Well - I just got off the phone after another hour talking with AA int. reservations. The agent first said I couldn't get an M fare because lack of inventory - but after I asked her to check several dates she said her system was returning a Friday departure with Sunday return, or Saturday departure with Monday return, but wouldn't allow Saturday departure with Sunday return because of the fare rules. She said she could get L fares on some of the dates though, as some of the L fares didn't require a Saturday night stay. I read her the fare rules - MLWUS7AP - Travelocity says "RETURN TRVL IS VALID ON THE 1ST SUN AFTER 12:01 A.M.. MEASURED FROM DPTR FROM GATEWAY." She said that sites like Travleocity and Expedia can interpret AA's rules in their own way and add to them. She said she would check with tariffs to make sure she wasn't going crazy though. She came back and said that yes, indeed, MLWUS7AP requires a Saturday night stay and that means leaving Friday. Unfortunatly AA.com agress with her....

She told me if I see "minimus stay" underlined in the fare rules, it means no Saturday night stay required. But if "minimus stay" says Saturday, then it is required. Apparently that is how it appears in her system...

I will proceed to book my ticket on other sits - but that means no bonus miles and booking fees - $12/ticket if I use thestoremaster.com - the only way I can get V or M inventory on some itineraries. Any ideas?

(I still need to know from those with experience: Can I do a 1 hour turnaround at LHR? Will this be a problem with security? If my US flight arrives late, AA will protect me, as I am on a single itinerary, right?)