In my narrow minded view, travel is always about getting from point A to point B with minimum amount of discomfort. That means attaining some level of elite status each year with least amount of time in transit. I live in a captive hub city, IAH, minimum time in transit almost always mean CO or a Skyteam alliance partner. Yes, I have paid up to $300 more for international ticket to avoid 2 layovers. Domestically, price differences are seldom more than $75. Of course, there are some airlines I will not fly with regardless the price. Life is too short to not enjoy it at 30,000 feet.