Originally Posted by
DaviddesJ
Because it offers the most convenient flights to most places I want to go. That's how the vast majority of people choose an airline, you've got to be pretty dedicated or not value your time very much to take a less convenient flight just because you are "loyal".
The whole point of loyalty programs is to alter your behavior, not reward you for doing something you were going to do anyway, and I believe MP performs that function for a great many customers -- inducing them to spend more than a competitor charges, or buy a UA connection over a (DL, etc.) nonstop.
I think UA underestimates the "binding" function of MP, and the extent to which it induces people to overlook bad products and services and fly UA anyway. With MP being gutted like everything else at United we are about to learn its actual influence.