Correction. DL notified us this year and the changes take effect 1/1/15. Earlier posters are right. Just copy and paste everything from the this same thread months ago. You are right, you could go to another airline.

I did that at the integration of Shares when none of my flights were on-time and I've never looked back. I've changed my travel to DL and even with the new scheme will try to maintain status strictly based on their product (SkyPesos were never worth that much anyway). Customer service is relatively good, operations have been consistent, and for me personally, they operate out of OAK and SFO.

I imagine high value flyers base their decision on carrier quality (esp. foreign products if you travel rules allow) rather than mileage earning alone. I have to admit, I haven't been on a UA flight in 2 years now, but based on all the angst and vitriol I've seen in the threads, I would argue that UA would need to put more effort into catering to the market they are trying to attract with this change.