Airline loyalty programs are an emotional issue for some people as they gather large sums of redeemable miles. Airline satisfaction levels seem to be at an all-time low. Here is an essay from ETN subtitled, "Airline Loyalty Or Just A "Hostage" Situation?":
James T. Kane, a corporate consultant on customer loyalty, has a news flash for his airline.“I hate you, and I tell everybody I hate you,” he says. “You could not pay me to get on your airline if I didn’t have to. The reason you think I’m a happy customer is I flew 178,000 miles on you last year — but that’s because I didn’t have a choice.” Like many other frequent business travelers, he finds that there is only one airline whose flight schedule fits his needs.
“I’m not loyal,” he adds. “I’m just a hostage.”
For the full article:
http://www.eturbonews.com/820/million-miles-vs-few-more-smiles