How my $320 mileage run will result in 54000 Delta SkyMiles

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Mileage Run Booked!

Last week I asked readers for help in constructing a mileage run to get me the last 4,288 miles needed to get to Platinum status on Delta. Darren showed me that I could accomplish this through an overnight layover in Sacramento. Scott showed that it was possible to do it all in one day via Ontario California. Burj found a flight to Sacramento with a red-eye back to Detroit. In the end, I cobbled together all of these suggestions into a one day trip that works for me: 8:10 am leave Detroit, stop in Salt Lake City, and arrive in Sacramento at 12:15. On the return, leave Sacramento at 2:25, stop in LA, and arrive in Detroit at 12:09 a.m. Total cost $320. Approximate miles to be flown: 4,350. At 7.3 cents per MQM, this doesn’t qualify as a great mileage run (hard core mileage runners look for ~ 3 cents per mile or less), but it will do the job. If all goes as expected, I’ll reach Platinum, and thanks to this trip, I will be 54,000 Delta SkyMiles richer.

Gratitude Awarded!

So, in my previous posts (Day 1and Day 2), I promised my undying gratitude to whoever suggests a plan that I use. Since I combined ideas from three people, I’ll divide my undying gratitude into thirds and distribute to all three (Darren, Scott, and Burj). Do you feel the love, guys? If any of the three of you would like to trade in the 1/3 gratitude for some Delta food/drink vouchers or a size-large Boarding Area t-shirt, let me know via the comments below. I only have one t-shirt to give away right now, so first request gets it!

Bonus Miles Galore!

Are you wondering how a mileage run flying less than 5000 miles can result in 54,000 Delta SkyMiles? Here’s how:

Flight

4,350 Miles

Miles flown

Gold Elite Bonus

4,350 Miles

Elite members earn 2x bonus miles

Credit Card Miles

640 Miles

Double miles for airline purchases

Platinum Choice Benefit

20,000 Miles

Platinum members receive choice of gifts. One option is 20,000 miles

Exclusive Reward

25,000 Miles

I received a targeted promotion from Delta which gives me 25,000 miles for maintaining Gold status and an extra 25,000 miles for reaching Platinum

Total

54,340 Miles

 

 

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