Originally Posted by rileydogmi

Message received DL - you think I am a cost to you and not a contribution to your bottom line (which was heavily subsidized to keep you flying during the dark days of COVID but I won't go there). My $100k+ in DL CC spend and $20k in DL/KL spend is not worthy of the choice benefits you are so gracious to give. These changes go way beyond reason - it isn't the spend that is unreasonable, it is the benefits you get at those spend levels that make no sense. I love the headline of the email I received "A simpler and more rewarding skymiles". More rewarding? Jeez, what an insult. To roll this out without addressing the benefits for that spend is a head scratcher... The "to keep what you currently get" argument is a kick in the nuts because what we currently get has in itself been devalued over the years (GUC's need P+ to clear into D1, no longer are those upgrade instruments a reissue into F cabin for IRROPS and SDC, comp upgrades basically don't exist due to FCM, etc.). So the argument from DL seems to be "hey, with less people who have status your upgrade instruments will be easier to use"? Look, it is clear they want less people on the UG list and less instruments not to give more upgrades, but to sell more FC seats. Anyone who thinks that upgrades will be easier are chasing a dream. DL will simply invent new ways to sell FC way before upgrades clear or space will be able to be used...

So I get it - you don't value my type of loyalty they way I valued you.

My planned path forward is:
- Eliminate all DL branded cards at renewal
- Planning to keep Amex Vanilla plat for wife and I (as an AU), eliminate all business AMEX cards to focus spend on Amex Vanilla Plat (to achieve $75k spend) - there are many purchases that give > $0.01 return and I do get value on that card. Keep AMEX Gold for their spend categories.
- Accumulate a point currency (Amex points) that can be transferred / used in multiple ways to go to where the need is and to mitigate these airlines trying to figure out what they want in a FF program
- Eliminate accumulation of airline currency by CC spend (only get through travel)
- Choose my flights based on the following
- Cost
- Least number of connections
- Type of aircraft (All D1 / J is not the same experience!)
- no longer will loyalty be in my criteria

Now, if the choice awards at $35k include more options, and more # choices like Porsche rides for all connecting flights, waive the 3 hour SC limit, access to the champagne room in the SC, family status offerings (up to 3 family members get the same status), private jet transfers, etc.... then I will reconsider my choices as then there may be value to hit that ridiculous spend requirement. For the same 3 choice benefits that exist today and getting to #3 on the UG list when I play boarding roulette? Lol.

I will have 950k+ MQM rollover - really thinking about doing 100% RDMs and give up on MQDs all together - with that many miles, I can upgrade future tickets I do happen to buy on DL to FC using miles - are 700k MQM's (converts to 350k RDM's) really worth 12 RUC's or 4 GUC's, 8 RUC's? I can easily upgrade 12 flights with 350k RDMs for my domestic travel, they don't expire in a year, so I am leaning towards this. And since I am a 3MM, I will be Gold anyways...