The TPG article has multiple quotes from Ed essentially saying they have too many elite customers and specifically mentions having 2x the number of DMs as before the pandemic, i.e. they are still going to find a way to fire some DMs.
I suspect the elite program will stand, potentially with FO changing to $5000 MQDs instead of $6000 MQDs. The big question mark is will travelers divert hotel and car spending (which may be more than flight spending) to DL’s portal, and that remains a question mark.
The Sky Club access changes I’m less confident about; I feel like they will reinstate unlimited access for Reserve card members, because the card doesn’t make sense to me otherwise. Even then, the 1:10 ratio on the Reserve card does not seem like it will develop the cult following (on FT) that the MQD waiver and MQM boosts did.
I wish they would continue the old program for another year while they sort this out, but unless this is truly a catastrophe (i.e. a sizable number of Reserve card members cancelled already) I don’t think that’s realistic.
So the reserve card cost $550. You get one companion ticket for 1st class with this that is roughly worth $1000. Also get free luggage Worth $120 per trip for two. Why not just hang onto the reserve card and only use it to book your flight. Otherwise get another travel card that benefits you more. Or am I missing something?