Greetings everyone, this is my first post so I apologize if I sound like a newbie. Here is my question...

I live and work for an NGO based in Thailand so most of my travel nowadays is in and around Asia. I have been a longtime Gold to Platinum flyer with DL but for the last 3 years most of my overseas travel has been with KE because of their extensive Asia connections. The recent downgrade to 50% MQM on KE flights got me thinking about changing, but now the MQD requirements have unfortunately sealed my fate. I only fly about 5-10k each year in the US and the rest are international to places that DL does not fly or Asian carriers have better routes. I would stick with DL but I normally fly coach and wouldn't quite meet the Gold-Platinum MQDs. So what should I do?

I hate to lose my status because to reach Skyteam elite plus on KE you have to accumulate 500,000 lifetime miles. Skyteam elite is only 50k but that doesn't give you lounge access. Lounge access is my main concern because of all the time spent in airports. My other thought is Asiana, because it's pretty easy to reach star alliance gold w/ 40k within 2 years, and I could fly UA when I'm in the states. Any other ideas? sorry for such a long post

(first timer)