Bottom line is do NOT fly a domestic carrier (Delta, United, NW, etc). To Europe I LOVE SQ, and LX (only if you can get on the 330-300, if it's the 330-200 forget it). LH isn't bad if you are traveling with someone, plus you'll get to use the FCT in FRA.

Just depends on how much you are willing to spend, and where you are coming from and going to.

With your Amex miles, if you transfer them to Aeroplan, it's 100k miles for an F ticket (at least I think it still is) and their taxes are VERY small compared to others.