pushbback, I agree with your assesment. There is certainly some travel I would be much less likely to take if it wasn't for the perks I know accrue to me as a result. There are trips I only agree to take because I know it will bring me X miles closer to EXP and VIPs for the longer-haul travel I can't get out of.

If AAdvantage wasn't there, I'd use sightspeed (online video-conferencing) more often.