That's been my experience as well. Most of my colleagues just book the cheapest/most convenient flight. They either use a TA or go straight to expedia. They don't feel it's worth their time and energy to "chase a few miles". I used to try to convince them otherwise, but I have given up.

This is why I am another that just doesn't understand the OP's outlandish accusations of fraud and deceit. Outside of the FT universe, most people just don't care. (And those inside this little world are supposed to know better.)

Sure, I remember feeling snookered (years ago - before aa.com booking was even possible) by a non-mileage earning fare. But I chalked it up to experience and made sure that it didn't happen again. At least my lesson just cost me the miles for that one trip, as others have pointed out, the OP may be paying for her response well into the future.