So I find myself 405 miles from hitting diamond this year. I have been diamond since it was added as a level, and it also coincided with when I started my heavy traveling and started making status at all. So I have never been anything but diamond (except during the climb up to diamond). My question is do I go for diamond or just take platinum next year and have almost 50k banked for next year. What do those longtime people who have had both think?

Considerations:

I am at a job where I travel less now, so diamond the following year might not be guaranteed, but as I use a delta reserve I get 50,000 MQM automatically, I will usually be platinum with my regular flying.

I am in the NYC area for what it's worth.

I fly with family alot so having diamond has been quite useful for upgrades, sky club, etc...