I have hardwood floors that extend from my dinette, through the kitchen and into the dining room. It is a loooong area. However I do have throw rugs to break it up. It looks GREAT! I think that plan A is the best way to go.
If you have animals, I do know that Pergo can only be refinished once (at least that is what I was told 20 years ago.)
I love my hardwood but I do get crud in the cracks....just part of life. WE put in natural oak and it has held up nicely but we were supposed to refinished every 5 years....oops, still waiting to do that.