Feedback wanted: My strategy for MQM's

I've been a loyal Delta flyer for the last 10 years and have been Diamond for the last 3 or 4. I took advantage of the MQM rollovers and should end the year with about 450,000. I should be a million miler in about a month.

i am NOT mad at Delta. I expressed my frustration when the changes first came out but i realize they have a business to run and I may not be providing them the profit margin others may give. They have been good to me over the years and I feel I have chosen them over lower cost options a lot. Plus, i was loyal to them during Covid.

Given the changes Delta has in place, including the "extend your status" for 100,000 MQM's per year, here is my plan.

  1. My MQM balance will drop by 125,000 at the end of 2023 for Diamond in 2024. Let's use easy numbers and say I will have 325,000 MQMs left.
  2. Use the 325,000 miles to be Diamond for 2025, 2026, 2027
  3. I'll be a million miler sometime in 2024. With the new Delta upgrade priority, million milers will get upgraded BEFORE AmEx Reserve holders.

The big change for me is what to do about the SkyClub and the $650 drop for the Reserve card. I think the Capital One Venture X is a better option given the point values. Here is my plan:

  1. Drop the Reserve card at the end of 2024, saving $650 per year. I lose out on SkyClub access but who cares, Venture X has the Priority Pass I already use in some airports.
  2. Instead of putting $20,000 in spend on the mEx Reserve, I'll put it on the Venture X resulting in 5 points per dollar and getting 100,000 points i can spend on all kinds of travel instead of just Delta.
  3. I don't need to blow $75K on the AmEx to get unlimited SkyClub visits to hob-nob with the other Peso chasers.
  4. I have the freedom to fly Delta when it makes the most sense for the next 4 years but can freely fly other airlines too, my guess is I'll end up saving $2-4,000 per year.

Thoughts and feedback on the strategy?