[QUOTE=talkandfly;23902517]Let's see:

First, despite 2 cards for a while and a close to the max FICO score, I did not get the upgrade offer so I'll miss the Barclay EQM's.
QUOTE]

I would expect every existing USDM card holder to eventually get the upgrade offer, as Barclays likes money and the $195 annual fee is an easy cash grab over the existing fee.

The lack of a lifeline for Plats via buy-up does sting. My wife will end at 72K and I was going to have her do a quick MR and buy up to CP as her xmas gift.

It will be interesting to see how things shake out over the next couple years, as there is little benefit to elite status outside of top tier. I will make no effort to stick to a single carrier in 2015, and will shortly be booking Z on UA to S America for next year.