So, I know I'm a relatively newbie here, but I've been asking myself
...just how much detouring for extra miles is too much?

I've been pricing up a domestic US flight, and I can either:

* Fly direct with a non-OW carrier for $390 - and earn nothing

* Fly a big detour with AA for an extra $215 ... and earn ~9000 Avios

Of course there are options in between too...

Which would you do?