Do pilots have a generally preferred "traffic" resolution?
If ATC offered me a heading change or an altitude change and I was happy with the altitude I was at, I'd take the heading change in a heartbeat.  Compare:

Altitude change:  


Dial the alt preselect up.
Select speed or VS mode (usually speed).
Set climb thrust.
Monitor the capture.
As the AP captures and pitches over, start bringing the thrust back to keep from speeding up until the original thrust setting is restored.


Heading change:


Select Heading Mode if in Nav mode.  If on vectors, it's already set.
Twirl the heading bug and monitor the turn.
When told to, dial the heading bug to a new heading as instructed or to a suitable intercept angle and reset Nav mode if told to resume self navigation.


Notice that with the heading change I don't have to screw around with power, which can be more hassle or less hassle depending on if you have FADEC, but in any case a lot more work than twirling the heading knob and pushing a button.