OP, if i read your post correctly you only/mainly fly for MR purposes without actually having a need to be somewhere most of times? Are alot of people in this same boat?

I never did a MR, and find MRers/MRs amusing and interesting but imho this to me is just plane strange. Best of Luck though.

I would go with AA since your in ORD an redemption ease for me is/was a big plus why I flew millions of miles on AA.