Booking a trip to earn airline status
My partner and I are both very close to getting reward status by the end of the year, each on a different airline. We are considering making a quick weekend trip to put us over the edge, but we don't want to pay for the trip only to find on our return that we fell just short. Counting out the miles seems pretty simple, but now most airlines require qualifying dollars as well, which doesn't always seem to be straightforward.
Aside from going well above the required amount, how can we ensure that our flight will give us the points we need to qualify for our status? In particular, how can we determine how many Qualifying Dollars we will get from our flight?
(If it matters, the two airlines we are concerned with are American and United.)
Best Answer
Michael is correct that the airline's website will usually tell you how many redeemable miles, elite-qualifying miles, and elite-qualifying dollars you'll earn on a particular trip. As shown below, in Delta's case, this occurs on the flight check-out page instead of the flight selection page.
I would additionally note that elite-qualifying dollars are normally based on the fare alone, not including taxes and fees. As you can see from this example on Delta, the flight costs $90.20 total, composed of $70.70 in fare and $19.50 in taxes and fees. Yet, only 71 MQDs (Medallion Qualifying Dollars) are earned.
Additionally, 'extras' that may be purchased often don't count towards elite-qualifying dollars (as you can see from the highlighted PQD numbers in Michael's answer not changing when purchasing extra packages.) Which 'extras' do or don't count varies by airline. For example, as Michael's answer shows, upgrading to an economy+ seat does not count for PQDs on United. However, on Delta it does count, as shown below:
This is the same flight, but in economy+ (which Delta calls "Comfort+") instead of economy. Since the upcharge for economy+ is considered part of the fare by Delta (except for the taxes on the upcharge,) the flight earns 89 MQDs instead of 71.
It's also probably worth noting in the example here that 500 MQMs (Medallion Qualifying Miles) are earned for this particular flight. This is not a coincidence; those cities aren't actually 500 miles apart. Instead, Delta credits a minimum of 500 MQMs for any particular flight segment on Delta metal. Even if the flight is only 50 miles, you'll still earn 500 MQMs.
Additionally, airlines normally have a bonus multiplier for elite-qualifying miles (but not dollars) if you're traveling in a premium cabin. For a discount Business or First fare, the bonus is 50% in Delta's case, so you'd earn 750 MQMs on this flight if flying in First:
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Can I buy airline status?
Buying & Gifting Status With some American-based airlines you can earn elite miles with the purchase and use of a credit card (like Delta and United) and with others (US Airways) you can buy status out-right for a set price. US Airways values their lowest level of status at $1,299 and their highest at around $4,000.What is the easiest way to get airline status?
Accumulate a certain number of Elite Qualifying Dollars, which are based on how much money you spend with the airline. Hit a minimum number of either Elite Qualifying Miles, which are based on the physical distance flown, or Elite Qualifying Segments, which are flight segments flown.How often do you have to fly to get status?
You achieve MVP status by flying 25,000 miles or 30 segments on Alaska and partners (fewer on Alaska itself and Virgin America). You achieve MVP Gold status by flying 50,000 miles or 60 segments on Alaska and partners (fewer on Alaska itself and Virgin America).What does it mean to have status with an airline?
Most airlines grant status based on the number of qualifying miles or segments that you have flown. Often, whichever you complete first (for example, 100,000 miles or 100 segments flown) will award you elite tier status. Some airlines, like Delta, require a combination of spending cash and flying miles.Tip #8: Get Airline and Hotel Elite Status
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Answer 2
TL/DR: AA.COM tells you exactly how many EQD's you will earn when you purchase the ticket.
As a veteran of many mileage runs, don't wait. If you're that close, fly now so you have some time to make that last run if needed.
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