Military jets typically fly higher than commercial and business jets travel to avoid traffic and weather. They tend to cruise between 45,000 to 51,000 feet, and have powerful engines that allow them to climb to those altitudes quickly.
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Most US military aircraft can exceed 50,000 feet, if they really really try. Again, the limits are classified. Most commercial jetliners cruise somewhere between 30,000 and 45,000 feet above mean sea level.
Now that we have established that private planes do, in fact, fly at higher altitudes than commercial planes – we can answer some questions on why that is. It is important to remember that it is ultimately up to the pilot on any given day to choose the optimum cruising altitude for a trip.
A major reason for flying at that altitude is money; After labor, fuel is the greatest expense for airlines. That's why airlines are constantly working to maximize their fuel efficiency. Cruising at 36,000 feet helps with that. The higher altitude means thinner air.
The Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 91.119 indicates that, except when necessary for departure or landing, the minimum altitude over urban areas is 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) and 500 feet AGL over rural areas.
Summary. Military fighter aircraft fly low to the ground for three reasons: surprise, accurate bombing, and to avoid radar detection. NATO air forces changed tactics after the Vietnam War to fly low and avoid radar after many American aircraft were shot down by surface-to-air missiles.
One reason is to save fuel, as flying at lower altitudes requires less energy than higher ones. Additionally, planes may fly low in order to avoid bad weather or turbulence that can be found at higher altitudes.
From a practical point, no, a modern airliner will not lose a wing due to turbulence. Modern airlines are very tough and designed to withstand extreme turbulence. In theory, it might be possible. But to my knowledge, it has not happened to any jet airliner.
A pilot encountering turbulence has three options: change altitude, alter course, or ride out the roughness. Fighting turbulence with aggressive movement of the flight controls can make a bad situation worse. This is because maneuvering loads, the Gs created by moving the flight controls, are cumulative.
Usually the pilots will leave the autopilot engaged. In small airplanes with limited autopilots, it is better to fly manually, but with more sophisticated airplanes the autopilot is a valid option in turbulence. Severe turbulence is actually very rare.
Whether flying at night or during the day, pilots need to see some kind of horizon. They use this to determine the airplane's attitude. At night pilots will turn their gaze from outside to inside and use the artificial horizon. The artificial horizon is normally a simply globe split into two hemispheres.