Thanks to everyone who's encouraged me. The negotiator came through, after our S. American friend failed me last night.

I know a lot of people put "the stop" in on the outbound, but I found better connections putting the stop in on the return.

Does anyone know how to get seat assignments from our Spanish friend? No problem with the American, but that website won't assign seats -- even on its own planes -- if you're booked on the Spanish flight number. And the website in Spain doesn't seem to allow seat assignments. I really don't want to discuss anything about my itinerary with any rez agents, but I would like to get seat assignments.