Originally Posted by
fastair
Who is more "loyal"? Not the one who gets his goodies and then runs to someone else. That by no means fits any definition of loyal. The 2nd guy shows his intent, beyond the qualifying miles, of flying on AA as well to use those. Again, "self serving" and "loyal" are not on the same side of the spectrum, but more opposites.
It would be nice if we could replace "loyal" with a more appropriate word. I'm loyal to my family and many other things. The true sense of the word "loyal", does not apply to my airline preference.
When it comes to airlines, yes we get our goodies and move along. Very very few people who travel frequently will be blindly loyal to an airline. It's just too difficult/tiring to be a frequent traveler for work purposes to not care about how you are treated. If you are onn the road 120 nights a year, a third of the year airports and airplanes become your office. Hotels become your home.
So basically what I am loyal to is my comfort and sanity when on the road. I won't put any particular brand above that. It's not loyalty, just like you say. It's a business transaction, period. Loyalty is (should be?) more blind. A business transaction requires evaluating a value proposition.
Seems like people toss around loyal to this and that when maybe really they mean they prefer or currently favor brand X?