Seems like game theory? If everyone else is playing, then it's better to play than abstain.

Also I'm not sure about "higher prices", in my town there's two convenience stores across from each other, one with CC fee and one with no fee, same prices otherwise, so I just go to the no fee one. Maybe it gets worked in somewhere but it's not as fair/efficient as it could be.

I would argue that this level of dedication would be within the top 1% of credit card users and that probably is beating the system. Product prices are increased, but since the price increase is spread out among everyone (including those who pay cash), it seems likely to me he makes a good return. Maybe not $/hr, though.

I am though, since everyone who doesn't play this game is subsidizing my free flights