You are correct. That change takes effect in 2015. Delta has a tool on their website to compare the old vs new rewards. I put in my upcoming flight for comparison and with the current program I receive 10,670 miles, but with the new program I would only get 9,590. One improvement is no blackout dates, but I've never really had a problem booking rewards flights anyway. Delta has a lot of flights out of Nashville and often they have the best price, so I got a Delta Amex to try to maximize my rewards, and it's worked out pretty well so far. But with this change, I'm going to be doing some research over the next year and see if I want to shift my business elsewhere.
As far as the email notifications go, I seem to get a lot of those for small changes, like when the departure time changes by 5 minutes or the plane we're flying on changes, but when it's something major, somehow those emails aren't delivered. Maybe I just happen to catch those on my own before the emails were sent. I noticed that my return flight from Shannon to JFK has changed this morning. It's arriving in NY one minute earlier than originally scheduled. I haven't gotten an email yet. This time I know exactly when the changed happened, so it will be interesting to see how long it will be before the email arrives, if it ever does.
I utilize credit card sign up bonus and have learned to work the system of each card to earn miles. Between DH and I we are near 2 million in miles 
However, with this newest devaluation of Delta's Sky Miles er Pesos there is no chance I will fly them on the off chance I decide to pay for a flight someday.
I applied for the Club Carlson Signature Visa. Once you meet the bonus requirements you have enough points to stay a few nights since the card gives you gold status which means when you book 2 or more nights on points your last night is free. Nice perk! Right now they are running a extend your weekend stay 4 nights for 2 promotion for gold level members in hotels in Europe. 
