Honestly this really only effects this who earn 1k on a pure mileage running basis. I qualified for 1k this year based on roughly half business half personal travel, and my spend was around $10k, which of course included taxes.
Unless business travel picks up next year though, I doubt I'll make the PQD cut. Either way I'm for thechanges, and think thinning the ranks at the top is only a good thing. All others can mmanufacture spend, or just put all spend on the CC for waiver.