No Result
View All Result
Eye of the Flyer
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • CardMatch™
    • Eye of the Flyer Recommended Cards
    • Best Welcome Offers
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • Gas Rewards Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
    • Student Credit Cards
    • Visa Credit Cards
    • Mastercards
    • Bad or Poor Credit
    • No Credit or Limited Credit
    • Secured Cards
  • CardMatch™
  • Cruises
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • Merchandise
  • αbout US ✉
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • CardMatch™
    • Eye of the Flyer Recommended Cards
    • Best Welcome Offers
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • Gas Rewards Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
    • Student Credit Cards
    • Visa Credit Cards
    • Mastercards
    • Bad or Poor Credit
    • No Credit or Limited Credit
    • Secured Cards
  • CardMatch™
  • Cruises
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • Merchandise
  • αbout US ✉
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

MQDs for 2021 Delta Status! LAX to Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB) Weekend Elite MQD & MQM Mileage Runs! Multiple Dates Available Early 2020

Chris Carley by Chris Carley
October 9, 2019
in Mileage Run Deals
5
Johannesburg skyline sunrise

(©iStock.com/Johann Swanepoel)

Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of the links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links.

If you want a jumpstart on 2021 Delta Medallion status, check this out!

While poking around today, I discovered the LAX to JNB run some are taking next month is available several weekends in January, February, and March 2020!

So if you’re not on next month’s run — or just can’t get enough Jo’burg — start looking at these Virgin Atlantic runs next year!

These are Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy runs. So not business class (which are significantly costlier) but also not in steerage.

One Night Stays and “Turnarounds” Available!

Many people want to make mileage runs as short as possible. Buy I received complaints about the JNB runs we published because there wasn’t enough time to explore Johannesburg. Flights arrived early morning and departed later that night.

Most of the weekends I found with good fares allow you to depart LAX on Thursday, arrive in JNB on Saturday, and leave Sunday night. So you have a day and a night to enjoy Johannesburg.

There are also quicker “turnarounds” available, with the standard 9-12 hours to see whatever you can of the city or engage in some airport appreciation.

In any case, here are what the trips entail:

  • Cost: ∼$1860
  • Dates: See calendar below
  • Route: LAX-LHR-JNB
  • Route: JNB-LHR-LAX
  • Class: Virgin Atlantic K
  • Miles Flown (estimated via Unofficial SkyMiles Calculator): 22,090
  • MQD (est): $6627 (as Virgin Atlantic’s Premium Economy earns 30% of mileage flown)
  • MQM: (est): 33,135 MQM (5.6 CPM)
  • SkyMiles (est): 33,135 base (plus medallion bonus: Diamond + 120%; Platinum + 80%; Gold + 60%; Silver + 40%)

Book through Virgin Atlantic and credit to your Delta SkyMiles account. (See Rene’s post that explains why and how.)

Calendar of dates available for Virgin Atlantic LAX to JNB mileage runs to earn Delta MQDs.

One Night Stay in Johannesburg

Delta MQD mileage run on Virgin Atlantic -- LAX to LHR to JNB in 2020

“Turnaround”/Day Visit in Johannesburg

Delta MQD mileage run on Virgin Atlantic -- LAX to LHR to JNB in 2020

Paying for the Trip

Remember to use a credit card awarding you bonus points for your airfare purchases!

The Platinum Card® from American Express. 5X on The Platinum Card® from American Express (<– LINK) when using your card to purchase airfare directly from airlines. Plus airport lounge access!

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card.3X with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (<– LINK), which also comes with an annual $300 travel credit. Plus airport lounge access!

The Ink Business Preferred card3X on the Chase Ink Business Preferred Card (<– LINK) (3X on the first $150,000 combined spend in categories — such as travel — each anniversary year)

American Express® Gold Card3X with the American Express® Gold Card (<– LINK) when using your card to purchase airfare directly from airlines

Enjoy!

–Chris

    • Don’t miss a single run. Subscribe HERE: www.RenesPoints.com/RunMail
    • Need to learn how to find a run? See THIS Rookie post for how-to guide!
    • Boost your Delta MQMs with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (<– LINK) or Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card (<– LINK)
    • Want a custom built run from your home airport? You can find one here.
    • Relax in an airport lounge during your mileage run with one of these cards!
      • The Platinum Card® from American Express (<– LINK)
      • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (<– LINK)
      • Chase Sapphire Reserve®  (<– LINK) (no access to Delta Sky Clubs)

Cover image photo: ©iStock.com/Johann Swanepoel

Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of the links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links.

Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Tags: JNB RunsJohannesburg South Africa (JNB)LHR Mileage RunLos Angeles International Airport (LAX)MQD RunVirgin Atlantic
Previous Post

HUGE Discount: Save 80% on a Travelpro Rollaboard!

Next Post

No, Delta is NOT Going to Copy United’s New Elite Qualify Program. Why Do You ask?

Chris Carley

Chris Carley

Chris Carley is the owner, editor, and lead writer of Eye of the Flyer (formerly known as Rene's Points).

Next Post
a model airplane on a table

No, Delta is NOT Going to Copy United's New Elite Qualify Program. Why Do You ask?

Comments 5

  1. Michael Giardina says:
    6 years ago

    Have you heard of any issues at JNB with customs taking issue with such a short duration? I’ve had a few people indicate JNB can be pretty nasty. But their experience is from years ago.

    Reply
    • Chris Carley says:
      6 years ago

      @Michael Giardina: I personally haven’t.

      Reply
  2. Ryan says:
    6 years ago

    Anyway to use Virgin miles to further upgrade this itinerary to Biz?

    Reply
    • Chris Carley says:
      6 years ago

      @Ryan: Looks like you can.

      Reply
  3. Theo says:
    6 years ago

    Some of these runs extend well into the spring months as well. I hope to catch maybe two of these runs.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

➤ Search Eye of the Flyer

No Result
View All Result

Subscribe

Subscribe To Our NewsletterJoin our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

GREAT Travel and Cash Back Card Offers for Spring 2025!

Eye of the Flyer may receive a commission from the links below. See our Privacy Policy

See some of the biggest and best offers now!
Capital One Venture X Business: Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 on eligible purchases within three (3) months of being approved for card membership. Then, earn an additional 200,000 miles after you spend a total of $200,000 within the first six (6) months. That's a total of 350,000 miles. Learn here how to apply.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn up to 150,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points. First, earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on the card within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. Earn additional 50,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on the card within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. Long story short: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of being approved. (Terms Apply.). Read more and learn here how to apply.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within three (3) months of being approved for card membership. Learn more here.

 

American Express® Business Gold Card

American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first three (3) months of being approved for card membership. Plus, enjoy a 0% introductory APR for the first six (6) months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.49% to 27.49% variable APR. (See Rates & Fees) Terms apply.. Learn more here.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 bonus American Express® Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on the card within the first three (3) months of being approved for card membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. This offer expires on June 30, 2025. Terms apply.. Plus, enjoy select airport lounge access, statement credit opportunities galore, and more! Read here why we love this card.

Eye of the Flyer partner offer!CardMatch™CardMatch™
Offers may not be available to all users.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Eye of the Flyer with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.

Subscribe

Subscribe To Our NewsletterJoin our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Resources

  • ✍ Editors Disclaimer
  • 💰 Advertiser Disclosure
  • 🔒 Privacy Policy
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
  • CardMatch™
  • Cruises
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • Merchandise
  • αbout US ✉

Copyright © 2025 Eye of the Flyer. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • CardMatch™
    • Eye of the Flyer Recommended Cards
    • Best Welcome Offers
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • Gas Rewards Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
    • Student Credit Cards
    • Visa Credit Cards
    • Mastercards
    • Bad or Poor Credit
    • No Credit or Limited Credit
    • Secured Cards
  • CardMatch™
  • Cruises
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • Merchandise
  • αbout US ✉

Copyright © 2025 Eye of the Flyer. All Rights Reserved.

Cleantalk Pixel

Sign Up for Elite Mileage Run Deals!

Join our mailing list to receive the latest Elite Mileage Run news and updates from our team.

You have successfully subscribed to receive Elite Mileage Run updates!

No Result
View All Result
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • CardMatch™
    • Eye of the Flyer Recommended Cards
    • Best Welcome Offers
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • Gas Rewards Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
    • Student Credit Cards
    • Visa Credit Cards
    • Mastercards
    • Bad or Poor Credit
    • No Credit or Limited Credit
    • Secured Cards
  • CardMatch™
  • Cruises
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • Merchandise
  • αbout US ✉

Copyright © 2025 Eye of the Flyer. All Rights Reserved.