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Delta Air Lines SkyMiles members needing some MQM for their Medallion status might be interested in this Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW) to Kahului, Maui (OGG) mileage run.
Dallas to Maui Delta Mileage Run
First things first: this is a Main Cabin run. It travels DFW-Atlanta-OGG-ATL-DFW.
Per Delta, you’ll earn 10,324 MQM, $401 MQD (based on current price), and 2,005 base SkyMiles before any applicable Medallion bonuses. The trip currently costs $471.41. That comes out to about 4.6 CPMQM.
As of posting time, the departure dates I see available are:
- November 23, 29, 30
- December 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13
Play around with the return dates if you want to stay a little longer and enjoy Maui. Some of the return dates yield about the same price to stay a couple of days.
Here’s the itinerary:
You have a little bit of time in Atlanta each leg, so you can enjoy a Delta Sky Club (assuming they’re not at whatever capacity is being enforced) if you have a Sky Club membership or one of these Delta co-branded American Expres cards.
A Word About Seating and Upgrades
The ATL to OGG legs are aboard A330s, so Diamonds and Platinums can snag Comfort+ seats shortly after booking if they want. (And, of course, all Medallions can select available exit row seats.)
But here’s the thing: this route now features Delta’s four-class seating. That means there’s Delta One, Premium Select, Comfort+, and Main Cabin. Delta says Premium Select isn’t eligible for complimentary Medallion upgrades. But both Regional and Global Upgrade Certificates can get you into Premium Select and waitlisted for Delta One.
I booked this trip and requested an upgrade to Comfort+. (Interestingly, Premium Select was available for purchase under the “First Class” column — but denoted as “Comfort+ Premium Select.) The Fly Delta app shows how many seats are (apparently) available for upgrade now.
So, I don’t know if the system just defaults to everything north of Main Cabin — regardless of whether or not they’re available for upgrade. For example, Delta One isn’t eligible for Medallion upgrades on international flights — but the available seats are still displayed on the app’s “Upgrade & Standby” function. That led to some confusion before when non-revs were assigned to Delta One.
I’ll try to get some clarification from Delta.
“This Run Doesn’t Help Me! I Don’t Need MQM! I Need an MQD Run!”
I receive messages like that nearly every time I post a Delta MQM mileage run. After all, people love Delta partner mileage runs (here’s why.) But some people already hit their Delta Amex MQD waiver or crossed their prescribed MQD threshold.
I spent a while yesterday looking for MQD runs and didn’t find anything too exciting. But do you know who can help you? The mileage run department at point.me (formerly Juicy Miles). They can tailor a mileage run according to your schedule, airport preferences, etc. Don’t wait around for us to find something extraordinary. Contact them today.
They can also help book hotels and arrange some other trip details for you.
We trust point.me to take care of our readers.
Don’t Miss a Mileage Run!
- Subscribe HERE free for mileage run email alerts!
- Need to learn how to find a run? See THIS Rookie post for a how-to guide!
- Want a custom-built run from your home airport? You can find one here.
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Ditto always need MQD’s
point.me!
Some useful info about applying RUC to the flight.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/medallion-upgrades#policychanges
All Upgrade Certificates can be redeemed for a one-cabin upgrade above your purchased cabin of service.
Each one-way ticket is limited to one Upgrade Certificate per passenger. If you clear into Delta Premium Select, there’s no need to apply an additional Upgrade Certificate; You’ll automatically be added to the waitlist for Delta One and be eligible to clear starting 24 hours prior to departure, pending upgrade availability.
Delta site shows Premium select is available for RUC:
Premium Select available (ATL-OGG)
Thanks for that. Where it gets confusing is the language:
“Flights with Delta One and Delta Premium Select:
If you purchase Main Cabin or Delta Comfort+ and then apply your Global Upgrade Certificate (bold mine), you will be upgraded to Delta Premium Select upon request and then will be added to the waitlist for Delta One and eligible to clear starting 24 hours prior to departure.
If you purchase Delta Premium Select and then apply your Global Upgrade Certificate, you will be upgraded to Delta One, pending upgrade availability.”
But you’re 100% right, it shows Premium Select available for the flight. I’ll update the post. Thanks again.
Appreciate these post. Was able to book this leg which will save me from having to do a mileage run later and helps me bolster my carry over MQMs.
Excellent!
Chris- quick question.
I have the opportunity to upgrade to a Delta One seat for the long haul of my trip ATL to Maui for 80K Miles. I feel like this is a decent opportunity versus paying the 900 price tag in cash. I have the miles. I am inquiring if 80K miles is a decent deal for a Delta One seat for a 9.5 hour flight. Thanks in advance!
I’ve seen much worse offers.
I was able to make this run, without spending any time in Maui (sad face) but I was lucky enough to get into the Delta One Cabin from OGG > ATL.
One issue I ran into was that there was no Upgrade List for Delta One…I had to call the Gold Medallion Phone line several time, Visit the help desk in ATL, and talk with the team at OGG. Each time despite their efforts, the system would not let them add me. We even revisited the fair type which was an eligible one at that.
It wasnt until I arrived in OGG and talked to the Gate Agent that they Blessed me with the courtesy upgrade after I explained the hassle I went through to try and get on the list for the last seat in the Cabin.
Overall the 19hrs of Flight Time was much less stressful thanks to being in the Delta One Cabin.