I know my behavior is modified by the frequent flyer program at UA.

I fly for work maybe four domestic round trips a year, but when I do it's Star Alliance or nothing. Not because I love them or anything, but because their network is convenient to ORD. I probably also make one more leisure flight on UA--with wife--than I would otherwise as well. Why? The lure of a free ticket to Hawaii or Europe.

If I were flying strictly on price or the FFP were junked, I'd fly AA out of ORD or drive another 20 miles to CHI and fly WN (not always cheaper) or drive another 40 miles to MKE (sometimes a big price difference).

But I doubt I'm far from normal. No miles, no loyalty. For me anyway.