pegasus8228,

Thanks for all the help. I really am done with questions, but I plan on providing regular updates on my progress in purchasing a ticket.

Darren,

Thanks for your help. I actually do have a copy of the rules from FewMiles site and have read through them several times. After two years of law school, I thought I was good at reading rules, but these have proved to be a real challenge! my questions were based on "syntactical ambiguities" that I found in the rules. I wouldn't want you to think that I am lazy, just neurotic.

wideman,

Thanks for the advice. I know changing my itinerary is a risk that I will have to run if I buy early. Realistically, I won't buy for a few months, and I have already started looking into where I want to go.