Here's our dilemma. Heading Stateside later this month. Our destinations and order are DUB-ORD-LAX-MIA-DUB on Skyteam. Best offer at the moment is Delta for $1008 each. If we ditch Skyteam (we're both FB Elite and it's a handy mileage run at the start of the year) and fly United (we're basic Star Alliance level flyers) then we bring the same trip in at $385!!

OH wants to pay the Delta price but I'm having major issues paying almost 3 times the price for lounge access in Dublin and Atlanta and Medallion check in. Flights will be in economy and looking at availability there's little chance of an op-up as all the planes are half full at most.

Should we save the money and do a non miles earning trip or should we pay they extra for the miles involved in this zig-zag of the US (the more connections the better, all the sectors count!)?