Assuming there is no EQD waiver for CC, a big loser is the Barclay’s Aviator Silver card (the old US card). The primary benefit of that card’s $195 annual fee is the 10K EQM issued for $40K calendar year spend.
Come 2017, I suspect the critical path for earning status for many will be the EQD requirement, not the EQM. Absent some relief from the EQD requirement (even just partial relief proportionate to the 10K EQM), paying the annual fee is likely not worth it. With the Citi card, the Admiral’s Club membership pretty much pays the fee with the EQM on top of that.
My card anniversary and fee comes due early in the year, so I will know the situation before I pay for another year. I feel for Silver cardholders who have to decide now whether to pay the $195 not knowing what will happen in 2017 regarding the EQM waiver. It sure seems like it is not going to happen.