One reason the Skymiles program is most likely not going to change into a $0.01/point program is AMEX.
Why? Because when DL AMEX card holders find out that they no longer accumulate Skymiles but merely "Skypoints" that are worth at most 1 cent, they will DUMP those high-annual-fee-cards like toxic waste: GOOD BYE AMEX.
Because even a simple cash back card at 2% would be better...than DL Skypoints AMEX.
I don't see that happen anytime soon.