We talked last week about why you may want to (re)qualify for Delta status this year. Even if your status rolls over to next year, it may behoove you to earn during the rest of 2021.
Juicy Miles’ resident Delta and SkyTeam expert, Miles Jackson, is a longtime Delta flyer. He and I chatted last week about the importance of (re)qualifying for Delta status.
Upgrades, MQM, and Million Milers
“Yes, Delta is rolling over all MQMs and elite status to 2022,” said Miles. “But going for more MQMs and earning (or requalifying) for Delta Medallion status in 2021 has never made more sense! For example, Diamond Medallions who actually qualify or earn the status this year will be at the top of the upgrade priority hierarchy in 2022 — superseding ‘grandfathered’ Diamond Medallions. In addition, getting all those Choice Benefits makes the efforts pay off well. ”
Plus, because Delta puts bonus earnings on all Delta-operated and marketed flights through December 31, 2021, those MQMs can add to an elite’s unlimited rollover of their accumulated MQMs.”
Aspiring Million Milers: you may want to pay attention to this next part.
“Consider that Delta Million Miler status is based on the total MQMs earned during a SkyMiles member’s lifetime,” Miles said. “That includes earning bonus MQM through Delta Amex cards spending and flying partner airlines. But Delta’s Status Accelerator means you can add a lot more MQMs on the cheap this year — which could provide a lifetime of status and privilege!”
Flying Domestic Mileage Runs for Big Benefits?
Delta partner mileage runs — like this massive Madrid trip — generally yield fantastic MQD and MQM earnings. But with various COVID vaccination requirements (and COVID fears in general), international trips may understandably worry some travelers.
“Domestic mileage runs are particularly great today for those people needing MQM,” Miles said. “That’s because of Delta’s 2022 Medallion Status Accelerator program. Leveraging that with Juicy Miles’ creative routings, we can leverage MQMs with 2.625 MQMs per mile flown. The full value is realized when we design a complex mileage run itinerary that dramatically increases the standard mileage for a domestic trip.”
So how does this work? you may ask. How does this Juicy Miles actually work for me?
“We actually start off designing a mileage run around each client’s specific needs and preferences. Juicy Miles works with certified travel agents (affiliated with the largest travel agency in the country). So we have amazing resources to craft, book, and assist clients to get ticketed on their ideal mileage run.
“We can create crazy routes that are ‘legal’ with the airlines, but won’t ever be displayed on an online travel agency’s booking engine.”
Say you’re a Gold Medallion right now but licking your chops for Diamond, Miles and his crew can build something for you. You just need to tell them what you want to achieve (i.e. status level), your budget, and travel dates that work for you.
I remember hanging out with Miles, René, and a few other Delta enthusiasts. Miles told us about some massive business class mileage run he created for a client. But I vividly remember the rest of us staring at him, our jaws dropped. I think it yielded something like 76,000 MQM and $16,000 MQD or something.
Granted, that was an international run. But with the Status Accelerator in effect through December, you can still earn a bunch of MQM flying Delta domestic trips. If you thought our Hawaii mileage runs from Los Angeles, Atlanta, Orlando, and New York were something special, just wait until you unleash Juicy Miles. Holy smokes.
What About Delta Partner Runs — Now or in the Future?
Miles noted that “for most elites, MQDs are the real prize. For 95% of our Delta elite clients seeking Diamond Medallion (either as a new or renewal qualification), an international long-haul is the best return of their fare dollars.”
Okay. But which places require COVID testing? Where can you get a COVID test in some international destination? These are common questions our readers ask.
“As far as safety goes, we start each request by looking into the unique situation each client presents,” Miles said. “We cross-reference all trip requests with entry requirements and often assist clients with booking hotels during their travel. We’re more than happy to offer COVID testing sites and resources if required. We monitor the daily changes to the travel landscape as how it could (or does) affect our clients’ prospective travel.”
He also added, “never has there been better a time to go after a Delta status match! Juicy Miles is ready to help with that; we do a bunch of those each month.”
Final Approach
“We absolutely love Eye of the Flyer readers,” Miles said, “and are always happy to help them craft a truly personalized trip.”
So if you prize upgrades, Choice Benefits, MQM, and strive for Million Miler status — but worry about earning status this year (or any year, really), get in touch with Juicy Miles. They’ll steer you in the right direction for your needs, goals, and budget.
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Hi – if when going internationally on a run you don’t have to leave the destination terminal before returning, are you still subject to the destination’s Covid protocol?
Thanks, good article!
Mike-
Miles Jackson here with Juicy Miles, as we do a LOT of these types of trips for Eye of the Flyer travelers constantly.
Let me answer this with two examples:
If you are transiting (say you’re flying ATL-AMS-FCO) then you need to meet the requirements for entry to Italy, and Amsterdam is just a transit point and travelers are not subject to the entry requirements for the Netherlands.
If you are flying ATL-AMS-FCO and Rome is your final destination, and you are just going to turn around and leave with a short turnaround and never leave security, then YES, you must STILL meet the requirements for Italy. Since it is your final destination, regardless of how long, you have to meet the entry requirements prior to boarding the ATL-AMS and the AMS-FCO flights.
The airlines are responsible for making sure passengers are in compliance before boarding.
However, sometimes, Juicy Miles is able to craft a personalized international mileage run which eliminates the need for a COVID test before returning to the United States. We use a sort of ‘loophole’ but perfectly within the CDC and Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines to accomplish this feat. It requires a quick out and back trip that gets you on a return flight (even a connecting flight) to the US prior to needing that re-entry COVID test!
Cool stuff, for sure! But Juicy Miles does the heavy lifting there…
Thanks, Chris & Eye of the Flyer to exposing these opportunities to readers and travelers!
If you “qualify” for Diamond, does Delta take the MQMs (and MQDs) out of your account? Or do all MQMs roll-over?
Delta said all MQM roll over. Based on that then no MQM should be deducted.
I Highly recommend Juicy Miles. I recently completed two mileage runs that John created custom to my specific needs and schedule. Everything went great and the miles, mqm, and mqd, posted exactly as stated. As I will be looking to find some runs again early next year; I’ll certainly be reaching back out to the Juicy Miles team!