Miles earned on both *A and OW are elite qualifying...
DL is really in a lousy position as far as alliances, especially in Asia, are concerned. Air China was suppossed to be signed up shortly, but last weeks crash put them off again. KE is a full member again, but they have also had safety problems in the past.
At the same time, the lack of recognition in using other partner airlines' lounges for those less that DL Plat. is embarrassing. Both OW and *A give lounge priviledges to int'l flights on partners to 2nd tier members and not just their top members.