[tough]

Yes this is what I mean, they're there to keep you captive, and thinking you're saving.

Let me put it this way, you might get a 25% cashback on a 1000 flight, but there might be a 500 flight alternative from another lowcost competing airline which you didn't even consider or knew it existed due to their points moat or whatever

[nullc]

more commonly: which you knew existed but didn't take because the $1000 flight was on your employer's dime while the points were something you benefited from personally -- essentially a kickback scheme.

[JCharante]

While there can be some price discrepencies between legacy full-service carriers, usually it's not too big. Low cost carriers will definitely offer flights at a huge discount but the experience is so awful that I refuse to fly them.