Ahavas Chinam is a misnomer. There is no such thing as Ahavas Chinam. Sin’as Chinam means hate for no reason. There is no such thing as love for no reason. The fact that someone is a Jew and isn’t a “hater of Hashem” is reason to love him/her. So don’t say ahavas chinam, as if it’s extra credit. It’s expected of us.
This was not intended as a contentious post. I only wish to strengthen the point of the OP.