When you get down to it, these FF mile programs are a major bonus for airlines. They inspire a great deal of loyalty by people who fly, because we go through all kinds of contortions to stay with our favorite FF program.

They sell tickets to people who don't need to travel, beacuse we make mileage runs.

When other merchants offer miles-for-purchases programs, AA gets paid for every one of those points that are being handed out.

The famous Pudding Guy did AA a huge favor by forcing the maker of Healthy Choice to pay a large sum of cash to AA to pay for all those miles he got.

When I use my CitiAA card to make purchases, I'm doing AA a favor by letting them collect a percentage fee from all my purchases.

So while people who earn miles the hard way (by flying) may have a valid complaint against non-flying mile-accumulators, AA certainly doesn't have any. The more miles get handed out via partners, the better off AA is.