I rolled 47-48K as a PM for 2 years. This year increased travel and AMEX MQM meant that I'd move to DM and will finish with 185K MQM. My wife and I had both maintained PM but she decided to sharply reduce her travel starting in 2016.

I planned some of next year and determined that with 60K rollover and 30K MQM from each of our Reserve cards, I'd be at 120K MQM. I have 27K MQM booked in Jan and early Feb so I'll be DM for 2017 as soon as I make the AMEX waiver in March or April and will go over 200K next year, making the following year easier. I'll gift her GM and buy her FCM fares whenever she travels so she'll be happy.

You could look at upgrading your AMEX to Reserve and getting more MQM's. Use MS to get the second Mileage boost. That's also give you SC admission if you stay at PM for the beginning of the year.

The key for you is what LBJ said. Realistically estimate your travel and look at the value of the Choice Benefits to your travel pattern and decide which way to go.

Everyone's situation is different.