Just over four months remain to qualify or requalify for Delta Medallion status. Elite mileage runs become a priority for many people — including us!
It’s the time of the year when we ramp up our searches for good mileage runs. As a refresher, there are two different elite runs we strive to find here at Rene’s Points:
- MQM runs: trips for the purpose of loading up on elite miles
- MQD runs: trips booked through Delta partner airlines to boost one’s MQD totals. Helpful for Diamonds who can’t (or would prefer to not) meet the Delta Amex $250,000 spend for Diamond Medallion status.
So we can optimize time, goals, etc, we’d like to know your parameters for mileage runs.
Would you please tell me in the below poll what reasonable CPM (cost per mile or cent per mile) interests you? (Cost/cent per mile: total cost of ticket ÷ MQM earned) Yes, we’d all love something in the 1-2 cent per mile range by those are fairly hard to come by.
Finding runs for large groups of people is a lot of work, so please be honest as to what works for you. Obviously, we try to find the lowest CPM possible — but are at the mercy of whatever Delta and SkyTeam have available for good prices. So if you’re good with something in the 6 CPM range, please say so!
Meanwhile, don’t forget that Adam and the Juicy Miles team are mileage run professionals — and can help you book runs with several airlines.
Later this afternoon, I’ll pose a similar question but for MQD runs. (Posted! Tell us your thoughts now!)
If you signed up for the Gold or Platinum Delta Amexes during the cashback promotion, you can really score miles on the cheap.
Thank you!
–Chris
- Don’t miss a single run.
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- 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(learn how to apply) or Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card (learn how to apply)
- 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 (learn how to apply)
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (learn how to apply)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (learn how to apply)
- Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card (learn how to apply)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (no access to Delta Sky Clubs)
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would be happy to see other airlines (united) mileage run info … I know Delta is your preferred carrier, and it used to be mine until i started flying more internationally, using partners on star alliance, and United was the best domestic to fly in that case.
@Maxraxstax: We’ll see if we find anything on other alliances! The Juicy Miles folks are great at United runs, FWIW.
You can get flights in October and November from FLL-PVG (Shanghai) for about $604 to $608 depending on number of stops.
In October I found FLL-DTW-ATL-PVG-ATL-FLL for $608.82
17622Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) earned
4064 Miles earned 508 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) earned
If you use PWMs I think you lose the MQDs, but keep the rest?
You will have to pay $200 for a 10 year visa to china. So with the Visa its $.046 per mqm without its $.0345 per mqm. if you use PWM its 80k miles and $8.82 in cash plus the visa for china.
I am doing FLL-LGA-DTW-PHV-DTW-LGA-FLL in November, staying 2 full days to site see and flying C+ on the domestic legs and the new delta premium economy for the international. as an Amex Plat card holder (non delta) i got a discounted fare of $1065 (almost $200 below delta’s site), then as Delta is my preferred airline on Amex, I used Amex points to pay the 106,500 for the ticket and got 37,275 points back for a cost of 69,225 Amex points for the tickets. I still have to pay for the visa to china, but will be getting about 24,500 MQMs for the trip. Its about $1000 MQDs as well, but since I am looking for Platinum, not so concerned with those, as I have my DL amex spend in place.
I know i am in the minority but defiantly prefer business class runs.
@Greg Howell: There are plenty of people interested in business class runs, trust me!
Always interested in business class runs. Live in DTW area, land of no mileage runs so especially appreciate that which are conveniently timed for positioning runs. Yes, I’m dreaming but you asked.
OK on MQDS this year so just collecting MQMs.
@Carol: Thank you!
HI Chris,
For me, it’s all about what I can do from Friday night to Sunday night. Taking time off from work is not an option due to limited vacation time. I really need the MQDs for Diamond, otherwise another year at Platinum. My home airport is LAX and I really do not want to do China runs, since I don’t have a visa. Looking forward to what you will post.
@Sandy: Remember that Delta flights booked and marketed as partner airline itineraries earn the distance-based MQDs. You may have luck finding runs from BUR, SNA, LGB, and ONT.
You should have put – Don’t need MQM need MQDs (and vice versus as an option
I like the SFO to Manilla run on Korean Airlines (Booked via Delta.com) nice 12,500 MQM run
Business class run or I’m not flying LOL. It’s my relax time and I need that extra space. I also prefer to call them fun runs and not just transit back and forth. Nothing more refreshing than a sweet little 2-3 day vacation.
@Greg H,
I agree, but that seems to work best when flying Aero Mexico or another partner. I am hoping that that the Premium Economy on the DTW flights to Shanghai are like the Premium Economy I took to London a while back on Virgin Atlantic. They were like Delta Domestic first class, or pretty close to it.
Gregg G
I am a lowly silver with short haul runs for work. I am interested in segment generating runs out of ATL. I get the spend fine but not enough miles or segments.
Biz class runs are the best!! need the MQD’S
Another Diamond caring about MQD’s and wondering if I i international partners allow automatic premium economy seat selection, like DL allows, and if that then records as premium economy (W-type fare bucket) for 30% of mileage MQD rate at DL.
Why the concerns about china visa?? If transiting no visa, if leaving the airport there is the 3 day visa desk? Its a whiz unless long line then its irritating but still….why the concern about china visa for mileage run?
Business class runs on MU or AM are the best ! Any days between Thursday night returning Monday- any combinations
I’d do a same day domestic MR in main for the price is right
Ni!
@Steve,
At first I thought I could just get a visa at the airport in Shanghai, as I would be in country for less than 144 hours, but since I am returning directly back to the US and not transitioning, that I was not eligible for this.
How could I confirm this
I would hate to get to DTW and then denied boarding
This is the information that I found on the Transit Visa:
What is an eligible transit route?
A → B: one of the allowed areas in Mainland China → C
144-hour Visa-free Transit Route
A and C should be different countries or regions out of Mainland China.
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/tour/visa/free-transit-144-hours.htm
Note that it says A and C should be different countries…
Gregg
@steve,
On my run, I will be spending 3 night and 2 full days in Shanghai. I leave Thursday Nov 21, arrive Friday the 22nd and return on Monday the 25th. I am staying at a full service Marriott for about $80 a night and will do 2 days of site seeing. The hotel has a free shuttle bus to Shanghai Disneyland which is about $68 or so US to get a ticket for.
If I were not leaving the airport, it may be a different story.
Gregg