Kevin was pretty accurate with 15 mins in Quito immigration. I timed myself at 22 mins from gate to gate. Part of that was for a shameless selfie in front of the massive Quito sign outside. This was simple and the 12 hour layover is perfect for an excursion or visiting one of the terminal hotels like I did. I was even spotted by a veteran mileage runner who is doing this run for a third time this year. We had enough time to grab something in the lounge. Note: We were told to get a pass for the AeroMexico lounge at the check-in desk in UIO. I didn’t have to do this in MEX. I’ve never had any issues with immigration at night. Transfers in the early morning tend to have the longest lines.
I flew EWR-DTW-ICN-GUM roundtrip in DL prem econ for MQM’s last week which was brutal but I still needed something for MQD’s from NYC and this was perfect. Thanks for keeping us NYC/BOS readers in mind.
Thanks for the data points and mini trip report! Have a great time!
I’m confused. Don’t you need fo complete the mileage run by December 31st in order to use it to qualify for status?
This is flying next year to go after 2024 Medallion status.
If you need something to earn status for 2023, book it NOW. Get in touch with point.me for help if you need.
I’m seeing wide availability for this flight into fall 2024. Would booking for 92,000 MRs work as a mileage run? I have the business gold so I would also get 25% back.
It should!
It should. But I’d redeem 91k MR and pay $13 out of pocket.
Chris, please correct me if I’m wrong. Redeeming SkyMiles gives credit towards MQDs, correct? At the rate of 1 MQD per 100 SkyMiles redeemed. I’m not saying that this is the best way to earn MQDs but it is *a* way, correct? Thanks in advance.
Hi, Lee. Per Delta: “MQDs on Award Tickets will be calculated based on the miles redeemed for the flight divided by 100.”
But that’s for Delta award tickets booked through Delta.
I know someone who was desperate for a status run. They redeemed 160,000 SkyMiles and earned $1,600 MQD. Didn’t love the redemption but also didn’t mind earning status with house money.
aargh. I keep trying but the Aeromexico website keeps reporting back for the 4:20 pm Dreamliner departure:
NOT AVAILABLE! I tried for several alternative weekends.
Do they read this blog?
“Do they read this blog?”
Some fares do have a tendency to disappear shortly after we post them…
Chris: For Folks needing to take a positioning flight to access this great deal (thank you!):
There is one awkward thing.
The return leg portion arrives at JFK Terminal 4 at 12:09 AM .
But then there is no lounge in all of JFK that remains open then.
Wingtips Lounge has closed.
I think the only option would be the Minute Suites, charging by the hour.
Any chance you might have additional suggestions?
Chris, Just noticed:
For those of us who require a positioning flight
Tthe arrival on the return leg–at 12:09 am in JFK Terminal 4–becomes awkward. It appears that there is NO airport lounge in all of JFK that is open all night. Wingtips has shut down. There appears to be nothing in any other terminal.
I am only seeing Minute Suites (Terminal 4), pay by the hour.
Are you aware of any alternatives?
Chris: For Folks needing to take a positioning flight to access this great deal (thank you!):
There is one awkward thing.
The return leg portion arrives at JFK Terminal 4 at 12:09 AM .
But then there is no lounge in all of JFK that remains open then.
Wingtips Lounge has closed.
I think the only option would be the Minute Suites, charging by the hour.
Any chance you might have additional suggestions?
I need help! This question is for Chris, Rene, and all of you traveling AeroMexico who have both Club Premier and Delta Skymiles accounts. I have been unable to add my Delta Skymiles number to the AeroMexico website, Club Premier profile, or directly when purchasing the ticket. I can see a box to change the frequent flyer airline, but my Club Premier number allows for no change. Changing the airline does absolutely nothing and defaults back to AeroMexico. I have contacted AeroMexico customer service 3 or 4 times, and nothing. I had a travel agent contact them as well on my behalf, and nothing. How do you guys make sure you get MQMs with Delta? I have a trip for LAS to MEX RT next month, and a LAS-JFK-MEX-GRU-REC RT in early 2024 and really need that to be credited to my Skymiles account. It’s not a super great deal, but for anyone interested in traveling to Brazil, I got business class seats all the way for $2300 RT, from JFK, during Carnival season (summer in Brazil). I looked up the flight on Google Flights and had a travel agent book it. It was quite easy. I usually book directly with the airlines if I can figure it out on Matrix. Anyhow, any advice or tips would be great. I travel LATAM and had no such issues. They work a lot more seamlessly with Delta.
@Mel – At airport check-in have them remove then insert Skymiles number. Make sure you see on boarding pass DLxxxxx and your Sky Priority TSA Pre etc.
Thanks a bunch René. I hope they are able to help me.
Jay, I am about to do this mileage run myself. Would you please give info in what to expect outbound clearing passport control / customs and immigration in MEX? I will be arriving in MEX at 7:35pm. Any tips? Were there long lines?
Chris, Thank you for making this opportunity available to us. I am about to do this mileage run myself. Would you please give info in what to expect outbound clearing passport control / customs and immigration in MEX? I will be arriving in MEX at 7:35pm. Any tips on how to navigate lines efficiently? Were there long lines? I am not carrying luggage and am continuing on directly to Quito and do not plan to leave airport simply go directly to wait in lounge for the connection that evening.
@Bernard – I will jump in for Chris as I have done any number of runs via MEX. If the Global Entry type machines are up and running everything is fast but have the paper form filled out in case (should be handed out on the plane). The only time there are lines is if a number of jets all disgorge passengers at once. As soon as you pass the luggage claim there are escalators back up and you rescreen security and then right above you is the AM lounge as well as the Centurion.
@René: just a note of thanks!