If MQD causes you to leave, you're probably the exact kind of "elite: DL is trying to rid the ranks of anyway, and you won't be missed if you decide to take your business elsewhere. The only downside to MQD's is that the partners got the shaft and if you regularly accumulate a lot of MQMs on Skyteam partners, then you have a legitimate gripe, IMO. But if you're a domestic flyer who is only earning MQMs on DL and are whining about the new MQD requirements, well, too bad so sad. It may be a hard fact to accept but you are NOT a highly valuable customer to DL.