Well, i really love SAO but i can't be disagree with some of your ideas...
The truth is, SAO is a really good anime, i love watching it again and again but only the first seasons...
Aincrad, Fairy Dance and Phantom Bullet were amazing as well as the fights. BUT after that, i think they should have ended it, every good things don't last forever. The next seasons are too "kind", no deaths no real fights/aventure like the first season.